Professional Experience

2021 - present: WINK News morning anchor
2019 - 2021: WINK News weekend anchor/reporter
2018 - 2019: WINK News reporter
Previously worked as a weekend anchor and reporter at KMIZ in Columbia, Missouri.

Awards and Recognition

2019 Suncoast Regional Emmy Award nomination for reporting on a "Bomb Squad Search at a Home in Cape Coral."
Two Heart of America Gold Awards from the Kansas City Press Club for a special report on "Surviving a Mass Shooting" and for several reports on human and sex trafficking in mid-Missouri.

News Philosophy

Be a voice for the voiceless.

Education

Ohio University, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism

Hometown

Canonsburg, PA

Hobbies and Interests & Community Involvement

I love soaking up the sun. You can find me relaxing at the beach or at the pool with a good murder mystery book. I enjoy working out and recently became a certified Les Mills Body Pump instructor. Being just a short flight away from so many beautiful countries and territories in the Caribbean, I love exploring new areas and cultures. Animals are my favorite. I am a volunteer at the Gulf Coast Humane Society and help other rescue organizations with events and fundraisers. I also volunteer with Best Buddies Southwest Florida and the Children's Advocacy Center.

Family and Pets

My husband and I are proud parents to two black cats named Isaac and Cleo.

Likes best about Southwest Florida:

The weather and beaches. We live where people vacation.

 

Frustration, more disappointment for process to get a vaccine in Lee County

Many people planned their day around the COVID-19 vaccine registration process in Lee County Wednesday. We talked to several people who say reservations are taking over their lives, and they must plan out time to call in. Those not vaccinated are frustrated they still haven’t had any luck. Beverly Morford and her husband woke up […]

SWFL couples fed up with vaccine system travel to East Coast to get first dose

A woman was fed up with the vaccine reservation system in Southwest Florida, so she traveled hundreds of miles to get the shot. Betty Rahm, Cherie McArthur and their husbands took a road trip across the state Tuesday to get their first COVID-19 doses. “I just want things to be back to normal,” Rahm said. […]

Collier, Lee counties seek help from retired nurses to give COVID-19 vaccine

If you’re a retired nurse, you could potentially help give out the COVID-19 vaccine in Southwest Florida. Florida Department of Health in Collier County says it’s making a volunteer list. DOH-Collier wants retired nurses to send them an email at info.dohcollier@flhealth.gov. Florida Department of Health in Lee County is asking people to register with the […]

SWFL hospitals say they will use all of the vaccine allocated to them

Hospitals are now being asked to submit their plans to vaccinate the public. Gov. Ron DeSantis warned hospitals that if they didn’t use their vaccine supply they would not be getting more. That won’t be an issue in Southwest Florida, as hospitals in the region say they are using all of the vaccine shots they […]

60-pound boa constrictor caught in Lehigh Acres

A Colombian “Red-Tailed” Boa, which is a non-native exotic snake was captured in Lehigh Acres Sunday. According to Scott Flavelle, who is licensed for nuisance animal control the python is 60 lbs. and more than 8 1/2 feet long. The snake was caught near Joel Blvd in the area of the Greenbrier community. Flavelle said […]

Police search for missing Fort Myers woman with dementia

Fort Myers Police Department was actively searching with K9 unit dogs Monday for a missing woman who has dementia. Maria Dilenia Espinal, 65, was reported missing early Sunday morning and is considered missing and endangered due to her condition. She was last seen walking on Luckett Road, east of Ortiz Avenue. Espinal was wearing a […]

Holiday light displays add extra bright significance in 2020

Neighbors in Southwest Florida are keeping holiday traditions alive during the pandemic. People we spoke to said Christmas lights on homes are more important in 2020. Robert and Darlene Carswell like to go all out for the holidays. “It’s not so much the stuff in the yard; it’s what people get out of it,” Robert […]

Operation Spreading aloha

Cape Coral family giving to those in need with ‘Operation Spreading Aloha’

A family in Cape Coral is setting an example of what Giving Tuesday is all about. The Viernes family is giving back through their initiative “Operation Spreading Aloha.” The gifts begin in a wrapping assembly line, started by Kiana’s careful cuts. “I wrap the presents. I’m very anal about perfection with presents,” said Kiana Meyer. […]

Sanibel to discuss permanent alcohol ban on beach

The City of Sanibel is considering a permanent alcohol ban on its beach due to the pandemic after it put a temporary ban in place over the summer. Acting Mayor Mick Denham told us Sanibel learned a lot from the COVID-19 restrictions in place for the summer. He said the goal is not to keep […]

Contact tracing imperative to curb spread of COVID-19

More people are reportedly testing positive for the coronavirus in the United States and in Southwest Florida. We looked at what one of our region’s health agencies is doing to respond to the current surge in cases. At Florida Department of Health in Lee County, Jennifer Roth says she and her COVID-19 response team are […]