7 local projects in the running for Pepsi Refresh challenge
by Terry Lee, WJON.com

ST. CLOUD -- St. Cloud area residents are trying to get hundreds of thousands of dollars steered toward local projects.

The Pepsi Refresh Project is giving people the opportunity to submit community projects ideas and vote on projects nationwide.

Bernick's Beverage and Vending Director of Cooperate Affairs Jason Bernick says the St. Cloud area has more than seven projects competing for money.  Bernick says that you can vote up to 10 times a day, if you have a favorite project do what you can to promote it. 

Local non-profit organizations like the United Way of Central Minnesota and the Central Minnesota Community Foundation have been pushing some of the projects.

The most expensive project is the St. Cloud Skate Plaza. It is going after $250,000 and is among the top 100 ideas being voted on in that category.   Others include a climbing wall at North Junior High, electronic recycling, and building a bridge along the Beaver Island Trail. 

Resources:
Pepsi Refresh Project

Students can enter water protection contest
by Terry Lee, WJON.com

SAUK RAPIDS -- High School students can begin to submit a 30-second TV commercial, demonstrating one of ten ways everyone can help protect water.

The contest is part of a clean water campaign through the Central Minnesota Water Education Alliance.

Entries for the 2010 Water Connection TV Contest must be received by April 15th.

There are three opportunities to win $1,000 prize packages.

The contest is open for students in Stearns County and Sauk Rapids, and students can enter individually or in groups of four.

Resources:

2010 Water Connenction TV Contest
2009 contest winners.

Counties prepare despite minor flood outlook
by Lee Voss, WJON.com

ST. CLOUD -- Some parts of Minnesota, like the Red River Valley, are expecting significant flooding this spring. That's not the case here in central Minnesota.

Even so, Stearns County Emergency Management Director Marvin Klug says they are preparing for the possibility of some minor flooding along the Sauk River and some smaller lakes.

Klug says they will have sandbags and sand available to residents who need them.  He says they are monitoring the situation and can open the Emergency Operations Center in the coming weeks if needed.

In Benton County, Emergency Management Director Jim McDermott says they are not anticipating any real problems for homes along Little Rock Lake either as the crests are expected to be below last year's levels. 

McDermott says they have their Special Emergency Response Team ready to go if the outlook changes.  He says sandbags and sand will also be made available to Benton County residents if they are needed.

South student finishes 8th at State Spelling Bee
by Jim Maurice, WJON.com

FERGUS FALLS -- An 8th grade student from St. Cloud’s South Junior High place 8th at today’s (Tuesday) State Spelling Bee.

Emily Peterson was among the 5-8th grade students who competed at the State Bee in Fergus Falls.

The top speller earned a trip to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
 

CORRECTION:  H1N1 / seasonal flu vaccine clinic tomorrow
by Terry Lee, WJON.com

ST. CLOUD -- All CentraCare Clinic patients can get an H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine at tomorrow's (Wednesday) scheduled clinic.

CentraCare Clinic says it is important that patients nine-years-old and younger get their second H1N1 vaccine at this time, which is one month after their first shot.

Stop by the CentraCare Women and Children's Clinic between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m.

Call ahead for an appointment, (320) 654-3610 ext. 70344.