Breaking news: Post Falls hunter missing

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office reports that 63-year-old Post Falls resident Edward A. Hempel has gone missing somewhere in the Bernard Peak area of northeast Kootenai County. That area is described as thickly treed and mountainous.

When Hempel didn't show up for a planned rendezvous between 3 and 4 p.m. Monday, family and friends began searching for him, the sheriff's office reported. On Tuesday, dozens of volunteers were joined by a Spokane County Sheriff's helicopter in the search effort. At 10 last night the search was called off but resumed at 6 this morning.

Anyone who saw Hempel in the area is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 446-1300. Hempel is a white male, about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, with blond hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing all camouflage hunting clothing and a camouflaged backpack with orange cover.