Pioneer PINE CITY
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2015
VOL. 130 NO. 35 www.pinecitymn.com $1.00
FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: Dragon cross-country, football, volleyball, tennis seasons underway. P6
Fallen, never forgotten
Alcohol, drug offenders top probation list
Master Sergeant Daniel Fedder still making a difference, five years after combat death in Afghanistan. BY MIKE GAINOR EDITOR@PINECITYMN.COM
BY HENRY FISCHER NEWS@PINECITYMN.COM
Pine City High School graduate and U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant Daniel L. Fedder spent a 16-year career in service to his country, and even now he continues to inspire others in his hometown. Fedder’s life was cut short at age 34 when was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan on Aug. 27, 2010 while working as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialist. This was Fedder’s third combat deployment. After joining the Marines in 1994 he deployed to Iraq in 2004 and 2006. Fedder also deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2007, which served in the western Pacific, Persian Gulf and Africa. Fedder left behind a wife and two children, and an extended network of family and friends in Pine City who mourned his loss. Fedder’s mother, Jackie McKellar, said the family spent much of 2010 and 2011 taking part in patriotic ceremonies around the country meant to honor Fedder and all the veterans killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. But even though they appreciated these efforts, the ongoing events were also a constant reminder of their loss. “The first couple of years after we lost Danny it was just constant traveling ... and things to go to,” McKellar said. “I was just getting pulled in every which way. That was hard. The fourth and fifth [years] have been much calmer.” And there were bright spots among the clouds. In the aftermath of his brother’s funeral, Dominick McKellar reconnected with an old friend, Paula Hesch. The two fell in love, and were married in 2011 “We’re just thrilled to have Paula,” McKellar said. In 2012, the Pine City Post Office was renamed in honor of Fedder. And McKeller said she became
Repeat alcohol and drug offenses continue to top the list of crimes for which Pine County people are placed on probation. While the number of people on probation statewide has declined, the number of probationers in Pine County has remained steady, Probation Director Terry Fawcett pointed out, in his annual report to the Pine County Board. In 2014, Pine County’s probation staff worked with 1,052 clients, including 338 convicted of driving while intoxicated. The good news is that the number of DWI offenders on probation is down from 453 in 2011 and 574 in 2006. Other offenses on the last year’s list included 153 drug offenders, 109 people convicted of thefts/burglaries, 139 people found guilty of assault, 55 traffic offenders and 29 sex offenders. SEE PROBATION, PAGE 17
PHOTO PROVIDED
Fedder served two tours of duty in Iraq, one in Afghanistan. He was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 27, 2010 while dismantling a roadside bomb.
involved in all the military-associated organizations in Pine City, especially the work of the Blue Star Moms. “That’s the one where I feel like I can help and do something really beneficial,” she said. “And the girls are just so much fun. And they have a common goal.” The Blue Star Moms have put a focus on helping the homeless veterans served by the Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Center. McKellar said the recent “Beds for Vets” fundraiser was a success. “That drive was just huge,” she said. “They are refurnishing buildings on that site. We were able to raise enough donations for 18 or 19 rooms.” Four times a year the Blue Star Moms also pack boxes full of dried food, treats and useful items from SEE FEDDER, PAGE 17
Veteran services expand in county BY HENRY FISCHER NEWS@PINECITYMN.COM
MIKE GAINOR | THE PIONEER
Hundreds lined Main Street as the funeral procession passed by Sept. 7.
Veterans comprise more than 10 percent of Pine County’s population – much higher than state and national averages -- and county officials want to help veterans take advantage of enhanced services that are now available. Veterans Service Officer Ben Wiener received Pine County Board approval to accept a $10,000 grant to be used for outreach to veterans, assist with the reintegration of combat veterans, and collaborate with other agencies to provide transportation, training and office support. Wiener pointed out that 2,966 veterans live in Pine County, and 756 of them currently receive compensation, pensions, or medical care representing $21.8 million last year. In fact, one-third of the county’s veterans utilize medical services as the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Besides coordinating transportation, Wiener said the county will utilize some of the SEE VETERANS, PAGE 17
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