PINE CITY
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 VOL. 131 NO. 26 www.pinecitymn.com $1.00
4TH OF JULY: Check the Out & About section for Independence Day parades, fireworks, fun. P3
Ramp closing on I-35 STAFF REPORT NEWS@PINECITYMN.COM
The Pine County Sheriff’s Office reports that contractors plan to shut down the northbound exit and entrance ramps on Interstate 35 at County Road 11 (Henriette Road) starting on Friday, July 1. The contractor, Knife River, stated that the ramps at the intersection (Exit 171)
will be closed as part of the ongoing I-35 reconstruction project, and should be reopened on Tuesday, July 12. The sheriff’s office asks that travelers seek alternate routes during the planned 12-day closure. The entire $27,034,314 reconstruction project on I-35 between Pine City and Hinckley is scheduled to continue into late October.
Nuisance bears found roaming area BY MIKE GAINOR EDITOR@PINECITYMN.COM
MELISSA HERMANSON
Making a splash at Freedom Fest This patriotic pair enjoyed the sun, the spray from the waterball competition, and all the fun of Freedom Fest at the June 25 event at the Pine County Fairgrounds. More Freedom Fest photos on Pages 8 and 9.
Conservation officers of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources report that nuisance bears have been making the rounds in Pine City and around the area. In his weekly report, DNR Conservation Officer Eugene Wynn, working out of the Pine City area, said that he took numerous calls this week on nuisance animals. “Bears are starting to invade yards looking for an easy meal,” Wynn said. “Put birdfeeders, grills, and any other food source away that may be attracting bears.” Conservation Officer Bret Grundmeier, working in the Hinckley area, reported that he too has been working to
LANCE FURBER | THE PIONEER
Bears have been sighted in a number of spots, from the high school to the city garage.
SEE BEARS, PAGE 11
Team plans dive to hunt legendary lost train of Devils Lake BY TODD BECKMANN BURNETT COUNTY SENTINEL
If you don’t see or hear a fat lady singing, it ain’t over. That’s the news from Grantsburg’s Karl Anderson regarding the fate of the legendary lost train of Devils Lake, a train which supposedly went off the tracks and into Devils Lake near Pine City in the 1870s. Legend has it there was a heavy rain that night, people heard the train whistle but the train never made it to town. Anderson had heard enough of the tale to pique his interest and he and his team dove the lake a few years ago. “What they say happened is that a landslide took the track down and the train went into the lake,” Ander-
son said. “We found railroad track, we found a logbook, and a lantern — which means nothing in and of itself.” Some say Anderson is on a fool’s errand. “Any one who is an old-timer in Pine City brings it up,” he admitted. “There are two property owners on that lake — one is adamant the train was removed after it happened and tells us we’re wasting our time, but the other person is all excited.” Like a hunger that can’t be sated, in March Anderson brought a magnetometer to do a reading of the lake. “A professional did read our findings but the project hasn’t proceeded the way we thought,” Anderson explained. That could have been the end of the line (no pun SEE TRAIN, PAGE 11
PHOTO PROVIDED
Despite the skeptics, train hunters believe that magnetometer readings collected in March could point to the legendary train.
MEET OUR NEW FAMILY MEDICINE PROVIDERS IN PINE CITY Nikki Anderson, NP and Umair Rehman, MD Call 320-629-6721 to make an appointment. Meet our team at fairview.org/PineCity CLASSIFIED ADS 320-629-6771 mel@countystar.com
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