Professional Experience

2014 to present: Anchor for WINK News This Morning. Previously worked at KMGH-TV in Denver, WSJV-TV in South Bend, Ind., and KOMU-TV in Columbia, Mo.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Service

Enjoys participating in marathons and triathlons.

Education

The University of Missouri.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

As an island girl at heart, I'm thrilled to be back by the beach. While there are so many fantastic things about Southwest Florida, one of my favorites is Captiva, which holds a special place in my heart because that is where I celebrated my marriage.

Hometown

I don't have one. I've never lived anywhere longer than four years.

Family

Husband and two young children.

Memorable Assignments

Covering the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo., and historic floods that destroyed parts of Colorado.

Interesting Fact

As the daughter of U.S. Navy parents, I've lived in 10 states, Guam and Sweden.

Two killed, three hurt in Cape Coral crash

CAPE CORAL, Fla. – Police are investigating a Fourth of July crash that left two dead and injured three others. It happened around 10:30 p.m. at the intersection Veterans Memorial Parkway and Skyline Boulevard. Witnesses told police a Kia Forte made a left turn into the intersection and drove right into a Chevrolet Impala, that was […]

Tunisia’s President warns country is not safe

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) – Tunisia’s president says the country is “not safe” from further extremist attacks and has declared a national state of emergency to avoid what he says is a risk of collapse. President Beji Caid Essebsi’s speech Saturday came just over a week after a gunman at the popular beach resort of Sousse […]

Alligator kills Texas man

ORANGE, Texas (AP) – A man was killed early Friday when an alligator attacked him during a late-night swim at a Southeast Texas marina, according to police. Orange police Capt. Robert Enmon said Tommie Woodward, 28, suffered severe trauma to a limb when he was attacked early Friday morning at the private marina, which is […]

Lake City girl killed by sturgeon

LAKE CITY, Fla. (AP) – A 5-year-old Florida girl riding in a boat has died after a sturgeon leaped from the Suwannee River and struck her. Wildlife officials said Jaylon Rippy died after being struck Thursday night. Her mother and 9-year-old brother were also injured and taken to a Gainesville hospital. Their condition was not […]

Collier County man blows off part of his hand

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – Firefighters said a man in East Naples blew off part of his hand while trying to light fireworks. It happened on Sholtz Street around 10 p.m. Friday. Firefighters say the victim, who is in his 30s, was taken to a nearby hospital. In video taken by a WINK News crew, the man […]

Presidential hopefuls spend holiday with voters

AMHERST, N.H. (AP) – Alongside the patriotic music and waving flags Saturday in parades across Iowa and New Hampshire were clear reminders of a presidential race coming up next year: Red balloons promoting “Jeb! 2016,” a tractor draped in a Rick Perry banner and dutiful volunteers holding signs and chanting for their chosen candidates. Marching […]

Fourth of July road closures

LEE COUNTY, Fla. – If you plan to enjoy fireworks Saturday, there are several road closures you need to know about. The Cape Coral Bridge will be closed at 3 a.m. Saturday and remain closed the entire day. Cape Coral Parkway from Del Prado Boulevard to the bridge will also be closed Saturday. Cars attempting […]

Police lights crime

Woman arrested for throwing kittens out car window

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (Pensacola News Journal)- At about 11:45 a.m. Friday, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to an animal complaint in the area of Highway 87 and Grady Tolbert Road in Navarre. A witness told deputies they observed a black Infinity SUV in the area throwing small kittens out of the vehicle window. […]

Diver accidentally shot while spear fishing

SARASOTA, Fla. – At 3:40 p.m. crews reopened the John Ringling Causeway after a diving accident early Saturday closed the bridge. According to a Sarasota Police Department spokesperson, two men in their 20s were spear fishing under the bridge, when one diver accidentally shot the other diver with the spear gun. Judge said the diver was taken to […]

Cape Coral warns of costly water scheme

CAPE CORAL, Fla. – A flyer making its way around neighborhoods offers “free water testing,” but that testing comes with a price tag. Recently, Kathye O’Brien and her family moved from the Chicago area to Cape Coral. O’Brien said within days she received a flyer from a company that offered her “free water testing” as […]