This week, the Maryland State Highway Administration is rolling out its yearly “Operation Clean Sweep,” a weeklong program aimed at cleaning up state highways.

The program runs through Friday.

Charlie Gischlar, the deputy director of communications for MDOT SHA, told WTOP, “It’s all hands on deck.”

“It’s going to be SHA crews, contractors and the Department of Corrections folks as well,” Gischlar said. “We do this before the start of the mowing season.”

Gischlar said the program was started a couple of years ago in an effort to deal with “the immense litter problem that we have in the state on the state highway system.”

“We spent last year, in calendar year 2025, more than $16.5 million on litter pickup and debris removal,” Gischlar said. “We’ve gotten about five million pounds of litter and debris last year.”

Crews are picking up more than just fast food bags and water bottles; Gischlar said they found 32 tires and a wooden kitchen table in Howard County.

Along with toys, dolls and sofas, Gischlar pointed out another item that might surprise you: “Bedroom mattresses all over the place.”

“So, you can see that’s an immense problem,” he added.

The state also cleans the state’s highways before big holiday weekends, including Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving.

“We bring everybody together to beautify the roadsides,” Gischlar said.

If you are driving and see the work crews, Gischlar asks you to “move over when (you) see our crews and slow down.”

“Every year when we see our folks out there picking litter from the side of the road, somebody’s not paying attention or they’re going too fast, and one of our attenuator trucks always gets hit,” he said.

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Families and caregivers who rely on Maryland’s self-directed disability services program rallied at the State House on Tuesday, warning proposed budget cuts could threaten care for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.

Parents and advocates said the proposed reductions to Maryland’s Developmental Disabilities Administration, included in Gov. Wes Moore’s fiscal year 2027 budget plan, could have devastating consequences for families who depend on self-directed services to care for loved ones at home.

The self-directed model allows people with developmental disabilities and their families to hire and manage caregivers directly, often giving them more flexibility to keep loved ones at home and involved in the community.

“Catastrophic for families”

Christine Fifer, a parent who attended Tuesday’s rally at Lawyers Mall, said the proposed changes could push some families to the brink.

“Now that they are trying to take away the funding for the staff wages, I’m going to be forced to either put him in an institution now, and I’m pretty much filing for bankruptcy as we speak because of this situation,” Fifer said.

Fifer said her son, Eddie, requires round-the-clock care. She said she already took a major pay cut to stay home with him and worries the proposed cuts could make that arrangement impossible to maintain.

“It’s going to be catastrophic for families and most definitely for the participants,” she said.

Impact on caregivers and those needing care

Caregivers, parents, and advocates gathered in Annapolis to urge lawmakers to reconsider the proposed reductions, which they said would hit the self-directed program especially hard.

Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer B.J. Surhoff, whose son participates in the program, joined the rally and spoke about what self-direction has meant for families like his.

“It’s the difference between surviving and thriving,” Surhoff said.

Surhoff said people in the program should not be viewed simply as budget items.

“They’re not just a line item, they’re real people. We’re real families, and these are lives that are affected every single day,” he said.

Michelle Guy, a caregiver from Anne Arundel County, said those wage reductions would not just affect workers, but the people who depend on them.

“When you cut my wages, you’re not just cutting my paycheck, you’re cutting someone else’s access to the community, you’re cutting their independence,” Guy said.

Families at the rally said that without changes to the budget, some could lose workers, lose income or struggle to continue caring for loved ones at home.

Advocating for proposed cuts

Advocates said the proposed cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration total more than $126 million and could reduce wages for home-based caregivers.

Families and advocates said they want lawmakers to restore the funding before the budget is finalized. House and Senate lawmakers must agree on a final spending plan before the legislative session ends April 6.

• Maryland’s Lower Shore will host numerous family-friendly Easter events in March and April.
• Activities include egg hunts, craft fairs, and opportunities to meet the Easter Bunny.
• Several events are free to attend, while others have admission fees or require registration.

From egg hunts to craft shows, there are plenty of fun-filled Easter events hitting the Lower Shore of Maryland in March and April.

Here’s a look at this year’s lineup.

Easter Jeep Hop at Salisbury Zoo

WHEN: March 28, 1 to 4 p.m.

Join the Salisbury Zoological Park for its Easter Jeep Hop, a free, family-friendly Easter celebration and fundraiser. The event will feature food trucks, music, raffles and ambassador animal appearances. The Easter Bunny will also be making a special appearance for photos and greetings.

Admission to the event is free. Decorated Jeeps will be stationed throughout the zoo for guests to visit, creating a candy-collecting experience similar to a traditional trunk-or-treat event. Participants can gather treats and more from participating vehicles, and vote in the Jeep Decorating Contest.

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