SHARON Cleanup is set for riverbank

Volunteers will spend about three hours picking up riverbank debris.
SHARON, Pa. -- The Shenango Valley River Watchers are looking for help on cleaning sections of the Shenango River and one of its tributaries Saturday to mark Earth Week.
The group hopes to attract more than 100 volunteers.
Those willing to help should report to a blue tent in the southern end of Sharon City Centre parking lot off Connelly Boulevard to register between 9 and 9:30 a.m. Volunteers may also call (724) 342-9450 to register.
The volunteers will be divided into four groups. One will concentrate on the downtown riverbank from Silver Street to Budd Avenue. Another will work from the Shenango Dam south to the High Street bridge in Sharpsville, a third will cover Pine Run along the Shenango Valley Freeway, and the fourth will be working in the Sawhill Tube area.
Protective clothing: Participants are advised to bring gloves and wear heavy boots, long-sleeve shirts and long pants. They should also bring a rake or a shovel. The organization will provide trash bags.
All volunteers will be treated to a picnic lunch at the Mahaney Recreation area at 1:30 p.m. Local businesses have donated food or money for the meal.
The River Watchers group, organized in November, is the dream of Jennifer and Rick Barborak of Sharon and is patterned after the Hudson River, N.Y., Riverkeeper program.
In addition to cleaning up the river banks, the group monitors the river's water quality.