5 Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 31

1.     Tributes to slain Georgia State Patrol trooper Chad LeCroy continue today as family members, friends and a large continent of law enforcement officers from across the state pay their respects at his funeral. The funeral starts at 1 p.m. at Roswell Street Baptist Church.

The city has issued a general traffic alert to warn residents of heavy traffic near the church as well as road closures for the funeral procession from Mayes Ward Dobbins Funeral Home to the church and then to Kennesaw Memorial Cemetery.  The route is expected to travel on Roswell Street, Fairground Street, South Marietta Parkway and Whitlock Avenue.

2.     Marietta favorite son Billy Joe Royal closes his distinguished five-decade singing career across rock-and-roll and country music with a at The Strand, 117 N. Park Square. Known for such hits as "Down in the Boondocks" and "Cherry Hill Park," Royal closes his full-time career of touring at the place he began his career.

3.     Tonight marks the final night for display. Since 1989, the school has assembled this amazing collection of holiday lighting to encourage the spirit of the season in Marietta and throughout the county. The event runs until 11 p.m. Admission is $5 per car/$10 per passenger van/$20 per bus. Concessions, a petting zoo, train rides and pony rides are also available at additional costs. Call 678-331-4334 for more information.

4.     Most Marietta City and Cobb County offices are closed to observe New Year's Eve. Marietta's sanitation schedule has changed for the holiday as well and is available at the city's Web site.

5.     While the weather brought the folks of Marietta a White Christmas this year, it may bring a considerably warmer New Year's weekend, although with a mix of partly sunny and rainy weather. The predicted highs are 55 degrees for Friday and 61 degrees for Saturday.