The Bellefonte Police Department continued to search for Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar yesterday as officers canvassed the Lewisburg area on foot.

The State Police helicopter unit also checked the edge of the Susquehanna River, and a search team looked for the missing district attorney by boat.

The police had no other new developments or information after the search yesterday, and Gricar is still considered a missing person, Bellefonte Police Chief Duane Dixon said Monday.

Although police said they still do not suspect any foul play and have received no threats on Gricar's life, Centre County Senior Deputy Attorney General Michael Madeira said the district attorney is a position that does occasionally receive threats.

While police search for Gricar, First Assistant District Attorney Mark Smith is fulfilling the responsibilities of the district attorney.

"Gricar is a very talented prosecutor," Smith said Monday. "We'll be handling all of his duties in his absence."

Smith said he does not anticipate any trouble in the transition and said that if Gricar does not return soon, some cases will be reassigned to other prosecutors in the office.

The 59-year-old Gricar, Centre County district attorney since 1985, was last heard from at 11:30 a.m. Friday, when he called girlfriend Patty Fornicola to tell her he was taking the day off from work to go for a drive.

Smith said Gricar is a very skilled prosecutor who was always very prepared for work.

"Centre County was really blessed to have him here for all the years he was here," Smith said. "He took everything seriously."

Smith said that aside from a few Christmas and office parties, he did not spend much time with Gricar. He added that he was very familiar with how Gricar handled prosecution cases.

"He was passionate about law," Smith said.

In his free time from practicing law, Dixon said Gricar likes spending time outdoors, driving, going to parks and visiting antiques stores.

During Monday's press conference, Fornicola and Gricar's daughter Lara issued statements asking anyone with information to come forward to the police.

They both declined to speak with the press.

The Bellefonte Police Department said in a written statement yesterday that press briefings will be held every three days at the Bellefonte Municipal Building, including one scheduled for 2 p.m. tomorrow.