The Ceres post of the American Legion, its Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion joined efforts recently to adopt a section of Highway 99 through Ceres for cleanups.

The group of volunteers routinely focuses on picking up trash and debris along the southbound shoulder from Hatch Road to just south of the Pine Street overpass.

The two-mile stretch had been "orphaned" in cleanup efforts in recent many years and was showing signs of neglect.

All volunteers received formal safety training and Caltrans supplied the safety gear. Three cleanup sessions thus far have rid trash filling over 100 large bags and there is still more to complete the initial sweep.

For more information on the Caltrans' Adopt-A-Highway program groups may call 948-7462.