News
News

50 tons of debris removed in DeKalb cleaning effort

In areas too thick for a street sweeper to clean, crews manually dig debris to clear the curb. Photo via DeKalb County
In areas too thick for a street sweeper to clean, crews manually dig debris to clear the curb. Photo via DeKalb County
By Mark Niesse
March 15, 2017

Crews removed 50 tons of trash and debris from a 12-mile stretch of DeKalb County roads during last weekend’s launch of a clean-up program.

Operation Clean Sweep, an initiative created by DeKalb CEO Mike Thurmond, will continue clearing grass and litter every Saturday through August.

The $2.6 million effort is designed to beautify the county and clean clogged storm drains, which can create potholes and cause flooding.

The project started Saturday along South Stone Mountain-Lithonia, Panola and Redan roads.

It continues this Saturday along Panola Road from Snapfinger Road to Salem Road.

About the Author

Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

Follow Mark Niesse on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Cox Enterprises CEO Alex Taylor and AJC Publisher Andrew Morse were joined by AJC editors and Atlanta business react during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in Midtown on Friday, January 24, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

‘The only thing that changes is how we deliver it’

As the AJC nears the end of its print chapter, some of the reporters, editors and photographers who make the AJC reflect on their “big break" moments.

Georgia sees one of the highest rises in life expectancy in the nation

Georgia's life expectancy rose more sharply than most U.S. states as the coronavirus pandemic receded, according to the latest CDC data, but still has ground to make up.

Georgia authority says ransomware attack thwarted, real estate portal online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority, which operates a database for the state’s real estate index, said it detected the intrusion Nov. 21.

The Latest

The increase happened amid a broader rise in U.S. life expectancy, reversing two years of large decreases at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Credit: Steve Schaefer

A.M. ATL: To life, to life

Georgia sees one of the highest rises in life expectancy in the nation

A.M. ATL: Kiss and make up

Featured

Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Atlanta opens door on first modular rapid-housing for homeless residents

The first-of-its-kind development, Waterworks Village, overlooks the nearby reservoir. It's part of Mayor Andre Dickens' initiative to build 500 units of for the unhoused.

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Local GOP sees ‘danger’ in a chaotic race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene

Republican leaders in Georgia's 14th Congressional District worry a crowded field in a special election could give Democrats a chance to win.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Two centennials, one story: Delta and the Atlanta airport

Delta Air Lines and Hartsfield-Jackson both turn 100 this year, and you can’t tell the story of one without the other.