Illegal trash dumping in Gage County creates ‘breeding ground for insects and rodents’

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Piles of trash have been popping up on the side of roads in Gage County.

Deb Fralin lives along Hickory Road just 4 miles north of Beatrice.

She said she’s seen mattresses, stoves, furniture and much more left on the side of her road.

Last year, she said she saw something she never would have imagined.

“I was on a walk, and I noticed there was a deceased dog on a couch with a couple beer cans around it,” she said.

She said on the Fourth of July, there were fireworks in the middle of the road.

“My co-worker brought a trash bag from work and picked them up on her way home,” she said.

Fralin said she would rather people call her to take the trash to the landfill than dump it in the ditch.

And Ashley Hawks, the executive director of Keep Beatrice Beautiful, agreed.

Hawks said the group is focused on keeping the environment in Gage County free from trash.

She got a call from someone complaining about a cluster of trash that was dumped near Beatrice High School.

Then, she posted pictures of the trash on Facebook, where community members pointed out other areas with trash, like on Hickory Road.

She said she is frustrated because there are many other ways people can get rid of their trash safely.

“With trash and stuff laying around, it’s a breeding ground for insects and rodents who may carry diseases,” Hawks said. “And that’s not good. And there’s a possibility of our property value decreasing when this trash and junk is thrown on our roadways.

She said people can call her for help.

“There’s plenty of other resources and ways to do it that are so much better,” she said. “And Keep Beatrice Beautiful would be willing to help and provide those resources for people and give information on how to dump stuff safely.”

Gage County Chief Deputy Doug Klaus said he is working on a plan to monitor areas with a lot of dumping.

“Possibly have some video surveillance of those areas that are problem areas,” he said.

He said deputies try to find evidence in the trash that shows who could be dumping.

If people need help in trash dumping, Hawks said people can contact her through their website.