Ohio suburb requires yard waste to be put at curb

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio (AP) — The recession has hit home in a swanky Cleveland suburb where homeowners now will be required to bring their yard waste to the curb for pickup.

Beginning next week, Shaker Heights will halt the decades-old policy of sending trash collectors behind houses to bring grass clippings and other yard waste to the street for pickup. The practice kept curbsides immaculate, even on pickup day in the upscale community of spacious Tudor-style homes.

The change reflects an estimated $2.7 million reduction in tax collections this year. Mayor Earl Leiken says the decline might be worse.

Other cuts mean City Hall and the community building will close on Fridays and the public pool will close a week before Labor Day.