News Update for 6/20/19

An accident south of Lake Placid has sent at least one person to the hospital. The mishap occurred last night about 10:30 on State Road 70 East.
Florida Highway Patrol officials have released no names or other details.

Quick work by Highlands County firefighters reportedly contained a fire in the Fairmount Mobile Estates. Units from West Sebring and Desoto City were called to the Maine Avenue address yesterday.
Apparently a grease fire had spread from the sink to the blinds and curtains of the kitchen. Firefighters were able to get it out before anything else could become involved.
Fire officials say smothering a grease fire is the best way to stop the flames – and say moving it is ill advised.

A social media post has indicated that Highlands County Animal Services is full and is prepared to start euthanizing. Officials there say that’s not exactly true. There still are a couple of pens open, but they are urging anybody who has lost a dog or a cat to check with them, and see if it’s there.
The phone number is 863-402-6730

Congressman Greg Steube, whose 17th District includes Highlands County, has filed legislation he believes will cut down fraud in posthumous Social Security benefits. Under Steube’s measure, federal agencies would have to verify eligibility for recipients claiming to be 105 years or older.
Steube says the idea is to try and cut down on those receiving benefits from people who have died. Such payments have cost taxpayers billions of dollars. So far, the measure has not been scheduled for a committee hearing.