Low Lakes Might Hamper, But Not Stop Water Recreation

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SEBRING - The Memorial Day weekend will also be the time when more Heartlanders start heading out to the lakes with their boats, fishing poles, jet skis and swimming trunks.

It's also the time the Highlands County Sheriff's Office would set up their boat patrols, but the lakes are so low, they can only do it in Lake June, Capt. Paul Blackman said.

So as they are limited to shore patrols for the other popular boating lakes in the county until the water levels come back up, he's asking boaters to take safety precautions before they run their motors.
If you're planning to spend some time in the water, Blackman suggested:

* Boaters should wear life vests or some sort of floatation device.
* Boats should have fire extinguishers and a noise maker such as a whistle or horn.
* Jet skiers should "make sure they have some sort of courtesy and respect for the other boaters out there," and they should stay a good distance from any dock.
* Children need to take a boat safety course before they ride out on the lakes. They can take one online at several Web sites, even though Blackman specifically mentioned http://boatsafe.com
As for swimmers, they'll likely notice some of the buoys marking off the swimming areas are dry ground at Lake Jackson. Despite that, Blackman didn't expect them or fishermen to have much of a problem dealing with other boats.

"They are going to have to go so far out to get deep water," he said. "I don't foresee people going out 300 yards."

Breanne Strepina, a wildlife biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, gave additional pointers for anybody fishing in or playing around the lakes this summer to avoid alligators and other potentially dangerous wildlife.

* Avoid going out at night.
* Keep all pets on a leash and keep small children close by and supervised. Pick them up if a gator or other predatory animal is nearby so that they don't look like prey.
* Do not feed or disturb such animals.
* If you see a gator in the water, "use your best judgment, and stay out of the water."

MEMORIAL DAYCLOSURES INHIGHLANDS COUNTY
Garbage pick-up for May 26, Memorial Day are as follows:
Avon Park Monday pick-up will be on Tuesday, May 27. Tuesday pick-up will be on Wednesday, May 28. Thursday and Friday are the same as usual.
Sebring and Lake Placid garbage pick-up will be as normal.
County garbage pick-up will not be affected by the holiday.
Post offices in all areas will be closed and there will be no mail deliveries on May 26.
• All banks will be closed on May 26
• All schools will be closed on May 26
• Government offices will be closed on May 26