Woman Convicted Of Animal Cruelty After Dog Died In Hot Car Last August
March 13, 2020
[Updated] An Escambia County woman was convicted Thursday on charges related to the death of a dog left inside a hot car last August.
A jury found Crystal Houk guilty of aggravated animal cruelty and cruelty to animals.
Investigators said Houk left her pit bull alone in a hot car for over an hour in the parking lot of the Ensley Walmart.
The dog was showing signs of overheating and the employees immediately opened the doors to circulate air and contacted authorities. The dog stopped breathing and passed away shortly thereafter. Animal Cruelty Investigator Sgt. Stephanie Eddins responded to the scene and conducted an investigation that revealed the dog had an internal temperature exceeding 109.9 degrees and had died of a heatstroke.
Further investigation revealed that the defendant had been inside Walmart for one hour and 32 minutes. The defendant had left the car running with a piece of pipe pressing down on the gas pedal in hopes of making her faulty air conditioning work, despite knowing of its mechanical problems.
She faces up to five years in prison when she is sentenced at later date.
Annual Branden Penegar Car Show Still On For Saturday In Gonzalez
March 13, 2020
The seventh annual Brandon Penegar Memorial Car Show will held this Saturday at the Gonzalez United Methodist Church on Pauline Street. The event has not been canceled.
Any make, model or year car is welcomed for the show. Car registration will be from 8:00-11:00 a.m. The fee is $15 to only display a car, $25 to enter the car in the show. Spectator admission is free. Click here for a printable flyer with more information.
There will be live music, door prizes and concessions available.
For more information, call (850) 393-3035 or (850) 232-1044.
Branden Penegar, known as the “Gentle Giant” was a 2011 graduate of Tate High School, an assistant coach for the freshman Tate Aggies’ football program and varsity tennis team, and a member of the Tate High School Student Hall of Fame. He passed away in March 2013 at the age of 20.
Penegar was a active member of the Gonzalez United Methodist Church and youth program. Proceeds from the car show benefit the youth programs at the church.
Pictured: Last year’s Brandon Penegar Memorial Car Show. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Department Of Corrections Suspends Visitations Statewide
March 13, 2020
The Florida Department of Corrections has suspending visitations at all correctional institutions across the state.
FDC has no known or suspected cases of COVID-19 at this time.
“Every month FDC is fortunate to have more than 30,000 visitors from across the country enter our correctional institutions to visit their loved ones,” said FDC Secretary Mark Inch. “During this State of Emergency, it’s critical we take all precautions necessary to minimize the potential risk to the inmate population and staff charged with their care and custody. This decision has been made in close consultation with our partners at the Florida Department of Health and with correctional best practices being reviewed nationwide. We look forward to resuming normal visitation as soon as possible.”
The visitation suspension will be in effect through April 5. The decision to reinstate the normal visitation schedule will be evaluated in consultation with the Floridda Department of Health.
Inmates will continue to have access to their loved ones through mail, phone calls and video visitation. Legal visits will not be impacted.
FDC is closely monitoring developments associated with the spread of this disease. FDC’s Office of Health Services, institutional medical staff and institutional operations staff work hand-in-hand with the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to quickly engage and resolve infectious disease outbreaks as soon as they occur. FDC said the agency is fully prepared to handle any potential cases of COVID-19 within the state operated correctional institutions in Florida.
- FDC has a plan in place and dedicated staff members trained in the prevention and containment of infectious diseases.
- FDC’s Office of Health Services coordinates with the Florida DOH for guidance on any type of outbreak and is closely monitoring new information as it is disseminated from Florida DOH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- FDC initiated its Incident Command System in response to this potential threat.
- Precautions are in place at facilities to protect inmates and staff from exposure to flu or any other respiratory illness; preventative measures are being followed per CDC recommendations.
Pictured: Inside Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia School District Restricts Out Of County Travel Due To Coronavirus
March 13, 2020
The Escambia County School District has restricted most travel outside the county effective immediately in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus. There will be exceptions for some outdoor athletic competitions on a game by game basis.
All field trips, regardless of destination, have been suspended.
The official policy released Thursday afternoon by the school district states all out-of-state travel for both students and staff members is suspended for the remainder of the school year. All student and staff travel in-state is suspended for the next 30 days at which time requests may be re-evaluated.
However, there will be some exceptions to the policy for outdoor sporting events.
“We are using common sense, as long as that county does not have an active COVID-19 case, outside events will be allowed to continue at the moment,” Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said.
Additional exceptions may be granted for Northview High School sporting events due to the school’s close proximity to Alabama and upcoming opponents such Escambia Academy, and T.R. Miller, Thomas said. He noted that Northview and Jay competitions are still on at the present time.
In the near term, Northview baseball’s two-day series set to begin Thursday with Baker has been canceled, and the upcoming Tate High School Aggie Classic has been canceled due to the number of teams that participate from around the county.
Tate Tennis Beats West Florida High School
March 13, 2020
TATE Tennis Boys with a 5-2 win and Girls with a 4-3 win over West Florida HS today. Led by Seniors Charles McKinley, Kasidy Butler, and Taji Williams TATE Tennis finishes first half of season with a strong win!
Tate High School tennis defeated West Florida High School Thursday. The Aggie boys won 5-2, and the girl won 4-3. Led by seniors Charles McKinley, Kasidy Butler, and Taji William, Tate High tennis finished the first half of season with a strong win.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County, Pensacola Cancel All Publicly-Permitted Events With Over 500 People
March 12, 2020
Escambia County and the City of Pensacola are canceling all publicly-permitted events with 500 or more people starting Monday, March 16 in an abundance of caution related to COVID-19. Currently, the county does not have any publicly-permitted events that would be affected.
The action is being taken in response to a recommendation from Gov. Ron DeSantis that municipalities consider limiting or postponing mass gatherings in the state of Florida.
This only applies to events that are permitted through Escambia County or the City of Pensacola. It does not include schools, churches, or other private events. Event organizers are encouraged to use their discretion and follow the directions of officials from the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine if event cancellations are necessary.
“The well-being of the entire community is a top priority, and we are continuing to take preventative and protective actions against the transmission of COVID-19,” said Escambia County Chairman Steven Barry. “We will continue to monitor the situation and hope for a speedy and positive resolution to this unprecedented event.”
Escambia County and City of Pensacola officials will reassess the situation after two weeks (Monday, March 30) and determine whether to continue or lift the cancellation of publicly-permitted events.
The city will work with event organizers to reschedule events as needed.
Residents are encouraged to use their discretion when it comes to attending public events.
Stock photo.
Tate High Aggie Classic Canceled Due To Coronavirus Measures
March 12, 2020
Next week’s Tate High Aggie Classic baseball tournament has been canceled due the coronavirus travel restrictions announced by Thursday by the Escambia County School District.
The annual tournament draws teams form around the country, one of which has closed due to an active coronavirus case.
Tate Principal Rick Shackle said it is a complete cancellation; there will not be a stripped down local-only version of the tournament. Host locations for the 2020 Aggie Classic included two out of county schools with games at Navarre and Niceville high schools.
For more about the travel restrictions announced by the school district and what they mean, click here.
Pictured top: The Tate Aggies won the Aggie Classic championship in 2019. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Two Injured In Crash Thursday Afternoon On Highway 29 Near Molino
March 12, 2020
Two older adults were injured in a crash early Thursday afternoon on Highway 29 at Highway 196.
A truck collided with a SUV about 12:10 p.m., and the SUV overturned multiple times. The occupants of SUV were transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered to be life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages Mobile Home Near McDavid
March 12, 2020
Fire damaged a home near McDavid just before noon Thursday.
The occupants were able to escape the home without injury, along with multiple dogs.
The fire on Perdue Road off Breastworks Road was reportedly sparked by an extension cord being used to power a recreational vehicle.
The McDavid, Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia Fire rescue, the Atmore Fire Department and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sen. Rick Scott To Self-Quarantine Following Potential Coronavirus Exposure
March 12, 2020
U.S. Senator Rick Scott is voluntarily going into self-quarantine following potential contact with a Brazilian delegation member who tested positive for coronavirus.
Scott’s Office was alerted Thursday by the Brazilian Embassy that a member of President Bolsonaro’s delegation tested positive for COVID-19.
“On Monday, I met with the President in Miami, and while I do not believe I interacted with the infected person, that individual was in the same room as me,” Scott said.
The Brazilian embassy said the person had no symptoms leading up to or the day of the conference.
“After consulting with the Senate’s attending physician and my personal doctor, I have been told that my risk is low, and I don’t need to take a test or quarantine,” Scott said. “However, the health and safety of the American people is my focus and I have made the decision to self-quarantine in an abundance of caution. I am feeling healthy and not experiencing any symptoms at this time.”
Scott said he will be working on a plan to combat COVID-19 and protect Americans. His offices in Washington and throughout Florida will remain open.