Search for Lake Pend Oreille canoeist ongoing

SANDPOINT – The search of Lake Pend Oreille for a canoeist who has been missing since July is ongoing, authorities say.

Bruce Hamilton, 53, of Puyallup, Wash., was last seen in the lake near Sagle. His canoe was found empty about two miles from where he launched it July 29.

Lt. Cary Kelly, supervisor of the Bonner County Sheriff’s marine patrol, said searchers spent three days last week combing the lake using sonar.

The search was cut short by bad weather Friday.

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is paying for the intermittent search, Kelly said, adding that he does not expect the effort to be called off anytime soon.