By Journal Staff

ONTONAGON — The Michigan State Police is investigating a report of a missing person in Ontonagon Township.

At about 10 a.m. Thursday, troopers were dispatched to the area near 13820 Lakeshore Drive for a missing 58-year-old man from Ontonagon.

Joseph Bittner was last seen by family at around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at his residence along Lakeshore Drive. He left on his four-wheeler to go to a camp along Lakeshore Drive to do some work. When he didn’t return the following day, the family called authorities to report him missing.

His four-wheeler was located near the driveway that leads to 13820 Lakeshore Drive shortly after the search began.

MSP canine teams from the Iron Mountain and Gladstone posts were called in to search along with the Houghton County Search and Rescue team. Drones have also been deployed. No aviation was able to respond at this time due to weather conditions at the time.

The search was paused at approximately 10 p.m. Thursday due to the canines and the search and rescue teams not locating any signs of Bittner or a direction of travel.

The search has resumed again on Friday, with MSP, the Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Gogebic County Search and Rescue, and Houghton County Search and rescue. involved. At press time, no aviation could respond again because of weather conditions.

Bittner is reported to have a medical condition and requires medication and it is unknown if he has any of his medication with him.

He is approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds, and has dark hair that is graying. He last seeing wearing jeans and dark shirt.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911.