The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce and DeKalb County Mayor’s office would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2023 DeKalb County Clean Up event.  Solid Waste Department Director, James Goff, reported a total of 13,700 lbs of trash collected across the county – Dowelltown 4,580 lbs, Liberty 3,380 lbs, Alexandria 4,020 lbs, County Complex 1,220 lbs.

“With DeKalb County’s peak tourism season about to begin, we are so grateful for our volunteers who helped get things spruced up for our coming visitors. The value and importance of beautification in our communities to attract newcomers and tourists to our area are vital,” says Williams.

DeKalb Clean Up efforts can continue all throughout the year. For over 22 years, local volunteers and members of the “Friends of Tennessee Adopt a Highway” program, Diane and Jim Loy, have picked up litter on 2.1 miles along north TN Hwy. 56 near Hurricane Bridge.  Most recently, from June 2022 to April 2023, they picked up 113 (33-gallon size) bags of trash along that area of highway.

Whether you’re cleaning up around a street, a highway, park, ball field, stream, or your own home, what a difference we can make through working together to make our communities safer, healthier, more beautiful, and livable!