Professional Experience

1992 to present: Anchor, WINK News.

Awards & Recognition

I've been honored with much recognition, including the "Best News Anchor" in Southwest Florida, the Phi Delta Kappa Lay Person of the Year, the Quill Pen Award from the Florida Association of School Administrators, a "Woman in History" from the American Business Women's Association, the Library Advocate of the Year by the Southwest Florida Library Network and was voted one of the top Women of the Year by Gulf Shore Life Magazine.

News Philosophy

A news organization plays a very important role in society, providing vital information in times of emergency and keeping a close watch on the powerful while, at all times, being fair and accurate.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Service

For more than 15 years I've volunteered as a committee member for the Southwest Florida Reading Festival, helped raise millions of dollars worth of food for the Harry Chapin Food Bank, served on the local board of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and volunteered in area schools by reading to children and mentoring students.

Education

University of Wisconsin.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

There are so many things to love about Southwest Florida. The people, the beaches the sunsets. But if I had to chose one, it would be the weather. We are the envy of much of the country, most of the year, and that's pretty special.

Hometown

St. Anna, Wis.

Family

Husband, John; son, Nicholas; daughter, Isabella.

Freedom Waters Foundation treats veterans to a day on the water

NAPLES, Fla – One hundred war veterans enjoyed a day on the water Monday courtesy of the Naples nonprofit Freedom Waters Foundation. Freedom Waters Foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of individuals with special needs and veterans by providing therapeutic experiences on the waters of Southwest Florida. Many of the veterans the FWF serves, suffer […]

Harry Chapin Food Bank looking for a new leader

FORT MYERS, Fla – The head of one of the most respected charities in Southwest Florida is stepping down. After eight years as CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Al Brislain is leaving the non-profit to run another food bank in California. Brislain came to the food bank in 2007 right before the recession […]

Bishop Frank Dewane speaks on “The Pope Effect”

VENICE, Fla – The leader of the Catholic Church in Southwest Florida has tremendous respect for Pope Francis and the feelings he inspires in the faithful. Bishop Frank Dewane has met the holy father on a couple of occasions, and says you can’t help but have the experience move you. “You know, if we look […]

Dozens of Southwest Florida’s faithful head to Philadelphia for Papal visit

NORTH NAPLES, Fla – 38 parishioners from St. John the Evangelist Church in North Naples flew to Philadelphia on Monday for a week of activities leading up to the Papal visit. Parishoner Rick Beebe is taking his family on the trip. “I think it’s great that we are able to do it. And I think […]

Lee County mourns the loss of Judge Robert Shafer

LEE COUNTY, Fla – Members of the legal community are mourning the loss of Judge Robert Shafer.  Judge Shafer died on Wednesday after a short illness. Judge Shafer served as a Senior Law Partner with Henderson, Franklin, Starnes and Holt in Fort Myers, and as a Chief Circuit Judge in the 20th Judicial District. Community […]

WINK News Investigates: Florida Standards Assessment

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- Southwest Florida students are taking the new, Florida Standards Assessment (FSA). It’s an exam taxpayers paid the State of Utah $5 million to field test. In Utah, after just one year of use, some lawmakers are trying to get rid of their own test. The FSA tests critical thinking skills in several […]

Estero and Sanibel elect new leaders

LEE COUNTY, Fla. – The election results are in for the municipal elections in Estero and Sanibel. Estero voters elected the first leaders for the Village of Estero after voting to become a municipality in November. Elected on Tuesday in Estero were: Donald Brown Katy Errington Jim Boesch Jim Wilson They join Willam Ribble, Howard Levitan […]

Schools celebrate Read Across America with guest readers

CAPE CORAL, Fla – Schools all over Southwest Florida are celebrating the birthday of Dr. Seuss with Read Across America events. Read Across America began in 1998 as a way to motivate children to read.  Research has shown that children who spend more time reading do better in school.  The event was created by the […]

Suzuki closing in on a deal with the Marlins

MIAMI (AP) – A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that Ichiro Suzuki has agreed to a one-year contract with the Miami Marlins, pending a physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the contract with the 41-year-old outfielder has not been finalized. Suzuki batted .284 last year for […]

Four people displaced by fire in North Fort Myers

LEE COUNTY, Fla. – The Lee County Red Cross is helping four people displaced by a fire in North Fort Myers. The fire broke out in the office of the Aloha Hotel on Old 41 just North of Pondella. The fire send thick smoke into the two units closest to the office. The North Fort […]