Good morning, St. Cloud.

Central Minnesota Community Foundation awarded over $183,000 in competitive grants to fund local initiatives—supporting homelessness prevention, youth programs and arts access.

The grants benefited organizations such as Atonement Lutheran Church and Big Brothers Big Sisters — groups serving the local community.

On September 4th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., the Central Minnesota Community Foundation will host a ceremony at the Park Event Center in Waite Park to present its Philanthropy Awards.

The awards honor Lee and Vicki Morgan with the Alex Didier Award—recognizing their community service—Farhiya Iman with the Social Trust Award, and Stephanie Brown with the Professional Award in Philanthropy.

The St. Cloud Rox will host their 4th annual Mini Golf Cup on August 22 at Summerland Family Fun Park in Sauk Rapids to raise funds for youth scholarships and community initiatives.

Teams of four can sign up for $200, which includes lunch, a player gift, and prizes — the event is set to reach its 36-team cap quickly.

Two people were taken to the hospital after a car crash on Highway 10 south of St. Cloud just after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday — a car crossing the highway was hit by another going west, leaving 69-year-old Deanne Crust and 32-year-old Albert Kay with non-life-threatening injuries.

At the 2025 U.S. Open Beer Championships in Ohio, Beaver Island Brewing in St. Cloud won gold in the smoked beer category for its Smoke On The Porter brew while other Minnesota breweries earned medals—Lupulin Brewing received bronze and silver and Annandale’s Spilled Grain Brewhouse won gold—highlighting strong regional success.

The Minnesota Attorney General warned that pyramid schemes promising e-scooter investment returns are targeting Minnesotans using high-pressure sales tactics and cryptocurrency payments plus the scams depend on recruiting friends and family with no real scooters behind the plan.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has awarded $1.7 million in grants to 42 businesses, including three food processors in central Minnesota.

B and K Schrupp’s Meat and Seafood will buy a new packaging machine, Concept Processing will upgrade its dairy system, and the French Lake Butcher Shop in South Haven will add a bowl chopper — steps that will boost local production and market access.

State government is behind in processing Real ID driver's license applications—with some residents waiting up to 17 weeks at the Stearns County License Center—because of a flood of requests.

Applicants choosing expedited services receive results in two to three weeks while regular processing takes four to six weeks and U.S. passports remain available as an alternative for air travel.

A resident at The Sanctuary at St. Cloud was hospitalized after rapid weight gain caused by furosemide being given every other day instead of daily, and a state probe found neglect after multiple missed doses.

The facility retrained the nurse involved — though it did not conduct facility-wide training on proper medication procedures, prompting the resident’s family to remove her from care.

Dennis Johannes Work Shop Auction

Located at 1906 10th Ave S St Cloud. Starts at 10 am this Saturday view at www.blackdiamondauctions.com Tools, shop equipment and lots of items for homes and apartment maintenance. Col Frank Imholte 320-241-1200

Dennis Johannes Work Shop Auction

Located at 1906 10th Ave S St Cloud. Starts at 10 am this Saturday view at www.blackdiamondauctions.com Tools, shop equipment and lots of items for homes and apartment maintenance. Col Frank Imholte 320-241-1200

RipCon TCG/Sports Show

10 AM – 6 PM — The Park Event Center — Free entry — Explore 70+ tables of Pokémon TCG and sports cards with top vendors from the region.

Benton County Fair 2025

Noon-10:30 p.m. — Benton County Fair — Free admission — Enjoy a variety of events including 4-H competitions, presentations, and music performances throughout the day.

Butterfly Release Event

2:30–3:00 PM — Munsinger Gardens — Donations appreciated — Watch the beauty of butterflies take flight in a serene garden setting while supporting a great cause.

KC & the Sunshine Band with The Village People

7-8:30 p.m. — The Ledge Amphitheater — Ticket information available — Dance the night away to the infectious grooves of two legendary bands.

Summertime by George!

5:30-9 p.m. — Lake George Municipal Complex — Free entry — A festive evening featuring live country music and family-friendly activities.

I Am He Said - A Celebration Of The Music Of Neil Diamond

1:30-4:30 p.m. — Paramount Center for the Arts — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the timeless classics of Neil Diamond with The Killer Vees, featuring beloved hits spanning five decades.