Serious health risk found during Salt River cleanup

Crews expect to find tubes, sunglasses and coolers after busy weekends on the Salt River — but this cleanup turned up much more. Volunteers and state workers recovered thousands of pounds of trash, 39 phones, umbrellas and even a hamster cage. The biggest concern was the number of vapes found underwater, with about 22 pounds collected in one cleanup. Environmental officials say batteries and chemicals from the devices can leak into waterways that help supply Valley cities. With more holiday crowds expected, officials are urging visitors to throw away their trash — or pack it out.