Page 57 - Show Notes News Today

St. Cloud is not experiencing the drought like conditions this year we did last year. That means there are no restrictions on watering or water use. Tracy Hodel is the Public Works Director for the city of St. Cloud. She says it is optimal for people to water their lawns when the sun isn't out to avoid evaporation.

A worker shortage has impacted so many industries and that includes schools. St. Cloud School Superintendent Laurie Putnam joined me on WJON.

Central Minnesota employers continue to deal with a worker shortage. Gail Cruikshank is the Talent Director for the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation. She says employers and organizations like hers are working to not only retain the workers they have in the community but to sell possible employees on relocating to the St. Cloud area.

The water temperatures are warming and now could be a good time to do some musky fishing. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News joined me on WJON. He says he is seeing more people out looking for muskies. Glen says now and through the fall is a good time to be looking for bigger fish and muskies fit the bill.

The last 3 years the 7 wading pools in St. Cloud have been closed. In 2020 and 2021 the reason was due to the pandemic but this year the reason was due to a lack of part-time life guards to work at the pools. St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis joined me on WJON for a radio town hall meeting.

The 4th annual Central Minnesota First Responder Appreciation event is set to take place Saturday July 16 from noon-6 at the Benton County Fairgrounds. The organizers of the event joined me on WJON today, Stephanie Hurt and Brian Duchene. Hurt says think of this event as a neighborhood party that includes fire, EMS, and law enforcement.

The Rice Bull Riding Company is one of many events highlighting the festivities at the Sherburne County Fair in Elk River this week. The Sherburne County Fair Board President is Jenni Axelson.

WJON's small town feature continues with the city of Rice, Minnesota. Take a look at the pictures of Rice below.

The summer months often times lead to more people on our roads. Stearns County Sheriff Steve Soyka joined me on WJON. He says the four biggest causes of traffic fatalities and traffic accidents are speed, distracted driving, impaired driving and not being seat belted.

Explore Minnesota is offering prizes for those interested in hiking in the state. Amy Barrett from Explore Minnesota joined me on WJON. Explore Minnesota's Hike MN Passports kicked off July 1 and goes through the end of November.