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.

 

Officer stands before the table where a person died. (Credit: WINK News)

Police: Cape Coral shooting was a targeted attack

There are brand new details about a shooting in a Cape Coral neighborhood. Officers said when they rushed to the home on SE 24th Ave., they found a victim with several gunshot wounds lying on top of a table. Cape Coral investigators said the nature of the attack sent them immediately searching for a shooter. […]

Dr. Teresa Sievers. (Credit: WINK News)

Two juries to listen to prosecutors of Sievers murder case

In a new development for the Dr. Teresa Sievers murder case in Lee County, two juries will now listen to prosecutors who are trying to convict husband Mark Sievers and Jimmy Rodgers for her death in 2015. Wayne Wright, an allegedly hired hit man, admitted to killing Dr. Sievers in 2015. In exchange, he will […]

Sievers case will continue as previously scheduled, for now

Attorneys for two suspects accused of being involved in the killing of Teresa Sievers appeared before a judge Wednesday after the state and defense requested a delay in the trial start date. The request was to delay an already scheduled June 3 trial to September, but Judge Bruce Kyle did not approve the motion for […]

Caught on Cam: Lehigh Acres neighbors catch a bear rummaging through their trash

A woman in Lehigh Acres living on 13th Street SW recorded a bear walking through her neighborhood over the weekend. And it was all caught on cam. FWC advises, if someone sees a bear its best to not approach it and just observe from a distance. Often bears are only in neighborhood for the food, so if […]

Seal of the School District of Lee County. Photo via WINK News.

Lee County schools step up security with new attendants

More adults will be roaming the hallways, bathrooms and parking lots in Lee County high schools. The additional layer of security at 11 high schools aims to keep teenagers healthy and safe. Among the threats facing students is surging tobacco usage, leading to quadruple the number of offenses compared to two years ago. Along with […]

8-year-old girl in a hit-and-run crash Monday morning. (Credit: Aiken Family)

Turning stones into beautiful rocks for a killed 8-year-old’s grieving family

A collection of plain stones, only to be turned into something beautiful as people of all ages are volunteering to paint these rocks for Layla Aiken’s grieving family. “Layla loved purple and pink, so a lot is purple and pink,” said Brittany Schwartz, a friend of Layla’s mother. “She loved cats. They are a Boston […]

Cape Coral residents hope for end to blue-green algae

President Donald Trump toured the Herbert Hoover Dike repairs at Lake Okeechobee Friday. People in Southwest Florida are hoping that fixes to the dike infrastructure will help prevent another water quality crisis like the one we saw last year. Thick green gunk plagued canals throughout SWFL, and homes on the water in Cape Coral were […]

Community advocates for better bus stop safety after an 8-year-old dies

The unimaginable heartache for one Cape Coral family is urging a community into action. “There should be no kids that have lost their life because of this,” Traci Debusman said. “I was heartbroken,” Mari Whitney said. “I have grandkids this age and it just breaks my heart.” The community wants school bus stops to be […]

Dangerous intersection has a big upgrade to make it safer

A Fort Myers intersection with a bad reputation now has a new, possibly safer design. Traffic signals now replace stop signs and temporary flashing lights at Winkler Ave. and Challenger Blvd. It is a design that drivers, such as Cathalen Way, told WINK News was dangerous. “The first time I went through I was hesitant […]

Portion of blueprints for the proposed roundabout. (Credit: WINK News)

City of Fort Myers faces push back on its roundabout proposal

The community is divided over a roundabout project along the historic McGregor Blvd. at Virginia Ave. “I’m against the roundabout,” Kay Holloway said. “Truly and simply.” “We need this roundabout,” said Randy Krise, owner of Krise Commercial Group. “It’s going to be beautiful.” On one side of the debate, the proposed roundabout by the city is critical […]