Pioneer PINE CITY
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2017
VOL. 132 NO. 32 www.pinecitymn.com $1.00
DERBY DAYS: Pine County Fair Demolition Derby results, photos. P12
Young man shot, killed in Pine City BY MIKE GAINOR EDITOR@PINECITYMN.COM
A young Pine City man was shot and killed on Aug. 4, and the alleged shooter is a Pine City teenager. Patrick James Root, 17, has been charged with two felony counts of second degree murder
in the death of Timothy Cary Hughes, 22. According to the statement of probable cause filed in Pine County Court, Pine County dispatchers received word at approximately 4:55 p.m. this past Friday that a shooting had occurred at the Pine Terrace Mobile Home Park in Pine City.
Upon arrival, a Pine County Sheriff’s Office deputy found Hughes outside on the ground and a female on her knees with a t-shirt placed over his neck. The deputy reported that there was a large amount of blood on the man’s neck and shirt. The deputy removed the shirt and found gunshot wounds.
Medical examiners later found that Hughes had received four gunshot wounds: one to the left chin, one to the mid-back, and two to his lower body. The deputy reported that while he was giving Hughes first aid and CPR he heard several people say that Root had been the shooter and left in a
black Pontiac driven by another person. Hughes was pronounced dead at 5:26 p.m. Witnesses said that several shots had been fired. One said that bullets went through a mobile home in the park. SEE SHOOTING, PAGE 15
County closer to appointment of auditor-treasurer BY AILENE CROUP NEWS@PINECITYMN.COM
Commissioner and Chairman of the Pine County Board, Matt Ludwig said when he was first appointed he would never have thought of taking away residents’ rights to elect officials. Since becoming commissioner, he now understands why this would be an option. Ludwig’s comments, concerning the board’s united decision to take the position off the ballot and appoint that position themselves, were made at the two public hearings held last Tuesday. The first was at the regular monthly meeting held in Askov at 10 a.m. and the second was at a special meeting in Pine City, at 7 p.m. These public hearings are part of the statutory requirements for making the position an appointed one. The county needs a highly technical person to be in charge of the county’s financial and election duties, according to Ludwig. “If someone filed for that office and didn’t have those skills, then what would we do? I look at it right now as a way to protect the county,” he said. The other commissioners explained their reasons for choosing this direction. Commissioner Josh Mohr said there’s a way to reverse the decision. “Later down the line we can change back and I like that,” Mohr said. “We all came to this conclusion at some point,” said Commissioner Steve Hallan. He said every program in the county is audited by several bodies, not just the state. “There’s a lot of external people that look at this. The election thing is sacred to all of us.” Commissioner Steve Chaffee said, “I guess I’m kind of in agreement with you. There’s
MIKE GAINOR | THE PIONEER
Rocking and rolling at the Pine County Fair Makenna and Grace took the roller coaster’s lead car for a spin around the track at the Pine County Fair this past Sunday. Though Thursday proved to be cold and rainy, good weather graced the other four days of the Fair, and thousands of visitors came out to enjoy the events, rides and exhibits.
SEE SHOOTING, PAGE 15
Enjoy this well cared for 3 bedroom home with office or make the office into a fourth bedroom. The kitchen has been beautifully updated with hickory cabinets. The two car garage is insulated and heated. The beautiful Park Circle neighborhood offers a shared center park area. You’ll love living here!
Price Recently Reduced!
$224,900
10241 Park Circle • Pine City, MN
The deck is oversized and built to support a 3 season porch.
This Man Cave or Woman’s Castle is a two story heated shop. Make it into whatever you want!
Pro IV Realty
realhomepro.com Rush City • 320-358-0822
Coldwell Banker Pro IV Realty is a “Premier” Coldwell Banker office. Owned and managed by Janet Wiener and Dave Chmiel for over 10 years. CLASSIFIED ADS 320-629-6771 mel@countystar.com
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