Benton County News

The Salvation Army in St. Cloud will open up 14 more beds by early January, thanks to new sources of funding from private investors and the United Way of Central Minnesota.

Area counties will offer residents a chance this week to learn more about the 2010 budget and speak out about their property taxes.

A joint road patrol effort by law enforcement agencies to reduce serious injury and fatal crashes in Central Minnesota resulted in warnings, citations and arrests the evening of Nov.

Plans could be made soon for additional H1N1 flu vaccine clinics next month, school and public health officials said.

St. Wendel Athletic Club Chili and Soup Feed When: 4-7 p.m. Dec. 5 after Mass. Where: St.

Deputies arrested a Sauk Rapids man Saturday who was driving a stolen vehicle and was accompanied by a 16-year-old runaway.

SAUK RAPIDS - With development in a slump, Sauk Rapids is making sure it is ready for a comeback.

Four men who were said to be playing hide and seek were arrested early Tuesday after police found equipment to steal tires.

Benton County has appointed Dr. Kevin Stiles as county coroner. The county board today approved Stiles' appointment on a 4-0 vote.

When loved ones are missing, finding them quickly can mean the difference between life and death.

H1N1 flu clinics are coming to schools in Stearns and Benton counties. See the accompanying list for the schedule.

New claims for unemployment benefits filed in Stearns and Benton counties slowed in October to a 5.5 percent year-over-year increase, according to data released Friday.

FOLEY - Staff cuts at the Benton County Sheriff's Office have administrators scrambling to figure out how to keep up with security needs.

LITTLE FALLS - Carol Anderson may have grown up on the family farm, but she wasn't born yesterday.

SAUK RAPIDS - Children crying and screaming. Parents reassuring and comforting. Health care workers sitting and waiting.

FOLEY - Benton County is laying off several workers to cut costs after most of its employee unions refused to agree to furloughs and wage freezes.

Four Benton County businesses were burglarized over the weekend, and investigators are looking for the public's help in solving the crimes.

FOLEY - The 50th annual Benton County 4-H Leaders Banquet was held Oct. 8 at Foley Intermediate School's cafeteria.

Jan Wicks of Clearwater got a chance to look face-to-face and talk issues with seven Republican candidates for governor.

I recently called Benton County Commissioner Jim McMahon to share my views about reducing the number of counties.