🌱 Mountain Gap Middle School Teacher Update + New Inclusive Kids' Gym

Hello again, neighbors! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh edition of the Huntsville Daily. Let's get this Monday started off right, with a quick guide to the most important things happening in town. Today you'll read about...

• Update on the Mountain Gap Middle School teacher
• Decatur officer honored by Tennessee Titans
• New inclusive gym opened in Huntsville

But first, today's weather:

Sunny and not as warm. High: 67 Low: 32.

Here's to our premier local sponsor. Check out what they can do for you:

Martinson & Beason, P.C. have been been providing trusted legal advice in Huntsville since 1937. Give your loved ones peace of mind with a comprehensive estate plan. Click here for more info.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Here are the top stories today in Huntsville:

1. The Mountain Gap Middle School teacher that was videoed making sexually suggestive comments in front of children has been put on paid leave while the incident is investigated (read my original update here). Mountain Gap Middle’s principal sent a letter to the community saying that the incident occurred outside of school, and the views expressed are not ones the school shares. The teacher is now receiving death threats from across the country. (WAAY TV)
2. Officer Juan Penuelas with the Decatur Police Department was honored as a “Community Hero” by the Tennessee Titans. His wife, Robyn, nominated him for the award. Penuelas has been with the Decatur Police Department for 19 years. (WHNT News 19)
3. We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym opened over the weekend! They have things like a calming room and occupational therapy equipment along with a zipline and climbing equipment so differently-abled kids can join other kids and be themselves in a fun and safe environment. (WHNT News 19)
4. Huntsville Hospital is hosting a hiring event Wednesday in the ballroom of the Embassy Suites on Monroe Street from 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. The event will be for several positions across the county for medical and non-medical jobs. You need to bring a resume and can register ahead of time, but you don’t have to. (WHNT News 19)

Today in Huntsville:

• Grissom Freshmen and JV vs. Florence - Football (5:30 PM)
• Body Extreme Bootcamp - YMCA of Metropolitan Huntsville AL (5:45 PM)
• Let's Talk About Raising Voracious Readers (6:00 PM)
• Fall Decatur Park Concert - Michael Dean and Memphis - This is the last concert of the season! (6:00 PM)

If you have an event, feel free to visit our website and add it to the Huntsville Calendar! It is completely free and easy to do. Unfortunately with the volume of requests I get, I cannot manually add them all to the Daily, but this is a way to ensure your event makes it in the newsletter.

From my notebook:

• Props to Huntsville Botanical Garden staff members on presenting at the 7th Global Botanic Gardens Congress in Melbourne, Australia! (Details)
• Congrats to Huntsville Utilities on coming in 3rd place in the municipal division at the International Lineman's Rodeo Association event in Overland Park, Kansas! (Details)

You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Amy Young

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Huntsville Daily? Contact me at huntsville@patch.com