Celebrated Jones High School band program gets help from community leader
The “Marching Tiger Band” is in need of support. Over the last few years uniforms and instruments have been damaged or gone missing, limiting student participation. But one alumnus is getting results for the school — and the community he loves.
HBCyoU Dolls represent spirit, education of historically Black colleges and universities
Wanting to introduce the concept of higher learning and children’s play, Brooke Hart Jones launched HBCyoU Dolls through a partnership with Purpose Toys, a Black-owned toy start-up with a mission to center and celebrate communities of color.
More than 1,500 people turn out for vaccinations at 3 Orange County high schools
More than 1,500 students and their families along with other members of the community turned out to receive COVID-19 vaccinations at Colonial, Evans and Jones high schools Wednesday and Saturday, according to Orange County Public Schools.
UCF film tells story of Orlando high school bands breaking barriers during the civil rights movement
“Marching Forward” is the UCF film that tells the story of two Orlando high school band leaders and their unique moment during the 1960s civil rights movement. James “Chief” Wilson was a band director for more than 5 decades at Jones high school--which in 1964, was segregated. From 2016 to 2021 the 60-minute film was produced by about 25 UCF students from the Honors College, all from different backgrounds and schools. Behind the scenes of "Marching Forward" during production at Edgewater High School. Jones High School students watching the "Marching Forward" documentary.
Rebekah Jones drops lawsuit over Florida police raid on her home, at least for now
Rebekah Jones, the data scientist fired from her position at the Florida Department of Health last year, has moved to dismiss her lawsuit against the Florida Department of Law Enforcement over an armed raid on her Tallahassee townhome in December, according to News 6 partner Florida Today. Jones was arrested after the raid and is currently facing a criminal charge of violating Florida’s computer crime laws. It would give them the opportunity to get discovery from us to use in their criminal case,” he said. Jones said she disobeyed orders to doctor the state’s COVID-19 data to benefit Gov. She also launched a national project to collect COVID-19 data related to schools and published academic work based on these data.
Black filmmaker, 14, creates short film inspired by Michelle Obama speech
At 14 years old, Kalia Love Jones has a bright future of filmmaking ahead of her. Written, directed and produced by Jones, her first animated short film “The Power of Hope” tells the inspirational story of a young woman with big dreams. In fact, it was the words of former First Lady Michelle Obama that drove her to bring her dreams to life. Jones is the youngest director selected into the Oscar qualifying Pan African American Film Festival. “The Power of Hope” will be screened virtually at the 29th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival from Feb. 28 to March 14.
NFL draft early entry list has 3 national title-winning QBs
National champion Alabama has five players leaving early after beating Ohio State in the CFP title game on Jan. 11, with All-America quarterback Jones and linebacker Dylan Moses both early graduates. The 30 players with college eligibility remaining after completing their degree requirements had to notify the NFL of their intentions for the draft. Players less than four years removed from high school who have not completed a degree need to be granted special entry to the draft by the NFL. Southern California has the most players leaving early for NFL draft eligibility with six. Stanford and Ohio State matched Alabama with five each.
Data scientist Rebekah Jones arrested in Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Rebekah Jones, a former Florida Department of Health data analyst who helped develop the state’s COVID-19 dashboard, was arrested on a charge of offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices, officials announced Monday morning. [TRENDING: Data scientist Rebekah Jones arrested in Florida | Disney World not selling any new annual passes | Orlando police search for missing 12-year-old girl]Online records show Jones bonded out of jail just before 11 a.m. Monday. During her first appearance, her judge set her bond at $2,500, conditional on her having no contact with any of the people whose personal information was allegedly downloaded and no contact through state of Florida computer systems. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said an investigation into Jones began Nov.10 when the FDLE received a complaint from the Florida Department of Health that someone illegally accessed a state emergency-alert messaging system, known as ReadyOp. Evidence retrieved from a search warrant on Dec. 7 shows that Jones illegally accessed the system sending a message to about 1,750 people and downloaded confidential Florida Department of Health data and saved it to her devices, according to authorities.
Rebekah Jones, former data analyst for Florida, says she will turn herself in
The accuracy of Florida’s coronavirus data on the state’s dashboard is back in the national spotlight. Rebekah Jones, a former Florida Department of Health data analyst who had her home raided by investigators on Dec. 7 and has a warrant for her arrest, announced on Twitter that she was turning herself in to authorities on Sunday, but it’s unclear if she’s in custody. Jones helped develop the state’s COVID-19 dashboard, but was fired for insubordination early last year. Jones posted a message Saturday on Twitter that she would turn herself in. — Rebekah Jones (@GeoRebekah) January 16, 2021The raid was based on a lie.
Unstoppable Tide: Alabama routs Ohio St for national title
DeVonta Smith was uncoverable, Najee Harris unstoppable and Mac Jones impeccable as the top-ranked Tide won the College Football Playoff national championship game 52-24 against No. 7 overall, breaking a tie with Alabama great Paul “Bear” Bryant for the most by a major college coach. "To me this is the ultimate team,” Saban said. “To me this team accomplished more than almost any team," Saban said. “Heaven knows what he would have done if he played the whole game,” Saban said.
One Good Thing: Theft leads to community giving in Miami
Sherina Jones poses with one of her community refrigerators, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, in the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami. Jones offers free food for the community from a stocked community refrigerator called the Village Freedge. Worried that children were missing meals after COVID-19 closed schools, the 36-year-old cancer survivor used her meager savings to buy her first community refrigerator in August. When one of the refrigerators was stolen just before the Thanksgiving Day turkey giveaway, it was more than a theft. Jones introduced her to a single mom who feeds her kids breakfast from one of the community refrigerators.
Roll Tide! No. 1 Alabama beats Notre Dame 31-14 in Rose Bowl
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)ARLINGTON, Texas – A truly untraditional Rose Bowl setting, a very common result for Alabama in the College Football Playoff. 4 Notre Dame in a CFP semifinal Rose Bowl played inside about 1,400 miles from Pasadena, California. “I don't think there’s anything quite like the Rose Bowl, the tradition, the setting, the mountains. 3 Ohio State, which beat Clemson 49-28 in the other CFP semifinal at the Sugar Bowl on Friday night. PERFECT AT COWS HOMEAlabama is 5-0 at AT&T Stadium, with a pair of convincing CFP semifinal wins there.
Boston Celtics Hall of Famer K.C. Jones dies at 88
FILE - In this Jan. 15, 1988, file photo, former Boston Celtics teammates Bill Russell, Sacramento Kings coach, left, and K.C. Jones, Celtics coach, meet before the start of the Kings-Celtics NBA basketball game at the Boston Garden in Boston. Only Russell and fellow Celtics teammate Sam Jones won more NBA championships as players. Jones went, winning was sure to follow,” the Celtics said in a statement before their Christmas Day game against the Brooklyn Nets. Jones reunited with Russell in Boston to win eight straight NBA titles from 1959-66.
Heisman finalists: Tide teammates plus Lawrence and Trask
(AP Photo/Brian Blanco, File)Alabama teammates Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith along with Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Florida’s Kyle Trask have been named finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Jones and Smith are the eighth set of teammates to be finalists together since the tradition started in 1982. Smith is trying to become the first wide receiver to win the Heisman since Michigan's Desmond Howard in 1991. Jones or Smith would become Alabama's third Heisman winner, but first that is not a running back. Iowa State running back Breece Hall was sixth, followed by Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book and Florida tight end Kyle Pitts.
Ex-data analyst Rebekah Jones demands Florida police return computers after raid
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A former Florida Department of Health data analyst who says a raid on her home by state investigators was payback for speaking out about what she describes were efforts to falsify COVID-19 figures is demanding that they return seized computer equipment and cell phones. Rebekah Jones said in a court filing on Wednesday that what the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is accusing her of doing isn’t a crime, according to the Miami Herald. Bennett Cyphers, a technology expert with the the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a San Francisco-based nonprofit, said in Jones' court filing Wednesday that the FDLE failed to provide “sufficient evidence” linking the IP address of the unauthorized message to Jones’ home. An IP address “cannot be used to identify a particular device or person,” since IP addresses used by one customer in one week “may be used by a different customer next week,” Cyphers said. Jones helped develop the state’s COVID-19 dashboard, but she was later fired for insubordination and has since publicly questioned the accuracy of the data.
Harris scores 5 TDs, No. 1 Bama escapes No. 11 Florida 52-46
11 Florida in a 52-46 shootout for the Southeastern Conference championship Saturday night. “The resiliency this team has shown this season to win 11 games is pretty phenomenal.”After falling behind 35-17 by halftime, Florida (8-3, No. Alabama had won every game in the pandemic-affected season by at least 15 points until Florida gave the Tide a scare. Florida: The Gators might’ve pulled off the upset if not for some crucial mistakes in the first half. But Florida also had two silly penalties on apparent third-down stops, extending a pair of drives that turned into touchdowns.
Kyle Trask, Mac Jones enjoy unlikely rises to Heisman contenders
Kyle has certainly done that and has had as fine a season as anybody in the country.”Ditto for Jones. Trask has already set the school season record for touchdown passes despite the shortened, SEC-only schedule. Trask is second nationally in passing yards per game (360.3), one spot ahead of Jones at 345.9. Jones said he looks up to Trask as both a person and a player, especially since both opted to stick it out instead of transferring. “I definitely have a lot of respect for Kyle, for how he’s handled his situation, too,” the 'Bama quarterback said.
COVID-19 and the holidays: These next few months will be toughest yet
Dr. Jones says parents need to talk to their little ones now about why they will not be seeing their grandparents for Christmas. Dr. Jones suggests parents should start planning now to have a creative and festive Zoom visit. Dr. Jones says before any family gathering for the holidays there must be some ground rules. Dr. Jones says we can all still do the right thing, it’s just going to take extra work from everyone. Listen to the full episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate on iTunes here or on Sticher here.
Florida governor decries data scientist’s claims agents mishandled search of her home
On Monday, state agents served a search warrant at the home of Rebekah Jones, an ex-health department employee. According to the warrant, Jones’ IP address was connected to a message sent in November on the alert system. Jones was fired from the Florida Department of Health in May for unauthorized public comments about the state’s COVID-19 data. “They did a search warrant. Why did they do a search warrant on the house?
Video shows FDLE agents waiting outside Florida data scientist’s home to serve search warrant
State law enforcement agents waited about 20 minutes outside the home of Rebekah Jones, an ex-health department employee, Monday before serving her with a search warrant, body camera video released from the FDLE Thursday shows. Jones initially refused to answer the door for 20 minutes and hung up when agents called her, according to FDLE. On Thursday, FDLE released two body camera videos totaling about 30 minutes showing Tallahassee police and FDLE agents trying to serve Jones with a search warrant for her electronics. FDLE Commissioner Richard Swearingen said in a statement the agency released the video to show “FDLE agents exercised extreme patience” and agents had been “vilified over the past few days.”“I am proud of the way these FDLE agents performed. Jones previously released video from inside the home showing agents walk inside with guns drawn but it does not show upstairs.
Gov. DeSantis appointee quits over raid on ex-state worker’s home
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A man appointed to a commission that recommends judicial appointments to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has resigned citing the search warrant served on a former Department of Health employee who has criticized the state’s COVID-19 data. Ron Filipowski announced his resignation from the 12th Circuit Judicial Nomination Commission on Twitter on Tuesday, saying a raid at the home of Rebekah Jones was unconscionable. [WATCH: Florida COVID-19 dashboard creator’s home raided after department of health complaint]Jones was fired in May. “I no longer wish to serve the current government of Florida in any capacity,” Filipowski said in his resignation letter.
Florida COVID-19 dashboard creator’s home raided after department of health complaint
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement raided the home of a former Department of Health employee Monday credited with creating the state’s COVID-19 tracking dashboard. Agents were looking for evidence that she unlawfully gained access to a health department messaging platform, according to the warrant. Rebekah Jones was fired from the Florida Department of Health in May after she says she declined to “manipulate” state virus numbers. Agents were given permission in the warrant to seize computer hardware, software and other documents in the Dec. 3 warrant. Officials with the Florida Department of Health declined to comment for this story, directing News 6 to the FDLE.
Rashida Jones replaces Phil Griffin as MSNBC president
NEW YORK – Phil Griffin is stepping down as the longtime president of MSNBC, to be replaced early next year by rising NBC News executive Rashida Jones. Griffin, 64, has worked at NBC News for 35 years and has been president of MSNBC since 2008. Jones, who has been with NBC News for the past seven years, is currently chief of breaking news and major events at the network. She just led the network's coverage of the 2020 presidential election and the team preparing Kristen Welker as moderator of the third presidential debate. Cesar Conde, the new chairman of the NBC Universal News Group, has made diversity one of his top priorities.
Jones bolsters Heisman case; No. 1 Alabama beats LSU 55-17
1 Alabama used a slew of explosive plays to run away from LSU 55-17 on Saturday night. Jones threw three of his touchdown passes to Louisiana native DeVonta Smith, who went to the same high school as Louisiana Gov. Smith's first two touchdowns went for 65 and 61 yards to cap three-play, 75-yard drives for Alabama (9-0, 9-0 SEC). Each score pulled LSU as close as two touchdowns, but the Tide answered each with the two deep connections between Jones and Smith. LSU: Visits sixth-ranked Florida in a game rescheduled from Oct. 17 because of a COVID-19 outbreak affecting the Gators.
‘Imma shoot them:’ Florida woman accused of threatening DeSantis, Rubio, Scott
Karen Jones, 55, was arrested at her South Florida home last Saturday. She is facing three charges of making written threats to kill or do bodily harm to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, according to an arrest report. Jones posted on Twitter last week, “DeSantis, Rick Scott and Marco Rubio are looting my state. Imma shoot them," according to the arrest report.
Orange County Public Schools reports highest daily COVID cases since reopening schools
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange County Public School District reported 40 confirmed cases of the virus Monday, the largest daily count the district has had since schools reopened this fall amid the pandemic, according to the Orange County Public School’s COVID-19 Dashboard. “That [number] is mirroring what is going on nationally with very high daily [COVID-19] numbers that we’re seeing across the nation. Jones said there needs to be more accountability in schools when it comes to following health and safety guidelines. Jones said parents need to ask questions and hold schools accountable to make sure health and safety protocols are being followed. Thank you for helping us keep our F2F programs functioning and healthy.”The Orange County School District said it continues to adjust and update their COVID-19 Health and Safety procedures.
Black Lives Matter faces test of its influence in election
“Black Lives Matter saved us, because we had nobody,” said Jones. Now, BLM’s influence faces a test, as voters in Tuesday’s election consider candidates who endorsed or denounced the BLM movement amid a national reckoning on race. Enter Black Lives Matter. Across social media platforms, the Black Lives Matter movement boasts a following of millions. “Black Lives Matter,” as a slogan, elicited “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter” responses from foes.
Jones throws deep, No. 2 Alabama tops No. 13 Texas A&M 52-24
Briefly threatened early, Jones and the Crimson Tide (2-0) flexed their considerable big-play muscle in the passing game to put away the Aggies (1-1). “Our guys stayed the course and kept competing in the game,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “We won, so it's a good game,” Jones said, when asked if it was his best performance. Smith, a converted receiver, emerged as another needed threat in the passing game. Alabama: Any questions about production of the Tide's passing game after Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III have been answered.
’Volusia County just lost two public servants:' Paramedic, teaching assistant die of COVID-19, family says
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A Volusia County family is mourning Monday after a brother and sister died of COVID-19, the sheriff said. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said paramedic Gerald “Jerry” Jones and his sister, Shyla Pennington, a teaching assistant, recently died. “Volusia County just lost two public servants, and a family lost two of their loved ones, to COVID-19,” Chitwood wrote on Facebook. According to the Volusia County School District, Pennington taught students with special needs for the last 18 years in several schools. “We really do not believe she contracted this at a school or at a school site or school function,” said Carl Persis, Volusia County School Board Chair.
American Academy of Pediatrics clarifies stance on reopening schools
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently came out with an updated statement regarding the reopening of schools. Science should drive decision-making on safely reopening schools. For instance, schools in areas with high levels of COVID-19 community spread should not be compelled to reopen against the judgment of local experts. If numbers are up, we may need to pause or delay and consider input from health officials, teachers and parents. This should not be politically motivated, we have to think about what’s best for kids, teachers and families,” said Jones.
Former Florida data scientist creates competing coronavirus dashboard
Now there are dueling data dashboards to track the new coronavirus in Florida, New 6 partner Florida Today reports. Visually, the new COVID-19 dashboard has a striking resemblance to the Florida Department of Health's officials dashboard of new coronavirus data, although with darker, earthier color tones, and many more cases and deaths. Jones' site on Friday showed 77,799 "COVID-19 positive people," while the Florida Department of Health's dashboard showed 70,971 total cases, including 1,630 positive non-residents. Jones dubs her new dashboard — www.FloridaCOVIDAction.com — “A People’s Dashboard for Florida during COVID-19,” or the Florida COVID Community Action website. “We put the data in context, clearly stating each variable’s limitations and caveats, for all the data on the site, including DOH’s data,” Jones’ press release said.
Jones Takes Care Of Business Against Lake Highland 41-13
October 28, 2016 – 2016 has already been a remarkable season for the Jones Fightin' Tigers. Under first-year coach Elijah Williams, the Tigers secured a playoff berth with a 41-13 defeat of Lake Highland Prep in Week 10. The Fightin' Tigers improved to 9 & 1 with the victory, their best record in years. Jones caps off the regular season next week at Avon Park. Lake Highland Prep, a respectable 6 & 3, wraps up its regular season schedule at Trinity Prep.
Jones Pulls Away From West Orange 48-24
September 23, 2016 – A strong second half propelled the Jones Fightin' Tigers to an impressive road win at West Orange. Leading 21-17 early in the third quarter, Jones quarterback Qadry Jones threw a touchdown pass to Elijah Clersidor, igniting a Tiger offense that scored 27 points in the the second half. With the victory, Jones improved to 5 & 0 on the season. The Tigers host Astronaut in Week 6. West Orange takes on another undefeated team, Apopka, at home.