Pioneer PINE CITY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2016
VOL. 131 NO. 50 www.pinecitymn.com $1.00
DRAGONS BEAT BRAHAM: Boys, girls basketball squads topple Bombers in historic wins. P12
79 dogs removed from Pine County home STAFF REPORT NEWS@PINECITYMN.COM
The Animal Humane Society reports that a total of 93 animals, including 79 dogs, were removed from a rural Pine County home. According to the Animal Humane Society, in late November Senior Humane Agent Wade Hanson worked with a rural Pine County couple to remove the 93 animals in need of care from their home.
The couple reportedly could not provide adequate care for the growing number of animals and agreed to release them to the Animal Humane Society. The 79 dogs, eight cats, and six guinea pigs were allowed to roam freely within the home, resulting in unsanitary living conditions for both the humans and animals. Many of the animals were unsterilized, leading to an overpopulation problem that the home-
owners could not remedy on their own. The Animal Humane Society was able to provide resources and offer expertise to take in and care for this large group of animals. Once at Animal Humane Society adoption centers in the Twin Cities, the animals were examined and found to have varying degrees of health and social issues. ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY
SEE DOGS, PAGE 19
The dogs are receiving care in preparation for adoption.
Pine City salutes the heroes and victims of Pearl Harbor As the Pine City VFW Honor Guard stood at salute, Pine City High School students sang the Star Spangled Banner in the Pine City High School Auditorium at the start of a ceremony and event to honor the memories and remember the lessons of Pearl Harbor on the 75th anniversary of the Dec. 7, 1941 attack. Retired Pine City High School teacher Steve Farquharson offered a presentation which touched on the sources of the conflict between the United States and Japan, and gave visitors a sense of the impact the battle had on the United States and all those who lived through the Second World War.
MIKE GAINOR | THE PIONEER
New superintendent has high hopes, big plans for Pine City Schools BY MIKE GAINOR EDITOR@PINECITYMN.COM
In the middle of her 100th day as superintendent of Pine City Schools, Annette Freiheit said she’s excited about where the school district stands and is even more enthusiastic about what lies ahead. “My first goals have been to learn the school district and the community,” Freiheit said. “I feel like I’ve been able to really move in and get started.” Freiheit grew up in Wanamingo, about halfway between Rochester and the Twin Cities. After attending Winona State University and earning a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy, Freheit married her husband in 1985 and worked in the retail world for a time. But it didn’t take too long for her to figure out she needed to be on a
different path. “I decided, I love teaching. I’m going to go back and get my teaching degree,” she explained. “Got my first teaching job in my hometown. Had all my three kids while I was working there. Then worked with different districts, got a teaching job in Hayfield, and after two years became the elementary principal.” She said she loved being in the classroom with students, but found the challenge of school administration appealing. “It was just sort of a natural progression,” she said. “When I was a teacher I got involved with staff development, curriculum work, a lot of leadership pieces which I really enjoyed. I get intrigued by the idea of pulling things together and working with people to achieve a goal.” She stayed on as principal at Browns-
dale and Hayfield Elementary Schools for 14 years. “My job was just perfect for raising a family,” she said. “I could be involved with their activities, help support them and get them wherever they needed to go.” But as her children moved out, she realized she wanted to move on too. She got her superintendent’s licensure and began working toward a doctorate in education. Now she’s just a dissertation away from finishing that step. After interviewing for the Pine City position, Freiheit was hired by the Pine City School Board on May 9. “I’m thankful that they were willing to give me an opportunity to take the challenge on of being a superintendent of SEE FREIHEIT, PAGE 19
MIKE GAINOR | THE PIONEER
Pine City Schools Superintendent Annette Freiheit
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