News Updte for 3/7/23
Highlands County commissioners this morning voted to spend $1.3 million dollars for a new landfill compactor and hydraulic cover spray unit for the solid waste department.
Although the action comes in the wake of the latest fire at the Highlands County Landfill, officials reported the item had been on the agenda for several months. The new machine apparently does a better job with better fuel efficiency than the current equipment.
In light of the fire, Highlands County Commissioner Scott Kirouac called for the installation of cameras on the pile to monitor conditions and spot fires at an early stage.
The Highlands County landfill again is up and running. It caught fire Sunday, with firefighters from all over the county responding to suppress the flames. More than 5-acres reportedly were charred before it was brought under control.
County fire officials believe it was started by an errant battery – perhaps a lithium battery – which are particularly difficult to extinguish. Authorities are calling on residents not to dispose of such fires in their trash, but rather to wait for e-waste collections.
Law enforcement officials say the fire at the Highlands County landfill now has been contained. Firefighters are due out to further assess the situation, and landfill crews will cover the area with sand.
The southside of the huge pile began smoldering on Sunday, with more than five acres finally ablaze. Authorities say the smoke has drifted over a significant area.
Some 300 to 400,000 gallons of water were expended fighting the flames. Fire Rescue volunteers were asked to stand up at their stations to help cover the county as paid personnel worked the landfill fire.
Units from Desoto City, Lorida, West Sebring and Highlands Park worked the incident along with landfill crews.
No injuries have been reported.
Officials at the Sebring International Raceway have announced this year’s grand marshal, and for the first time ever, it’s a woman. Sebring Hall of Fame inductee and former 12 Hour competitor Lynn St. James will be this year’s Grand Marshal – both of the 12 Hours of Sebring and the World Endurance Championship 1000.
In addition to Sebring and the Trans-Am series, St. James has competed in other major races including; Nurmburgring, the LeMans 24 and the Indianapolis 500.
Since retiring, St. James has worked with her organization, Women in Motorsports, to help young women into the sport at all levels.
Today is Tuesday – and that means there will be governmental meetings at all levels. This morning, the Highlands County commission will get together. This evening the Sebring city council will meet as well as the School Board of Highlands County.
This afternoon, Highlands County’s Tourism consultant will hold a stakeholder’s meeting with local tourist concerns, and the Tourist Development Commission’s New York City-based media relations consultant for the first of a half-dozen sessions across the county.