Good morning, St. Cloud.

The St. Cloud YMCA plans to add an outdoor waterpark on its northside and has raised $11.8 million for an estimated $16 million to $18 million project; mayor Jake Anderson said approval of a quarter percent sales tax is needed by Jan.

31 for the November ballot, allowing daily access.

Last year, Rough Start Rescue moved 700 animals — 600 dogs and 110 cats — from Texas to Minnesota on 22-hour van trips to ease Houston shelter overcrowding and diversify local adoptions.

Downtown will host the third annual Bold and Bright Winter Festival next Saturday with a comedy crawl, a Mac and Cheese Crawl from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., a toboggan derby relay, a Winter Farmer’s Market, & fireworks over Lake George at 8:30 p.m.

Greater St. Cloud unveiled a new logo and website that includes a Regional Progress Dashboard (integrating live data from the Census and Federal Reserve) to offer a real-time view of local demographics and the economy.

The rebranding aims to connect community members and stimulate growth.

Xcel Energy warns customers that natural gas bills will spike soon due to rising wholesale prices amid extreme cold + the utility advises energy conservation and offers billing assistance options.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency fined local Cold Spring Brewing Company $15,939 for stormwater violations at three sites and New Flyer of America $12,112.50 for hazardous waste mishandling at its St. Cloud facility after inspections revealed noncompliance + both companies agreed to update their pollution plans.

The City Council will meet Monday night to discuss a proposed quarter percent sales tax to fund a new outdoor waterpark at the YMCA — the tax is expected to generate $7 million over three years for slides, a lazy river, and pool facilities.

Skiing, Sledding, and Snowshoeing Sundays

1-5 p.m. — Riverside Park — Free equipment available — Embrace winter fun with skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing while warming up by the fireplace.

Monday Night Jazz

7-9:30 p.m. — Veranda Lounge — Enjoy live jazz with a local band in a cozy atmosphere.

FREE! Winter Chill Festival

1-4 p.m. — Riverside Park — Free entry — Bundle up for outdoor winter fun with sledding, snowshoeing, and Nordic ski activities for the whole family.

2026 St. Cloud Sportsmen’s Show

10 AM – 3 PM — St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center — Entry fee varies — Explore the best in outdoor gear and family-friendly activities at this beloved local event.

Snowshoeing for Beginners Class

1-2:30 p.m. — Riverside Park — Free entry — Experience winter magic with expert-guided snowshoeing and hot chocolate by the fire.