The Pine City Council voted to pass the 2026 budget and property tax levy at Wednesday's meeting. According to city administrator Marcy Peterson, the proposed preliminary tax levy was approved in September at $2,258,862, marking a total increase of 7.49% from last year's levy. City staff worked to bring the levy down to $2,183,961, decreasing the approved 2026 preliminary levy by 3.57%. The final levy is a 3.92% increase from 2025. Peterson explained that the general fund lev

Pine County is seeking public feedback on an updated draft of the county's hazard mitigation plan. According to a news release from Denise Anderson, the county's emergency management deputy director, the plan is multi-jurisdictional, including all cities and townships within Pine County. Pine County Emergency Management has worked in cooperation with U-Spatial at the University of Minnesota Duluth and representatives from county departments, city and township governments, and

The East Central Regional Arts Council will offer grant information sessions for artists and organizations in December, January, February, and March. According to a news release from ECRAC, the sessions cover basic information about grant programs, tips and best practices, and recent changes to the application process. Funds may be available for artists and organizations located in Pine, Kanabec, Chisago, Isanti, and Mille Lacs counties, with upcoming grant deadlines on Feb.

The Dragons traveled to Zimmerman on Monday night. Pine City comes into the season as a younger squad, with a mix of experience. Early on against the Thunder, they were moving the ball well and even held a 5-1 lead. But the speed, height and experience of Zimmerman soon took over.

A juvenile party was arrested on Monday after law enforcement located a BB gun on Hinckley-Finlayson High School grounds. According to an update from superintendent Brian Masterson, the Pine County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a possible firearm at the high school on Monday morning. Masterson said the school resource officer was immediately notified by staff and promptly responded. When law enforcement arrived on the scene, a firearm was located during the invest