Although the same ground is being gone over now as was gone over several times in November, December, January and February, the search for Dru Sjodin now is not the same, said Bob Heales.
"It's so different from searching last fall," said Heales, the Denver private investigator who has been heading up the effort of family and friends looking for the UND student who last was seen Nov. 22 in Grand Forks.
The Crookston man charged with abducting her, Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., is in the Grand Forks jail, awaiting trial on the charge he denies.
"Two days after Dru went missing, there was a little snow that put 3-foot drifts in the ditches," Heales said Thursday after another full day of looking in Polk County between Crookston and Grand Forks. "The visibility is so much better. It's very possible something will be seen now that wasn't seen then," even despite several searches over much of the area now being covered again by ATV and by foot.
Law enforcement has resumed search efforts again this week, after halting most search activity in early December and have been able to begin the first open water on-river looking for Sjodin.
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Lots of agencies Polk County Sheriff Mark LeTexier announced Thursday that several agencies, including his deputies, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Crookston and East Grand Forks fire and police departments, horse-mounted volunteer posses from Marshall and Polk counties, a local Harley-Davidson motorcycle group, and search and rescue dog teams from across Minnesota will be covering the county this week.
Saturday, eight boats will ply the Red Lake River between Crookston and East Grand Forks. As many as 250 volunteers will be sought for a Saturday search, LeTexier re-emphasized. They must be 18, have a photo ID, dress for the weather and walking, wear blaze orange and show up at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Crookston Public High School on the northwest corner of Crookston. Some blaze orange vests will be available at the registration site. Volunteers will be bussed to search areas.
Dogs search again Two U.S. Border Patrol dog teams continue to search in Grand Forks and Polk counties, and Grand Forks County Sheriff's deputies will be searching Saturday on the Red River, said Maj. Mike Fonder.
Heales said the family search effort, which has involved about a dozen people, will not flag, although nothing has been found this week.
"We are just trying to cover as much ground as we can. I expect we will come over to the North Dakota side next week if we don't find Dru this weekend," Heales said. "You just never know what people might miss."
