Good morning, St. Cloud.

On Friday night, the Granite City Lumberjacks hosted their third annual Hockey for a Cause at Sports Arena East (in Sauk Rapids) to raise funds for suicide prevention with Smiles for Jake.

The event featured a jersey auction, silent auction, 50-50 raffle, and sales of commemorative items.

Today, Blackberry Ridge Golf Course hosts a free holiday event with sledding + bonfires, tractor rides, Santa visits, hot cocoa and a vendor market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it continues Sunday with similar festivities.

The Jolly Trolley closed its 15th year of giving by collecting $3,038 in cash donations and 9,211 pounds of food to support local families, with contributions benefiting Catholic Charities Emergency Services, Promise Neighborhood of Central Minnesota, and St. Cloud Area Salvation Army.

The annual Jolly Trolley Food Drive wrapped up Thursday at Coborn’s in Sauk Rapids, collecting 869 lbs of food to support local families, thanks to Metro Bus, Gate City Bank & community volunteers.

Metro Bus will share final totals and deliver donations to partner organizations on Friday.

A Sartell officer rescued two dogs from a house fire on 27th Street around 11:00 a.m. Thursday — firefighters quickly contained the flames as investigators look into the cause.

St. Cloud's Pilot Travel Center at 4231 Clearwater Road unveiled its updated facility with a refreshed interior, new self-checkouts, kitchen and deli area, and remodeled restrooms and showers.

The travel center also donated $10,000 to support the local school district's computer science program.

Businesses and residents will start using the Stearns County E-Waste Program on January 5th at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Waite Park; residents pay $10 for screens while companies must schedule drop-offs and pay fees based on weight and category (receiving a Certificate of Disposal).

Minnesotans can view 228 holiday light displays across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin through a free guide.

The map shows stops including Middale Lane in St. Cloud, and it advises safe driving, proper parking, and checking weather conditions — tips to help visitors avoid the busy weekend before Christmas.

St. Cloud Christian Academy is reverting to its original name, King's Academy, ahead of its planned move to a facility in Waite Park for the 2026-27 school year.

A community survey spurred the rebranding, which includes a new lion (crowned with thorns) logo to reflect the school's mission.

St. Cloud Christian School is rebranding as King's Academy and will relocate to the former Crafts Direct building in Waite Park next school year; school leaders say a recent community survey supported the change & the adoption of a lion mascot with a crown of thorns that honors the school’s roots.

Sartell High School student Alexander Assih was nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy by Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach, making him one of 10 nominees from Minnesota's 7th District; he will head to Annapolis in June if accepted to start training.

St. Cloud Councilman Dave Masters shared his lifelong ties to the community and service as a teacher in an interview for WJON My Life series (he has been on the city council since 2006).

His account details his early work in schools and his local roots that continue to shape his public service.

Ten local restaurants will serve mac and cheese samples at the Mac and Cheese Crawl from January 30th to February 1 in downtown as part of the Bold and Bright Festival, where visitors must secure a tasting passport — letting them vote and enter a draw for Downtown Prize Package.

Tonic Sol-Fa's Final Seasonal Run

7:30-9 p.m. — Paramount Center for the Arts — Tickets required — Celebrate the festive season with Tonic Sol-fa's memorable farewell performance alongside the Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience.

Radio Nation - A Tribute to Steve Miller and The Cars

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Pioneer Place On Fifth — Ticket prices vary — Relive the magic of the 70s and 80s with iconic hits from Steve Miller and The Cars.

Karaoke Night at The Pickled Loon

10:00-11:30 p.m. — The Pickled Loon — Free entry — Unleash your inner rockstar and enjoy a night of singing your favorite tunes in a friendly atmosphere.

10000 Days - A Tribute to Tool

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Pioneer Place On Fifth — $ — Experience the Midwest's premier tribute to Tool with a technically complex and emotionally powerful performance.