CITY SETS LEAF-COLLECTION SCHEDULE

Cape Girardeau Public Works crews will begin vacuuming leaves along city streets Monday.

The annual curbside collection program runs through Dec. 15, with crews picking up leaves in a different zone each week.

The city is divided into six zones. Crews will begin collecting leaves on the south side, where there are an abundance of maple trees. Maples drop their leaves sooner than oak and other trees, said Emmett Baker, Public Works project coordinator.

Residents should rake their leaves to the edge of the pavement or curb.

"We don't like the leaves to be raked out in the curb line," Baker said. When the leaves are raked into the street, they end up being washed into storm sewers and clogging the drainage system.

Last year, Public Works crews hauled away more than 1,100 tons of leaves. Baker said a similar tonnage is expected this year.

In addition to curbside collection, the city has a drop-off site at 1400 S. West End Boulevard. Many bags of leaves have been dumped at the site since it opened to the public Oct. 16, Baker said.

Leaves can be dumped at the site weekdays from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site will remain open until Dec. 22.

State law prohibits the city from dumping leaves in a landfill. Most will be hauled to area property owners for use as mulch.