River cleanup successful

Last weekend’s cleanup of a portion of the Portage River netted about 400 pounds of debris.

A 4.3-mile stretch of the river from North Fisher Lake Road to Carpenter Road in Park and Lockport townships was the focus of the St. Joseph County Conservation District’s third of seven river cleanups this summer.

Jen Miller, administrator of the Centreville-based agency, said the largest items were two rolls of fencing and an empty herbicide barrel. Miller said other assorted objects pulled from the river were a plastic doll, pop and beer cans, and two tires.

Ten volunteers assisted with the effort. The agency is appealing to the public for help at the next cleanup event, a section of the Fawn River from Sevision Road in Florence Township to White Street Park in the village of Constantine. That event is July 27.

Members of the Constantine Rotary Club have already agreed to participate.