Professional Experience

2018 to present: Reporter, WINK News. Previously worked as an anchor and reporter for WUFT in Gainesville, F.L, 2017; WSVN in Miami as an Investigative Unit intern, 2017; Today Show intern in NYC.

Awards & Recognition

I earned two Associated Press Awards while covering Hurricane Irma and a confederate rally. I was ranked Top Speaker in the State of Florida for Varsity Public Forum Debate. I’ve covered big stories in my home state of Florida from the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando to the Richard Spencer rally in Gainesville.

News Philosophy

Be the voice people can rely on in a community to relay accurate, important, and inspiring information. Journalism is what we need to make democracy work.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement

I worked as a tennis instructor back in Miami, so in my free time, I like to play tennis. I also love to travel with my friends and family! Cheering on the Gators is a big family tradition. I didn't miss a single home football game while I was in college.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications from the University of Florida

Likes best about Southwest Florida

All of the beautiful islands.

Hometown

Miami Beach, Florida.

Neighbors want answers in woman’s death at Fort Myers apartment

Monday, a woman was found dead inside a filthy apartment with children inside at Cypress Court Apartments in Fort Myers. Fort Myers Police Department responded to the apartments off Palm Beach Boulevard and Seminole Avenue, where neighbors have concerns and unanswered questions Tuesday about what police reported as a suspicious death investigation. We went to […]

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Fort Myers mayor asks city manager to resign

Mayor Kevin Anderson confirmed Monday night he has asked City Manager Saeed Kazemi to resign from his role with the city. Anderson cited a lack of credibility, confidence and confidentiality in the city manager. Anderson told us the decision to ask for Kazemi’s resignation has nothing to do with the city manager’s recent salary increase. […]

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Giving is their favorite holiday tradition

Giving and receiving gifts is the favorite tradition of many during the holidays. But for one family, it’s the giving that means so much more. With a full house of Christmas decorations and too many toys to count, Angela Castillo gives credit to two things. “Hard work,” Castillo said. “It just truly’s God’s blessing.” Castillo’s […]

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People forced out their homes near downtown Fort Myers after heavy police presence

Police cars surrounded homes near downtown Fort Myers and eventually forced neighbors outside early Thanksgiving morning on Cranford Avenue. The person police were looking for, however, managed to get away. Neighbors say they are a bit on edge but are just happy that all of the kids are okay. WINK News spoke to one person […]

RSW sees drop in holiday travel, more traveling by car

It was slow at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) on the afternoon of Thanksgiving Eve. Many people we spoke to had to make hard decisions: to travel or not to travel, to host or not to host. But more people are traveling by car this year, not by air. Everyone we spoke to said they […]

Lehigh Acres man accused of drowning 2 animals, bludgeoning another

A man has been arrested after being accused of killing three animals and throwing them into a garbage can. On Monday, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 4500 block of 27th Street SW in Lehigh Acres after receiving a call about animal abuse. A witness said she found Jose Luis Ortiz, 46, covered […]

Fort Myers council members have ideas for saving City of Palms Park

Fort Myers officials have differing ideas in mind for what’s next for an old ballpark, but the city has already asked the county to demolish it. Before the wrecking ball swings at the City of Palms Park near downtown, a couple of councilmen want to at least float some new ideas. One believes the city […]

SWFL Republicans approve of DeSantis leadership during pandemic

We looked at critiques from both sides of the aisle regarding Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent leadership in the state during the pandemic. The governor has made three official public appearances in the last 18 days, and he has not answered questions from the press in nearly three weeks. That’s a big change from the beginning […]

Once-visible DeSantis remains behind closed doors as cases surge

People are looking for leadership as COVID-19 runs rampant. Other states are enforcing pandemic restrictions, but Gov. Ron DeSantis is staying behind closed doors. He did, however, get a message out on Thursday, releasing a five-minute video on YouTube where he talked about the promise of COVID-19 vaccines and Florida’s plan to distribute them. He […]

DeSantis remains quiet as state surpasses 900,000 COVID-19 cases

The COVID-19 crisis is getting worse by the day in Florida, with nearly 8,000 new cases reported Wednesday – and still no response from Tallahassee on this most recent surge. WINK News is once again asking where is Gov. Ron DeSantis and his pandemic response in a time when people are looking to their leaders […]