As pictures of flood prone areas in the Highlands and Hacienda Village emerge, residents are asking why in the Spring of 2023, Commissioners Benton and Elliott turned their backs on Hacienda Village and the Highlands. Despite repeated flooding and pleas for help from the residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, the commissioners voted down a project to mitigate flooding, leaving the community once again exposed to the forces of Hurricane Milton.
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Fecal Coliform Detected in Groundwater: Winter Springs Fined $297,000 Amid Continued Wastewater Violations
Growing Health and Environmental Concerns as City Fails to Address Long-Standing Wastewater System Issues For Immediate Release October 2, 2024–The City of Winter Springs has been hit with a $297,979 fine as part of a Consent Order issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), citing 24 violations in…
Catastrophic Water Plant Failure spills 383,000 gallons of water into environment
A Winter Springs wastewater plant undergoing maintenance in past years According to reports filed by the City of Winter Springs to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, a catastrophic failure occurred at a wastewater plant, releasing more than 383,000 gallons of water into the environment, affecting the ground and nearby…
Commission Candidate withdraws, citing city’s financial, budgeting and ethics concerns
Stephen Francis, who briefly announced his candidacy for the Winter Springs Commission, announced his intent to withdraw from the race, citing concerns with the city’s current financial state, budgeting practice, and general ethics concerns.
We cannot afford four more years of Commissioners Benton, Elliot and Johnson
With the cost of gasoline and groceries sky-high, and the City of Winter Springs taking more of our hard-earned property tax dollars, can you afford a 59% hike in trash service and more than doubling of your water bill? Can you afford the policies of Commissioners Benton, Elliot and Johnson?
Winter Springs Under Inspector General’s Scrutiny Amid Commissioner Benton’s Campaign Finance Scheme
Winter Springs finds itself once again in the harsh glare of scrutiny as the Chief Inspector General descends upon the city, casting a shadow over the city’s rabid attempts to maintain a facade of normalcy. Behind closed doors, city leadership was sent into a tailspin Wednesday and Thursday having been caught making misleading public statements downplaying the Inspector General’s involvement leading to staff complaints about being left in the dark about the IG’s visit.
Hydrant Failure: Winter Springs house fire reveals threat to public safety
By Jesse Phillips, PresidentWinter Springs Community Association Earlier today I read this shocking Oviedo Community News report: when a dryer caught fire in a Winter Springs home, fire crews could not attach to the fire hydrant because it had been poorly maintained by the city. Although the fire was controlled…
Brown water plagues expose fire hydrant maintenance failures
Resident Brandon Morrisey, who was removed from the Oak Forest Board for warning neighbors about brown water, speaks out again about public safety concerns.
Background of Parkstone’s Artesian Well
Guest contributor Bob Sibley, President of the Parkstone HOA, provides an informative update of an issue his neighborhood has been facing for many years.
City leadership grilled over 23 more water violations
In the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee (JLAC) meeting in Tallahassee, state officials grilled city leadership over the results of the county and state audits, focusing on a range of financial and management issues. The most serious of which was a recent warning letter from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) which cited the city with 23 additional violations, including fecal coliform and improper testing equipment at the water plants.