Coronavirus News

New Walmart one-way aisles lead the latest Dallas COVID-19 news

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With the coronavirus pandemic, every day brings something new — a new grocery store strategy, new symptoms of the disease, a new tally of cases confirmed.

Here's an update on COVID-19 developments around the Dallas-Fort Worth area:

Corona cases
Here are the total number of coronavirus cases in each county, as of April 26:

Collin County, the total number of confirmed cases to date is 663, including 187 current cases, 459 who have recovered, and 17 who have died.
Dallas County, the total number of confirmed cases to date is 3014, including 82 deaths. Of those 82 deaths about 40 percent have been associated with longterm care facilities.
Tarrant County, the total number of confirmed cases to date is 1947, including 283 who have recovered, and 53 who have died.

State action
More states in the U.S. are lifting lockdowns, despite the fact that the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is approaching 1 million, with 55,000 deaths. Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to make some kind of announcement on April 27 regarding the lockdown status in Texas. Anecdotally, it seemed like more people around DFW were out and about, and not all with masks. Big groups were playing disc golf at Arcadia Park in Fort Worth, and most Home Depot stores seemed to be mobbed.

New symptoms
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added six new symptoms that might indicate COVID-19. Existing symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. These six symptoms could also be indicators:

chills
repeated shaking with chills
muscle pain
headache
sore throat
new loss of taste or smell

With a limited number of test kits available, those seeking a test must first show symptoms.

Walmart one way
On April 23, Walmart stores changed their model to one-way aisles. One-way aisles are designed to increase social distancing and give customers more space on each aisle. The idea started in Florida with the Publix chain and has become a trend at some big grocery store chains.

Floor decals are installed at each aisle to indicate the direction of the traffic flow: Green decals say "Shop This Way," and red decals say "Do Not Shop This Way."

Are they working? Some shoppers seem to think that you are now required to go through the entire store, as if you are on an amusement park ride, instead of simply skipping an aisle if there's nothing you want. Others who don't look at the floor aren't seeing the decals at all.

But overall they seem to be reducing congestion. If you want to pass someone, you now don't have to worry about someone coming at you in the other direction.

PPP updates
Ruth's Hospitality Group is returning its $20 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, in response to new federal guidelines suggesting that publicly traded companies are ineligible because they can get funds from other sources. "We intended to repay this loan in adherence with government guidelines," Ruth's said in a statement. "As we learned more about the funding limitations of the program and the unintended impact, we have decided to accelerate that repayment."

Shake Shack also returned its $10 million loan, and Potbelly returned its $10 million loan.

But Ashford Inc., Ashford Hospitality Trust, and Braemar Hotels & Resorts, led by Monty Bennett of Dallas, who has become the "face of the PPP loan debacle," after receiving $69 million (according to USA Today), is not returning the money, saying in a statement that they'll use the money to protect jobs. "Media concerns over our receipt of PPP funds are misplaced," the statement said.

health

Animal News

Wills Point, Texas man charged with cruelty for abandoning 18 animals

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Lucas Wayne Penrod, charged with animal cruelty

Another animal cruelty case has emerged from Van Zandt County, resulting in the arrest of a Wills Point man: Lucas Wayne Penrod was charged with Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals, a 3rd degree felony.

It began on Friday, October 24, when the Wills Point Police Department performed a welfare check at a mobile home within the city limits. Officers became concerned when they heard multiple dogs barking along with a foul odor of animal waste.

On October 25, after obtaining a search warrant, Wills Point PD and the SPCA of Texas ACI Unit entered the residence and found multiple animals living in deplorable conditions.

The mobile home was filled with trash and animal feces. The team discovered a total of 8 cats, 2 guinea pigs, 4 adult dogs, and 4 puppies, cruelly confined to the unsanitary living conditions on the property.

Two dogs were confined to filthy crates with no access to water.
Three puppies were in a small bathroom covered in urine and feces; one of the puppies was deceased and decomposing.
The guinea pigs were found in a cage without access to food or water.

Most of the animals showed signs of long-term neglect and were in dire need of urgent medical intervention. The animals were seized by the SPCA of Texas and transported to the organization's Dallas location for veterinary care.

Dog in cage Wills Point Lucas Wayne Penrod Dog abandoned in Wills Point by Lucas Wayne Penrod.SPCA

On October 26, Lucas Wayne Penrod, the owner of the animals, contacted an SPCA of Texas Investigator regarding the animals. The Investigator determined that Penrod had unlawfully allegedly abandoned the animals, failing to provide them with proper care, resulting in the death of one of the puppies and the critical state of the surviving animals.

On October 28, the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Penrod, who was apprehended by Tyler Police Department and booked into the Smith County Jail with a $50K bond. Penrod was charged with Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals, a 3rd degree felony.

On November 1, at a civil custody hearing at the Van Zandt County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 courthouse in Wills Point, Penrod relinquished custody of the 18 allegedly abandoned, cruelly treated animals to the SPCA.

"The squalid conditions these beautiful animals were living in were abhorrent--locked in spaces without food or water, in their own excrement," said SPCA of Texas ACI Unit Chief Investigator Courtney Burns, CAWA. "This is some of the worst mistreatment of domestic animals I've seen in my extensive career in animal cruelty investigations. In no small part, these pets owe their lives to the Wills Point Police Department. If it wasn’t for their quick thinking to involve us right away, I don't think the animals would have made it."

"This case perfectly illustrates the team effort that investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty cases in Texas is," Burns added. "We are extremely thankful to the Tyler Police Department for their efficient assistance in apprehending Penrod so that he can be brought to justice in the timeliest manner possible. And we are especially grateful to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and court system with whom we continue to partner to get justice for abused animals in their jurisdiction."