Fire Engulfs Propane Facility
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HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN Tuesday, April 30, 2019 VOL. 100 | NO. 120 | $1.00 YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1919 An Edition Of The Sun Fire engulfs FILE PHOTO The Center for Tobacco Control Research and propane facility Education at the University of California indi- cates smokers who vape are 28 percent less Multiple likely to ditch traditional cigarettes despite believing they are cessation aids. structures lost as fire rages DeSantis through Sebring neighborhood signs vaping By KIM LEATHERMAN STAFF WRITER ban bill SEBRING — A Kosan Crisplan Inc. propane gas tank warehouse, at 11850 Twitty Road, became Law goes into engulfed Monday afternoon after a propane tank caught fire. effect July 1 The situation “went south from there,” said Highlands County By KIM LEATHERMAN Public Information Officer Gloria STAFF WRITER Rybinski. One person has been airlifted to SEBRING — Gov. Ron DeSantis Tampa General Hospital; he was signed SB 7012 into law on Friday, the last person in the building, which will prohibit vaping and e-ciga- according to witnesses. rette use in work places among other As of press time, at least eight restrictions. The bill will take effect on homes, including seven structures July 1 and carries stiff fines. in the trailer park across from The bill was a result the propane facility, have been of being a part of the destroyed due to the ensuing fire, bundled Amendment 9, which had jumped Twitty Road which was on the ballot as well as U.S. 27. Aerial footage in November 2018. The from news helicopters showed the amendment had nearly woods on fire on the west side of 70% support from voters. U.S. 27. The amendment focused Highlands County Fire Rescue on quashing offshore DESANTIS said the propane facility will be oil drilling and a ban on allowed to burn down until it is vaping. safe to access and it will continue Florida already has a tobacco ban in to be an extended operation, as of place. This bill broadens the existing press time. ban to include vaping and e-ciga- Great plumes of black smoke rettes. According to the bill, “‘Vape’ could be seen for miles in every or ‘vaping’ means to inhale or exhale direction pointing the way to the vapor produced by a vapor-generating warehouse. U.S. 27 was closed electronic device or to possess a va- down for hours in both directions. por-generating electronic device while KIM LEATHERMAN/STAFF Tanks were audibly sizzling that device is actively employing an before exploding into the sky and electronic, a chemical, or a mechani- Flames and black smoke rose hundreds of feet into the air Monday afternoon from a warehouse fire eventually falling to the earth. The cal means designed to produce vapor on Twitty Road. booms sounded like miniature or aerosol from a nicotine product or bombs going off. Explosions from any other substance. The term does the propane tanks could be heard not include the mere possession of a miles away, neighbors reported. vapor-generating electronic device.” As the fire grew in intensity on- The bill states there can be no lookers backed up and a one-mile vaping in an enclosed work space or radius was evacuated. The Bert J. airport terminals. Harris Jr. Agricultural Center was Some exceptions are allowed. opened for those who evacuated. Individuals can still vape in their The Highlands County Sheriff’s own homes, as long as the home is Office put a warning out to news not used as a commercial child care helicopters to be aware of a setting at the time. Some stand-alone Highlands County Fire Rescue bars can still have vaping, as can drone flying above the scene. The tobacco shops. Some hotels can still drone was being used to coordi- provide designated “smoking/vaping” nate firefighting efforts. rooms. People crowded around the Customized rooms, such as in convenience store at the corner an airport terminal, cannot be a of U.S. 27 and Lake Josephine restroom or elevator and face many Road. Neighbors from the Lake restrictions. Josephine neighborhood gathered Establishments that do not comply in driveways to watch the flames, with the ban can amass a fine of $250 which appeared to tower in the to $750 for the first offense. For each sky. subsequent offense, the fines for each KIM LEATHERMAN/STAFF Dr. Chris O’Sullivan’s VAPING | 5A Black smoke from the propane tank fire did extensive damage to nearby homes. FIRE | 5A ‘Bikecentennial’ remembered over weekend Oregon to Virginia — of the oppo- before starting the trek. Cross-continental site direction if they started on the Now, members get together East Coast — with no propulsion every year for a more low-key set riders reunite but gears and grit. of rides over a weekend. This past This particular group held the weekend saw six of the crew gather each year distinction of not losing a single at Schroder’s Sebring home for a member on that original trip to weekend of riding. By PHIL ATTINGER fatigue or injury. All 13 teenag- “They still call me ‘Exalted STAFF WRITER ers and a 30-something leader Leader,’” Schroder said. “It’s nice to started in Oregon and arrived in see these guys after so many years.” SEBRING — You probably didn’t Williamsburg, Virginia — a seat of know that group of riders you The original crew consisted of the American Revolution. Barbara Clark, Andy Elliott, Dave passed on a two-lane road over the They didn’t stop there, though. Gallagher from Britain, Terry weekend once crossed the nation Led by Bill Schroder, who lived in Quick, Phil Bernstein, Marti Jack, on bicycles — 43 years ago. PHIL ATTINGER/STAFF Virginia Beach at the time, they Bill Schroder (their leader), Chris Friday and Saturday saw another agreed to ride the extra 90 miles to Graham, Dennis Simonovic, Ron Veteran ‘Bikecentennialists’ gather at the Sebring home of their annual reunion of a group of the coast. Holt, Gene Chu, Gus Touker (from ‘fearless leader’ to enjoy some shorter local rides, compared to the “Bikecentennial” riders: Those They even took their bikes onto Amsterdam) and Terry Schmidt. cross-continental ride they did in 1976 as teenagers to celebrate who, as part of a celebration of the the sand and dipped their toes in Why ride in Florida? the U.S. Bicentennial and promote cross-country cycling. They are, United States of America bicenten- the Atlantic Ocean, which was only from left, Gene Chu, Bill Schroder, Chris Graham, Dave Gallagher nial in 1976, agreed to ride from fair. They had waded the Pacific RIDE | 3A from Britain, Gus Touker from Amsterdam and Ron Holt. Classifieds ......................B4-6 Lottery ................Sports Wire Viewpoints ....................... A4 Good morning To Comics .................News Wire Obituaries ........................ A3 Weather ...............Sports Wire Kathy Christ Local Sports ....................A6-7 Today’s Woman .................. B1 facebook.com/ twitter.com/ Thanks for reading! newssun.com newssun TheNewsSun A2 | HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN | April 30, 2019 www.highlandsnewssun.com ‘Love one another’ Day of Prayer welcomes all people to the local event. returns “I like to open it up for everyone,” Germaine Thursday said. “Our goal was always to fi ll the court- By PHIL ATTINGER house lawn.” STAFF WRITER Germaine said this year’s scheduled program SEBRING — Highlands will be much like last County will celebrate year’s, when the theme its 26th annual National was “Unity.” Supervisor Day of Prayer at 11 a.m. of Elections Penny Ogg Thursday on the greens will ask the invocation, in front of the Highlands Circuit Court Judge County Courthouse. Peter Estrada will lead Clerk of the Courts Bob the Pledge of Allegiance KEVIN MAIN/CORRESPONDENT Germaine, who inherited and Circuit Court Judge the task of organizing the Angela Cowden will From left: First Runner-up Tiny Miss APCC Serena Basukto; Tiny Miss APCC Falyn local celebration from his lead the audience in the Massey; First Runner-up Little Miss APCC Tatiana DeLeon; First Runner-up Jr. Miss predecessor L.E. “Luke” national anthem. Juliana DeLeon; Second Runner-up Miss APCC Erica Vargas; Miss APCC Kenlee Wall; Brooker, said he hopes Joe Lewis will sing once First Runner-up Miss APCC Emilie Franklin; Third Runner-up Miss APCC Rowan to see the courthouse again, as will students Moulds; Jr. Miss Reagan Richards; Little Miss Maci Fann. lawn fi lled with praying from St. Catherine’s participants, gathering as Catholic School. Fire one. and Steel (Drum) Band “It’s just a special day of Walker Memorial APCC pageant for us to come closer to Academy will also play one another and come hymns. KEVIN MAIN/CORRESPONDENT closer to the Lord,” Speakers will include Miss Avon Park Chamber of Commerce Germaine said. “We’re Lonnie Wells, the Rev. held Saturday 2019 Kenlee Wall takes her fi rst walk. only here on this Earth Esa Ontermaa, and for the grace of the Lord. Pastor Steve Trinkle of By MELISSA MAIN The Tiny/Little contestants themselves to the audience It’s just a great time.” Whispering Pines Baptist CORRESPONDENT thrilled the audience with their and then modeled their casual The National Day of Church, Germaine said. dimples and smiles as they summer outfi ts and formal attire, Prayer, created in 1952 This will be the next to last Day of Prayer for AVON PARK — Hundreds demonstrated their beauty and which ranged from short formal by a joint resolution of Germaine as clerk of of people packed Union poise in casual summer outfi ts dresses to long formal dresses. Congress, was signed into courts, with one more Congregational Church to watch and formal dresses. Center Stage Dance Studio law by President Harry S.