PINE CITY
THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 VOL. 131 NO. 32 www.pinecitymn.com $1.00
DERBY RESULTS: Photos and results from the 50th Pine County Fair Demolition Derby. P18
3 killed in crash STAFF REPORT NEWS@PINECITYMN.COM
Three people are dead after a two-vehicle crash on Highway 107 in Pine County this past Friday night. Hours later, law enforcement and first responders were called to another serious accident – this one on Interstate 35 just north of Highway 23 in which a single vehicle rolled over.
HIGHWAY 107 CRASH On Aug. 5 at approximately 10:59 p.m. dispatchers received word of a car-motorcycle crash on Highway 107. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 2003 Buick Century with two people inside was traveling north on Highway 107 in Pine County at milepost 15 when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The car crossed into oncoming lanes and was struck broadside by a 1969 Harley Davidson that was traveling south on Highway 107 with two people aboard. The driver of the Harley Davidson – John R. Lampman, 38, of Shoreview – and the driver of the Buick – Daniel J. Bruneau, 54, of Isanti – were both killed in the crash. Stacy A. Johnson, 29, of Bethel, the passenger on the Harley Davidson, was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital, but despite the efforts of medical personnel she too died at 9 a.m. on Aug. 6. The passenger of the Buick, Brent J. Ambrose, 39, of Cambridge, was reportedly uninjured in the crash. According to state troopers, no alcohol was detected on anyone involved in the crash.
LANCE FURBER | THE PIONEER
Pine County Fair Parade rolls through town The annual Pine County Fair Parade rolled up Pine City’s Main Street on the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 6, just one of dozens of entertaining events wrapped up in the 124th Pine County Fair. Look inside this issue of the Pioneer for many more Fair photos.
SEE CRASHES, PAGE 12
County sales tax to replace wheelage tax? BY HENRY FISCHER NEWS@PINECITYMN.COM
Pine County officials are considering replacing the wheelage tax with a sales tax that will generate more money, from more people, to help pay for county road construction projects. The Pine County Board will host a public hearing to gather public input on the subject at its next meeting, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16. Currently, the county’s wheelage tax
generates about $266,000 in annual revenue from $10 fees tacked on to license tab purchases for vehicles based in Pine County, but the dollars don’t go very far considering the cost of road paving and bridge replacement. County Engineer Mark LeBrun said the county could gain an extra half million dollars each year by switching to a half cent local option sales tax on purchases that are already subject to sales tax (not food or clothing). Based on $433 million in annual sales, the new sales
tax could generate $730,000 per year for the county. It would take 30 years of wheelage tax receipts to yield the equivalent of 10 years’ of sales tax, LeBrun pointed out. It would also capture revenue from people who don’t live in the county but drive to the Walmart Supercenter or Grand Casino Hinckley – people who contribute to the wear and tear of the county’s roads but don’t pay for it in wheelage tax or property tax. Board Chair Curt Rossow stressed
that he doesn’t want the wheelage tax and the sales tax to be imposed at the same time. County Administrator David Minke agreed, saying the wheelage tax could sunset by the end of this year and the new sales tax could take effect on Jan. 1, 2017. It would piggyback on the local sales tax collection process and would not create an additional burden for businesses that collect the tax. Plus, the money collected would go back SEE TAX, PAGE 12
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