Pioneer PINE CITY
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016
VOL. 131 NO. 13 www.pinecitymn.com $1.00
TAKING CHARGE: Get to know Pine Technical & Community College’s ‘President Joe.’ P7
Cult leader Barnard will return to US, face criminal charges in Pine County BY MIKE GAINOR EDITOR@PINECITYMN.COM
After spending a year in a Brazilian prison, self-proclaimed pastor and alleged sex offender Victor Barnard, 54, has reportedly asked to be extradited back to the United States. Once returned, Barnard will face 59 felony counts of criminal sexual conduct in Pine County Court for the alleged sexual abuse of teen and preteen girls in his care while he was the leader of the River Road
Fellowship in rural Finlayson. Pine County Attorney Reese Frederickson said he was contacted on March 8 by Brazil’s Federal Appellate Prosecutor about the anticipated decision to extradite Barnard. “At that point, it wasn’t made public or final,” Frederickson said. “When my phone started buzzing from an influx of media inquiries ... I knew that the Brazilian authorities made it public.” Frederickson said he is not sure exactly when the extradition will take place, but he be-
lieves he knows where Barnard is headed after being brought back to the United States. “I do not have a timeline of when he will return,” Frederickson said. “Once he returns, I anticipate that he will be brought to our jail.” SHEPARD’S CAMP As reported previously in the Pine City Pioneer, in 2000 Barnard took over a large camp site near Finlayson, where he installed a church he called River Road Fellowship and brought in followers from across the
United States. The camp had multiple pieces of land connected with it. One particular section was called “Shepherd’s Camp.” In July 2000, Barnard set up a group of young females at Shepherd’s Camp who were referred to as “Alamoth” or “the Maidens Group.” One girl – who would later witness against Barnard – was invited to join Alamoth and live at Shepherd’s Camp. She and her father thought that this was a SEE BARNARD, PAGE 14
Victor Barnard
Wacky romp ‘Noises Off’ takes stage in Pine City 42-foot wide revolving set, talented cast featured in Heritage Players production BY MIKE GAINOR EDITOR@PINECITYMN.COM
One of the many highlights of “Noises Off” is simply seeing the immense one-ton, 42-foot wide set smoothly spin like a top between acts. But it’s even more fun to watch the high-caliber cast make the most of their onstage playground as they whip in and out of doors, bouncing from one comedic disaster to another. “This is a very, very, very funny door-slamming show that needs all the space in the new [auditorium],” said director Jay Schueller. “It’s been phenomenal. We’ve got some great talent from Pine City, from Cambridge, from Braham. And these guys have been awesome to work with.” The show is a play-within-a-play, and tells the story of a troupe of actors whose personal dramas send their production whirling out of control. The result is wacky, energetic confusion and great comedy. “You see what’s happening behind the stage,” Schueller said. “The author, Michael Frayn, was at a production that was poor onstage, but what was happening
MIKE GAINOR | THE PIONEER
Local actors Rachel Bigelow, Mark Rehani, Jon Bigelow and Alisa Rehani will join (not pictured) Scott Tolzman, Mark Rehani, Jessica Pierson, Dennis Howard, Bethany Cleary and Sam Johnson on the stage of the Pine City High School Auditorium for six anything-goes performances of the comedy “Noises Off.”
backstage was absolutely hilarious. That’s why he decided to write this show. What is happening backstage is what’s funny.” Local audiences are sure to think so too, and anyone looking for a good belly-laugh will be heading to see
the show this weekend. “Noises Off” will be performed at the Pine City High School Auditorium on April 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m., and on April 3 at 2 p.m.
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