Still no signs of missing rural Leader man

Another week has passed without any sign as to the whereabouts of Peter Achermann.

Achermann, 82, of rural Leader, has been missing since July 24. He was last seen in Staples and his vehicle was found the next day about 10 miles from his home, stuck in a mud puddle on a minimum maintenance road.

The Cass County Sheriff's Department along with numerous volunteers during the past two weeks have looked for Achermann in the area where his vehicle was found.

On Saturday and Sunday, the sheriff's department was assisted in its search for Achermann by members of the Minnesota National Guard. Along with soldiers and sheriff's department staff on the ground, a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter was used to fly low over the area, said Sheriff's Sgt. Erick Hoglund.

Also joining this past weekends effort were three search and rescue dogs and their handlers along with many other volunteers.

"We didn't come up with anything," Hoglund said. "The guards were a real asset. We worked well together and covered a lot of area but we still haven't found anything. It's hard on the family. Each day this goes along it gets harder on them."

Hoglund said the sheriff's department will continue its search for Achermann and National Guard soldiers are still available if needed. He also said sheriff's investigators are working to determine why Achermann was on the minimum maintenance road.

"We will keep looking for Mr. Achermann until we can find him," Hoglund said. "Hopefully we can find him for his family's sake."