Sheriff’s Department Gets Grant for Litter Pickup on State Highways

For several years the county has received an annual litter grant from the state to compensate the sheriff’s department for providing roadside pickup of litter on county roads using inmate labor. This year, the state is also providing grant funds for litter pickup on state roads in DeKalb County.
“This year we were able to get an additional grant where we can pick up litter on state roadways here in our county,” said Sheriff Patrick Ray. “The grant pays for three cycles of litter pickup each year with an optional fourth cycle if needed. This grant has over 100 miles of listed state roadways .These roads are Sparta Highway, Nashville Highway, Cookeville Highway, McMinnville Highway, Keltonburg Road, Antioch Road, Belk Road, New Home Road, Short Mountain Highway, Murfreesboro Highway, Dale Ridge Road, Wolf Creek Road, Medley Amonett Road, Temperance Hall Road, and Lancaster Highway. We have 30 days to remove the litter from these state roads before the mowers arrive to cut the grass on the state rights of ways. We will be using inmate labor to pick up the trash on the state roads just like we do with our county roads litter grant program,” he said.
Sheriff Ray offers some safety tips for motorists who may approach these litter pickup work zones. These simple tips could save your life or the life of a worker in one of the litter zones.
*Always think orange. When you see orange signs, cones, or barrels, expect a roadside work zone ahead.
*Stay alert. Look for narrow driving lanes and highway workers ahead.
*Pay attention. Work zone signs will tell you exactly what to expect ahead.
*Don’t follow too closely. Maintain a safe distance on all sides of your vehicle.
*Minimize distractions. Drivers should keep their eyes on the roadway especially in a work zone.
*Do not talk on a cell phone or adjust your radio while in one of these zones.
*Slow down. You may encounter slowed or stopped traffic in an instant or encounter workers on or beside of the roadway.
You will know you are entering into a litter pickup zone when you see orange signs that say “Litter Pickup Ahead”.