Mardi Gras season has been under way in Natchez for several weeks, but the party goes public today with the first of two parades downtown.

Everyone is invited to join the fun at tonight’s Krewe of Alpheus parade, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

Be aware that the parade route is slightly different this year, turning from Main to Commerce and down Franklin back to Canal.

This year’s parade takes on a &uot;TV Land&uot; theme, with floats recreating shows like &uot;Fantasy Island&uot; and &uot;Happy Days.&uot;

Natchez’s Mardi Gras is smaller but much more family friendly that the big party down in New Orleans, so we hope everyone will remember to keep it family friendly again this year.

Surveillance cameras can help stop illegal dumping

Adams County supervisors are working to set up surveillance cameras at popular illegal dumping sites around the county.

While the cameras will cost between $2,000 and $3,000, they will likely save the county money if they act as a deterrent to illegal dumping.

It’s sad that the county has to go to such extremes, though. Residents should know better than to treat county roads as their personal dumping grounds. Not only is it expensive for the county to have to pick up the trash, it’s a public health hazard to have it out in the first place.

We hope these cameras will help the county curb the problem.