Community Cleanup Efforts Underway

The Richland County Health Department is urging individuals and groups to take an active part in cleaning up their communities in order to give the area a fresh appearance for upcoming summer events.

Stephanie Ler, the county's environmental health director, said the clean-up project was created because of a wide variety of events in the area this summer including the Sunrise Festival of the Arts weekend in Sidney, Savage's catfish tournament, Lambert's Fourth of July celebration and the Fairview Old-Timers' Festival.

"With all of these events, we thought we would create a little more interest in a clean up," Ler said.

She credits Heather Luinstra of the health department for coming up with the idea.

Cleaning items such as gloves, safety vests and garbage bags were donated for the project.

Although June 4 was "clean-up day," the project will continue throughout this month. If groups and individuals take part in cleaning up an area during June, their name will be placed in a raffle drawing. Prizes include a grill donated by Reynolds Market, a gift certificate from the Depot restaurant and ice cream sundaes from McDonald's.

"Our objective is to let people know the cleaning kits are available any time at the health department," Ler said.

If you wish to be designated a specific area to clean, officials can assist you.

Groups that have already taken part in the clean-up are the ag research station, Thiel Subdivision residents, Richland Rockets 4-H, Goss Avenue residents and the Savage Fire Department's logistics team. Oneok is planning a clean-up for later this month.

For more information, call Ler at 433-2207.