P I N E CCITY PINE ITY
THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018 VOL. 133 NO. 19 www.pinecitymn.com $1.00
EYE OF THE TIGERAMA: Dragon boys, girls track teams take first in Rush City meet. P13
Study: Pine County Fair brings in $927k BY TERRY SALMELA NEWS@PINECITYMN.COM
PHOTO PROVIDED
Seven years old, already talking turkey While hunting with his dad Josh, Collin Spinler, age 7, of Pine City shot his first turkey with a 9 inch beard and 3/4 inch spurs on April 22 west of Rock Creek.
In 2017 the University of Minnesota Extension was contracted to survey the attendees and Demolition Derby participants at the Pine County Fair and to estimate the Fair’s economic value to the community and county. A total of 1,065 fair attendees, 58 Demolition Derby participants, 33 Fair vendors, seven non-profit vendors and 24 Pine City businesses responded to a survey during the 2017 Pine County Fair. The survey results were shared at a presentation at the Pine County Courthouse Board Room on April 30 by Brigid Tuck, Senior Economic Analyst in Community Economics and Xinyi Qian, Tourism Specialist with the Tourism Center who are both with the Center for Community Vitality at the University of Minnesota Extension. According to the survey results the estimated total spending in Pine County, due to the Fair, was $926,610. The majority (72 percent) was on the fairgrounds. The Pine County Fair Board spent $312,200 to put on the Fair. Therefore, for every dollar invested by the Fair
MIKE GAINOR | THE PIONEER
The Demolition Derby contributes to more than one-third of the estimated $926,610 spent due to the Fair.
Board, $3 of additional spending was generated in the county. “That’s a very strong number,” said Brigid Tuck. “The impact of local spending is magnified, as much of the revenue generated is spent locally. Non-profit vendors, the carnival and the Fair Board all spend a major portion of Fair revenues in Pine County.” Separate surveys were conducted for the Fair attendees, Demolition Derby participants, non-profit Fair vendors, for-profit Fair vendors and Pine City businesses. Fifty-nine percent of the attendee SEE FAIR, PAGE 19
Fish kill reported on Pokegama Lake STAFF REPORT NEWS@PINECITYMN.COM
Property owners around Pokegama Lake have been reporting finding scores of dead fish washed up along their shores as ice melted. No similar fish kill has been reported on Cross Lake. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
lakeshore owners report seeing mostly sheephead (Freshwater Drum), with some carp and suckers present. “We believe (at least at this time) that this kill is likely stress-related due to the extended period of low dissolved oxygen this winter,” a DNR report stated. DNR officials said that they have no record of previous winterkills on Pokegama Lake and do not believe the fish die-off is directly winterkill-induced.
“But given the duration of the winter and the fact that the kill is largely focused on one species, we suspect some sort of stress-induced mortality,” the DNR wrote. “All of the reports that we have received have only relayed fully dead fish; therefore, we do not currently have plans to collect fish samples from the lake. We will look into the extent of the kill via a netting effort in the coming weeks if additional species, especial-
ly those of greater value, begin to wash up.” When snow and ice limit the amount of sunlight reaching aquatic plants, the plants produce less oxygen. Winterkill happens when fish die from depleted oxygen levels. To read the DNR report, visit https:// www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/ hinckley/index.html and click “Area Highlights.”
Coldwell Banker Pro IV Realty will welcome The Whitesidewalls Rock and Roll Revue Saturday, June 2, 6 to 8 pm
Location: Right on the grounds at Coldwell Banker Pro IV Realty, 1220 W 4th St, Rush City You are all invited! Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and just enjoy the evening. Awesomeness starts at Coldwell Banker Pro IV Realty! CLASSIFIED ADS 320-629-6771 mel@countystar.com
Pro IV Realty realhomepro.com
320-358-0822 763-689-2110
This will be a great way to kick off the month of June.
Circle the date - June 2 on your calendar! NEWS 320-629-6771 editor@pinecitymn.com
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