PINEPINE CITYCITY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18 , 2021 VOL. 136 NO. 7 www.pinecitymn.com $1.00 NOTHING BUT NET: Girls varsity basketball squad earns two more wins, now 9-1. P7 County hopes to give broadband a boost BY MIKE GAINOR pointed out that this is not a rural-vs.-urban [email protected] problem, because eight of the 10 best-con- nected counties are rural—and Rock, Red Pine County is one of the worst counties Lake, Clearwater and Lac qui Parle are in the state for broadband coverage, but among the top counties in the state for Pine County offi cials are hoping that a new broadband speed and access. program will help give broadband a boost in “We know how important highspeed the area. broadband is to business, education, health Pine County is ranked 84th out of 87 coun- care, and the quality of life,” Minke said. ties in the state for broadband speed and “We also know that many in our area do not access according to a Blandin Foundation have adequate broadband connectivity.” report – better than only Yellow Medicine, Minke said that in January, the Pine Redwood and Kanabec counties. County Board of Commissioners identifi ed “Much of Pine County is served by one expanding broadband access as a top prior- large national provider,” the report states. ity for 2021, and are now planning to take “That may be a bottleneck to better access in part in a new initiative called the Communi- those areas, because ... lack of competition ty Broadband Resources (CBR) Accelerated can impact the drive for improvement.” Program. This is a competitive program Every year the Blandin Foundation ranks that will fund a county-wide team of at least counties for broadband using data from the eight people to go through a four-month pro- Minnesota Offi ce of Broadband Develop- gram of education, community engagement ment. Pine County has been falling fast in and the feasibility study process starting in those rankings. In 2017 it was ranked 59th in March. the state, in 2018 it was ranked 68th, in 2019 A special county board meeting is coming DEED it was ranked 81st and in 2020 84th. Pine County’s broadband ranking in the state has fallen from 59th (of 87 Pine County Administrator David Minke SEE BROADBAND, PAGE 6 counties) in 2017 to 84th in 2020. Suspect charged with multiple Pine City man dies in catalytic converter thefts crash near Henriette STAFF REPORT stone. Two catalytic Shortly after mid- STAFF REPORT was pronounced deceased [email protected] converters had been night on Jan. 28, a [email protected] at the scene. Zellman was removed from vehi- Pine County Sheriff’s airlifted to Essentia Hospital Corey Thomas cles by cutting out a Offi ce sergeant was Peter Stefan Mollhoff, 45, with serious injuries. Nielson, 42, of Hinck- portion of the metal on routine patrol in of Pine City was killed in a The roadway was dry at ley has been charged exhaust system. The Hinckley when he Feb. 10 crash on Highway the time of the crash, and with felony theft, replacement cost was observed a Buck LeSa- 107 at the intersection with alcohol was not a factor. burglary, receiving estimated at $2,473. bre parked on the side 5th Avenue SW/County The Pine City Fire Depart- stolen property, dam- Brook Park Auto of Sunset Lane near Road 11. ment and Essentia ambu- age to property and Salvage subsequently Jensen Backhoe. One According to the Minneso- lance also responded to the other charges after advised the deputy man was in the driv- ta State Patrol, a 1995 GMC crash. reportedly confessing that Nielson had er’s seat and Nielson Sierra driven by Sheldon The Pine County Sheriff’s to the theft of multiple Corey Thomas Nielson brought a matching was standing nearby August Zellman, 53 of Mi- Offi ce expressed thanks to catalytic converters – catalytic converter wearing a headlamp. laca was traveling south- the staff of Ryders Saloon in and after 16 catalytic ages of over $15,000 in to attempt to sell Nielson said they had bound on Highway 107 at Henriette for opening their converters were found – since Dec. 1, 2020. it. They refused to been shopping and he 6:27 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. doors to the fi rst respond- in the trunk of a car According to the take the catalytic had pulled over to get 10, when he observed a 2004 ers for coffee and a place on his property. criminal complaint converter. A review of some of the bags ready BMW 330 driven by Mollhoff to warm up. The sheriff’s The Pine County fi led in Pine County business records and so he could surprise cross eastbound from 5th offi ce reported that with the Sheriff’s Offi ce report- Court, on Jan. 19, a video surveillance his girlfriend when Avenue/County Road 11. night’s below-zero tempera- ed that it has received deputy responded to shows that Nielson he got home. Hacksaw The Sierra was not able tures it was necessary to cy- approximately 10 the report of a catalyt- attempted to sell blades were visible to stop in time and the two cle through personnel from reports of catalytic ic converter theft from catalytic converters in plain sight in the vehicles collided. the cold while extrications converter thefts – with Arlen Krantz Ford to them on Jan. 22, 23, The Pine County Sheriff’s from the vehicles took place. total estimated dam- Dealership in Sand- and 26. SEE THEFTS, PAGE 6 Offi ce reports that Mollhoff Best SELL YOUR Market for sellers! COLDWELL BANKER House • Farm/Acreage • Townhome RESULTS IN A SNAP! 885 7th St. SW • Pine City, MN 55063 Has the equity of your home increased? 320-629-7541 Each offi ce is independently owned and operated affi liate We have qualifi ed buyers! Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate CLASSIFIED ADS NEWS ADVERTISING PUBLIC NOTICES SUBSCRIPTIONS BREAKING NEWS, UPDATES 320-629-6771 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 FEBRUARY 18, 2021 www.pinecitymn.com PINE COUNTY Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning COVID UPDATE JENNIFER YOCUM-STANS below here in Minneso- of snow and ice. is an odorless, colorless • Keep an all-purpose Total number of [email protected] ta, area fi re departments Blocked pipes can gas that can be deadly. fi re extinguisher in your are warning residents to cause carbon monoxide CO is found in fumes kitchen. cases: 2,764 With temperatures make sure their furnace to go back into the home. produced any time you • Keep fi lters and dropping to more than 20 exhaust pipes are clear Carbon monoxide, or CO, burn fuel in cars or exhausts cleaned and trucks, small engines, properly vented. New cases last stoves, lanterns, grills, • Check vents regularly week: 20 fi replaces, gas ranges, or for blockage. I am committed furnaces. CO can build • Keep the area around “ up indoors and poison the water heater free of Positive cases to getting to know people and animals who clutter. you as an individual breathe it. • Have your furnace incarcerated at Hinckley Fire Chief, inspected every year and Willow River: 77 and helping you Elliott Golly, said they keep the fi lter clean. typically get 5-7 calls • Never hang things to achieve your per year where a carbon from utility pipes. Positive cases monoxide detector has • Keep combustibles overall health and alarmed. Out of those away from heat sources. incarcerated at FCI well-being goals. calls, said Golly, one or • Follow a space heat- ” two of them have a fur- er’s instructions careful- Sandstone: 751 nace issue, the rest are ly and use with proper situations where the CO ventilation. Patients who had to detector’s batteries are • Stay away from LP dead or they are expired. tanks, meters and hook- be hospitalized: 145 In either case the fi re ups. Welia Health welcomes our new department will go to • If your home has the home wearing their corrugated stainless Age range of provider, Nikki Anderson NP-C self-contained breathing steel tubing be sure it is patients: 0-98 equipment and check the inspected regularly. We’re proud to introduce Nikki Anderson, levels of CO in the home. years old If there is an issue, the CO POISONING the newest member of our talented team fi re department will call Symptoms of CO poi- of Nurse Practitioners. Nikki comes to in the gas company. soning include: Deaths: 16 Welia Health after earning her Associates • Sudden fl u-like illness CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY • Dizziness, headaches, People with at least Degree in Nursing from Anoka Ramsey The following are some sleepiness Community College, and her BS in Nursing safety tips from Minne- • Nausea or vomiting one vaccine dose: and Master of Science/Adult Geriatic sota Energy Resources • Fluttering or throb- regarding natural gas. bing heart beat 3,211 Nurse Practitioner from Metropolitan State • Have at least one • Cherry-red lips, un- University, St. Paul. She will be serving smoke/carbon monoxide usually pale complexioN patients at all three of our clinic locations. detector on each fl oor. • Unconsciousness Statistics provided by Pine Live life well. Test them monthly to If you suspect carbon County Public Health and Please join us in giving Nikki a warm insure they are working monoxide poisoning get Minnesota Public Health. WeliaHealth.org welcome to the Welia Health family! properly.