Amador County - On Tuesday February 4, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office received a missing person report from the mother of Stephen Joseph Melvin, 62, of Pioneer. Melvin’s mother reported she had not had contact with her son since November and she was concerned about his welfare, as he suffered from various medical issues. An Amador County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to Melvin’s residence to conduct a welfare check. The deputy received no answer at the residence, but found a door that was ajar. A check of the residence was made, however Melvin was not located and nothing appeared suspicious or unusual. Upon checking with neighbors, it was determined that Melvin was last seen on Saturday January 24. That same neighbor was identified as being responsible for notifying Melvin’s mother of his unusual absence. Melvin was immediately placed into the nationwide Missing Persons System, as an “At Risk” missing adult, based upon his medical conditions. Melvin’s vehicle was subsequently located on Shake Ridge Road near Rams Horn Grade after an investigative records search showed that a deputy had checked on Melvin’s locked, unoccupied vehicle at that same location on Sunday January 25. On Wednesday February 5, in an effort to locate Melvin, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office activated its Search and Rescue Team, which conducted a hasty search of the immediate area. In addition to the search, a general area canine search and an aerial search by CHP helicopter was also conducted. The search effort was terminated for the evening due to darkness but resumed and expanded Thursday morning. Anyone with any information into the whereabouts of Melvin is asked to contact the Amador County Sheriff’s Office at (209) 223-6500. Staff Report