Leaf pickup in LaFayette begins Monday, December 1st. The city’s leaf truck will start its first round in Ward 1, then move through each ward in order. A second and final round will begin about two weeks later. Residents are asked to leave leaves in loose piles—not bagged—and keep them separate from limbs and other debris to help crews work efficiently.
Outdoor burning rules are back in effect now that Georgia’s statewide burn ban has ended. Residents in unincorporated areas can burn small piles of natural vegetation without a permit, but safety guidelines still apply. The Georgia Forestry Commission reminds residents to follow the S-S-T-A-R rules: keep fires the proper distance from homes and woodlands, burn only from sunrise to sunset, stay with the fire until it’s out, and have tools ready in case it spreads. Burning household garbage, plastic, or lumber is illegal. Walker County follows state rules, but burn permits inside LaFayette, Rossville, Chickamauga, and Lookout Mountain must be obtained from those cities.
Osburn Road in Chickamauga will be closed to through traffic starting Monday. The closure runs from Myers Street to Highway 27 while crews perform utility work. Drivers can detour around the work zone by using Myers Street and Wilder Road to reach Highway 27. The project is expected to take several weeks.
Thanksgiving dinner is getting more expensive across the Southeast. The University of Tennessee Extension reports the cost of a traditional holiday meal is up more than ten percent from last year, now averaging about 128 dollars. National estimates don’t include regional staples like ham and sweet potato casserole, meaning many families pay even more. Economists point to higher production, transportation, and labor costs, along with strong demand for holiday staples. Experts suggest planning ahead, comparing prices, and using coupons to help manage rising costs.