It was a long couple of days, but the landfill fire now has been declared officially as “out.”
Highlands County fire authorities say there’s no telling what started it – or how much trash actually was burned up in the blaze. At it’s peak, the flames covered the top of the giant garbage pile and down its side.
Firefighters from all over the county responded to help extinguish the conflagration. No injuries were reported in the incident.
There was a fatal fire over the weekend. Units from Desoto City and West Sebring were called to a Sparta Road address Saturday where they found a single story duplex with smoke coming from the windows.
Firefighters were able to recover one person, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The 22-year-old woman’s name has not been released.
According to reports, a passer-by extinguished the blaze with a garden hose. He apparently left the scene, but since has been identified.
The Fire Marshal has been called in to determine the cause. No dollar damage estimate has been released.
There were some tense moments over the weekend when a young child went missing in the Sebring area. The 6-uear-old reportedly is both deaf and autistic.
An alert resident reportedly heard noises coming from a culvert running under River Drive culvert. Highlands County sheriff’s deputies were able to extract the child and get him home without further incident.
While the Highlands County coronavirus inoculation program is winding down, a federal vaccine event is planned for today. This one will be held from 10am until 6pm at the Highlands County Sports Complex on Sheriff’s Tower Road in Sebring.
First doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be administered at this event.
Starting this week, only second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be provided at the County’s vaccine site at Lakeshore Mall.
The site will only be open on Saturdays. The last day the County site will be open to administer second doses is set for Saturday, May 22.
Avon Park city council members may get more information on a proposal to run their airport when they meet in regular session. Consultant Lowell Clary is scheduled to talk about the offer by Florida Airport Management.
City Attorney Gerald Burh has suggested the council hold that part as a shade meeting so they could discuss negotiations more completely.
In other action, the council will talk about the future of the Mall Festival with Shane Easton. The Avon Park Rotary Club held their Bluegrass & Blueberry Festival in Donaldson Park this past weekend.