3:24pm
Search and Rescue teams from Lincoln, Benton, and Lane counties are continuing to search stretches of Drift Creek, south of Toledo and north of Alsea Bay for any sign of two males in a canoe that set out for a quick jaunt down Drift Creek yesterday. They failed to show up at their planned pick-up point last evening. The two had planned to navigate up to 20 miles of the creek before pulling out near Bayview Road near Waldport. The Coast Guard has assisted in the search with one of their large helicopters. They are in the air right now (3:27pm) over the search area. The terrain is extremely rugged with views from logging roads down into the creekshed very obscured by thick undergrowth. Search teams say continued favorable weather will aid in their search and make it more likely that the two men could still be alive.

Search crews report that there are many downed trees in the area, lying across the creek from last month’s wind storms. Crews say it raises concerns that the two could have collided with one of the trees and overturned their craft. Search crews report that water levels in Drift Creek are much higher than normal as Winter snows and high groundwater fill Oregon’s coastal rivers and streams.

1:15pm
Linn and Benton County Search and Rescue teams have joined up as one team to search for two missing canoeists who left the Toledo area yesterday on a Drift Creek run down to where it joins the Alsea River. Lane County Search and Rescue is just now coming on scene. Law enforcement is discouraging help in that the terrain is very rough – steep dropoffs and unstable soils. Family members and friends have been discouraged from going out on their own to look.

As a matter of course, Search and Rescue teams need to focus on who they’re looking for and not be sidetracked if others, not equipped or experienced enough to search, gets into trouble themselves. The terrain up there is as tough as it gets in Oregon.

8am Monday
Search and Rescue personnel are trying to find two overdue canoeists who set out on Drift Creek, up Thousand Line Road yesterday, south of Toledo. They were supposed to work their way toward the Alsea River and meet their pick-up party there but didn’t show last evening. Authorities say it’s a 20 mile run on the creek and water levels are very high, much higher than normal. They add that there are many downed trees along the creek which pose a danger to anyone on the water, like if they’re swept under a fallen tree and get trapped underneath.

Lane and Benton County Search and Rescue are expected to join the search this morning. Authorities say the terrain is very steep and as they hike along the upper road, they can’t always see the creek below. So they’re doing a lot of hill climbing. The Coast Guard was expected to launch a helicopter and search the area from the air.

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6pm update
Shannon Benfit, mother of Akneesha Silva, says she was contacted by a man who said he remembers seeing her daughter and companion Austin Neves on the beach, just below Don Davis park and the Elizabeth Inn this morning at around 4am. He said the two were obviously intoxicated drinking spiced rum. He said he didn’t know at the time that the two were being sought by their parents. She also reported that a camping tent is missing from his house which indicates that the two might be camping along the beach somewhere. Newport Police were notified on the information.

The mothers of Austin Neves, 12 and Akneesha Silva, 13 have issued a personal plea to their children who have apparently run away together from home and may still be in the Newport area. Both have been missing for over a day and their families are desperate to hear from them.

Akneesha Silva is a Lincoln City resident who commutes daily to Newport Prep and Austin Neves lives in Newport, attending the same school. Newport Police have listed both a voluntary runaways from their homes. Their families think they may be hold up in an abandoned home, or are “hanging out” with friends somewhere in the Newport area amidst adults who may not know the kids are missing.

Anyone in the area who may have seen the kids are asked to call 9-1-1 or Newport Police at 541-574-3348. Their pictures are below:

Akneesha Silva, 13
Austin Neves, 12

Adkneesha is 13 years old, is 5-7, 135 lbs, auburn hair and blue eyes. She lives in Lincoln City. Austin is about the same age, 5-3, 115lbs, with brown hair and blue eyes. He lives in Newport. Both attend Newport Prep, across Eads from Newport high School. Austin was believed to be wearing a red hoodie, green t-shirt, blue jeans and is wearing braces. He also is is believed to be wearing a black school type backpack. Akneesha is thought to be wearing possibly a black jacket, blue tank top, tall grey boots with black and white sox. She has purple highlights in her hair and her right ear is pierced.

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Missing teen Kyrsten Roth has been found in a Portland apartment, rented to a 20 year old man. The manner of discovery was rather round-about but enough to confirm that Roth, 15, had not run off with a northern California man as earlier believed.

The story is in the Oregonian. Click here.

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Isabella, trying to find her way home to Yachats

isabella is still missing. Reminding everyone to keep an eye out for her.

A now-missing Yachats dog, named Isabella, was scared to death after her owner’s car went off Highway 126 east of Walton Thanksgiving Day, rolled down an embankment and caught fire. Her owner and another dog escaped the flames okay, but she took off running west down the highway and hasn’t been seen since.

Isabella is described as a young female, with curly black hair with a white patch on her chest. She weighs about 45 pounds. Anyone who knows where this dog is or has spotted it in the Walton area between Eugene and Florence, please call 541-935-1127.

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