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Weekend rewind: Family says two bikers involved in fatal I-4 crash were friends; Steven Tyler cancels on Strawberry Festival; and more

Here are the top five latest headlines and updates on tampabay.com you may have missed over the weekend.
 
Published Feb. 17, 2019

Here are the top five latest headlines and updates on tampabay.com you may have missed over the weekend.

The two bikers involved in fatal I-4 crash were friends, victim's family says

Before Friday, Eric Jordan and Aaron Davis were just two friends who enjoyed the road. Then tragedy occurred. The men, both from Riverview, had been traveling east on Interstate 4 on Friday around 3:30 p.m. when their bikes collided. Jordan, 35, was thrown from his Yamaha over the side of the interstate and fell 100 feet to the ground onto N 50th Street, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He died from his injuries at Tampa General Hospital. Davis, 29, pulled over his Kawasaki and looked down from the overpass, as shown in a recording of the incident circulating on social media Saturday. Then Davis drove away, state troopers said, leaving behind his female passenger, 30-year-old Amy Renee Jones of Dover. Jones told troopers that she "barely knew" the man.

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler cancels Strawberry Festival concert

The Florida Strawberry Festival announced Saturday night that Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler, arguably its highest-profile 2019 headliner, had canceled his March 3 concert at the fest. Organizers posted a statement from the singer blaming "unforeseen circumstances" for the cancellation. Tickets purchased to see Tyler and his Loving Mary Band can be refunded at point of purchase. They will be refunded automatically if they were purchased through the Strawberry Festival with a credit card. The festival will now go about booking a late replacement for Tyler, whose tickets were commanding the highest prices of any act this year. Similar incidents have occurred for the Strawberry Festival recently. Read how they found replacements here.

Florida Senator Darryl Rouson got $1 million in state budget for his wife's employer

Florida Sen. Darryl Rouson sought $1.7 million in the state budget two years ago for a daycare center associated with his church, where his wife held a position. He eventually secured $1 million for the center. In his request, the Democrat listed Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church and its nonprofit, Mt. Zion Human Services, as the recipients. According to Senate records, Rouson didn't disclose that his wife, Angela Rouson, held positions in both organizations. Rouson told the Times he does not believe he broke any laws, though, this was not the first time his wife's position overlapped with state money Rouson secured for his district. He helped get $100,000 approved in the 2015 budget for an obscure 1,500-square-foot historical home called the Fannye Ponder Council House while his wife was the president of the board that owned the home.

Police: Two brothers say they were paid by Jussie Smollett to stage attack

Chicago police say that the investigation into an assault reported by Jussie Smollett, who plays on the Fox television drama Empire, shifted due to information received from two brothers questioned in the case. Police had arrested, then released the two Nigerian brothers without charges late Friday and said they were no longer suspects in the attack. Smollett's attorneys later Saturday issued a statement saying the actor would continue to cooperate with police, but felt "victimized" by reports that he might have been involved in the attack. Smollett, who is black and gay, has said he was physically attacked by two masked men shouting racial and anti-gay slurs and "This is MAGA country!" He said they looped a rope around his neck before running away as he was out getting food at a Subway restaurant. He said they also poured some kind of chemical on him. Read the full story here.

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Employees find young woman's body as they open pool at Glazer Jewish community center

Employees at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC arrived to work early Sunday to find the body of a young woman in a pool. Authorities say they are investigating and foul play has not been ruled out. It began as a normal Sunday morning at the community center, 522 N Howard Ave. A few dozen members filtered in to begin their early-morning workouts. Staffers at the complex's Mezrah Family Aquatic Center started their routine, which includes readying the aquatic center's pools for guests. At about 7 a.m., when employees lifted the tarp that covers the center's 25-yard competitive pool, they discovered the body.

Contact Josh Fiallo at jfiallo@tampabay.com.