Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley reports his Search and Rescue Team is actively searching for a 70-year-old male in the Parish Lake area.

On August 9, 2017, at 5:20 p.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office 911 Center received a call reporting that Jerry Walter Thomas of Prineville, Oregon, was discovered missing by his friends while picking huckleberries approximately 1/4 of a mile from camp. The caller reported they had been searching for him since approximately 1:30 p.m.

Members of Linn County Search and Rescue immediately responded with a hasty team of 15 personnel and began searching, which continued throughout the night.

The search is currently continuing with additional resources from Benton County; with ground personnel, ATVs, and K-9 units. We are in the process of potentially getting air support to assist with the search.