Local Interest

Two-year project will repair eastbound bridges in 2026, reconstruct westbound bridges in 2027 Motorists traveling on Interstate 94 between Sauk Centre and Melrose, Stearns County, can expect periodic lane closures and delays as the Minnesota Department of Transportation begins a two-year project to update and reconstruct four bridges over the Sauk River on Monday, April … [Read more...] about Periodic lane closures begin April 13 on I-94 between Sauk Centre and Melrose

Albany and Freeport area motorists are advised that construction on County Road 157 from Freeport to Albany will begin on Monday, April 13. This work is anticipated to last thru October. The work involves bridge removal, culvert replacements, road reconstruction, paving, and turf establishment. Interstate I 94 will be used as the posted detour. The contractor for this project … [Read more...] about Road Construction on County Road 157, Freeport to Albany to start April 13

On March 28, 2026, at approximately 11:09 AM, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a possible prairie and farm field fire located at 30487 County Road 177 near Paynesville. Upon arrival, deputies observed smoke and active fire in multiple areas on both the farm field and the riverbank on the west side of the property. The fire was determined to have … [Read more...] about Fire near Paynesville

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is restricting the open burning of vegetative debris effective tomorrow, Monday, March 30, due to increased wildfire risk resulting from warm temperatures and dry conditions in parts of central, northwest, and northeast Minnesota. The restrictions apply in the following counties: Aitkin, Anoka, Beltrami South, Benton, Cass, … [Read more...] about Spring burning restrictions begin in Minnesota

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for most of Minnesota effective Saturday, March 28 due to extreme fire danger.  Affected counties include Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, … [Read more...] about Red Flag Warning issued for extreme fire risk