Good morning, St. Cloud.

Today, registration for Stearns County Ski Patrol begins online as volunteers sign up to help at four parks during winter for two-hour shifts—those with two accepted reports earn a parking pass at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve.

St. Cloud Park and Recreation will host Parktober Fest at Wilson Park Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. where children can enjoy pumpkin painting, a petting zoo, carnival games, magician shows, and a police caution tape maze — all free except for optional food truck purchases.

On Friday afternoon, 58-year-old Randy Bertram of Paynesville prevented a baler fire from spreading in Spring Hill Township after he noticed his New Holland baler smoking during corn baling — he moved it away and plowed around it as deputies and the Lake Henry Fire Department later arrived to extinguish the remaining flames.

Skechers opened its first St. Cloud-area store at Crossroads Center Mall on Oct.

10 — the shop celebrates its opening with free hats and tote bags and holds sales on shoes and accessories to help customers choose comfortable footwear. The store also provides personal fittings — easing the search for shoes designed to relieve pain and improve comfort.

9 to 5 The Musical opens at the Paramount Center for the Arts this Friday at 7:30 p.m. as it shows double-cast roles and a nostalgic look at office life in the 1970s—matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and extra shows over the next three weekends are also planned.

St. Cloud State University released its official fall enrollment with just under 10,000 students—7,805 undergraduates and 1,841 graduates.

Officials expect enrollment to exceed 10,000 once high school students in a specialized program are fully registered.

St. Cloud Technical and Community College is converting the library’s second floor into the Wedum Center for Student Success to support first-generation students—over 60% of the students need extra help and the center will offer staff support and programming.

The facility is funded by a $2.2 million campaign and $1.1 million in state bonding money and will open next August.

Stearns County Parks Department is asking volunteers for buckthorn removal events on October 19th and October 26th at Kraemer Lake-Wildwood County Park in St. Joseph.

Volunteers will meet at 10:00 a.m.—helpers should wear long pants, long sleeves and sturdy footwear, and available gloves and safety glasses will be provided.

The new Cold Spring Fire Hall welcomes visitors with a granite exterior that gleams in the fall sun — its southeast corner showing a Maltese Cross hand-etched by Fire Chief Dan Weber.

Weber spent over four decades working with granite and used local stone from Rockville, St. Cloud and Mesabi to complete the piece in two weeks.

Sartell Mayor Ryan Fitzthum outlined plans for growth in his State of the City address (Tuesday), highlighting new projects like Niron Magnetics, Wyndham Gardens Hotel, and the Mill District while insisting on maintaining the town’s small-town feel.

He added that the city will invest over $100 million in infrastructure over the next eight years and keep its police and fire departments fully staffed.

Local residents use fire pits and wood heat during the cold months—EPA safety tips advise storing firewood off the ground with a cover and allowing it to season for six months; indoors, keep flammable items well away from flame sources to avoid a rapid spread of fire.

These guidelines help protect homes and neighbors from dangerous fires.

St. Cloud VA Medical Center will host Medication Take Back Day on Saturday, October 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a drop box in Building One near the main entrance for veterans and the public to safely dispose of unused prescription drugs — a national effort led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

This weekend — St. Cloud will host the Minnesota State Cornhole Championships at River’s Edge Convention Center on October 17th and 18th.

Competitors will play singles on Friday and doubles on Saturday — spectators can watch for free and purchase food and drinks.

6th Annual Banquet for Recovery

Join us on Friday, October 17th at the 6th Annual Banquet for Recovery as we celebrate resilience, hope, and those making a difference in our recovery community. 🎤 Be inspired by keynote speaker May Diddy and enjoy an evening of connection, recognition, and purpose!

The Phantom of the Opera (1925) Live Score by Quarkestra

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Gnarly Bard Theater — Ticketed event — Experience the haunting romance of a silent classic with an original live score.

A Tribute to 90's Alternative Rock

7:30-9 p.m. — Pioneer Place On Fifth — Cost info not provided — Relive the iconic sounds of the 90's with hits from your favorite bands in a nostalgic celebration.

A Choral Community Celebration

4-6 p.m. — Stewart Hall — $5 max for parking — Experience a celebratory concert showcasing the choral talents from Central Minnesota's finest ensembles.

Project Connect

10 AM – 3 PM — St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center — Free entry — Access community services from local agencies at this beneficial event.

Mall-O-Ween Spooktacular

4-7 p.m. — Crossroads Center — Free entry — Enjoy a fun-filled evening of Halloween activities with trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, and more.

Born On The Bayou: The Music of John Fogerty & Creedence Clearwater Revival

7:30-9 p.m. — Pioneer Place On Fifth — Ticketed — Experience the classic hits of CCR and John Fogerty performed by Mason Dixon in a rocking tribute.

Granite City Train Show 2025

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. — St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center — Admission details not specified — Explore model trains, interactive exhibits, and family fun activities.

Stained Glass & Agate Mosaic Workshop

6-8 p.m. — Rock and Art Shop — Cost varies — Create your own beautiful glass and agate mosaic in a fun, colorful evening.