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.

 

Fort Myers nonprofit founder, Israel Suarez, says he is positive for COVID-19

A Southwest Florida man who has dedicated his life to helping others is in the hospital being treated for the coronavirus. Reverend Israel Suarez, the founder of the Nations Association Charites in Fort Myers, says he has tested positive for COVID-19 Monday. Suarez in isolation at Cape Coral Hospital. He says he’s had three heart […]

State evictions moratorium changes troublesome for landlords, property managers

The state’s ban on evictions and foreclosures is extended for another month. There’s a new line in the governor’s executive order this time, but property managers worry it won’t help much. We spoke to a landlord Monday who hopes it’s at least a step in the right direction, and we also spoke to a landlord […]

Crews reinforce some areas in SWFL counties to prevent flooding

Preparing for the wet weather a tropical system could bring our way, county crews spent the day cleaning up and clearing out debris to prevent flooding. We checked out some trouble spots in Southwest Florida Wednesday and went along as crews worked. Crews dug a swale on Richmond Avenue in Lehigh Acres during the afternoon. […]

Multiple Fort Myers shootings leave investigators wondering if they are connected

Three shootings in Fort Myers have left investigators with questions on whether or not they are connected. The first shooting was a drive-by shooting on Ortiz Avenue and State Road 82 that killed one person. The second shooting happened early Monday morning at Jones Walker Apartment Complex on Blount Street and two people were injured. […]

How unpaid rent impacts the apartment industry

WINK News has been telling you about the eviction crisis for months as the pandemic continues and people can’t afford to pay rent, but how does this impact property managers? It has been a challenging year at Park Crest at the Lakes Apartments in Fort Myers, both for renters and for the property manager, Kelli […]

Stefan Strawder, 18, and Sean Archilles, 14, who died at Club Blu in 2016. Photo via WINK News.

‘Operation Club Blu’ offering $20K reward for information on 2016 fatal shooting

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Myers Police Department along with state and federal officials on Tuesday announced “Operation Club Blu” and a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects in the 2016 Club Blu shooting. The July 25, 2016, shooting outside the Fort Myers club left two people dead and […]

Classroom

Florida teachers union files lawsuit against state over school reopening order

The Florida Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, said Monday it’s filing a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state over their push to reopen Florida’s schools as COVID-19 cases rise. The FEA lawsuit is one of at least two to have been filed against the state’s plans to reopen schools. Both are […]

Stone crabbers ask FWC to hold off on new rules, say it could destroy their business

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission may enforce tougher rules on fishing to help increase the stone crab population, but fishermen say that could destroy their business. We talked to some of the members of the Florida Stone Crabbers Association who say a one-two punch of COVID-19 and these new rules will make a bad […]

Economists say second shutdown would be devastating for small business

Dr. Anthony Fauci said states with spikes in the coronavirus should “consider shutting down,” he told The Wall Street Journal recently. But could Florida survive a second shutdown? A second shutdown could mean an end for many businesses in Southwest Florida. Florida economists we spoke to Tuesday said a second shutdown in Florida would be […]

Investigators say skeletal remains found in Hendry County are human

Investigators are now working to confirm whose skeletal remains were found in eastern Hendry County this week. Tuesday, Hendry County Sheriff’s Office says a human skull and more than a dozen bones were found by a worker at a JD Thornton Nurseries off U.S. 27. Florida Department of Law enforcement assisted HCSO Wednesday, as investigators […]