Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm/Treasure Coast Newspapers, mainly covering St. Lucie County. Originally from Orlando, he began working at The Stuart News in 1997, covering government issues in Stuart and Sewall's Point. He often was asked to help cover crime and breaking news stories in Martin County, and wound up being assigned to that. In fall 1999, his editor at the time shifted his coverage area to St. Lucie County.
Q : What is it like covering breaking news for the USA Today Florida Network?
A : I enjoy the job and the different challenges it can bring on a daily basis. Connecting with family or friends of victims impacted by crime or tragedy, such as a criminal homicide or accidental car crash , to share that person's story is a privilege, and not one I take lightly. I enjoy interacting with local law enforcement officers, learning about their jobs , responsibilities and helping tell their stories . Sometimes the job can be very difficult, such as interviewing grieving parents , but it always is rewarding to help inform the community.
Q : What are some of the other things you enjoy about your job?
A : Sometimes story opportunities come my way that allow me to interview interesting residents and officials and tell their stories in a more feature-like format. For example, I spoke at length to Dr. Patricia Aronica for a profile story when she took over as the area's chief medical examiner and I also spoke to Barry Mawn, who retired from the FBI in 2002 and at the time was a seasonal Hobe Sound resident. Before retiring he headed an FBI office about five blocks from the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. I have an interest in military history, and have had the pleasure of interviewing a Vietnam veteran with ties to Vero Beach whose service involved treating patients in a civilian hospital in what then was South Vietnam, and a number of World War II veterans, including a then 100-year-old Fort Pierce resident who served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific.
Q : What is your most memorable story?
A : Over the years I have written many stories that stay with me. Most are profiles, or feature type stories , that involve interviews with many people before crafting an article that captures what a person is like, or illustrates that person through the memory of others. In one case, I got an email from a then stranger to me. Although I didn't know this person, I knew his father, learned from him and interviewed him many times over the years before he retired. That stranger said his dad told him he always felt I "gave him a fair shake." He told me his father was in ill health and did not have much time left and asked for help in writing an obituary. It was a powerful moment for me, and was the start of what became a front page story about the passing in 2020 of the area's longtime top medical examiner, Dr. Roger Mittleman.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com .
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Meet the staff: TCPalm Breaking News Reporter Will Greenlee
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