Wow, a lot has happened today! I guess they weren't done with the lake search after all. And, seeing as Bender didn't know what was up until the morning of the search I wonder how closely involved he is in the actual investigations - or do they just use him as a spokesperson when they have something to release? I wonder how much Bender himself is told about the inner workings of the investigation (like do the investigators share details with him, and invite his input - or do they just give him info. for him to craft into a public statement... maybe there are things they withhold from him so that when he's being interviewed by the media and such he doesn't accidentally spill the beans on things he isn't supposed to)?
Anyway, I find it very interesting that they were back out on the lake today, and actually coffered a portion and drained it. I wonder if they were able to find any indication of anything today...
The talk of removal of tree stumps is interesting to me as well. I wonder how much of the fill has shifted over the last 70 years? I think it's obvious that they didn't do stump removal prior to filling in the bottom of the reservoir. I don't think these are "spring sprouts" of trees, and not thin stumps either. This was old growth, thick forest they clear-cut for the reservoir...
Anyway, I'm just glad LE realizes that the lake hasn't been completely crossed off the list, or cleared - no matter what they said last year. Like I had proposed, I believe they downplayed the dogs' hits because most of the general public simply wouldn't understand a decision to call off a search due to conditions when there is a young boy missing. It's obvious that LE doesn't think it's an elk down there, imo -- they wouldn't bother with the expense and work to drain this part of the reservoir, and digging up tree stumps if they thought it were just an elk. [It still bugs me though how Bender stated it back then though - like people wouldn't realize that if they couldn't find this 700 lb. animal in the lake how could they be confident that a young boy's body wasn't down there??]
I really think someone needs to get into the deep end nearer to the dam though - the sooner the better. Mid-May is only a couple weeks away though. I think with the ROVs and 360 sonar they may have better luck.
Praying for Dylan's family - I can't imagine how heart-wrenching these searches must be for them... I'm sure they are probably happy that LE is still out there investigating and searching though.
As always, most of the above is MOO! :cow: