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It’s Friday, St. Cloud! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: The Apex Athletic Center greenlight, gold and silver’s hot streak, and a hands-on letterpress print social + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.
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📰 In the news
Project funding and scope updates: St. Cloud Area School Board approved in February bids and purchases for the $15 million Apex Athletic Center at Apollo High School, keeping project moving with completion expected April 2027 — see the contracts and funding.
Connecting classrooms and commerce: Three CSB and SJU professors returned from a nine-day India trip, laying groundwork for student exchanges and business ties linking Central Minnesota and Maharashtra in education, medical devices, and agriculture — see what’s planned next.
How the scores were earned: Spot Rehabilitation, a nonprofit home health agency, has been awarded a 4 out of 5 rating by U.S. News for quality of care and patient satisfaction — see what the rating measures.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you (or someone you care about) to clean up all that up – learn more here.
Highlights this week:
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🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?
Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz
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🫶 We got your back
Plant-based comfort, downtown: Jules’ Bistro keeps plant-based eaters smiling with legit vegan entrees, dairy-free treats, and good coffee and wine. Live-and-local vibes make it an easy weeknight go-to when you don’t want to explain your order three times.
Treasure hunt, upgraded: If your shelves crave character, The Rusty Pick brims with antiques, salvage, and rotating finds, from old signs and stone crocks to vintage toys and primitive furniture. You’ll also spot Dixie Belle Paint… perfect for that DIY project you promised yourself could wait.
Fresh brows, forever links: Beautiful By Teri Ann handles the little upgrades, like a natural-looking brow, liner, or lip blush, and the fun ones too, including permanent jewelry that stays put. Wake up ready and enjoy one less thing to manage every morning.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🌱 Winter Sowing Event 2026 @ Bethlehem Lutheran Church 4310 Co Rd 137 | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Winter sowing, St. Cloud style: turn milk jugs into tiny greenhouses at Bethlehem Lutheran, fueled by coffee and the quilting ladies’ legendary treats. Learn why natives matter, plant for the BLC prairie, then grab pizza. Bring your own seeds if you want take-home starters.
🧩 Puzzle Palooza @ Whitney Recreation Center | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Park & Rec and Whitney are tossing teams of 2 to 4 into a 500-piece sprint, starting with a social hour and puzzle swap. Finally, a race where you can sit, sip, and feel competitive, with identical puzzles, prizes, preregistration, 12 teams, $35 per team.
🛍 Spring Bazaar Show @ St. Cloud Tech High School | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Spring fever calls for a lap around the St. Cloud Spring Bazaar, basically a strolling buffet with 75-plus vendors. Hit the homemade freeze-dried snacks booth for caramels, pickles, corn, candies, chocolates, fruits, and more. Free admission, kid friendly, and accessible.
🐾 Pet Adoption Event @ Pet Evolution | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Swing by Pet Evolution in St. Cloud to meet Grey Face Rescue pups, ask questions, and start the adoption process without the impulse ‘I saw a puppy’ decision. No on-site adoptions, just speed dating with wagging tails, sensible paperwork, and $10 nail trims.
🔬 17th Annual Diabetes Research Update @ Kelly Inn | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Seventeenth year running, the Minnesota Lions bring a diabetes research update with a proper lunch, clear science, and a meet and greet with the folks in lab coats. It is at the Kelly Inn in St. Cloud, so expect parking, coffee, and zero fluff.
🖨 Bruno Press Print Social @ Stearns History Museum | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Been waiting for a sign to get your hands in some ink? St. Joe’s Mary Bruno is at Stearns History Museum with the presses, the type, and a prompt worth chewing on, ‘History is…’. You’ll print a poster, and leave smug, in a good way.
🎸 Charlie Roth @ Lahr Building | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Toast St. Cloud’s bard, Charlie Roth, with a birthday set packed with heart, stories, and the odd surprise. Go $30 VIP for front-row and snacks, or opt for the $10 suggested donation, then wander the local artists market, because shopping pairs nicely with good tunes.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 St. Cloud report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 50°F – Low: 27°F – Precip: 70%
Rain showers. Cloudy. High near 50, with temperatures falling to around 46 in the afternoon. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers likely before 9pm, then rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 27. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 42°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 52%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: Partly cloudy. Low around 34, with temperatures rising to around 37 overnight. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
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