‘Trash Off’ litter pickup day slated for April 17

TEXARKANA, Texas — Local organizations and residents will have the chance to pitch in and help beautify the community April 17.

As part of the statewide Don’t Mess With Texas Trash Off event, the city will provide garbage bags, gloves and a limited number of safety vests to those who want to help clean up area roadsides and other public spaces.

Each year, the Texas Department of Transportation and Keep Texas Beautiful organize the Great American Cleanup from March through May. The statewide campaign focuses on litter prevention in April and is the nation’s largest community improvement program.

Other cleanup opportunities are available year-round.

The city sponsors an Adopt-a-Spot program that provides the opportunity to keep neighborhood streets, parks, medians, waterways and other spaces clean.

TxDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway program focuses on two-mile stretches of road maintained by volunteers and has approximately 3,800 groups across the state.

Both programs include name recognition signs at the adopted area.

(The Don’t Mess With Texas Trash Off takes place 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. April 17. For more information, call the city Building Code and Inspections Department at 903-798-3912. Information about the city Adopt-a-Spot program is available online at ci.texarkana.tx.us/481/AdoptA-Spot-Program. To learn more about TxDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway program, visit dontmesswithtexas.org/get-involved/adopt-a-highway-information.)