Members of the Pine City VFW, American Legion, Scouting groups, and community gathered at the Pine City VFW Wednesday night for a flag retirement ceremony in honor of Flag Day.
American Flags that are no longer suitable for service are regularly collected for disposal.
Kirk Brune, the Commander of the Pine City American Legion, says it's important that we honor the flags because of those who have served.
"Nowadays, unfortunately a lot of people don't understand what the flag is actually about," Brune said. "It's about freedom, that all of our military veterans have given to all of us. That is why we honor the flag so much."
Prior to the burning, the honor guard read a prayer and gave them one final salute.
For community members looking to dispose of their worn flags, Brune says the Pine City Legion offers a swap program.
The Pine City American Legion and VFW plan on holding a retirement ceremony on every Flag Day, and the community is invited to attend in the future.
Kanabec County officially approves CBA with union
The Kanabec County Board of Commissioners officially voted to approve a collective bargaining agreement with the union representing the county’s family services staff at last week’s meeting.
A tentative agreement between the county and the Laborers’ International Union of North America Local #363 was first reached on Monday, May 1.
The offer was proposed by the county during a mediation session.
In mid-April, the union notified Kanabec County of its intention to strike starting May 2.
According to a union press release, the agreement is for two years.
Wisconsin DOT to work on Highway 70 bridge
Drivers traveling on Highway 70 between Pine City and Grantsburg should anticipate traffic as construction crews are anticipated to work on the bridge over the St. Croix River next week.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the bridge is experiencing deterioration on the concrete bridge deck and the concrete throughout the structure.
Crews will work on the bridge deck overlay, make concrete repairs, replace missing riprap stone near the abutments, and replace the guardrails and approach pavement.
The highway will remain open to traffic with work being completed one lane at a time and temporary signals directing traffic over the bridge.
The project is slated to start on June 21 and take 3 to 4 months to complete.
North Branch gets update on veterans memorial project
The North Branch City Council received an update on a veterans memorial project in Central Park during a meeting Tuesday night.
According to parks director Nate Sondrol, the city’s Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces Commission recommended authorizing WSB to complete the preparation of construction plans for the site.
That authorization is contingent on the North Branch Veterans Memorial Group entering into the payment agreement for the cost of the plans.
The council approved the Central Park location for the memorial last October.
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