Professional Experience

September 2018 to present: Investigative Reporter at WINK News

Previously worked as a multimedia journalist at WCJB TV20 News, WUFT-TV and WUFT-FM in Gainesville, FL; and as an investigative intern at WPLG Local 10 News in Miami, FL

Member of National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) and Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE)

Awards & Recognition

2019 Excellence in Broadcast News Award for Transportation / Traffic Series reporting, Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists (FABJ) – “Waiting in the Dark”

2019 NATAS Suncoast Regional Emmy Nomination for Education / Schools News reporting– “Waiting in the Dark”

2019 Young Journalist Award for Broadcast, Press Club of Southwest Florida

2019 Sunshine State Award for Multimedia Feature, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) – “You Are Now Live” (2nd Place)

2019 Excellence in Innovation in TV, Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, RTDNA – “Locked Out Florida”

2018 Awards for Photo Essay & Short Hard News Feature, Florida Associated Press Broadcasters (now FABJ) College Contest

News Philosophy

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” — Ida B. Wells

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement

Sara is a big fan of live theater and performing arts, traveling to faraway places, volunteering, playing roller derby, Gator football, spoiling her nieces and nephews, and cuddling up next to her dog Mickey.

Education

Master’s in Mass Communication and Bachelor’s in Telecommunication News from the University of Florida

Go Gators!

Police pausing marijuana arrests because of new Florida hemp law

Police across Southwest Florida are pressing pause on illegal marijuana arrests until they can get new field tests. The standard used to be if police saw it or smelled it, they had probable cause to search for marijuana. But now that hemp is legal with the passage of SB 1020, it is not so easy. […]

Fort Myers police chief’s new contract, salary bump approved

UPDATE: Fort Myers City Council approved contract conditions for the chief of Fort Myers Police Department in a 4-3 vote. The city manager and Police Chief Derrick Diggs have agreed to the conditions set in a new employment agreement through Aug. 15, 2021. In 2016, Diggs was given a base salary of $140,000 a year. This […]

Hemp: Florida’s next moneymaker could bring hope to farmers

Hemp is taking the spotlight, as more states around the country rush to get their hands on what’s projected to be a multi-billion dollar industry. That’s why farmers, business owners and anyone interested in the hemp industry flocked to the Industrial Hemp Pilot Project Workshop in Homestead, hosted by the University of Florida Institute of […]

Companies set to install lighting at more than 400 Lehigh bus stops

While local electric companies are working to set up lights at school bus stops, some students are still waiting during pitch black, early-morning hours to get picked up by the bus for school. Lee County Electric Cooperative confirmed they have crews already installing lights at school bus stops in Lehigh Acres. Florida Power & Light […]

What makes a bus stop safe, according to the law

For nine months a year, around 50,000 students across Lee County get to and from school by riding the bus. Sophia, 12, starts seventh grade this month, and her mom Fabiola Silva wants to make sure she gets to school safely. Because before Sophia hops on the bus, she waits at a street corner in […]

Survey: How do you feel about school bus stop safety?

The start of school is just around the corner and safety is always on the mind of parents. Do you have kids taking the bus for the first time this year? How do you feel about bus stop safety in Lee County? Take our short survey below: Click HERE to take the survey if you […]

Lee and Charlotte counties top the list for Florida’s best recycling spots

Recycling is top of mind for Lee and Charlotte counties. State numbers show they are ahead of the curve. In 2018, both counties recycled more than 75 percent of their waste. In February, WINK News went to multiple recycling centers in Southwest Florida and saw first hand how much people throw away. Lee County said of […]

School District of Lee County board members in early 2018. Photo via WINK News.

Lee County school district leaders finalize plans to keep your kids safe

The Lee County school board went over lots of fine print in their policy making, covering sign-in procedures, crime on campus, and fire safety. But the hottest topic has been how the district will address school threats. In wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in February 2018, the state legislature passed a […]