Editor’s note: This is an ongoing story. The Times-News will continue to provide updates on Facebook and in future editions of the Times-News when appropriate. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Ronald Harvey, contact law enforcement immediately.
The search and investigation into the disappearance of Ronald Harvey, 58, of Blair, is ongoing at this time.
Harvey was last seen on Wednesday wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans before going mushroom hunting near DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. On Thursday afternoon, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Blair Police Department, Washington County Emergency Management, members of DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge and volunteer fire departments from Blair, Fort Calhoun and Ponca Hills set up in two lots near the refuge and began searching for him.
Harvey’s phone was pinged in a field near County Road P26 in the DeSoto bend area. His car was still parked in the lot when first responders arrived.
Members of the Omaha Police Department assisted with the search on Thursday, as well, providing drones and the ABLE-1 helicopter. A LifeNet helicopter also made the rounds over the area. Later that night, Harrison County K-9 assisted, but was unsuccessful in locating Harvey.
According to Detective Sgt. Brian Beckman of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement worked with phone companies to try and get a better idea of Harvey’s phone location on Friday. The phone still hasn’t been found, but a metal detector will be employed to determine if Harvey lost it off of his person.
Volunteer fire departments from Arlington, Herman, Kennard, Missouri Valley, Logan and Mondamin also joined in the search on Friday.
Search dogs were out on Saturday, and no search was conducted on Sunday. As of Monday morning, a meeting was held by parties involved in the search to determine the plan for the rest of the week.
