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🌱 Patch AM: Where and when to recycle your live Christmas tree for free

Also, don't miss Tell Me Lies - The Fleetwood Mac Experience w/ The Essentials on the Chattanooga Patch calendar

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Hello again Chattanooga! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Where and when to recycle your live Christmas tree for free
  • Why did beloved Northshore staple Taconooga suddenly shut its doors?
  • How a new quantum institute could reshape Chattanooga’s tech future

Also on today's calendar: Tell Me Lies - The Fleetwood Mac Experience w/ The Essentials and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Chattanoogafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: How many sheep does it take to make a sweater? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Chattanoogafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Cloudy and very warm, with a high of 74 and low of 61 degrees.
  • Sunday: Cloudy and remaining warm, temps: high: 70, low: 45.
  • Monday: A few morning showers, with a high of 52 and low of 24 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Tariffs raise artificial tree prices as Chattanooga offers recycling option for real ones (newschannel9.com) — Chattanooga is offering free drop-off for live Christmas trees at all five city refuse and recycling centers starting the day after Christmas, and has also announced its New Year’s garbage schedule. Residents can recycle trees to help neighborhoods and the environment, while regular trash pickup will run on Jan. 1, though the landfill and recycling centers will be closed that day.
   

2. Taconooga suddenly closes on Chattanooga northshore (wdef.com) — A longtime favorite on Chattanooga’s Northshore, Taconooga on Frazier Avenue has abruptly closed after 12 years, with a going-out-of-business sign now on the door. The shuttered Mexican street-food spot shares a building tied to a 2023 fatal crash and sits across from the Walnut Street Bridge, which remains closed for renovations until fall 2026.
   

3. Quantum Computers and Why the Government Wants One (wdef.com) — Chattanooga is slated to host a new Institute for Quantum Innovation, putting the city on the map in a global race to build powerful quantum computers. The piece explains how quantum machines could crack today’s passwords in hours, and urges residents to stay aware of how such advances might reshape everyday digital security.
   

4. Steve Gaines (chattanoogan.com) — Longtime east Chattanooga resident Steve Edward Gaines, a UTC alum, Air Force veteran, and former TVA engineer and instructor, died December 23 at age 79. He was known for mentoring others, his Christian faith, and devotion to family. Survivors include his wife Ginny, two children, and five granddaughters, with a celebration of life to be announced later.
   

5. Birmingham named among top underrated food cities in U.S. (bhamnow.com) — Chattanooga earns a shout-out on Mashed’s list of the most underrated food cities in the U.S., alongside places like Pittsburgh and Denver. While the article mainly celebrates Birmingham’s booming restaurant scene, it also positions Chattanooga as a rising culinary destination worth exploring and comparing with our Southern neighbor.
   

📸 Around Chattanooga

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
    Rip And Stella was LOST on December 24, 2025 in Chattanooga, TN 37421 near Standifer gap Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to… (Nextdoor East Brainerd)
  • My cat got out this morning.
    His name is Loki, he is a small black cat with a white spot on his chest. Please contact me if you see him near by. (Nextdoor Ridgemont)
  • From flooding to a high-profile murder trial, it's been an eventful year. Vote on what you think are the top Chattanooga stories of 2025: www... (X: TimesFreePress)
  • Happy Friday! This evening, expect cool, cloudy conditions with temperatures reaching highs of the upper 60s and the lower 70s.... (X: Local3News)
  • UPS posted a job opening for Senior Warehouse Associate, M - F 8 am to 4:30 pm (CST) in Chattanooga. Apply here.
  • Vision Hospitality Group posted a job opening for Overnight Houseperson in Chattanooga. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Chattanooga here.

Ok Chattanooga! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I have no idea. I didn’t even know sheep could knit.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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