☕ Front Porch Morning: A Frosty, Sunny Sunday, a Bridge to Skip in Chattanooga, a Family Dollar Refund on the Way and Your Raise Letter Online

Or: Scrape the Windshield, Pick the Veterans Bridge, Save Those Receipts and Sign Up for Paperless by Wednesday

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Sunday, November 15, 2026

Good morning, neighbor. Today is Sunday, Nov. 15. It’s a frosty start, about 31°F early this morning. Then the National Weather Service says sunny, high near 57°F in Dunlap, cooling to about 52 by late afternoon.

Tonight is mostly clear and cold, about 29°F. Monday is sunny and near 59. It’s a quiet, dry Sunday: church, a good dinner and a nap sound about right.

⏱️ Your 30-second morning recap

• Yesterday: Tennessee joined a $63 million Family Dollar settlement over register prices. A refund claim form is coming later, so save your receipts. Social Security says sign up for paperless notices by Wednesday, Nov. 18 to read your 2027 raise letter online. And Van Buren County’s Senior Angel Tree is taking names until Dec. 1.
• Today: Frosty morning, then sunny, near 57°F. In Chattanooga, the Market Street Bridge is closed 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. our time. The Chattanooga Market is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. our time.
• Tonight: Clear, low around 29°F. Pets and potted plants inside.

📝 Jot This Down: today’s 3 things to remember

1. Driving to church in downtown Chattanooga? The Market Street Bridge is closed TODAY, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern (that’s 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. our time). Use the Veterans Bridge or the Olgiati Bridge.
2. Frost this morning, 29°F tonight. Give the windshield extra time. Bring pets and plants inside tonight. Keep space heaters 3 feet from anything that can burn.
3. Social Security paperless deadline: Wednesday, Nov. 18. Sign up at ssa.gov/myaccount to read your raise letter online. It’s free. If you skip it, your letter still comes by mail in December.

Tomorrow’s heads-up: Monday, Nov. 16, the Sequatchie County Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. at the courthouse in Dunlap (budget committee at 5:30 p.m.). The courthouse opens at 7:30 a.m. Monday is sunny, about 59°F.

📰 In Case You Missed It Yesterday (Saturday, Nov. 14)

🧾 Family Dollar Shoppers: A Refund Fund Is Coming, So Save Your Receipts

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced a $63 million settlement with Family Dollar. It came out late Friday, and Dunlap.Today’s Saturday Money Check explained it. The states and the Federal Trade Commission said the chain often charged more at the register than the price on the shelf. The deal covers Family Dollar’s 148 Tennessee stores.

• A $40 million refund fund for people who shopped at Family Dollar from March 1, 2023, through Oct. 1, 2026.
• A 15% off sale for two days in a row, coming within 90 days after a judge approves the deal.
• Once claims open, you’ll have up to 180 days to file.

What it means for you: There’s nothing to file yet, so don’t let anybody rush you. Put any old Family Dollar receipts in an envelope. Check familydollar.com in a few weeks for the official claim form, and use only that site. If a call, text or email asks for money or your bank number to “get your refund,” hang up. That’s not how this works.

👉 Read more (Tennessee Attorney General news) · FTC: Family Dollar settlement

💌 Read Your Social Security Raise Letter Online: Sign Up by Wednesday

Saturday’s Money Check had a reminder about your 3.6% Social Security raise for 2027. Social Security says you can read your raise letter online in late November. To do that, you need a free my Social Security account, with paperless notices turned on, by Wednesday, Nov. 18.

What it means for you: This is optional. If you’d rather wait for the mail, your letter comes in December, and you get the raise either way. If you want it sooner, ask a grandchild to help you at ssa.gov/myaccount, the only official site. Protect yourself: Social Security services are free. Nobody from Social Security will call to ask you to pay or to “confirm” your number for your raise. Questions? Call 1-800-772-1213.

👉 Read more (Social Security: COLA information)

🎄 Van Buren County Seniors: Sign Up for the Senior Angel Tree

Van Buren County’s Senior Angel Tree is taking applications now through Tuesday, Dec. 1. Neighbors and volunteers help make the holidays brighter for seniors who could use a little extra cheer.

What it means for you: If you live in Van Buren County, or love someone who does, sign up early. Call or text 931-619-8492, or send a private Facebook message to Heather Scott. Call ahead to confirm what information they need from you.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Senior Angel Tree)

⛽ Cheaper Gas and Cheaper Turkeys

AAA had Tennessee’s average for regular gas at about $3.46 on Saturday, still going down. And the USDA says grocery ads for frozen whole turkeys now average about 96 cents a pound, down from $1.19 a week earlier.

What it means for you: A little good news for the Thanksgiving budget. Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. A frozen turkey needs about a day in the fridge for every 4 to 5 pounds, so a 15-pound bird goes in the fridge around Saturday, Nov. 21, or Sunday, Nov. 22. The cheapest turkey deals often need you to spend an extra $20 to $50, so read the fine print.

👉 Read more (AAA state gas prices) · USDA weekly turkey ad report

📅 Today in the Valley (Sunday, Nov. 15)

🌉 Reminder: Market Street Bridge Closed This Morning in Chattanooga

We mentioned this yesterday, and it’s today. The Market Street Bridge is closed to cars and walkers from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern. That’s 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. our time. Downtown is busy: River Street by Renaissance Park is also closed for the Renaissance Faire, and Reggie White Boulevard is closed for the Chattanooga Market.

What it means for you: Headed to church or lunch downtown? Drive the Veterans Bridge or the Olgiati Bridge. Leave 15 minutes early. Walkers can use the Walnut Street Bridge.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: A Busy Sunday in Downtown Chattanooga)

🧺 Chattanooga Market: Fall Produce and a Beard Contest (Eastern Time)

The Chattanooga Market is open today at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd., Chattanooga, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern. That’s 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. our time. Admission is free; parking is in pay lots. Look for apples, pears, sweet potatoes, winter squash and local crafts. For a good laugh, a beard and mustache contest starts at 1:30 p.m. Eastern (12:30 our time).

What it means for you: A pleasant indoor outing with fresh food and early Christmas gifts. Remember the bridge closing on the way in. Pets aren’t allowed inside. The market’s season ends with a Thanksgiving Market next weekend. Call ahead or check chattanoogamarket.com to confirm next weekend’s dates.

👉 Read more (Chattanooga Market: Beard Contest Sunday)

🏰 Last Day of the Chattanooga Renaissance Faire (Eastern Time)

The Chattanooga Renaissance Faire wraps up today at Coolidge Park and Renaissance Park on the North Shore. Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, which is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. our time. The poster lists costumes, music, jousting on hobby horses, a raptor talk, an artisan market and turkey legs.

What it means for you: A fun one to take the grandkids to. There’s a lot of walking on grass, so wear good shoes and bring a folding chair. We couldn’t confirm admission prices. Call ahead to confirm cost before you go.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Chattanooga Renaissance Faire)

⛪ A Quiet Sunday at Home: Church, Senior Center and Library

Most of the Valley is resting today. The Sequatchie County Public Library is closed on weekends and opens again Monday at 8 a.m. We found no Sunday activities posted for the Sequatchie Senior Center, 103 Heard St., Dunlap. Call ahead Monday to confirm lunch and activities: (423) 949-2228.

What it means for you: A good day for your home church, a phone call to family and a walk in the sunshine after lunch. Need a ride to an appointment this week? Call SETHRA Transit at (423) 478-1396 on Monday morning.

👉 Read more (Sequatchie County: Senior Citizens Center)

🌤️ Today’s Weather: Frosty Start, Sunny Afternoon, Cold Night

This morning: about 31°F, with frost. Today: sunny, high near 57°F, cooling to about 52 late afternoon. Very light wind. Tonight: mostly clear, low around 29°F. Monday: sunny, near 59°F. Tuesday: sunny, near 63°F.

What it means for you: Let the car warm up and clear the whole windshield. Watch for slick spots on bridges and shady curves this morning. Planning to burn leaves? Tennessee requires a free burn permit this time of year; get one the same day you burn.

👉 Read more (National Weather Service: Dunlap forecast) · BurnSafeTN burn permits

🗓️ Put These on the Fridge: The Days Ahead

• Today, Sunday, Nov. 15: Market Street Bridge closed, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. our time. Chattanooga Market, 10 to 3 our time. Low near 29°F tonight.
• Monday, Nov. 16: Sequatchie County Commission, 6:30 p.m., courthouse in Dunlap. Van Buren County Commission, 6 p.m., 121 Taft Drive, Spencer.
• Tuesday night, Nov. 17: Leonid shooting stars. Best after midnight, away from porch lights.
• Wednesday, Nov. 18: Last day to sign up for Social Security paperless notices at ssa.gov/myaccount. Social Security pays birthdays on the 11th–20th.
• Thursday, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving.
• Tuesday, Dec. 1: Van Buren Senior Angel Tree sign-up deadline: 931-619-8492.
• Monday, Dec. 7: Medicare open enrollment ends. Free help: TN SHIP, 1-877-801-0044.

What it means for you: Write these on the kitchen calendar today, so you don’t have to remember them.

👉 Courthouse Corner: Monday’s meetings · More Valley dates on Dunlap.Today

✅ Your Calm Sunday Checklist

• ✅ Clear the whole windshield. Frost this morning.
• ✅ Going downtown in Chattanooga? Skip the Market Street Bridge until 2 p.m. our time.
• ✅ Drop any Family Dollar receipts in an envelope. Nothing to file yet.
• ✅ Want your raise letter online? Sign up at ssa.gov/myaccount by Wednesday.
• ✅ Van Buren senior? Call or text 931-619-8492 for the Senior Angel Tree.
• ✅ Pets in, plants in, heater 3 feet from everything. Low near 29 tonight.

Practical rule: You don’t have to remember it all. Just keep this page handy, and check back tomorrow morning.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to do anything about the Family Dollar refund today?

No. The claim form isn’t out yet. It will be posted at familydollar.com after a federal judge approves the settlement. Save your receipts, and never pay anyone to “help” you get the refund.

Will I lose my Social Security raise if I miss Wednesday’s deadline?

No. Nov. 18 is only the cutoff to read your letter online in late November. Everyone gets the 3.6% raise starting in January, and paper letters arrive in December.

Is the Market Street Bridge closed all day?

No. It’s closed from 8 a.m. to no later than 3 p.m. Eastern, which is 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. our time. Use the Veterans or Olgiati bridge until then.

Is anything open at the Senior Center today?

We found nothing posted for Sunday. Call (423) 949-2228 on Monday to confirm lunch and activities.

Are today’s times Central or Eastern?

Dunlap, Spencer and other Valley times are Central, our time. Chattanooga events (the bridge, the Chattanooga Market and the Renaissance Faire) list Eastern time. Subtract one hour for our time.

🔗 Helpful Numbers & Resources

• Family Dollar settlement news: Tennessee Attorney General · claim form later at familydollar.com
• Social Security: 1-800-772-1213 · ssa.gov/myaccount
• Van Buren Senior Angel Tree (call or text): 931-619-8492
• Sequatchie County Courthouse, Dunlap (weekdays): (423) 949-3479
• Sequatchie County Public Library, 227 Cherry St., Dunlap: (423) 949-2357
• Sequatchie Senior Center, 103 Heard St., Dunlap: (423) 949-2228
• Sequatchie County Health Department: (423) 949-3619
• SETHRA Transit rides: (423) 478-1396
• Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) · TN SHIP free Medicare counseling: 1-877-801-0044
• Report a scam: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability: 1-866-836-6678
• Burn permits: BurnSafeTN.org
• TDOT road conditions: SmartWay.tn.gov or dial 511
• National Weather Service Dunlap forecast: weather.gov point forecast

🌅 A Frosty, Sunny, Take-It-Easy Kind of Sunday

Here’s the whole day in one breath. Frost on the windshield, then sunshine near 57. If you’re going to Chattanooga, skip the Market Street Bridge until 2 our time. Save those Family Dollar receipts. Sign up for paperless Social Security letters by Wednesday if you’d like to see your raise early. Tonight, bring the pets in and give the heater some room. Nothing today needs hurrying, and nothing needs worrying over. Read Dunlap.Today every morning for plain-English Valley news, and find local businesses on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today