OSAWATOMIE — Shortly before Independence Day, Osawatomie firefighter Clifford Browning, a member of the Miami County Water Rescue Team, decided to dive into Beaver Lake because he wanted to find out how deep the water was at the dam. He found something else instead. The Osawatomie Journal reported that as Browning was feeling his way through the dark, muddy water, he swam into the side of a 1991 Chevy Lumina. Browning said bumping into the car 12 feet underwater was a spooky experience. Other divers jumped in and checked the car which was pulled out of the water. Osawatomie police checked it and found the car had been stolen from Linn County 14 years ago. The discovery wasn’t announced until Wednesday to allow the Linn County Sheriff’s office investigate the theft.
Thursday, July 15, 7:30 a.m.
