In an effort to get Tippecanoe River cleared of debris, a meeting was held last week to discuss clean up efforts. Today, the Kosciusko County Commissioners heard the results of that meeting.

Last Thursday, Kosciusko Lakes and Streams hosted a meeting, along with the county’s emergency management office and representatives from Lake Tippecanoe, regarding the Tippecanoe River. Close to 50 people attended the meeting.

“We need to be able to drain excess water (from the river) during a major emergency,” said Emergency Management Director Ed Rock, who added that the meeting was productive and explored many options.

“We would like to maybe clean two-thirds of the middle of the river,” he said.

Commissioner Ron Truex, who was also at last week’s meeting, said he would like to work with Marshall and Fulton counties, too, to get the project going.

Rock suggested using hand tools to cut debris, such as log jams, from the flood plain. In order to use heavy equipment, a permit would need to be granted. However, in general, using hand tools does not require a log jam permit, so the project can be done sooner.

“There was a lot of good discussion, and we need to look at the bigger picture,” said Rock, who is working closely with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Cost is a major issue. It will cost close to $3,000 a mile to clean the river, Rock said.

In other matters, it was noted the county health department has increased its fee for immunizations to $8 per immunization shot.

The commissioners were invited by county assessor Laurie Renier to a software demonstration of aerial photos. The demonstration will be at 7 p.m. Thursday during the Kosciusko County Council meeting in the courthouse.

Also:

• Grace College students will use the courthouse lawn to recognize homeless people on Sept. 28.
• Flu shots will be available for all county employees at 2 p.m. Oct. 30, at the county courthouse rotunda.

Commissioners are president Bob Conley, Ron Truex and Brad Jackson. The next meeting will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the county courthouse in Warsaw.