Groups from across the county are taking part in a community-wide clean up this week, said Covington County People Against a Littered State (PALS) chairperson Jan White.

This week is Spring Cleanup week for PALS and the Environmental Committee of the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Every spring we have a community cleanup,” she said. “We encourage everyone to take the time to pick up the trash on the highways and sides of the roads. We hope they will take advantage of the mild weather and do this.”

Overall, White said, it’s just something that needs to be done.

“Littering is a growing problem county-wide,” she said. “Everywhere you look there is trash on the sides of the roads. It’s obvious every time you drive down the road. There are fast food bags, cans and beer bottles strewn everywhere.”

White said groups such as the Straughn baseball team and some 4-H groups have conducted community cleanups.

Tanya Bales, of the Covington County 4-H office, said students from the county schools have organized roadside cleanups on Highways 55, 29 and 331, as well as school cleanups at W.S. Harlan, Straughn, Pleasant Home and Red Level schools.

In addition, two Andalusia councilmen have scheduled organized cleanups in their districts.

Councilman Kennith Mount has encouraged his constituents to help clean up District 2 today.

Residents interested in participating should meet at the Adult Activity Center behind the Church Street School at 8:30 a.m. today. The group will determine which areas of the district need the most attention and will split up to clean those areas.

Not to be outdone, District 4 council member Jason Jewell is encouraging a similar effort by residents of his district tomorrow.

District 4 residents are asked to meet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Johnson Park to break off in areas in District 4 that need attention.

“The litter that is on the side of our streets in this city is embarrassing and it is time that we did something about it,” Jewell said.

White said that people interested in cleaning up the community could take advantage of the free heavy-duty trash bags that are available at the Chamber.

Call 222-2030 for information.