Jessica joined the Times in 2008 after graduating from the University of Florida. A Tampa-area native, she's lived in Northdale, Lutz and Brandon. She reports from the Times' Riverview bureau and focuses on Ruskin, Gibsonton and Plant City. Before graduating, she completed internships at the Oregonian and the Florida Times-Union. When she's not reporting, Jessica enjoys going to concerts and restaurants with her husband, whom she married in December 2007.

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E-mail: jvandervelde@sptimes.com