Hood River News

Last week’s autumn marvels are this week’s awful messes.

But a leaf’s gotta drop, and folks have been busy all weekend with the annual fall task of raking, piling and bagging leaves, from the dime-sized plum leaves to maples the size of dinner-plates.

Now, what to do with them? Inside the City of Hood River, help is on the way.

Beginning Nov. 5 Hood River City residents may dispose of leaves at the City Public Works facility at 18th & May Streets.

Everywhere else, the Hood River Transfer Station accepts organic debris at no charge on Wednesdays.

Disposal hours for city residents are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and Saturday, Nov. 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check in at the office before dropping off leaves. Residents will be required to empty any bagged leaves.

Notes to remember:

n Leaves must not be raked into the gutter as they can plug the storm drains and cause flooding. This is a violation of the Hood River Municipal Code.

n Branches and other brush will not be accepted by the City. The Hood River Transfer Station at 3440 Guignard Road (386-4676) will accept this type of debris. Disposal of residential debris at the Transfer Station is free every Wednesday.

n If you would like to have leaves for mulch, call Marlo Messmer at 387-5201 with your name, address and phone number.