Storm debris update, Aug. 16

The regular trash collection schedule has resumed. To date,11,800 tons of brush has been collected.

Residents are reminded to place large brush or bulky items at the front curb no later than 7:30 a.m., and no earlier than 24 hours prior to the scheduled collection day. Bulk trash placed for collection may not exceed eight cubic yards (which should fit into an area measured five feet tall by four feet deep by 11 feet long). Residents should separate large brush from bulky items and not block the sidewalk. Learn more about bulky item collection guidelines and individual collection days here.

Grass, leaves and small brush is collected each Wednesday in the regular collection location. Bagged grass clippings and leaves or brush no larger than two feet wide by two feet high by four feet long, and weighing no more than 50 pounds, will be collected. Large brush is classified as brush more than 50 pounds or piles larger than two feet wide by two feet high by four feet long. Large brush is collected Monday – Friday once weekly depending on the area. Find out more about yard waste collection here.

As a reminder, residents can find out how to properly separate debris at www.cityofmesquite.com/SeparatingDebris.

City Council to meet on Aug. 19

The Mesquite City Council meets at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19, at City Hall, 757 N. Galloway Ave. Members of the public, applicants and interested parties may attend the meeting in person.

Members of the public desiring to comment during Citizens Forum must preregister by either sending an email to sland@cityofmesquite.com or calling 972-329-8388 before 3 p.m. on Aug. 19. Provide the City Secretary with your name and address. Comments on agenda items may be made during the meeting or by submission on or before 3 p.m. on Aug. 19 to the City Secretary.

View meeting agendas online. The City broadcasts meetings via Facebook Live and at www.cityofmesquite.com/WatchCouncilMeetings.

School's back in: please drive safely

Students across Mesquite have returned to school. Mayor Daniel Alemán, Jr., and all the Councilmembers send best wishes to all students, parents, teachers, administrators and school staff for a wonderful school year.

The City is reminding everyone to pay extra attention in school zones and crosswalks. No texting while driving, no cell phone usage in crosswalks, watch for children when driving near schools, stop for school buses and please, “Drive Like Your Family Lives Here.”

Visit www.DriveLikeYourFamilyLivesHere.org to learn more about the City’s safe-driving campaign.

Spread the Love to help kids

Residents are invited to donate jars of peanut butter and jelly during the annual Spread the Love collection campaign, which runs through Labor Day (Sept. 2). 

The City also is calling for donations of alternative butters that are safe for kids with nut allergies, such as sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter.

The Spread the Love program was developed because many children rely on free or reduced lunches during the school year but don’t have access to these programs over the summer. Spread the Love provides nutritious food kids can make at home by themselves.

Turn in donations at both Library locations, City Hall and the Municipal Center. To learn more, visit www.cityofmesquite.com/SpreadTheLove.

Butterfly Ball, Trash Bash in September

In September, Keep Mesquite Beautiful will hold its major fundraiser and signature community cleanup event.

First up is the 2nd annual Butterfly Ball on Saturday, Sept. 7. The theme for this year’s fundraising gala is “The Butterfly Effect.” The event will be from 6-11 p.m. at the Mesquite Convention Center and will feature dinner, drinks, live music, dancing, silent auction, and more. Learn more and buy tickets at www.cityofmesquite.com/ButterflyBall.

Later in the month is Trash Bash from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. Trash Bash is an opportunity for families, neighbors and groups to enjoy the outdoors and help beautify the Mesquite community. Volunteers are asked to pre-register to help event organizers coordinate supplies and cleanup site locations. Learn more and register at www.cityofmesquite.com/trashbash.

'Clear the Shelters' free pet adoptions

The Mesquite Animal Shelter is once again participating in the national Clear the Shelters campaign that promotes pet adoption and donations. 

On Saturday, Sept. 7, the Animal Shelter will host a special one-day adoption event, waiving all fees. Shelter pets available for adoption are sterilized, vaccinated and microchipped. Leading up to the one-day event, the Mesquite Animal Shelter is reducing pet adoption fees throughout the month of August to $10 for all available animals.

Not able to adopt a pet? Financial contributions or donations of items are welcome during Clear the Shelters month. Find out what to donate and see the shelter’s Amazon Wish List at www.cityofmesquite.com/AnimalServicesDonations.

Visit www.cityofmesquite.com/AnimalsInTheShelter to see the pets currently in the shelter. The Mesquite Animal Shelter is located at 1650 Gross Road. Operating hours are 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The shelter is open from 1-5:30 p.m. on Saturday and is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.