Swimming has been temporarily suspended at the public beach at Queen City Lake after routine testing found slightly elevated levels of E. coli bacteria. The City of LaFayette says the closure is a precaution while officials work to determine the source, which is believed to be local wildlife gathering near the beach. Daily water testing will continue until conditions are safe for swimming. The dock, boat ramp, and fishing areas remain open. City officials are also asking visitors not to feed the ducks to help reduce future water quality issues.
LaFayette residents may notice changes in the time their trash is picked up over the next several weeks. The city says it’s preparing to put a new sanitation truck into service in August and is adjusting collection routes to better serve the city’s growing population. Collection days will stay the same, but pickup times may vary as crews fine-tune the new routes. Residents are asked to continue placing their trash carts at the curb the night before their scheduled pickup day to avoid missed collections during the transition. Officials say the changes will improve service, especially in newer neighborhoods with narrower streets.
The Walker County Animal Shelter is celebrating the success of the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters adoption event. Shelter officials say 52 dogs and cats found their forever homes during the campaign. While that’s worth celebrating, many more pets are still waiting to be adopted. If you’ve been considering adding a furry friend to your family, the Walker County Animal Shelter is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 pm.
Walker County’s inmate litter crew has already removed more than 44-thousand pounds of trash from county roads this year. During this month’s Board of Commissioners meeting, Detention Officer Michael Green reported a four-inmate crew has collected 44,330 pounds of litter in 2026. Crews have also picked up 130 tires, eight mattresses, 10 couches or loveseats, along with countless Styrofoam cups dumped along roadsides. If the current pace continues, officials say the county could collect more than 88-thousand pounds of roadside trash by the end of the year. County leaders are reminding residents to properly dispose of waste and report illegal dumping to help keep Walker County clean.