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!

Homeowners out thousands after SWFL contractor didn’t deliver

Customers of one Southwest Florida building manufacturer are fed up with the company after they say the business’s owner took their cash and did not deliver. Robin Meyer was looking forward to building her dream house on Pine Island. “It’s our forever home, our retirement home,” she said. More than a year and a half […]

Survey: How has the cost of child care impacted you?

We all know kids aren’t cheap. The cost of infant care in Florida is more than the annual cost of college tuition at a four-year college, according to the non-profit Child Care Aware of America. We want to know: How has the cost of child care impacted your finances? LINK: Click here to take this […]

Study shows taking aspirin daily may be harmful

New recommendations could change the way you or someone you love takes care of their heart. For decades, doctors have recommended to many people that a low dose each day is a good way to reduce risk of heart attack and stroke. The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiologists want to change that, […]

Confusion Over Cannabidiol: Is CBD legal? It depends who you ask

The cannabis chemical CBD is for sale all over Southwest Florida in a variety of products. Driving down U.S. 41 in Fort Myers, you can’t miss all the stores selling the popular hemp product. Extracted from hemp, CBD (or cannabidiol) won’t get you high, but users say the popular product helps them fight things like […]

DNA swab test. (CBS photo)

At-home DNA kits: What you’re really signing up for

Discovering your past with the help of an at-home DNA kit is gaining in popularity, but sending off your DNA doesn’t just provide insight into your family history. It could have big consequences for your future. DISCOVERING YOUR PAST Naples resident Dodi Gill is deeply interested in her family’s lineage. As a child, she remembers […]

Curbing Your Costs: How recycling right could save you money

Do you know what’s supposed to go in your curbside recycling bin? Our garbage and recycling rates cost us hundreds of dollars every year, and now the people who manage our trash say putting the wrong thing in your recycle bin could be costing you money. “By putting trash in your recycle cart, it’s actually […]

One year after Parkland massacre, SWFL students get candid about mental health

One Year Later High school students Joshua, Aaron and Ariana say memories of Parkland are constantly on their mind. “I was nervous, I was sad, I was angry at someone that could take 17 lives,” said Aaron Torres, a senior at Immokalee. “He could’ve went to that school and come to our school next if […]

Teens may be best option for flagging concerning social media posts from classmates

The Parkland school shooting caused schools across the state of Florida to tighten security measures. Now, almost one year after the tragedy, many are wondering — are schools safer? We take a look at how social media is playing a role in monitoring threats. North Fort Myers High School junior Bridgette Marrero remembers when she […]

Scammers send fake SunPass bills; here’s what to look out for

Scammers have been sending out fake SunPass toll bills to people saying they owe money when they don’t. The Florida Department of Transportation sent WINK News a snapshot of what these fake emails look like. Here’s what to look out for: The emails are coming from the account: SunPassNotice@ezpass-collections.net. The sender is “Sun Pass Collections […]