Dunedin studio fire shocks its members ...more

December 11, 2007

LAKE PLACID — Downtown streets will be lined with people Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. during Lake Placid's annual Christmas parade. This year's theme is "A Child's Christmas Fantasy." The parade will feature floats, bands, cloggers, clowns, civic and social organizations, cheerleaders, fire trucks, beauty queens and Santa Claus. The event is a joint effort between the Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce and the town of Lake Placid. Eileen May, chamber CEO/president of operations, said on Wednesday that almost 100 floats had registered for what she expects will be the town's "best parade, ever." she expected good weather for the evening event. ...more

December 7, 2007

Residents began making their way through back streets and dirt roads Sunday afternoon into evacuated areas of this upscale community to see whether their homes survived a wind-driven wildfire that scorched surrounding brush-covered hills. ...more

November 26, 2007

SEBRING — It's not uncommon for firefighters to bust through doors and walls, crawl through smoke-filled rooms and tear through roofs to save lives. With this in mind, the Sun 'n Lake of Sebring Fire Department would rather err on the side of caution. Recently, in an attempt to train department staff, sessions have been held in the abandoned Candlelight restaurant, located at 5223 Sun 'n Lake Blvd. If you drive by and see smoke coming out of the building and fire trucks outside, don't fear for the worst. "Our firefighters have taken full advantage of the empty shell and have been conducting training exercises," said Sam Henderson, Sun 'n Lake's director of public safety. "The training emphasizes search, rescue, ventilation and firefighter survival drills." ...more

November 23, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - A fire swept through a two-story house in Caliente Resort on Friday afternoon, causing extensive damage to the structure and to a motor home in the garage. ...more

November 17, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - A fire swept through a two-story house in Caliente Resort on Friday11/16 afternoon, causing extensive damage to the structure and to a motor home in the garage. ...more

November 16, 2007

Motorists in South Tampa around the 4200 block of South Dale Mabry Highway should travel on side streets for the next hour or so because of a broken natural gas line, Tampa Fire Rescue said. ...more

November 2, 2007

You knew it had to happen. The moment firefighters began to get an edge on the fires, pundits, bloggers and other gasbags couldn't wait to proclaim San Diego's superiority over New Orleans in government response to disaster. ...more

October 28, 2007

As the sun rose over our beautiful Lake Placid last Sunday, everyone was there. The American Legion passing out flags in their crisp white shirts. The Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce with CEO Eileen May decked out in shimmering patriotic red. Our first responders, sheriffs, police officers, firemen and women and EMTs in their starched uniforms and shiny patent leather shoes. The fire trucks, squad cars and ambulances were all clean and shiny. The musicians were well rehearsed. The speakers all had carefully, thoughtfully prepared notes and messages. The bagpiper was ready for Amazing Grace. The bugler prepared for Taps. Even Stanford from The Heron's Garden was sporting a red, white and blue tie while setting out complimentary coffee and donuts. Yes, everyone was there. Everyone but you, our community. ...more

September 14, 2007