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A message from the City of Royalton Police Department "We are aware of an attempted scam taking place involving a person claiming to be from Pine Country Bank calling customers of the bank and requesting ACH information as well as transaction information. Pine Country Bank has verified that they have not been calling any customers to request information. According to the bank the caller has used the name 'Daniel' and has claimed to be from the various Pine Country Bank locations. As a reminder, never give out account information over the phone. Your banking and credit card institutions already have your information and will not call to get it from you." If you have questions or concerns contact Royalton Police or the Morrison County Sheriff's Office, their number is 320-632-9233. 

The student suspected of starting a fire at Westwood Elementary School has been identified as a nine-year-old boy. Under Minnesota’s Juvenile Court Act, a child under the age of 10 cannot be prosecuted for a criminal offense in juvenile court. The St. Cloud Police Department has forwarded the investigation to the Stearns County Attorney’s office for review and consideration of alternative courses of action. Police say the fire, reported March 31st just before 9:00 a.m., was started by the student in a bathroom. The blaze forced the evacuation of all 550 students and, according to the superintendent, caused an estimated $3,000,000 in damage and cleanup. Widespread smoke damage has kept the building closed since the incident. It is expected to reopen on Monday, April 13th.

Central Lakes College with the campuses in Brainerd and Staples announced Thursday morning that Hara Charlier who has served as CLC's president for the past 10 years will be leaving at the end of June. Her departure is an opportunity that allows her to be closer to family in Massachusetts this coming fall. The College will now begin the process of finding either her interim replacement or a new President of CLC by the fall of 2026. 

Two men were arrested on Thursday morning after a drug bust by the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force. Authorities used a search warrant in the 1100 block of 4th Avenue South in St. Cloud. Authorities were using the warrant as part of an investigation into the distribution of drugs in the central Minnesota area. Officers also believed that 50-year-old Dewayne Lenow of St. Cloud was staying at the residence. Lenow was wanted for a felony arrest warrant. The St. Cloud S.W.A.T. team was used to enter the home and secure it. Authorities say officers found Lenow inside, along with drugs believed to be methamphetamine and fentanyl. Lenow was arrested on the warrant and for suspicion of 1st-degree drug possession. Police also arrested 26-year-old Charles Wurzburger of St. Cloud on several outstanding felony arrest warrants. The St. Cloud Health and Inspections Department assisted the Violent Offender Task Force and St. Cloud S.W.A.T. The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force is made up of investigators from the St. Cloud and Sartell Police Departments and deputies from the Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, and Morrison County Sheriff's Offices.

A bicyclist has been hurt in a collision with a vehicle.  The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened just before 7:00 a.m. Thursday on Highway 25 in Big Lake in Sherburne County. A vehicle driven by 32-year-old Brooke Fisher of Big Lake was westbound on Tarrytown Road, attempting to turn onto Highway 25.  The bicycle being ridden by 26-year-old Chase Williams of Big Lake was going south on Highway 25.  They collided in the intersection. Williams was taken to Monticello Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Fisher was not hurt.

Spring turkey hunting season opens across Minnesota next Wednesday, April 15th, and runs through Saturday, May 31st. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says hunters will have six firearm seasons to choose from this spring, labeled A through F, with the first opening next week and the last running May 20th through the 31st. Youth and archery seasons span the entire window. Turkey hunting is one of the more popular spring traditions in Minnesota, and the DNR says the experience goes well beyond pulling a trigger. Setting decoys, listening for gobbles and calling to birds can make for an active and memorable outing. Crossbows are allowed this season for anyone holding a valid firearms or archery license. Adults hoping to hunt the earliest firearm season at Carlos Avery or Whitewater wildlife management areas will need a special permit issued through a lottery. For anyone new to turkey hunting, the DNR has how-to guides and videos on its learn-to-hunt page. The full season schedule breaks down as follows: Youth season: April 15th through May 31st Archery season: April 15th through May 31st  A season: April 15th through the 21st B season: April 22nd through the 28th C season: April 29th through May 5th D season: May 6th through the 12th E season: May 13th through the 19th F season: May 20th through the 31st. More information on licenses, permit areas, tagging, registration and Carlos Avery or Whitewater WMA lottery results is available on the DNR Website. 

The Swanville School District is invited all to their groundbreaking ceremony today at 1:30pm. All are invited to come and celebrate the start of the renovations in the works for...

The Morrison County Government Center is sending out this information about another scam floating in teh area: Minnesota DVS is warning residents about fake emails and text messages pretending to...

The Morrison County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management wants to remind everyone that Severe Weather Awareness Week is next week April 13th through 17th. On Thursday, April 16th will be Statewide...

While Little Falls had around 1-3 inches of snow Friday into Saturday some parts of the state are digging out of 12-16 inches of snow in northwestern Minnesota with areas...