A look back at ‘08

A look at stories that transcended beyond Pine City…

   News                   

1.      Stormwater violations at Cross Lake Preserve development prompt big fine.

An “inconvenient truth” for a Twin Cities developer, two ponds within the 35-acre development had received substantial sediment, one of which drained directly into Cross Lake.  The MPCA and Minnesota took notice. 

2.      Four local teenagers go on a bar burglary spree.

Record numbers of U.S. business owners – 85% — say they’ve been victims of organized crime in 2008, up 6% from last year.  But, perhaps hardest to swallow were local businesses targeted by our community’s own.

  

Sports                   

3.      Dragon football has most successful season in PCHS history.

Pine City went 9-2, losing to Holy Family Catholic in the Section 5AAA finals at St. Cloud State on Halloween. 

4.      Jon Rydberg competes in Paralympics in Beijing.

’96 PCHS graduate Jon Rydberg, who was seeded 13^th in the tournament, lost to top-seeded and No. 1 player in the world, Shingo Kunieda, of Japan.

Farewells                   

5.      Tragedy strikes Johnson family ready to commemorate 100 years in farming.

In 1908, the Johnson family began its farm.  A century later, the farm and the life of the eldest family member, Lonnie, were celebrated. 

6.      Young firefighter, Jeremy Jylka, and businessman, Jerrad Wiener, laid to rest.

Gov. Pawlenty orders flags at half mass to honor a fallen young hero, age 34.  The community also mourned a local business’s leading man, just 31.

Economy                   

7.      Several downtown businesses go by the wayside in slumping market.

Gone are downtown’s clothing store, photo shop and post office.  On the flip-side, downtown welcomed a retreat center, a couple new eats and an advocacy group.  And, Sauser’s Hardware heads into its one hundredth year. 

8.      Explore MN rolls out new ad campaign: Tourist numbers up at NW Co. Fur Post.

Two Fergus Falls twins claim Pine City’s historic site is the coolest in the State and help promote it on the ExploreMinnesota.com Website.  Numbers increase at this year’s Fall Gathering.

Social Ties                   

9.      Local clubs disband, including Pine City Rotary and Pirates baseball team.

The Rotary Club donates remaining funds to the local food shelf.  The community baseball team, with numerous state appearances, has no ’08 schedule.   

10.  Horizons program kicks off to empower local leaders and reduce poverty.

Pine City qualifies for program with goals to help community understand poverty, help commit to action for improvements and bring about lasting change.

Wild Card                   

11.  Jimmy’s Pizza expands across the Midwest.

A pizzeria which got its start in downtown Pine City opens stores across Minnesota, from Albany to Zumbrota; but now Jimmy’s also has locations in Colorado, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. 

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