PINE CITY
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2017 VOL. 132 NO. 20 www.pinecitymn.com $1.00
TAKING IT TO THE NET: Dragon tennis squad reels off four team wins in busy week. P11
County, Band approve joint powers BY AILENE CROUP NEWS@PINECITYMN.COM
Pine County Board approved a joint powers cooperative law enforcement agreement with the
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (MLBO) at their last regular meeting. The agreement was formally signed by Pine County Chairman Matt
Ludwig and Mille Lacs Band Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin at a special meeting at the courthouse last week. Also present to sign the
agreement were MLBO’s Solicitor General Todd Matha, MLBO Acting Chief of Police Sara Rice and Pine County Attorney Reese Frederickson.
Ludwig, a former Pine County Sheriff’s Office investigator, said a lot of work went into updating the existing agreement. Matha said the law en-
forcement relationship with the county is a refreshing one with no hidden agenda. They want to SEE POWERS, PAGE 14
Long search for Scott Kleppen comes to an end BY MIKE GAINOR EDITOR@PINECITYMN.COM
PHOTO PROVIDED
Lemonade sellers help feed the hungry Sisters Olivia, Haven, and Ryleigh Clark had fun with their lemonade stand during the city-wide garage sale on May 13. They made treats with grandma Angie, served coffee and lemonade, and donated the money to the local food shelf.
The two-year search for Kenneth Scott Kleppen could be at an end, after human remains believed to be Kleppen’s were found by a group of searchers. On May 6, members of the search group United Legacy were scouring the area searching for Kleppen, and reported to the Pine County Sheriff’s Office that they had located human bones in a remote area. The Pine County Sheriff’s Office reports that deputies confirmed the bones were of human origin. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was contacted to assist in processing the scene, and the bones were
PHOTO PROVIDED
Kenneth Scott Kleppen
transported to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s office for analysis. Foul play was not suspected. Kenneth Scott Kleppen, age 22, of Sandstone was last seen in Pine City March 3, 2015. His SEE KLEPPEN, PAGE 14
Local families seek adoption options BY AMY DOEUN NEWS@PINECITYMN.COM
There is a growing demand for foster and adoptive parents across the state. While the county does license foster parents directly, there are also several non-profits that provide statewide
foster and adoption licensing. One of those organizations is Pinehaven Youth and Family Services. Pinehaven is based out of Brainerd but according to Dani Stiller of Pinehaven there are many families served by Pinehaven in the Pine City area.
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On Saturday, May 13, Stiller was joined by Laura Pfeifer and Loretta Weiss, director of Foster Care and Adoption Services for Pinehaven Youth and Family Services for an information session followed by a training and support group session for current foster
NEWS 320-629-6771 editor@pinecitymn.com
parents. Weiss said that they try to have training and support group events quarterly. Julie Harp arrived early. Harp has had eight foster children and is currently in the process of adopting a seven month old boy. She also has three biological children,
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the youngest of which is 16. Harp said that she was interested in becoming a foster mom because, “I just wanted to do my part. But I do love babies.” All but two of her foster kids have been babies and
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SEE ADOPTION, PAGE 14
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AMY DOEUN | THE PIONEER
Foster mother Julie Harp and Loretta Weiss of Pinehaven.
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