PINE P INE CITY
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019 VOL. 134 NO. 19 www.pinecitymn.com $1.00
YEARS AGO: 1894 Board of Health advises residents to dump refuse in the river. P10
Council OKs zoning change on split vote and pontoons, and to provide walking paths for residents and neighbors. To make the development possible required changing the zoning of the land parcel. The parcel had been zoned for one- and two-family residential homes. Rezoning changed that to “Higher Density Multi-Family Residential.” Residents and homeowners in the neighborhood expressed objections to allowing a development this large at the end of a dead-end road in a residential neighborhood. More than 40 residents signed a petition opposing the zoning change. Other city residents also spoke up at the meeting. Bob Haedt said he is a former Planning Commission member and ambulance driver, and said a building that size shouldn’t be located at the end of a narrow, one-way road, and that it would create a crisis in an emergency situation.
BY MIKE GAINOR EDITOR@PINECITYMN.COM
The Pine City Council has approved a controversial zoning change to make way for a possible senior housing development at the end of 1st Street SE, on the shore of Cross Lake in Pine City. The council approved the zoning change on a 3-2 vote on May 2. As previously reported, the development team of Elan Shores LLC has drawn up plans for the development – a wooden building of up to three stories with up to 72 units of senior apartments and a precast concrete underground garage. Plans also include on-grade parking, and a commons space would include full service dining, a lobby, reception, office spaces, coffee area, club room, wellness, beauty/barber and lounge spaces. The developers have also stated the intention to build a connection with the lake through docks
JUDY WOLF | THE PIONEER
Prom memories made at ‘Masquerade’ Pine City High School students got the red carpet treatment at the Grand March before the ‘Medieval Masquerade’ Prom 2019 on May 4.
Man found dead near Sandstone, 3 charged BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
A missing Barron, Wisconsin man was found dead inside a Sandstone cabin April 23. Christopher Etchison was first reported missing April 19 and the use of his debit card to purchase gas led to the arrest of three people in Wisconsin: Jesse J. Scribner, 20, of Clayton; Levi S. Mattila, 18, of Barron and Marcella J. Hill, 18, Chetek. Etchison may have died after getting into a drinking contest at
a party the night of Friday, April 12. The criminal complaint charges Scribner with Felony Identity Theft, Obstructing an Officer (repeat offense) and Bail Jumping. Mattila has been charged with Felony Identity Theft and Obstructing an Officer. Hill was charged with Obstructing an Officer. The three defendants had been staying in an apartment with Etchison and originally told
10 years sharing joy of writing BY SHIRLEY SCHMIDT NEWS@PINECITYMN.COM
Throughout its history, Pine City has been endowed with a rich heritage of creative talent across the gamut of artistic endeavors. From painters to weavers, photographers to actors, musicians to writers – writers are the focus of this story. Pine Writers have met monthly for 10 years. The format of the group is simple. Each member brings something they’ve written to share. The others respond with feedback. There are a wide variety of genres represented by the members. As with any organized group, membership fluctuates. Typically, six regulars attend. Connie Harris and Shelley Odendahl have been with the group from the begin-
ning. The group has switched homes several times, but Pine Center for the Arts is the spot the writers meet the second Sunday of each month from 5-7 p.m. Each member represents a unique perspective, style of writing, skill sets and goals. Current members share some background and thoughts about what the group has meant to them. • Connie Harris: Connie keeps the group informed of meeting times and locations. “While living in Grasston, before joining the group, I had never even been to Pine City. But, now it’s my second hometown. I have come to care for everyone in the group. I’ve learned so much about writing and friendship through participation with
2018
SEE DEATH, PAGE 18
The RUMORS Are True! Change is coming to Coldwell Banker Pro IV Realty.
T E U LY! L O S AB
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SEE ZONING, PAGE 18
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SEE WRITERS, PAGE 18
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