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.

Jacksonville mayoral race draws national interest

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) – There’s a reason why the Jacksonville mayoral race is drawing the attention of outsiders like former President Bill Clinton, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and it’s about more than who wins on Tuesday. It’s because the state’s largest city will also be […]

Police search for Speedway robbery suspect

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Crime Stoppers needs your help to find a suspect, who held up a Speedway gas station Saturday night. Police said the suspect walked into the gas station in the 4600 block of Palm Beach Boulevard around 6 p.m. A witness told police the suspect pointed a black handgun at the clerk […]

Naples woman creates bag used by FBI

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – A Naples woman’s love for scuba diving and snorkeling has made her a successful business woman and contractor for government safety. Nearly a decade ago, Linda Kennedy was snorkeling in Bermuda when her money and credit cards were stolen from her blanket on the beach. From that point forward, Kennedy started […]

Man stuck with tickets and suspension after crooks steal plates

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – A Golden Gate Estates man has spent the last three years fighting to get a suspension off his driver’s license for something he never did. In 2012, Dean Meyers went to renew his driver’s license when he discovered it had been suspended. When he asked the clerk at the Department of […]

School district on dirty dining: “It’s embarrassing”

LEE COUNTY, Fla. – The Lee County School District said it will change the way it monitors high school concession stands after a WINK News Call for Action investigation uncovered filthy conditions at nearly all of its high school concession stands. UPDATE: A Call for Action investigation into dirty concession stands at Lee County schools apparently […]

Southwest Florida International launches flights to Puerto Rico

LEE COUNTY, Fla. – Sunday Southwest Florida International launched flights to Puerto Rico and announced it will soon be offering flights to Cancun. Sun Country Airlines launched its first flight from RSW to San Juan, Puerto Rico Sunday afternoon. Originally, the airline had only planned to offer the direct flight for the summer months, but […]

Gator blocks traffic on U.S. 41

LEE COUNTY, Fla. – Florida Fish and Wildlife crews have removed an alligator that was stuck beneath a car on U.S. 41 and Gladiolus Drive. Pictures sent to WINK News by several viewers show an alligator underneath a blue sedan. Another picture sent by Robert Anderson show trappers with FWC removing the alligator from the […]

Grandma graduates college with grandchildren

MIAMI (AP) – Rosa Salgado is a 79-year-old grandmother who’s English was limited when she moved to Miami from her native Colombia in 1995. Despite her age and language difficulties, Salgado graduated from college with a degree in education on Saturday, the Miami Herald reported. Salgado graduated from Miami Dade College’s Wolfson campus along with […]

Naples Kwik Pik store severely damaged after fire

NAPLES, Fla. – The Kwik Pik Store on Goodlette Frank North was heavily damaged Sunday after an early morning fire. Firefighters were called to the 400 block of Goodlette Frank North around 1:40 a.m. When crews arrived, they said there was smoke coming from the roof. As soon as crews arrived, they entered the building, […]

Man’s arms blown off in Cape Coral explosion

CAPE CORAL, Fla. – WINK News has learned the man hurt in a Friday evening explosion was 31-year-old Justin McHenry. Around 6:30 Friday evening, families in the Porto Vista Condos said they heard a loud explosion. Moments after, deputies and fire fighters responded to Unit 101, where they found a man hurt with at least […]