Neile Jones
Tulsa's Channel 8
Contact Neile
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Neile:
Family speaks out after loved one shot, killed while driving
The family of Jennifer Hernandez says someone shot and killed the 45-year-old mother and grandmother in her car just a few houses down from her home, and now, they're grappling with loss, questions, and frustration. Through tears and laughter, her sister Leah said, "Everybody knows Jennifer. She was funny. She was a pain in the tail end, but that was my little sister... that was my little… → Read More
COVID testing lab at Tulsa International Airport staying busy
Brandy Breedlove plans to take her family to the Bahamas, which means they all need a negative COVID test. So, they came to Alpha Express Labs at Tulsa International Airport. She said the testing process was easy, "They stick a swab in your nose, circles for about 10 seconds and then does the other side. It didn't hurt my 12-year-old; my 18-year-old, it was very easy, very fast. → Read More
Marching Academy in Tulsa teaching life lessons, one beat at a time
Students from districts across Green Country came to The Zephyrus Arts Institute's Marching Academy in Tulsa for some lessons they'll never forget. Thanks to an anonymous donor and a lot of hard work, the five-day Academy was free. Coweta High School Student Avery Johnson said news of the generous gift helped him decide to attend. "I wasn't going to come until they received the anonymous… → Read More
Claremore museum celebrates its Black history with new exhibit
You can hear the sounds of change at The Claremore Museum of History as they prepare for a new exhibit. Director Of Education Kelsey Hildebrand is excited about what's ahead. "We're really creating something that hasn't existed here in Claremore before it's all new," said Hildebrand. "It gives us an opportunity to develop more programs and teach more about something that up until now has… → Read More
Looking at the pulse of Tulsa leading up to the 1921 Race Massacre
World War I and the need for oil and gas helped Tulsa thrive. Things were hopping, and people moved here from across the country for a chance to build something and to start fresh. As author and attorney Hannibal Johnsonexplains, the Greenwood District thrived, too, with Black people investing in their community. "You would find beauty salons and barbershops, pool halls, dance halls, movie… → Read More
Love at the finish line of IRONMAN Tulsa
The IRONMAN finish line is a special place, but love helped one couple find a new beginning. When you compete in something like IRONMAN Tulsa, you need a good support system. For a Bixby, Oklahoma couple, the triathlon changed their lives and brought them even closer, all thanks to a surprise ending. Buster Brown trained for two years for IRONMAN Tulsa 2021. "It was incredibly challenging. → Read More
Claremore woman creates 'Hair We Go Mobile Salon' during pandemic
Over the past year, many senior citizens have cut back on going out for things, including getting their hair done. For a Claremore woman, COVID-19, and listening to a sign from above all led to a new beginning. Sheridan Long says, "I do hair, and I care about the people. "When the pandemic hit, Brown turned to God, "We had two weeks of quartine. Everything had shut down. Salons had shut down.… → Read More
Giant mural going up in Broken Arrow's Rose District
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. (KTUL) – This weekend, make sure you stop by The Museum Broken Arrow to see art in the making. Artist Carlos Barboza is working on a giant mural on the side of the museum. He said he doesn't know how long it will take him to finish this piece - about 58 feet high and 32 feet wide. You can see it on the museum's south exterior wall just off Main Street in the Rose District.… → Read More
Tulsa police chief speaks out after Chauvin trial and calls from public for police reform
Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin is reacting to the Derek Chauvin trial and the impact calls for police reform are having on his department. “Out of tragedy, we often look for hope, we look for opportunity, and that's exactly what we do, and this is no different. I don't think anyone is shocked by the outcome of the trial that took place. ” Explained Franklin. → Read More
NEILE'S SHOUT-OUT: Miami restaurants serve community in more ways than one
Not everything that came out of that bitterly cold weather last month left a bad taste. In fact, days before that winter storm hit, some Miami, Oklahoma, restaurants started something they plan to continue. → Read More
The Hi-Way Cafe serves up 'Giving Wall' to help those in need
The Hi-Way Cafesits about two miles outside Vinita, Oklahoma, on Route 66, and on any given day serves up favorites like chicken fried steak or their Route 66 burgers, but lately, it's what's not on the menu that's the talk of the town. Owner Beth Hilburn said, "It's been difficult even for people that are employed, and then if you add to that the pandemic and no employment and no income, of… → Read More
Leaders ask for patience with new vaccine portal system
If you're having issues getting an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine, you're not alone. A Facebook Post From Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith shows an issue she and her husband had while trying to schedule their covid vaccine. She Said, " Pat was at his office trying to schedule one, and I was here uhh the portal sent him to Germany and then mine was to France. " She picked up the phone… → Read More
How are kids processing what happened in D.C. and how can we help them?
Alan Douthitt teaches government and world history at Claremore High School. He said the events that unfolded in Washington D. C. were a topic of discussion the next day. "Kids are thinking about it though; they pay a lot more attention that we think they do," he said. Faith Crittenden is a and licensed counselor at Family And Children's Services, and she agrees. She said don't make the mistake… → Read More
Governor's office responds to recent article raising questions
We contacted the governor's office after an article from The Frontier raised some questions. Chief communications, Charlie Hannema told us, "There's been this narrative that the governor doesn't want healthcare professionals talking about COVID or what it's like or their feelings or any of that kind of stuff and that's just not accurate. " → Read More
Pause4Paws: Helping people one pet at a time
The pandemic's been tough for everyone, but experts say it's been especially hard for those facing mental health issues and or addiction. A Tulsa group helps those seeking treatment find a place for their pet so they can focus on healing. "The main point of our program is to see people get the help that they need," said Cindy Webb, who runs Pause4Paws. → Read More
As Miami mayor and his wife fight COVID he says no mask mandate for his city
As Tulsa's mayor calls on the surrounding areas to do their part in the fight against COVID, about an hour and a half away, Miami's mayor is sending a message of his own. His Facebook post garnered plenty of attention, especially after he took a stance on facemasks from his hospital bed while fighting the coronavirus. "I was in the hospital for four days. I was ready to get out of there. " He… → Read More
NEILE'S SHOUT-OUT: Thank you to Kim LeGate at City Lights Hotel
Thursday's shout-out involves a very special birthday request and a place called City Lights Hotel. Tammy McKee sent a Facebook message nominating Kim Legate. She wrote in part, "I work with a lady that actually volunteers for City Lights. I am not sure if you have heard of it. Well, this year for her birthday she didn't want any gifts. But instead of people buying for her, she requested that… → Read More
NEILE'S SHOUT-OUT: Quan Ferguson helping families in the most difficult times
NewsChannel 8's Neile Jones received an email from someone who asked to remain anonymous, but wished to nominate Quantell "Quan" Ferguson, lead hospice specialist at Seasons Hospice in Tulsa. The email read as follows: I’m nominating Quantell Ferguson to receive a 'Shout Out'. He is employed with Season’s Hospice as a Lead Hospice Specialist. I couldn’t imagine doing what he does day in and day… → Read More
COVID and weather force shelters to make impossible decisions
It's raining, the temperatures are dropping and we are in a pandemic. Now, local shelters are facing all of the above and some impossible choices. "It couldn't be more complicated. " Explained "Steve Whitaker, Reverend, Senior Pastor, and CEO of John 3:16 MissionCOVID forced local shelters to reduce their capacity to allow for social distancing, and now as the temps drop, it's forcing their hand… → Read More
Broken Arrow teacher finalist for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year
A Broken Arrow teacher has been changing lives for about four decades, and the state has noticed. NewsChannel 8's Neile Jones spoke with Lesa Dickson, current Broken Arrow Teacher of the Year, about her big honor that's all the buzz. "I've given my whole career to teaching in Oklahoma," she said. "I'm an Oklahoma girl, taught for 40 years, so this really is so much more meaningful than I really… → Read More