RIVERS ALIVE CLEANUP HELD

All kinds of interesting items were found in Fannin County waterways at this year’s Rivers Alive Saturday, September 25, including a vacuum cleaner found in the Toccoa River. Shown are, Joe Vivenzo, Carl Riggs, John Jenkins and Jim Reich of Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited.

Macy Ruiz, a University of North Georgia student, won the prize for most unusual trash with an old video game and a CD and case found in multiple pieces along the upper section of the Toccoa River.

Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited Member Sandy Reinauer snapped this picture during Rivers Alive Saturday, September 25, while his group was cleaning the upper Toccoa River. A sign hidden from view urges, “If you must litter, stay home.” Shown with part of the trash they collected are, from left, front row, University of North Georgia students David Britain and Macy Ruiz; and back row, Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited Member Bob Murrah and University of North Georgia Professor Anna Speessen.

Sixty-seven volunteers collected 1,800 pounds of trash, five tires, a traffic barrel and a freezer during Rivers Alive hosted by Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited Saturday, September 25. Shown are, from left, Doris Riggs, Carl Riggs, David Britain, Macy Ruiz, Bob Reich, Mike Kapperman, Neil McDonald, John Jenkins, Anna Speesson, Bob Murrah, Sandy Reinauer and Bob Wetzsteon.