Joel Vazquez-Juarbe

Joel joined the 12 On Your Side team in July 2024. The South Jersey native relocated to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for his first news job just days after graduating from Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey in May 2022. (Go Profs!)

He was a multimedia journalist at WPDE ABC15 News for two years, covering everything from hurricanes, local and national politics to fun events around the Grand Strand. He was also more than willing to jump behind the desk when needed.

Now he trades the waves of the Atlantic Ocean for the gentle currents of the James River, looking forward to serving all the diverse communities in the Richmond-Petersburg area and telling the stories that matter.

When Joel isn’t in the field, he enjoys running, sipping an iced vanilla latte, or simply watching reality competition shows with his cat Lucy. If you see him doing any of these activities, say “hi!”