central minnesota

Two area schools have received "reward" status from the Minnesota Department of Education for being in the top 15 percent of schools that receive Title 1 funding, which is allocated to schools with high levels of students in poverty. The rankings come with the release of the multiple measurement ratings (MMR).

Benton County has approved a resolution to support a study to grow operations at the St. Cloud Regional Airport. The Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation has taken the lead in asking the three-county area to support a resolution seeking a grant to fund the study.

St. Joseph is expected to approve a final service agreement on Monday night to subscribe for a community solar garden. The city is being asked by SunShare to provide energy on a subscription basis. They would build the solar gardens and parter with Xcel Energy.

Three people were arrested in Litchfield on Thursday after a police chase and for alleged drug possession. Agents with the local drug and gang task force were in the 100 block of Park Village in Litchfield after receiving information that 29-year-old Amanda Rhode was hiding out in the area. Rhode had an arrest warrant for controlled substances.

St. Cloud Police are looking for a tractor that was stolen from a work site earlier this week. The incident happened in the 1300 Block of University Drive Southeast sometime between Monday (July 6th) and Tuesday (July 7th).

St. Joseph continued discussing a proposed $6.1 million water park on Monday night. The city council reviewed the project after confusion and frustration arose among members during a meeting in June. Some council members voiced concerns about operating costs, rainy weather impacting an outdoor water park and finding a specific location for the park before moving forward.

St. Joseph is weighing the possibility of putting in a dog park in town. The park board presented the idea to the city council on Monday night. A possible location for the park is a five-acre site between Fir Street and Highway 75.

Two people were arrested in Becker on Tuesday after allegedly threatening someone with a BB gun. Becker Police responded to a report that a gun was pointed at another person. An officer found the suspects in a vehicle in the 12000 block of Stevens Avenue with two replica BB guns in plain view.

Waite Park Police are investigating a self inflicted gunshot wound this afternoon (Friday) at the Tactical Advantage indoorgun range. Police responded during the noon hour at the business at 521 10th Avenue South.

A 14-year-old from Kimball has serious injuries after an ATV crash in Meeker County. The incident happened just after 8:00 p.m. on Saturday near the intersection of 675th Avenue and 365th Street in Forest Prairie Township.