River cleanup completed

Members of the St. Joseph County Conservation District and a team of volunteers completed the final river cleanup of the season on the Portage River Sept. 29.

More than a dozen people were on hand to clear a section of the river between Parkville Road and North Fisher Lake Road.

Volunteers collected approximately 350 pounds of debris, which included a number of bottles, cans and plastic along with thirteen tires. Event organizers said the most interesting find of the cleanup was a Model-A tire rim.

To celebrate a successful season during which eight cleanup sessions were staged countywide, a volunteer-appreciation lunch was staged afterward.

River cleanup sessions will resume in 2013.