St. Helens City Administrator Vanishes Into Columbia River; Search Continues
TL;DR
St. Helens city administrator John Walsh disappeared Saturday after entering the Columbia River near the city docks. A multi‑agency search continued through the night and into Sunday with no recovery yet. The city declared an emergency and appointed Finance Director Gloria Butsch as interim administrator for two weeks while officials seek a long‑term replacement; city offices were closed as a precaution. Walsh, who began leading the city in 2012, had previously served as Myrtle Point city manager. The incident comes amid other weekend drownings in the region.
- St. Helens city administrator goes missing in Columbia River Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB
- St. Helens city administrator reported dead after going missing in river KATU
- St. Helens selects interim city administrator as crews search Columbia River for John Walsh KPTV
- St. Helens official missing in Columbia River, search efforts ongoing KOIN.com
- Search underway for St. Helens city administrator after he entered Columbia River and did not surface KGW
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Read on Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB