By Patrick Tepoorten

A report of a missing person on East Rush Lake Sunday night led to a lengthy overnight search, but the Chisago County Sheriff's Office called off that search, empty-handed, at around 2 a.m. Monday morning.

Calvin Rice, 35, of Stanchfield, was first reported to be intoxicated and possibly passed out in a boat just offshore of Flickabirds resort on East Rush Lake, Sunday evening. According to Chisago County Sheriff Todd Rivard, witnesses woke Rice and intended to help him get back to shore, but Rice insisted he was fine and left.

At approximately 9:40 p.m., a relative of Rice called to report him missing, and the search was on. Crews in boats combed the lake from around 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. Monday morning, but came up empty. The search effort was aggravated by two-foot waves and a lack of markers on the lake, many of which had not been put out yet.

At 2 a.m., with no sign of Rice, it was decided to call off the search for the night and continue in the daylight.

A helicopter was scheduled to assist with the search, but it would prove unnecessary.

Rice was located after he made his way to a nearby resident's home on Monday morning and the Sheriff's Office was called. According to Rivard, Rice had drifted "south of the channel" on East Rush Lake. At some Point, Rice came ashore, left the boat, and slept in the woods, before making his way to the house in the morning.

Rivard stated that Rice was mildly hypothermic, but otherwise unharmed.

According to Deputy Steve Pouti, the case is being referred to the Chisago County Attorney's office who will determine if charges are to be filed. The charge would be careless operation, alcohol related which is a misdemeanor.

Pouti estimated the cost for the search will be $1,000, which does not include what the DNR spent.