Alhambra

The City Council has approved a trash collection surcharge of $1.75 a month, raising the monthly cost for homeowners to $7.25. Athens Disposal Co., which collects residential trash under a contract with the city, asked for the increase because of the closure of the Operating Industries landfill in Monterey Park. Athens said it must haul the trash farther and pay higher dumping fees since the closure, raising costs by more than 20%.