The following is a list of businesses and offices that will be closed in observance of Independence Day:

• The city of Athens will be closed Thursday, July 4;

• Limestone County offices will be closed July 4–5;

• State offices will be closed July 4–5

• Limestone County Water & Sewer Authority will be closed July 4–5;

• All banks will be closed July 4;

• All post offices will be closed July 4;

• There will be no changes to sanitation schedules in Athens and Limestone County. County routes will be run early, however, and residents are asked to have garbage at the curb the night before. Athens residents are asked to have bins to the curb by 6 a.m.; and

• The News Courier will be closed Thursday, July 4. Because post offices are closed, The News Courier will not publish a Thursday edition. We will reopen at 8 a.m. Friday, July 5.