☕ Front Porch Morning: Take Back Day 10 to 2, Fill-a-Bag Books and Sunny Near 75

Or: Clean Out the Medicine Cabinet, Grab a Bag of Books and Enjoy a Sunny Saturday

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Saturday, October 24, 2026

Good morning, neighbor. Happy Saturday. Today is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Early voting is open 9 a.m. to noon. The library book sale’s Fill-a-Bag Day runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. And it’ll be sunny, near 75°F.

It’s a gentle, busy kind of day. Pick one or two things, and let the rest wait. Nothing here needs worry.

⏱️ Your 30-second morning recap

• Yesterday: Social Security said its phone line now answers in about 5.6 minutes on average. The CDC’s newest flu report says flu is still low but climbing, including here in the Southeast.
• Today: Take Back Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Early voting, 9 a.m. to noon. Fill-a-Bag Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dunlap Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Weather: The National Weather Service forecast for Dunlap (updated about 1:26 a.m. Central) calls for sunny skies, high near 75°F, calm wind. Tonight, mostly clear, low around 44°F.

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

1. Take Back Day is today, Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s free, and nobody asks questions. Nearby sites are in Pikeville, Tracy City and Coalmont. Or use the Sequatchie County Sheriff’s drop box, 351 Fredonia Road, listed as open 24 hours.
2. Early voting closes at noon today. It’s closed Sunday. The last day is Thursday, Oct. 29. Bring a photo ID.
3. Fill-a-Bag Day is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fair Building, 103 Heard St., Dunlap. The silent auction ends at noon.

Tomorrow’s heads-up: Sunday, Oct. 25, looks sunny again, near 75°F, with a chilly night near 44°F. Early voting is closed Sunday. Social Security payday for birthdays on the 21st–31st is Wednesday, Oct. 28.

📰 In Case You Missed It Yesterday (Friday, Oct. 23)

📞 Social Security Says Its Phone Line Is Faster

On Friday, the Social Security Administration said its national phone line, 1-800-772-1213, answered calls in about 5.6 minutes on average over the past year. Two years ago, the agency says, it was about 28 minutes.

The agency also said waits at local offices are down, and its website is now available around the clock for people with a free my Social Security account.

What it means for you: If you’ve been putting off a call to Social Security, this may be a good week to try. Have your Social Security number and a pen ready. And remember: Social Security will not call you out of the blue asking for money or gift cards. If you get a call like that, hang up and call the real number yourself.

👉 Read more (Social Security press release, Oct. 23, 2026)

🤧 Flu Is Still Low, but Climbing

The CDC posted its weekly flu report on Friday, Oct. 23. Flu “remains low” across the country, but it is “increasing in many parts of the country.” Our Southeast region was one of only two regions where visits for flu-like illness went up this week.

The CDC recommends a flu shot for everyone 6 months and older, ideally in September or October. It also says prescription flu medicine works best when started early, especially for folks 65 and older.

What it means for you: Think of it like the first frost warning. It’s time to cover the tomatoes, not panic. No flu shot yet? Call the Sequatchie County Health Department at (423) 949-3619 on Monday, or ask your pharmacy. If a sudden fever and aches hit, call your doctor the first day.

👉 Read more (CDC FluView, posted Oct. 23, 2026)

📅 Today in the Valley (Saturday, Oct. 24)

💊 Take Back Day: Clean Out the Medicine Cabinet, 10 to 2

Today is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. Tennessee’s health and environment departments say it’s a free, safe and anonymous way to get rid of old or unneeded medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter.

SValleyNow lists three nearby staffed sites today. All three are on Central Time:

• 3051 Main St., Pikeville (Bledsoe County)
• 663 Railroad Ave., Tracy City (Grundy County)
• 9971 TN-56, Coalmont (Grundy County)

Closer to home, year-round drop boxes work any day:

• Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Office, 351 Fredonia Road, Suite A, Dunlap: listed as open 24 hours a day. (423) 949-7750.
• Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Jasper: the Sheriff’s Office says its drop-off bin in the front office is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Dunlap Police Department, 119 Church St.: weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (423) 949-3319. Closed today.

TN Together says pills in any packaging, liquids in leak-proof containers, ointments, drops and pet medicines are accepted. Needles, thermometers and blood-sugar supplies are not.

What it means for you: Put everything in one paper sack. Black out your name on the labels with a marker. Old pills in a drawer are easy to mix up, and curious grandchildren and pets can find them. Call ahead to confirm what each site takes.

👉 Read more (SValleyNow: Drug Take Back Day is Saturday) · TN Together: Take Back Day map

🗳️ Early Voting: Open 9 to Noon Today

Early voting in Sequatchie County is open today, 9 a.m. to noon, at 68 Spring St., Dunlap. It’s closed Sunday. The last day of early voting is Thursday, Oct. 29.

What it means for you: Bring a Tennessee or federal photo ID. It’s OK if it has expired. Questions? Call the Election Commission at (423) 949-2431.

👉 Read more (Sequatchie County Government)

📚 Fill-a-Bag Day at the Book Sale, 9 to 1

The Friends of Sequatchie County Public Library book sale wraps up today with Fill-a-Bag Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Fair Building, 103 Heard St., Dunlap. You stuff a bag with books for one low price. The silent auction closes at noon. Every dollar helps the library.

What it means for you: Bring a sturdy tote. It’s a fine time to stock up on winter reading, large-print finds or books for the grandkids. We didn’t find the bag price online, so call ahead to confirm at the library, (423) 949-2357.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Book Sale & Silent Auction)

🍎 Farmers Market and a Yard Sale

The Dunlap Farmers Market is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central at the Jeff Johnson Pavilion in Harris Park, 245 Cedar St. The market says its season runs April through October, so only a couple of Saturdays are left. Look for produce, eggs, meats, baked goods, honey and crafts.

A multi-family yard sale is set for today at the Sequatchie County Rescue Squad in Dunlap, starting at 8 a.m. Organizers say it runs until vendors close for the day.

What it means for you: Bring small bills. If you go to the yard sale, early is best. A walk through the market is a nice, easy outing on a sunny morning.

👉 Read more (Dunlap Farmers Market) · Dunlap.Today: Yard sale details

🍽️ Meals, Rides and Weekday Help

The Sequatchie County Senior Citizens Center, 103 Heard St., Dunlap, is a weekday resource. We didn’t find any Saturday senior-center activities listed. For next week’s lunch, rides and activities, call (423) 949-2228 on Monday.

To book a ride, SETHRA Transit is at (423) 478-1396. Rides are usually booked ahead.

What it means for you: Need a ride to vote before Thursday? Jot “Call SETHRA Monday” on your list today.

☀️ Today’s Weather: Sunny Near 75

The National Weather Service forecast for Dunlap (updated about 1:26 a.m. Central) calls for sunny skies, a high near 75°F and calm wind. Tonight will be mostly clear, low around 44°F. Sunday looks sunny, near 75°F, and Monday near 74°F. No weather alerts were posted for Dunlap early this morning.

A free burn permit is required from Oct. 15 to May 15.

Time note: Dunlap and Sequatchie, Marion, Bledsoe, Grundy and Van Buren counties are on Central Time. Chattanooga, Hamilton County and Rhea County are on Eastern Time, one hour ahead.

What it means for you: Lovely porch weather. Keep a sweater handy for the cool morning and tonight’s low near 44°F.

👉 Read more (National Weather Service: Dunlap forecast)

🗓️ Put These on the Fridge: The Week Ahead

• Saturday, Oct. 24 (today): Take Back Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Early voting, 9 a.m. to noon. Fill-a-Bag Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (auction ends at noon). Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 25: Early voting closed. Sunny, near 75°F.
• Wednesday, Oct. 28: Social Security payday (birthdays 21st–31st).
• Thursday, Oct. 29: Last day of early voting. Friday, Oct. 30: Library Fall Festival, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 1: Clocks fall back one hour. Monday, Dec. 7: Medicare open enrollment ends (it runs Oct. 15–Dec. 7).

✅ Your Calm Morning Checklist

• ✅ Bag up old pills and black out your name on the labels.
• ✅ Drop them off between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., or at the Sheriff’s drop box on Fredonia Road.
• ✅ Voting today? Go before noon, with your photo ID.
• ✅ Grab a tote for Fill-a-Bag Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• ✅ Bring small bills to the farmers market.
• ✅ Need Social Security? Their number is 1-800-772-1213. Never give info to someone who calls you first.
• ✅ Keep a sweater by the door for tonight’s low near 44°F.

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

Where can I take old medicines today?

Nearby Take Back Day sites listed by SValleyNow are 3051 Main St., Pikeville; 663 Railroad Ave., Tracy City; and 9971 TN-56, Coalmont, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central. The Sequatchie County Sheriff’s drop box at 351 Fredonia Road is listed as open 24 hours. Call ahead to confirm.

Will anyone ask what the pills were for?

No. The state says Take Back Day is free and anonymous. You can black out your name on the bottles before you go.

Can I bring needles or liquids?

TN Together says liquids are accepted in leak-proof containers, but needles, thermometers and blood-sugar supplies are not. Ask your pharmacy about safe needle disposal.

Is early voting open Sunday?

No. It’s open today, 9 a.m. to noon, at 68 Spring St., Dunlap, and closed Sunday. The last day is Thursday, Oct. 29. Call (423) 949-2431 with questions.

Is Social Security really easier to reach now?

The agency said Friday its national phone line averaged about 5.6 minutes to answer over the past year. Your wait may differ. Early in the morning and later in the week are often good times to try.

🔗 Helpful Numbers & Resources

• Drug Take Back sites: TNtogether.com/takebackday · DEA site finder
• Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Office (drop box, 351 Fredonia Road): (423) 949-7750
• Dunlap Police Department (drop box, weekdays), 119 Church St.: (423) 949-3319
• Sequatchie County Election Commission: (423) 949-2431 · GoVoteTN.gov
• Sequatchie County Public Library, 227 Cherry St.: (423) 949-2357 · sequatchielibrary.org
• Sequatchie Senior Center, 103 Heard St., Dunlap: (423) 949-2228 (weekdays)
• Sequatchie County Health Department: (423) 949-3619
• 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
• SETHRA Transit rides: (423) 478-1396
• Report fraud to the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov · AARP Fraud Watch Helpline: 877-908-3360
• Dunlap Farmers Market: dunlapfarmersmarket.com
• 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

🌅 A Tidy Cabinet, a Bag of Books and a Sunny Saturday

Here’s the whole day in one breath. Bag up the old pills and drop them off. Vote before noon if you’re ready. Fill a bag with books and help the library. Stroll the market in the sunshine. Then sit a spell on the porch. Nothing today needs hurrying, and nothing needs worrying over. We’ll be here again tomorrow morning. Read Dunlap.Today every morning for plain-English Valley news, and find local businesses on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today