A couple of northwest Indiana cities have announced brand-new fall cleanup initiatives.

Adopt-a-Block Valparaiso kicks-off today. It's a partnership between Code Enforcement, the Community and Staff Specialist and Valpo's Department of Parks and Recreation. The city is launching the program in Tower Park, with staff and students from the Porter County Career and Technical Center rolling up their sleeves, and residents of the Northview neighborhood asked to join in. If you are interested in Adopting a Block, meet the group at Tower Park at noon today (10/1). Activities will continue until 2pm.

Meanwhile, the city of East Chicago is kicking off “Team Up and Clean Up,” urging residents, civic groups, schools and community leaders to get involved in keeping the city clean. Schools and residents are asked to submit design ideas incorporating the phrase “Team Up and Clean Up,” with the winning design to be used on banners throughout the city. The deadline is Wednesday October 17.