The annual Fall County-Wide Clean-up, an attempt to make the area as litter free and clean as possible along our roadways, is here again. The County-Wide Clean-up will be held on Saturday, October 28, from the hours of 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. and volunteer groups are still being solicited to help make our county a more attractive place to live and visit.
The County-Wide Cleanup is sponsored by the Clinton County Fiscal Court, Solid Waste Coordinator Renea Wells, plus a host of volunteers and sponsoring businesses in the community. It is funded through the state’s Litter Abatement program.
A pair of clean-up days are held each year, one in the Spring and another in the Autumn season to help keep Albany and Clinton County’s roadways as clean and attractive as possible throughout the year.
Clinton County Judge/Executive Ricky Craig said the goal of this year’s clean-up day is to beat last Fall’s total of 436 bags of trash along roads and highways.
Anyone can volunteer to help clean up roads, whether it be individuals who wish to clean up particular areas where they live, or groups and organizations that can earn money for their efforts, up to $1,000, depending on the number of miles they clean.
As of early October, six organizations, including school groups, had already signed up to participate and Craig said he was hoping that up to 10 to 12 total would join in the effort. Organizations including school groups, churches and others are welcome.
A non-profit group and/or organization can earn $100 each mile (both sides of the road) where trash is picked up, but not to surpass the $1,000 limit, or 10 miles.
A huge cook-out at Mountain View Park will follow the clean-up.
During that event, money and prizes will be awarded, with the prizes sponsored by several local businesses. Last year, some $855 in cash and 65 prizes were awarded. There were also 105 participants on 2022 clean-up day. (You must be present to win cash or prizes).
The judge explained that in some years, the  clean-up day was scheduled prior to the Foothills Festival. However, he noted that with the school’s Fall break now coming prior to the Foothills, some school groups were not able to participate the weekend before the Festival due to their break falling on the same weekend as the cleanup.
“This is a really huge cleanup day for our county. It really helps getting trash off the roads,” the judge said.
Craig also thanked Solid Waste Coordinator Wells for her “putting her heart and soul” into this effort, as well as all of the volunteers and sponsors.
Groups or individuals who wish to participate may register in advance (you must register in order to be eligible for prizes), or on the day of the event at the Clinton County Judge/Executive’s Office, at which time the road or area of cleanup will be assigned.
Please check in at the Clinton County Courthouse  by 8 a.m. the morning of the event. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Please wear highly visible shirts that can be easily seen for protective measures. Adult supervision is required for minors, and everyone will need to sign a waiver form on the day of registration.
In case of inclement weather, the clean-up day will be rescheduled for the following Saturday, November 4, at the same time period.
If interested, contact Clinton County Judge/Executive Ricky Craig at 606-387-5234 or email: rickycraig.clintonky@gmail.com or Solid Waste Coordinator Renea Wells at 606-328-0373 or email: cc911mapping@gmail.com to receive early registration waiver and sign-up forms by email or walk-in prior to the event.
Let’s all come together and help clean up our county. We can make a difference one road at a time.