Good morning, St. Cloud.

A Celebration of Life for Don Stocker will occur on Thursday, April 9 at Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud, with interment at 2:00 p.m. at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls — a post-service gathering at Moose Lodge 1400 in Waite Park will follow.

A Celebration of Life for Marianne Cianni (85) will be held May 16 at Williams Dingmann Funeral Home in St. Cloud with a one-hour visitation before the 1pm service and a luncheon to follow.

Backwards Bread Company in St. Cloud is launching a new YouTube channel with a ‘Sourdough 101’ series this April—head baker Travis will guide beginners and offer starter kits while supplies last.

St. Cloud Area School District raised its class of 2025 graduation rate to 70.7 percent with Tech High at 85.3 percent and Apollo High at 77.1 percent (officials noted data errors omitted 24 graduates and added 12 extra enrollments).

Devon Bowker, an Apollo High School biology teacher, + Paige Janorschke, a Lincoln Elementary fourth-grade teacher, are finalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

The selection panel interviews candidates on May 2 and will announce the winner at a banquet in St. Paul on May 3.

St. Cloud has secured nearly $300,000 in state grants to fight the Emerald Ash Borer — $119,000 for planting 100 new trees in Whitney Regional Park and $179,000 to develop an urban forest management plan.

The City Council will consider the grants Monday night.

Anglers are reeling in crappies as lakes open earlier than expected in parts of south and central Minnesota.

Reports from Willmar indicate fish are staying in shallow areas, promising a rewarding open water season as temperatures slowly rise.

St. Johns hockey clinched the MIAC tournament title and ended its season 17-7-4, earning a 15th ranking in the final Division III poll.

The team lost 6-1 to Aurora in the NCAA first round on March 14 + its season showcased solid play in tough matchups.

St. Cloud – Minnesota Writers Off the Page: Joyce Sutphen

6-7:30 p.m. — Paramount Center for the Arts — Free registration — Celebrate National Poetry Month with readings and discussions from Minnesota Poet Laureates Joyce Sutphen and Gwen Nell Westerman.

Machine Knitting Camp 2026 - April Session

10 AM – 6 PM — Rocking Horse Farm — Registration required — Enjoy hands-on machine knitting with fellow enthusiasts and expert instruction.

The Crown Jewels - A Tribute to Queen

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Pioneer Place On Fifth — Tickets available — Celebrate all the hits of Queen in this vibrant tribute performance.

Sapphire Soirée - SJBC Annual Spring Gala

5-9 p.m. — St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center — Supportive event — Celebrate the 45th anniversary of the St. John's Boys’ Choir with an evening of music and community.