Free field trips available to visit Little River Canyon

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Little River Canyon National Preserve has received funding from the National Park Foundation to pay expenses to make fourth grade field trips free for schools. Fourthgrade students can go to www.everykidinapark.gov to complete an activity and get a free annual entry pass to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks.

Little River Canyon National Preserve offers a variety of activities that fourth-graders and their families can enjoy: walks, hikes, programs and school field trips to learn about the park’s resources. Fourth-graders may visit the park to study carnivorous plants, biology, special species, habitats, geology, prehistoric American Indians, the Hernando DeSoto and Tristan De Luna expeditions, and the Trail of Tears.

To receive their free pass for national parks, fourth-graders can visit the Every Kid in a Park website and play a game to access their special Every Kid in a Park pass. Fourth-graders and their families can then use this pass for free entry national parks and other federal public lands and waters across the country while they are a fourth grader. The website also includes fun and engaging learning activities aligned to educational standards, trip planning tools, safety and packing tips and other important and helpful information for educators and parents. Visit www.cherokeeherald.com for more news.

C.W. Matthews to fix scorched I-85 bridge

MARIETTA — In the wake of fire that destroyed a portion of the Interstate 85 bridge near Piedmont Road, Georgia Department of Transportation officials have announced that Marietta-based C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. will take on the project to make the needed repairs.

The Cobb County firm will have until June 15 to complete work on the bridge, which was built in 1984. A negotiated agreement between the firm and GDOT that will include cost specifications is expected to be approved early this week. Visit www.mdjonline.com for more news.

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