- Active military (and families) invited to join Pine County Fair Parade

The Pine City Yellow Ribbon Committee invites any active military members along with their family, or the family of a deployed service member, to join them at the Pine County Fair Parade on Aug. 7. Those interested should come to the Yellow Ribbon Committee float at or before 3:45 p.m.. The float will be at the number 44 position on Railroad Street.

For more information, email Jessica Paulson at yellowribbonpc@yahoo.com.

- Commercial fishing licenses for rough fish removal

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications for six inland commercial fishing areas.

One of these – Area 31 – includes Pine, Isanti, Kanabec, and Chisago counties.

A commercial fishing license authorizes the removal of rough fish species from lakes and streams with the use of commercial fishing gear. Interested individuals should have experience with the use of seines and hoop nets, and in the handling and transportation of large quantities of fish. Licensed commercial operators are responsible for the marketing and/or lawful disposal of fish from these activities.

For more information contact Neil Vanderbosch, DNR commercial fisheries program coordinator, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN, 55155-4020. Questions will be taken via telephone at (651) 259 5178 or via email to neil.vanderbosch@state.mn.us. Inquires must be received by 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27.

- County ready for SHIP funds

Pine County will receive funds for health-related programs in the county through the Statewide Health Improvement Program.

These funds include $15,500 for Worksite Wellness, $10,000 for Breastfeeding Intervention and $3,750 for Smoke-Free Parks Intervention.

- Atscott Manufacturing featured by Enterprise Minnesota

Enterprise Minnesota, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting business in Minnesota, has featured Pine City’s Atscott Manufacturing in a recent publication.

The Enterprise Minnesota article describes how in 1999 Atscott Manufacturing started manufacturing self-erecting, mobile towers that can reach heights up to 80 feet in 10 minutes.

Atscott president John Norris said they sold some of the first models to the Salt Lake Winter Olympics in 2002. State and local governments are customers, but the military has been the most significant customer, using the towers at bases and in war zones for lighting, surveillance, and telecommunications.

The Enterprise Minnesota article said that tower business is growing for Atscott. The towers were previously less than ten percent of revenue, but could be more than 20 percent soon. The company typically builds 10-12 per year, yet now has a backlog of about 40 units.

- Record low traffic deaths projected

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety reports the state is on pace to have the lowest number of traffic deaths since 1944, despite at least three weekend deaths that pushed the 2010 total over the 200-death milestone. As of July 19, the state’s preliminary traffic death count is 204, compared to 214 at this time last year. The state hit the 100 death-mark in late April.

DPS projects 400 deaths for the year, a figure that would meet the goal of the state’s core traffic safety initiative, Toward Zero Deaths (TZD), of 400 or fewer deaths for 2010. There were 421 deaths in 2009.

- Free license required for small game hunters under 16

Youth younger than 16 must obtain a free license to hunt small game this fall, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Although the license is free, it is subject to a nominal vendor service charge.

The new license requirement, mandated by the Legislature in 2008, affects a number of popular game species including squirrel, rabbit, grouse, pheasant and waterfowl. Youth also must satisfy all requirements related to hunter education and firearms safety.

Small game season opens Saturday, Sept. 18. Free youth licenses are available online at www.mndnr.gov and at DNR license agents across Minnesota. License agents are allowed to charge a 50-cent fee for any free license or permit.

Youth licenses are available via phone at (888) 665-4236 but a nominal customer service fee will be charged.