☕ Front Porch Morning: An Extra Hour of Sleep, a Showery Sunday Morning and the Health Marketplace Opens Today

Or: A New I Bond Rate, No SSI Check in November, Fake Jury-Duty Calls and Election Day on Tuesday

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Sunday, November 1, 2026

Good morning, neighbor. If the house feels a little “off” this morning, that’s the clock. Daylight saving time ended at 2 a.m., and we’re on standard time now. Yesterday brought a few things worth knowing: new I savings bonds pay 5.51% starting today, there is no SSI payment on Nov. 1 this month because it already came on Friday, Oct. 30, sheriffs in other states warned about fake jury-duty calls, and Dunlap police and the Sequatchie County Sheriff each got a highway safety grant.

Today, the Health Insurance Marketplace opens for 2027 plans. The weather starts damp, with showers likely mainly before 8 a.m., then mostly cloudy, high near 61°F. It gets dark early now, around 4:46 p.m. Nothing here needs worry. Just a few things to jot down.

⏱️ Your 30-second morning recap

• Yesterday: New I bonds pay 5.51% from Nov. 1 through April 30. No SSI deposit today; the November money came Oct. 30, and the next one is Tuesday, Dec. 1. Real courts never call asking you to pay a jury-duty fine.
• Today: First full day of standard time. HealthCare.gov open enrollment starts. Medicare open enrollment keeps going until Monday, Dec. 7. A good day to test your smoke alarms.
• Weather: The National Weather Service forecast for Dunlap calls for a 70% chance of showers, mainly before 8 a.m., then mostly cloudy, high near 61°F. Tonight, low around 50°F. Sunset about 4:46 p.m.

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

1. The clocks went BACK one hour last night. Check the stove, microwave, car and bedside clocks. Take your medicines by the new clock today.
2. It gets dark about 4:46 p.m. now. Plan to be home from Sunday visits before dark.
3. Medicare plan check: deadline Monday, Dec. 7. Free help: TN SHIP, 1-877-801-0044. (The Marketplace that opens today is not for people on Medicare.)

Tomorrow’s heads-up: Monday, Nov. 2, is mostly sunny, high near 72°F, with gusts up to 20 mph. The Senior Center is open on the weekday schedule. The Sequatchie County school board meets at 6 p.m. And remember: Tuesday, Nov. 3, is Election Day. Sequatchie polls are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central. Bring a photo ID.

📰 In Case You Missed It Yesterday (Saturday, Oct. 31)

💵 New I Savings Bonds Pay 5.51% Starting Today

The U.S. Treasury says new Series I savings bonds bought from Nov. 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027 will earn 5.51%, up from 4.26%. That includes a fixed rate of 1.40%, the highest since 2006. The fixed part stays with the bond as long as you own it. BabyBoomer.org and Dunlap.Today’s Your Wallet column both covered it Saturday.

What it means for you: I bonds are a very safe place for money you won’t need for a while. Two rules to remember: you can’t cash them for one year, and if you cash them before five years, you give up the last three months of interest. They’re bought only at TreasuryDirect.gov. Type that address yourself, and never buy through someone who calls you.

👉 Read more (TreasuryDirect: I bond interest rates)

📬 No SSI Payment Today: It Already Came Friday

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is usually paid on the 1st of the month. Because Nov. 1 is a Sunday, Social Security sent November’s SSI payment early, on Friday, Oct. 30. The next SSI payment comes Tuesday, Dec. 1. This was in Saturday’s BabyBoomer.org roundup.

What it means for you: Nothing is missing. October simply had two SSI deposits, and the second one has to last until Dec. 1. If you help a parent or neighbor who gets SSI, a kind heads-up today can keep that money from being spent too soon. Questions: Social Security, 1-800-772-1213.

👉 Read more (BabyBoomer.org, Oct. 31, 2026)

⚖️ “You Missed Jury Duty”? How to Protect Yourself

Sheriff’s offices in Michigan and Washington state warned this week about callers pretending to be officers. They claim you missed jury duty and must pay a fine or be arrested. We haven’t seen a local report of this, but phones don’t stop at the county line.

Social Security also shared an easy memory trick on Oct. 30, the “Four Ps”: scammers Pretend to be official, claim a Problem or Prize, put on Pressure and ask for Payment.

What it means for you: One rule to remember: no real court or sheriff collects fines over the phone, and none asks for gift cards, cash pickups, payment apps or cryptocurrency. Caller ID can be faked. Hang up, then call the Sequatchie County non-emergency line, (423) 949-9912, or the number for your own county that you look up yourself.

👉 Read more (Social Security: No Tricks, Just Tips)

🚓 Highway Safety Grants for Dunlap and the Valley

Dunlap.Today’s Courthouse Corner reported Saturday that the Tennessee Highway Safety Office is handing out $25 million in federal highway safety grants. Close to home: Dunlap Police and the Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Department each get $10,000 for impaired-driving enforcement. Pikeville Police got $5,000, and the Pikeville Volunteer Fire Department EMS got $12,500 for rescue equipment. Marion and Rhea county agencies got grants too.

What it means for you: This is federal money, so it doesn’t raise local taxes. It pays for safer roads and better rescue gear. Expect to see officers watching for impaired drivers, especially around the holidays.

👉 Read more (SValleyNow: Local police departments receive grants)

📅 Today in the Valley (Sunday, Nov. 1)

🌧️ Showers Early, Then Cloudy Near 61; Sunny and 72 Monday

The National Weather Service forecast for Dunlap calls for showers likely, mainly before 8 a.m. (70% chance), less than a tenth of an inch. Then it’s mostly cloudy, with a high near 61°F and a light southeast wind. Tonight: a 20% chance of a shower between 9 and 10 p.m., low around 50°F.

Monday: mostly sunny, near 72°F. Tuesday (Election Day): mostly sunny, near 74°F, breezy. Wednesday: showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm (70%).

What it means for you: Take an umbrella to early church and watch for wet steps. A sweater is enough the rest of the day. Tuesday looks like a nice day to go vote.

👉 Read more (National Weather Service: Dunlap forecast)

🕐 First Day on Standard Time: Clocks, Medicines and Smoke Alarms

Daylight saving time ended at 2 a.m. today. Clocks went back one hour. Phones and computers changed on their own. The stove, microwave, car radio, wall clocks and bedside clock may still need you.

Sunrise is about 6:03 a.m. today, and sunset about 4:46 p.m. in Dunlap. Hamilton County (Chattanooga) and Rhea County (Dayton) stay one hour ahead of us on Eastern time.

Fire safety groups say this is the perfect day to press the test button on every smoke alarm and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. Replace regular batteries at least once a year, and replace any smoke alarm 10 years or older. The date is usually on the back.

What it means for you: Take your pills by the new clock. If your body says it’s an hour later, that’s normal for a few days. Don’t climb a wobbly chair to reach an alarm. Ask a grandkid or neighbor, or call your fire department.

👉 Read more (SValleyNow: Time to Fall Back One Hour)

🩺 The Health Insurance Marketplace Opens Today

Open enrollment for 2027 Marketplace health plans on HealthCare.gov starts today, Sunday, Nov. 1. Sign up by Tuesday, Dec. 15 for coverage that starts Jan. 1. Open enrollment ends Friday, Jan. 15, 2027.

What it means for you: If you’re on Medicare, this isn’t for you. Your Medicare deadline is Monday, Dec. 7. If a younger spouse, grown child or grandchild buys their own insurance, remind them that shopping opens today. Tell them to type HealthCare.gov themselves, not click an ad or a text link. Help: 1-800-318-2596.

👉 Read more (HealthCare.gov: Dates and Deadlines)

💙 November Is National Family Caregivers Month

November is National Family Caregivers Month, as Dunlap.Today’s Healthy Valley report noted this week. If you look after a spouse, parent or neighbor, free help is a phone call away: the Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, 1-866-836-6678.

What it means for you: Caregiving is hard work, even when it’s done with love. A call can point you to meals, respite care, rides and other help. If you know a caregiver, today is a nice day to tell them thank you.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today Healthy Valley report)

🧺 A Sunday Outing: Chattanooga Market Is Open

The Chattanooga Market lists a market on Sunday, Nov. 1, starting at 11 a.m. Eastern (10 a.m. Central), at the First Horizon Pavilion downtown. A local events list from Local 3 News shows today as a “Haunted Market,” 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern, with free admission, and the market’s website mentions a kids’ costume parade at 1:30 p.m. Eastern. The website also mentions a bluegrass theme this weekend, so call ahead to confirm the theme and hours.

What it means for you: It’s about an hour’s drive from Dunlap. Remember the time difference: 11 a.m. there is 10 a.m. here. Plan to head home in time to beat the 4:46 p.m. dark (that’s 5:46 p.m. Chattanooga time).

👉 Read more (The Chattanooga Market)

☎️ Senior Center and Library: Plan on Monday

The Sequatchie County Senior Citizens Center, 103 Heard St., Dunlap, serves meals and activities on weekdays, so plan on Monday. Call (423) 949-2228 to confirm the menu. For the Sequatchie County Public Library, call ahead to confirm this week’s hours at (423) 949-2357.

What it means for you: No need to make the drive today. Rest up, and save it for Monday.

👉 Read more (Sequatchie County: Senior Citizens Center)

🗓️ Put These on the Fridge: The Days Ahead

• Sunday, Nov. 1 (today): First day of standard time. Marketplace open enrollment starts. Test smoke and CO alarms.
• Monday, Nov. 2: Sequatchie County school board, 6 p.m., 878 Cordell Drive, Dunlap. A temporary traffic signal starts on US-72 in Marion County (through Dec. 14).
• Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day. Sequatchie polls 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central. Vote at your own precinct. Bring a photo ID.
• Wednesday, Nov. 4: The wettest day of the week. Showers and maybe thunder. Leave early, headlights on.
• Tuesday, Dec. 1: Next SSI payment.
• Monday, Dec. 7: Medicare open enrollment ends. Tuesday, Dec. 15: Marketplace deadline for Jan. 1 coverage.

✅ Your Calm Morning Checklist

• ✅ Walk around the house and set the leftover clocks back one hour.
• ✅ Take today’s medicines by the new clock.
• ✅ Press the test button on each smoke and CO alarm.
• ✅ Umbrella for early church. Watch for wet steps.
• ✅ Hang up on anyone who calls about a “missed jury duty” fine.
• ✅ Remind a younger family member that HealthCare.gov opens today.
• ✅ Be home before dark, about 4:46 p.m.

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

Did I miss the clock change?

No. It happened by itself at 2 a.m. today, Sunday, Nov. 1. Your phone already changed. Just set any other clocks back one hour, like the stove, microwave and car.

My SSI didn’t come today. Is something wrong?

No. Because Nov. 1 is a Sunday, November’s SSI payment was sent early, on Friday, Oct. 30. The next payment is Tuesday, Dec. 1. If you still have questions, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

I’m on Medicare. Do I need to do anything now that the Marketplace is open?

No. The Marketplace is for people who buy their own health insurance. Your Medicare open enrollment runs until Monday, Dec. 7. TN SHIP gives free, unbiased help at 1-877-801-0044.

Where do I buy an I bond?

Only at TreasuryDirect.gov. Type the address yourself. Remember, you can’t cash an I bond for one year, and you give up three months of interest if you cash it before five years.

Someone called saying I missed jury duty and owe a fine. Is that real?

Treat it as a scam. Courts and sheriffs don’t collect fines over the phone. Hang up and call your sheriff’s office at a number you look up yourself.

🔗 Helpful Numbers & Resources

• Social Security: 1-800-772-1213 · Report a scam: ssa.gov/scam
• Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) · TN SHIP free Medicare counseling: 1-877-801-0044
• HealthCare.gov Marketplace: 1-800-318-2596 · HealthCare.gov
• I savings bonds: TreasuryDirect.gov
• Tennessee voter lookup: GoVoteTN
• Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability (caregiver help): 1-866-836-6678
• Senior Medicare Patrol (Tennessee): 877-808-2468
• Sequatchie Senior Center, 103 Heard St., Dunlap: (423) 949-2228 (weekdays)
• Bledsoe County Senior Citizens Center, Pikeville: (423) 447-6111
• Sequatchie County Public Library: (423) 949-2357
• SETHRA Transit rides: (423) 478-1396
• AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360 · Report fraud to the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• TDOT road conditions: SmartWay.tn.gov or dial 511
• Sequachee Valley Electric outages (24/7): 1-888-421-7832
• Sequatchie County 911 non-emergency: (423) 949-9912. For an emergency, call 911.
• National Weather Service Dunlap forecast: weather.gov point forecast

🌅 An Extra Hour, a Gentle Sunday and a Fresh Start to November

Here’s the whole day in one breath. Set the leftover clocks back, take your pills by the new time and push the smoke alarm button. Bring an umbrella to early church. Hang up on any caller who wants a “fine.” Remind the younger folks that HealthCare.gov is open, and keep Dec. 7 on the fridge for Medicare. Then enjoy a quiet Sunday and be home before dark. 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