LINDA SAuLS & ChuCk MCCurry

Here’s bad news for you Oreo lovers: The price is going up next year.

Oreo cookie and Ritz cracker maker Mondelez International CEO Dirk Van de Put said consumers have become more amenable to paying more.

“The consumer environment is strong,” he said.

He’s not alone. Others are raising prices on everything from plane tickets to paint, passing on to customers higher costs for fuel, metal and food after years of low inflation.

Clorox said it raised prices on cat litter, Coca-Cola and many airlines did, too.

Higher prices have effectively ended low inflation that led the Federal Reserve to keep short-term interest rates near zero for years, the Wall Street Journal reported.

It is a tricky moment for the economy. Unemployment is at the lowest point in decades, and economic growth is strong. Inflation is near the Fed’s 2% target, but price rises could pick up if pressure from labor shortages and tariffs intensify.

True Christmas spirit

Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week is Nov. 12 - 19.

Lexington volunteers hope to collect more than 36,000 gifts to contribute to Operation Christmas Child’s 2018 goal of reaching 11 million children in need.

Shoebox gifts are filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items to share God’s love with millions of boys and girls around the world through the Samaritan’s Purse project.

For drop off times and locations, visit https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/ .

Library amnesty week

Library Amnesty Week November is 11-17.

Lexington County Public Library will waive late fees for overdue materials next week.

Patrons who return current overdue materials with a donation of nonperishable food items to any of the county’s 10 library branches will have the fines for those overdue items waived.

All food donations will go to Mission Lexington.

No fines? No problem. Your donation is still welcome and helps Mission Lexington fill nutritional needs during this holiday season.

Want to know how much money you can save using your library card? Visit the American Library Association’s Library Value Calculator at http:// www.ala.org to determine your potential savings.

For more information about Amnesty Week, call (803) 785-2613.

Veteran appreciation

Fatz Southern Kitchen wants to show their appreciation for our military.

Monday, Nov. 12, all veterans and active military can enjoy a complimentary World Famous Calabash Chicken® basket, which includes specially seasoned, buttermilk-marinated and hand-breaded Calabash chicken tenders served with steak fries with no additional purchase required.

From November 1-30, all veterans and active military members will receive 25% off their entrée.

Fatz will further celebrate patriotism by offering a free sweet tea with entree purchase to any guest with an “I Voted” sticker on Nov. 6.

Canned food drive

Windstream is holding a canned food donation drive at its Lexington retail store, 5135 Sunset Blvd., Suite J, through Dec.

7. The store has set out collection bins that employees, customers and visitors may fill with nonperishable food items for delivery to the United Way of the Midlands.

Along with items such as canned meats, vegetables, and granola bars, generous donors might consider laundry detergent, toiletries and resealable bags and containers.

E-bike donation

SCDNR received a useful new tool last week.

Coker Day of Aiken donated an electric bike to the Department. The bike has a battery-powered motor to help riders over hills or rough terrain. The bike’s fat tires help it maneuver over dirt, sand, gravel and snow at up to 20 miles per hour.

The bike offers a quiet, stealthy option when going after night hunters, trespassers or others intent on breaking the law and evading detection by SCDNR.

Grand opening

The Circle K at 889 S. Lake Drive in Lexington held it’s grand opening Tuesday.

Customers fueled up for $2.19, about .30 cents off regular gas prices. They also had games, prizes and face painting for the little ones.