Volunteers haul 135 bags of trash, tires and more during cleanup; Papers found that may ID illegal dumper

Click at right or left to view slideshow above. • Watch for details on the next cleanup at facebook.com/canoearkansas • Photos courtesy of Saline River Canoe & Saline County Government.

Dozens of community members gathered along the Saline River on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, for the Great Saline County Cleanup, removing 135 bags of trash, 20 discarded tires, and large household appliances from the historic Saline Crossing area.

Led by local conservation advocates and supported by community partners, the volunteer effort focused on restoring riverfront park lands and addressing a massive illegal dumping site near the Old River Bridge. Read more below.

The cleanup initiative was led by Michael and Tonya Sacomani, owners of Saline River Canoe and long-standing advocates for river conservation. Founded in 2008, Saline River Canoe has spearheaded annual preservation and education projects across Saline County, earning the Sacomanis recognition as the 2025 Champion Team of the Year by the Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association.

During the Oct. 17 cleanup at Saline Crossing, the centerpiece of the Southwest Trail at the Old River Bridge, 32 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to haul away debris. The initial push yielded 133 bags of trash and 10 tires, while a brief after-party effort added two more bags and 10 additional tires.

In total, volunteers completely filled two large trailers provided by Saline County government and Recycle Saline. Discarded items removed from the riverbanks included couches, recliners, mattresses, a bed frame, box springs, and a freezer.

During the operation, volunteers uncovered what appeared to be a massive illegal dumping site near the riverbank. Crew members recovered documents containing identifying information among the debris, which were turned over to Recycle Saline Environmental Enforcement and law enforcement authorities for formal investigation and potential prosecution.

The collaborative effort brought together civic leaders, business owners, agencies, and dedicated citizens committed to environmental stewardship, including:

Community & Civic Support: Robert Smith, William Smith, Cowper Chadbourn, and Rick and Mattie Bellinger, Trevor Villines, Matt Brumley.

Local Businesses & Advocacy Groups: Saline River Canoe, Riverside Grocery, Saline River Watershed Alliance, Friends of the Saline River, and Keep Arkansas Beautiful.

Government & Park Partners: Saline County government, Recycle Saline Environmental Enforcement, and Saline Crossing Regional Park and Recreational Area.

Organizers praised the 32 volunteers who gave up their Saturday morning to protect one of Benton’s most cherished natural assets, and urging residents to stay vigilant in keeping Saline County waterways clean.

There will be another cleanup effort coming soon. The Sacomanis host an annual “Black Friday Cleanup” event on the day after Thanksgiving in November. Watch the Saline River Canoe Facebook page for details.