Lake County News Digest

The Highwood Fire Department has received an $89,000 federal grant, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, said Tuesday.

The money will be used to upgrade the exhaust system in the station, replace basic tools and fire equipment, and replace two defibrillators.

"This grant serves two purposes," Kirk said, "protecting the health and safety of our firefighters and upgrading life-saving equipment for Highwood residents. I thank the Department of Homeland Security for recognizing the needs of our first responders in Highwood."

New hose, nozzles, utility ropes and self-contained breathing apparatuses are some of the equipment being upgraded with funds from the grant.