City Water Rates Head Higher
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PINEPINE CITYCITY THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2020 VOL. 135 NO. 4 www.pinecitymn.com $1.00 DRAGONS ON FIRE: Winter sports squads continue their winning ways. P10 City water rates head higher BY MIKE GAINOR gallons will be $0.0111/gallon, [email protected] or $11.10 for 1,000 gallons. This is up roughly 2.7% from Water rates for Pine City $0.0108/gallon or $10.80 for homes and businesses are 1,000 gallons. heading up again in 2020. • The water rate for 5,001- On Jan. 8, the city council 10,000 gallons will be $0.0122/ voted to approve the 2020 fee gallon, or $12.20 for 1,000 gal- schedule, which includes a lons. This is up roughly 3.4% hike in water and sewer rates • The water rate for 0-5,000 SEE WATER, PAGE 14 Deputies deal with robbery, fraud in city BY MIKE GAINOR City Council, Pine County LANCE FURBER | THE PIONEER [email protected] Sheriff’s Offi ce Sergeant Robert Ouverson said that the Pine County Sheriff’s Offi ce most signifi cant crime event in Hockey heats up ice for Beau Berglund deputies are continuing to deal Pine City this past month was with crime, safety and medical the Jan. 1 robbery at Walmart, Battling for the puck, but working together for a good cause, hockey players came together at the annual issues in the Pine City area. At Beau Berglund outdoor charity tournament on Jan. 18-19 at the Pine City Civic Center. the Jan. 8 meeting of the Pine SEE DEPUTIES, PAGE 14 Suspect charged with Pine City church burglary STAFF REPORT the church that appeared to be [email protected] In the surveillance, a male is seen entering the staged and piled up to be taken. room ... and removing items from the basket. Deputies identifi ed the male Stephen Michael Bochniak, from the surveillance video 39, of North Branch has been Deputies noticed several other items in the as Bochniak. A photo line-up charged with felony burglary was conducted and the witness and sale of stolen checks for church that appeared to be piled up to be taken. identifi ed Bochniak’s photo allegedly burglarizing Journey as resembling the male she North Church in Pine City on tled, then picked up a blue tote Pastor Timothy Adams observed in the church. Jan. 14. and left. arrived at the church and Deputies spoke to another According to the criminal Law enforcement began provided video surveillance to witness who plows the church complaint fi led in Pine County clearing the church and the deputies. parking lot. That witness said Court, on Jan. 14 a Pine Coun- noticed that many rooms had In the surveillance, a male that at 3:30 a.m. he noticed the ty Sheriff’s Offi ce deputy was been rummaged through. The is seen entering the room with back door to the church was dispatched to Journey North witness reported that eight the camera wearing a light-col- open. Church (840 Main Street, Pine checks were missing – six pay- ored hat, a dark jacket, and On Jan. 15, deputies respond- City) based on a report of a bur- checks and two checks written dark pants carrying a blue ed to Grand Casino Hinckley glary in progress. A witness to pay the mortgage. The eight back pack. The male is ob- due to a report that Bochniak who works at the church found checks were all signed and served walking into the closet, was on the gaming fl oor near a male inside with a dark written out to different people exiting the closet with a white the main entrance. Bochniak jacket and dark hair wearing or entities. The witness also basket, and removing items was apprehended outside the a safety vest. The witness said reported that a $500 laptop was from the basket. Deputies Stephen Michael Bochniak the man told her he was star- missing. noticed several other items in SEE BOCHNIAK, PAGE 14 THERE’S ‘SNOW’ PLACE LIKE HOME Find your perfect cozy cott age RESULTSRESULTS THATTHAT MMOVEOVE YYOUOU RESULTS REALTY • Lake Property • Commercial 320-629-7541 • River Property • Farm/Acreage • Residential • Hunting Land 885 7th St. SW, Pine City, MN 55063 CLASSIFIED ADS NEWS ADVERTISING PUBLIC NOTICES SUBSCRIPTIONS BREAKING NEWS, UPDATES 320-245-2368 320-629-6771 320-629-6771 320-629-6771 320-629-6771 Whenever, wherever you are! [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Scan me with your smartphone 2 PINE CITY PIONEER JANUARY 23, 2020 www.pinecitymn.com Should I drive with snow on my car? PHOTO PROVIDED I see many vehicles driving down the road Q: with ice and snow coming off of them. What is the law about clearing ice and snow from your 35 diff erent birds ID’d at vehicle prior to driving? Ice or any type of debris that A: comes off a vehicle could be considered an unsecured load. The Crex Meadows Wildlife Area law says that no vehicle shall be moved on a roadway, unless the BY JONATHAN RICHIE legged. Audubon researchers, conserva- load is securely covered to prevent [email protected] There were 28 bald eagles spot- tion biologists, wildlife agencies any leaking, blowing, shifting or ted during the count with all but and other interested individuals dropping. A group of birdwatchers identi- one being an adult. Groups also to study the long-term health and Drivers should also be concerned fi ed 35 different species of birds at spotted 55 wild turkey across Crex status of bird populations across Ask A about civil liability if they fail to Crex Meadows Wildlife Area and Meadows. North America. When combined Trooper take reasonable steps to remove a total of 1360 different birds were Lauren Finch, natural resources with other surveys such as the snow and ice that result in proper- spotted even in the cold of Decem- educator at Crex, noted there were Breeding Bird Survey, it provides Neil Dickenson ty damage or injuries from a crash. ber in Wisconsin. a few birds that did not show up a picture of how the continent’s When traveling behind a vehicle Friends of Crex Meadows along in the preliminary count that are bird populations have changed withith an unsecure load or ice/snow falling from it, with the National Audubon Society usually in the area this time of in time and space over the past give yourself plenty of room behind the vehicle to held their annual Christmas count year. She said those birdsinclude hundred years. avoid any obstacles that may fall off and strike your in December at Crex Meadows just Common Redpoll, Golden Eagle “The long term perspective is vi- vehicle. If possible, go around or pass the vehicle 25 minutes away from Pine City. and some different Crossbills. tal for conservationists. It informs when it is safe to do so. Seven teams of birders went Dennis Allaman told the Sen- strategies to protect birds and If you are involved in this type of incident where through Crex Meadows in cars tinel that Grantsburg has been their habitat and helps identify your vehicle is damaged and/or crashes as a result and on foot. The goal of the count involved in this Christmas Bird environmental issues with impli- from falling debris, try to get a license plate number is to gather data of the health of Count every year since the 1970s cations for people as well.” and report it to law enforcement and your insur- bird population during the winter and there is some information Allaman added that the count ance company. months. from the 1960s. took place over a 15 mile radius in Please take the time to remove all snow, ice and Of the 35 species the most popu- He cited the Audubon Society Grantsburg with the intersection items that may come off your vehicle so it does not lace is the blue jay with 200 being when asked about the importance of State Highway 70 and State become a hazardous situation on the roadway. spotted with every team seeing at of the annual count. Highway 87. least 10. They also spotted two spe- “The data collected by observ- SEND QUESTIONS to Sgt. Neil Dickenson – Minnesota State Patrol at 1131 cies of hawk, red tailed and rough ers over the past century allow Mesaba Ave, Duluth, MN 55811 or [email protected]. Invested in Tribal inclusion and success. Enbridge is committed to building and maintaining Through contracting and supplier agreements, training sustainable relationships with Minnesota Tribes. and employment (including cultural monitors), capacity development, and engagement and collaboration, we are As part of our Line 3 Replacement Project, we’re targeting creating opportunity for Minnesota’s Tribes. $100 million in Tribal-affiliated work opportunities—including training, contracting, procurement and hiring from Tribes. When we work together and share the success, everybody wins. At Enbridge, we see our relationships with Native American Tribes as mutually beneficial—economically, socially and Learn more at enbridge.com/line3us. culturally—and we are committed to sharing opportunities with the communities where we operate. JANUARY 23, 2020 Submit community events to editor@pine Submitcommunityeven&t oeditor@pinecitymncomoronlineatwwwpinecitymncomdi@ citymn.com or online at www.pinecitymn.com PINE CITY PIONEER 3 THURSDAY MEETINGS JAN. 23 THURSDAY 1/23 Ruby’s Pantry TOPS-Take Off Pounds Sensi- The Ruby’s Pantry food distri- bly: Pine City Library Communi- bution is the fourth Thursday ty Room, 4:30-5:30 p.m. of each month at the Armory in NAMI peer support: Cam- Pine City.