>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

>> SOURCEWELL; COOPERATIVE PURCHASING FOR GOVERNMENT NONPROFITS AND EDUCATION.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF LOCAL NEWS FOR BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER AND CHARLIE YAEGER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>> ON APRIL 7TH AT THE PAUL BUNYAN MALL IN BEMIDJI, AN INCIDENT TOOK PLACE INVOLVING A TEENAGE NATIVE AMERICAN BOY AND A MALL EMPLOYEE THAT SENT SHOCK WAVES THROUGH THE COMMUNITY.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN GOT IN CONTACT WITH THE FAMILY INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT, WHO DECIDED TO TAKE ACTION ONCE THEY HEARD WHAT THEIR SON WENT THROUGH.

>> I WANT YOU OUT OF HERE OR I'M CALLING THE COPS.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHAT THEY HEARD AT THE MALL.

>> WE ARE JUST WALKING AROUND.

>> I DON'T CARE, YOU CAN'T WALK AROUND IN HERE.

>> SO WE PULLED UP, WE WERE WALKING AROUND THE MALL SHOPPING.

WE GOT TO THE MIDDLE PART AND HE WAS JUST SETTING UP.

WE WERE JUST WALKING AROUND, NEAR WHERE FOOT LOCKER USE TO BE AND THAT DUDE FROM THE VIDEO, HE JUST STARTED YELLING AT US AND WALKED UP.

>> WE WERE STUNNED.

WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

WE WERE JUST LOOKING AT HIM, WATCHING HIM WALK UP ON US.

WE STOOD OUR GROUND, JUST LET HIM YELL.

>> IT'S A MALL.

>> NO.

>> IT IS A MALL.

>> IT'S TRESPASSING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY IF YOU'RE NOT SHOPPING, WHATEVER YOU AREN'T DOING, AND YOU'RE NOT SHOPPING.

>> Reporter: AND THE INCIDENT WAS STILL ONGOING ONCE THE CAMERAS WERE OFF.

>> HE FOLLOWED US.

THAT'S WHEN HE GOT CLOSE TO ME.

I WOULD SAY HE WAS PROBABLY THIS CLOSE FROM ME AND MY MOM.

HE STARTED YELLING AT ME.

THAT'S WHEN HE HAD TO STEP IN AND THAT'S WHEN HE BACKED OFF.

>> HE GOT UP IN MY BROTHER'S FACE, STARTED YELLING AT HIM, SAYING HE WILL HAVE TO THROW US OUT IF WE DIDN'T LEAVE.

>> I AIN'T DOING NOTHING BUT WALKING AROUND.

>> I WANT YOU OUT OF HERE OR I'M CALLING THE COPS.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILY WAS NOT TOO HAPPY WHEN THE KIDS TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED.

>> THEY CAME TO ME TO TELL ME ABOUT IT.

I WAS HEATED.

AS A MOM, I COULDN'T BELIEVE THEY WERE TREATED LIKE THIS.

I WAS IN MY SWEATS AND MY SLIPPERS.

I WAS READY TO GET IN MY VAN AND GO CONFRONT HIM.

>> I'LL BUY SOMETHING RIGHT NOW.

>> THERE AIN'T NOTHING FOR YOU.

>> THAT BROKE MY HEART.

TO BELIEVE THAT WHEN THERE ARE OTHER SHOPPERS IN THE MALL.

IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

IF HE THINKS THAT'S OKAY TO THINK IN THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: BUT SINCE SHE BELIEVED HER BOYS HANDLED THE INCIDENT IN A PEACEFUL MANNER, THAT'S WHAT INSPIRED HER TO HOST A PEACEFUL LOITERING EVENT AT THE MALL ONE WEEK AFTER THE EVENT TOOK PLACE.

>> I HOPE TODAY THAT IT BRINGS AWARENESS THAT HEY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE THAT TREATMENT ANYMORE.

IT'S BEEN GOING ON TOO LONG HERE IN BEMIDJI.

IT'S NOT ONLY TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THESE BOYS AND WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM, BUT TO ALSO MAKE A STATEMENT THAT WE CAN BE HERE TOO.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILY SAYS THEY ARE JUST LEFT CONFUSED ABOUT WHY THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AND HOPES THE EVENT BRINGS AWARENESS TO THIS ISSUE TO OTHER FAMILIES.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHY HE WAS TARGETING US.

THERE WERE OTHER PEOPLE WALKING.

>> IT WAS EMBARRASSING GOING THROUGH THAT IN THE MALL WITH A BUNCH OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND, GETTING YELLED AT IN FRONT OF PEOPLE.

>> I JUST DON'T WANT THAT TO EVER HAPPEN AGAIN TO ANY OTHER KID.

>> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT TO PAUL BUNYAN MALL REPRESENTATIVES FOR A COMMENT.

THEY SAID THERE IS MORE TO THE INCIDENT THAN WAS ON THE ROARING -- RECORDING.

WE HAVE TRAINING TO HANDLE ALL TYPES OF SITUATIONS.

REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> TARA NOVAK TOLD LAKELAND NEWS THAT AROUND 50 PEOPLE SHOWED UP FOR THE PEACEFUL LOITERING AND IS THANKFUL TO EVERYONE WHO SHOWED UP TO PARTICIPATE.

>>> LONGTIME CROW WING COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TIM HOULE INFORMED THE COUNTY BOARD AND STAFF TODAY THAT HE IS RETIRING.

HOULE HAS SPENT THE LAST 30 YEARS WORKING IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

HOULE BEGAN HIS CAREER AS THE MORRISON COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR 14 YEARS BEFORE BECOMING THE CROW WING COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IN 2008.

WHEN LOOKING BACK AT THE WORK HE ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE PAST 16 YEARS, HE WAS QUICK TO GIVE PRAISE TO OTHERS.

>> THE FUNNY THING IS THAT I DIDN'T ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING HERE AT CROW WING COUNTY, WE ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT DEAL.

WHAT I'M MOST PROUD OF IS THE WORK OF THE STAFF HERE THAT CARE VERY DEEPLY ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE COMMUNITY, THE SHARED LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND WORK TIRELESSLY EVERYDAY TO IMPROVE THE SHARED LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WHAT I'M PROUD OF IS THEIR WORK PRODUCT.

>> HOULE'S LAST DAY OF EMPLOYMENT WILL BE JULY 12.

THE COUNTY WILL BEGIN A RECRUITMENT PROCESS AND HOPES TO HAVE A REPLACEMENT BY JULY.

>>> A COLORADO MAN SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES IN A ONE VEHICLE CRASH NEAR HARDING MINNESOTA LAST FRIDAY.

THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS 50-YEAR-OLD ROBERT THEIS WAS DRIVING ON QUEST ROAD WHEN HIS VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY AT A CURVE, WENT INTO THE DITCH AND ROLLED.

THEIS WAS AIRLIFTED TO ST.

CLOUD HOSPITAL WITH SEVERE INJURIES.

THE CRASH HAPPENED JUST AFTER 7:00 P.M. ABOUT FOUR MILES EAST OF HARDING.

>>> A FEDERAL JURY HAS FOUND A RED LAKE WOMAN GUILTY IN A CHILD ABUSE CASE.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

46-YEAR-OLD BOBBI JO JOHNSON, A.K.A.

BOBBI JO KINGBIRD, WAS CONVICTED OF ONE COUNT OF CHILD NEGLECT, DEPRIVATION OF FOOD AND HEALTH CARE, AND COUNT OF CHILD ENDANGERMENT.

SHE WILL BE SENTENCED AT A LATER DATE.

ACCORDING TO EVIDENCE PRESENTED AT TRIAL AND COURT DOCUMENTS, BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2021 AND APRIL 29, 2022, JOHNSON ENGAGED IN, AIDED, AND ABETTED THE ENDANGERMENT, NEGLECT, AND ABUSE OF A CHILD WHO WAS IN THE FOSTER CARE OF HER SISTER AND CO-DEFENDANT, TRINA MAE JOHNSON.

THE ABUSE INCLUDED WITHHOLDING FOOD FROM THE VICTIM TO THE POINT OF STARVATION, FORCING THE VICTIM TO STAND IN UNCOMFORTABLE POSITIONS FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, AND ASSAULTING THE VICTIM.

AS A RESULT OF BOBBI JO JOHNSON'S AND HER CO-DEFENDANTS' ABUSE, THE VICTIM SUFFERED SERIOUS AND SUBSTANTIAL PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND EMOTIONAL HARM.

>>> A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IS ON THE HORIZON IN CROSSLAKE.

THE CROSSLAKE CITY COUNCIL GAVE CROW WING COUNTY CONSENT TO BUILD A ROUNDABOUT AT COUNTY STATE AID HIGHWAYS 66 AND THREE AND REBUILD THE STORM WATER SYSTEMS THERE THIS UPCOMING SUMMER.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: THE CROW WING COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT PLANS TO BREAK UP THE ROUNDABOUT PROJECT IN CROSS LAKE INTO TWO DIFFERENT FACES.

>> RIGHT NOW WE'RE FOCUSING ON TWO PHASES.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE IT IS VERY DEPENDENT ON THE SEASONAL TRAFFIC THAT COMES IN BETWEEN THE 90 DAYS OR SO, BETWEEN MEMORIAL DAY AND LABOR DAY.

SO, WE HEARD THAT ALL ALONG AND WE'RE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO MINIMIZE THAT FOR SOME OF THE BUSINESSES THAT WE HAVE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: PHASE ONE WILL CONCERN CONSTRUCTION BETWEEN THE INTERSECTION AND SWAN DRIVE.

CONSTRUCTION NORTH OF SWAN DRIVE, WHERE THERE IS NO DETOUR ROUTE WILL FOLLOW IN PHASE 2.

>> PHASE TWO WILL BE A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT BECAUSE IT WILL START AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST.

COUNTY ROAD 66 AND IN FRONT OF MY BUSINESS, THE ROAD WILL BE TORN UP.

THERE IS NOT A GOOD WAY AROUND THAT SECTION.

>> Reporter: DUE TO THE INCOMPLETE PEDESTRIAN NETWORK NORTH OF THE ROUNDABOUT, IT'S CLEAR THAT IMPROVEMENTS ARE NEEDED.

>> THE TRAIL WILL ABRUPTLY STOP AND DUMP PEOPLE ON TO THE SHOULDER OF ROADS.

THEN THE EAST SIDE DOESN'T HAVE A GOOD NETWORK AT ALL.

THE TRAIL THAT IS ON THE WEST SIDE, YOU COULDN'T PREDICT WHERE THEY WERE COMING ACROSS, UNPREDICTABLE, UNAUTHORIZED CROSSINGS OF THE BUSY ROAD, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER.

>> Reporter: CROW WING COUNTY IS AWAITING FINAL APPROVAL, CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JUNE 1ST.

MULTIPLE DETOUR ROUTES WILL BE NEEDED AS THE CONSTRUCTION WILL GO FROM THE INTERSECTION, ALL THE WAY PAST BALD EAGLE TRAIL.

SHE BELIEVES IT'S ALL WORTH IT IN THE END.

>> ONCE IT'S DONE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE BEAUTIFUL SIDEWALKS.

WE'LL HOPEFULLY HAVE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPING AND THE TRAFFIC WILL FLOW SMOOTHLY AND THERE WILL BE SAVE CROSSING INTERSECTIONS FOR PEDESTRIANS AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN CROSS LAKE, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE CROSSLAKE CITY COUNCIL ALSO DECIDED NOT TO USE COLORED CONCRETE IN THE MEDIANS OR THE ROUNDABOUT FOR THE PROJECT, A DECISION THAT WILL SAVE $35,000.

>>> CONSTRUCTION ON HIGHWAY 34 IN AKELEY IS SET TO RESUME EARLY NEXT MONTH.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAYS THE WORK WILL INVOLVE RESURFACING AND SIDEWALK UPGRADES FROM HULET AVENUE TO HILLSIDE AVENUE.

MOTORISTS WILL DETOUR USING HUBBARD COUNTY ROAD 25 AND HIGHWAY 64.

THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MID-JUNE, WEATHER PERMITTING.

MN-DOT SAYS BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE A SAFER ROAD, SMOOTHER AND LONGER LASTING DRIVING SURFACE, AS WELL AS INTERSECTION AND PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS TO ENHANCE SAFETY FOR ALL USERS.

[♪♪♪] >> STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> Stacy: A SPRING STORM WILL BRING RAIN AND STRONG WINDS TO THE AREA TOMORROW AND LATER ON THIS WEEK, IT COULD MEAN A CHANCE FOR SNOW.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, A BOUTIQUE SHOP IN DOWNTOWN BRAINERD THAT HAS BEEN OPEN FOR 14 YEARS.

[♪♪♪] >> THIS PORTION OF LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

>> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> WITHIN ONE HOUR ON THURSDAY, 100-PLUS WOMEN DONATED $11,500 TO A LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IN THE BEMIDJI AREA.

THAT LOCAL NONPROFIT IS “EVERGREEN YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES COMMUNITY, ” WHICH AIMS TO STRENGTHEN YOUTH, PRESERVE FAMILIES, AND SUPPORT SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS TO ADULTHOOD.

2024 MARKED THE FIRST YEAR “100 PLUS WOMEN WHO CARE BEMIDJI AREA ” HOSTED AN EVENT AND THEY SUCCEEDED IN RAISING $11,500.

>> I GET CHILLS JUST TALKING ABOUT IT.

IT'S SUCH A MARVELOUS, SIMPLE WAY TO RAISE MONEY FOR A NON-PROFIT.

THIS IS JUST SO SIMPLE THAT THEY CAN USE THIS MONEY FOR ANYTHING IN THEIR OPERATION THAT THEY NEED, WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

>> THIS IS A HUGE IMPACT FOR EVERGREEN.

WE'RE A SMALL NON-PROFIT.

WE HAVE BEEN IN BEMIDJI SINCE 1977.

$11,600 IS A WHOLE FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR US.

TO GET IT IN ONE HOUR IS AMAZING.

WE FEEL SO GOOD AND WE ARE SO PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY AND WATCH THE IMPACT OF COLLECTIVE GIVING.

THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE FUNDRAISER FOR US, SO THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN TONS OF MAN HOUR VOLUNTEER HOURS AND WHO KNOWS WHAT RESOURCES AND MATERIAL WE WOULD HAVE TO BUY.

>> "100 PLUS WOMEN WHO CARE BEMIDJI AREA" WILL BE HOSTING THEIR NEXT EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 19TH.

>>> COMING OFF A NICE WEEKEND, BUT WINDY.

WE COULD USE SOME RAIN AND I UNDERSTAND YOU CAN HELP US WITH THAT.

>> Stacy: IT LOOKS LIKELY WE WILL SEE RAIN.

TOMORROW WILL PROBABLY BE THE BEST CHANCE.

WE WILL SEE THE WINDS INCREASE AND WE HAVE A WIND ADVISORY FOR PART OF THE AREA FOR MOST OF THE DAY TOMORROW.

IT'S A LARGE SYSTEM AS IT MOVES THROUGH AND IMPACTS THE AREA THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR SNOW AS TEMPERATURES COOL LATER ON THIS >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ACCESS MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH; HERE FOR ALL, HERE FOR GOOD.

DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES IN THE BEMIDJI AREA IS AVAILABLE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, LAND SURVEYORS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME MILD TEMPERATURES OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS, BUT THINGS ARE STARTING TO CHANGE NOW AND THEY WILL BE VERY DIFFERENT AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

A LARGE SYSTEM IS MOVING IN OUR DIRECTION.

WE WILL SEE AREAS OF RAIN TOMORROW, AS WELL AS SOME STRONG WINDS.

THAT WILL CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY AND WHILE CHANCES OF PRECIPITATION IS A LITTLE SMALLER LATER ON THIS WEEK, IT WILL BE COLDER AS WELL.

WE COULD BE SEEING SOME RAIN OR SNOWFALL BY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, 53 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE EAST AT 8 MILES PER HOUR, GUSTS UP TO 14, AND OUR DEW POINT IS AT 25.

IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AND 58, THE DEW POINT IS 25.

PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE WESTERN PARTS OF LAKELAND COUNTY.

THIS IS IN EFFECT FROM 4:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY.

SOUTHEAST WINDS WILL BE BETWEEN A 25 TO 35 MILES PER HOUR AND WE COULD SEE GUSTS UP TO 50 MILES PER HOUR.

ON THE RADAR, WE HAVE SOME PRECIPITATION MOVING ACROSS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA THIS EVENING.

FOR THE MOST PART, IT LOOKS LIKE AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT, MOST OF IT WILL BE CONFINED TO THE NORTHERN TIER OF COUNTIES HERE IN MINNESOTA.

THE REST OF US SHOULD BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

NOW AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE'LL HAVE CHANCES OF RAINFALL ACROSS THE AREA.

RAIN IS LIKELY ACROSS MOST OF THE AREA.

THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE OF SOME OF THE HATCHED AREAS HERE THAT A FEW THUNDERSTORMS COULD DEVELOP IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

EXPECT TO SEE SOME RAINFALL.

EXPECT SOME STRONG WINDS.

THE WIND ADVISORY WITH THE UNSETTLED WEATHER CONTINUING THROUGH THE WEEK.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU, BEAUTIFUL SKIES AROUND SUNRISE.

ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM MENAHGA, BILL FROM UPPER RED LAKE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER IN CASS LAKE, ANGELA SENDING US THIS PICTURE.

THE SUN WAS TRYING TO PEEK THROUGH THE CLOUDS IN BRAINERD.

WE HAVE A PHOTO OF THE SUNSET.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 35 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, MOSTLY CLOUDY TODAY, 59 THE HIGH.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, OVERCAST AND 63.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN AND CLOUDS TODAY, A HIGH OF 66.

PAUL IN BEMIDJI, THE MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUN AND A FEW RAIN DROPS.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE REPORTING CLOUDY SKIES AND A HIGH OF 59.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 64 WAS THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD AND THAT IS 10 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE HAD A LOW OF 34.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 60 DEGREES, SO WELL ABOVE THE AVERAGE.

51 IS OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE AND OUR LOW WAS 26.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, CLOUDY SKIES, 50 TO 70 PERCENT CHANCE, EVEN 90 PERCENT CHANCE OF SEEING RAINFALL INTO THE AFTERNOON IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, ALONG WITH THE STRONG WINDS, HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMER THE FARTHER NORTH WE GO.

WARROAD NEAR 60, BUT A LOT OF MID TO UPPER 50s IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

THEN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, A BETTER CHANCE OF SEEING THE RAINFALL, SOME THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MIX, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE CLOUDY AND WINDY, WITH HIGHS IN THE UPPER 40s TO MID-50s.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A CHANCE FOR LIGHT RAIN IN FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA WITH LOWS NEAR 42.

RAIN IS LIKELY TOMORROW ACROSS THE AREA, A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS IN PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

55 FOR THE HIGH, BUT WINDS WILL BE GUSTING 15 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, RAINFALL WILL CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY, STARTING TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT THERE ON THURSDAY, BUT TEMPERATURES WILL BE COLDER LATER ON THIS WEEK.

SO THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SOME RAIN OR SNOW, ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY.

QUIETER WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND AND WE WILL START TO WARM UP WITH HIGHS NEAR 55 ON SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: OKAY, CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR US TONIGHT?

>> Charlie: WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OUTSIDE BEFORE THE RAIN HIT AND HAD A CHANCE TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF BASEBALL ACTION.

BEFORE THAT, WE GOT ANOTHER BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY PLAYER SIGNING A PRO CONTRACT.

WE HAVE THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, ANNOUNCING THE EXPO ON APRIL 20TH.

MORE INFO AT www.gigazonegaming.com.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> 5TH YEAR DEFENSEMAN KYLE LOHFT ADDS HIS NAME TO A GROWING LIST OF BSU MEN'S HOCKEY PLAYERS SIGNING PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTS THIS OFFSEASON.

THE TWO-TIME SENIOR CAPTAIN INKED AN AMATEUR TRYOUT CONTRACT WITH THE TEXAS STARS OF THE AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE, THE MINOR LEAGUE AFFILIATE OF THE DALLAS STARS.

LOHFT LED ALL LEAGUE DEFENSEMAN IN SCORING WITH 28 POINTS IN 32 GAMES, EARNING HIM NUMEROUS AWARDS INCLUDING CCHA DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR, BEST DEFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN, AS WELL AS A 4-TIME DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK AND 2-TIME DEFENSEMAN OF THE MONTH, AND WAS ALSO NAMED ALL CCHA FIRST TEAM.

THE PRODUCT OF MANKATO FINISHED HIS CAREER AT BEMIDJI STATE WITH THE SECOND MOST GAMES PLAYED IN BEAVER MEN'S HOCKEY HISTORY WITH 169 APPEARANCES, SECOND MOST BY A DEFENSEMAN.

LOHFT NOW JOINS LLEYTON ROED AND CARTER JONES FROM THE 2024 ROSTER WHO HAVE SIGNED PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTS THIS OFF-SEASON.

>>> ON SUNDAY, BEMIDJI STATE SOFTBALL AGAINST WAYNE STATE.

LOOKING TO END A THREE GAME SKID.

RUNNER ON FIRST AND SECOND FOR AVERY.

THAT'S AN R.B.I.

SINGLE TO GET THE SCORING STARTED.

BOTTOM OF THE 5th, MOLLY LINES ONE TO RIGHT, JACKIE LARSON ABLE TO SCORE FROM 1st.

THE BEAVERS ARE UP.

SHE HAD HERSELF A DAY, 15 COMPLETE GAMES THIS SEASON AND SHE GETS THE DOUBLE PLAY TO END THE GAME THERE AS BEMIDJI STATE TOOK GAME 1, 2-0.

THEY FALL IN GAME TWO, SPLITTING ON SUNDAY.

THE MAVERICKS FINISHED THE SWEEP ON SUNDAY.

>>> IN HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL, 1-2 NEVIS HOSTING 2-1 LAKE OF THE WOODS, BOTH TEAMS COMING OFF LOSSES TRYING TO GET BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND, NEVIS UP 3-0 WITH 2-ON FOR CHRISTIAN MOE, TAPS ONE TO LEFT, KNOCKS IN MARSHALL KALM.

TIGERS TAKE A 4-0 LEAD.

NEXT UP DEVIN LINDOW, CHOPPER TO THIRD, BEARS GO HOME WITH IT.

RAMSEY FISHER BEATS THE TAG.

PART OF A NINE RUN INNING FOR NEVIS.

ON THE BUMP FOR THE TIGERS TODAY WAS KALM AND HE WAS EXACTLY THAT, CALM, EXCEPT HE SPELLS HIS NAME WITH A K WHICH IS WHAT HE WAS DOLLING OUT 10 STRIKEOUTS FOR THE JUNIOR.

NEVIS ROLLS 9-1 AGAINST LAKE OF THE WOODS.

TIGERS CLIMB TO 2-2 ON THE SEASON AS THE BEARS FALL TO 2-2.

>>> SOME OTHER SCORES FOR YOU, WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY GETS THE SWEEP OVER CASS LAKE.

ROSEAU GETS A 4-3 WIN OVER SACRED HEART.

PARKERS PRAIRIE BEATS WADENA DEER CREEK.

BRAINERD SWEEPS MOORHEAD.

GREEN WAY BEATS BEMIDJI 3-2.

PEQUOT LAKES GETS A MERCY WIN.

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY IN SOFTBALL GETS A WIN OVER CASS LAKE-BENA.

>>> THE TWINS ARE IN BALTIMORE TAKING ON THE ORIOLES.

TOP TWO, JOSE HASN'T BEEN HITTING VERY WELL BUT HE HITS THIS ONE WELL.

SOLO SHOT, HE CUTS THE LEAD IN HALF.

IN THE 4th, THE TWINS TRAILING 3-1.

HE SCORES BYRON AND CUTS THE LEAD IN HALF AGAIN.

ORIOLES WILL BE TOO MUCH ON OFFENSE.

CEDRIC WITH HIS FOURTH HOMER OF THE SEASON, BALTIMORE BEAT THE TWINS 7-4.

MINNESOTA IS 6-9 TO START THE YEAR AND 4th IN THE AL CENTRAL.

IN THE NHL, THIS GAME DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING TO THE WILD, BUT THEY'RE BEATING THE LOS ANGELES KINGS WHICH THE GAME MEANS A LOT TO.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

>>> THEN THE WNBA DRAFT WAS TONIGHT.

CAITLIN CLARK, EVERYBODY KNOWS HER, SHE IS A HOUSEHOLD NAME.

SHE WAS DRAFTED NUMBER ONE BY THE INDIANA FEVER.

MINNESOTA LYNX, ALYSSA FROM UTAH.

SHE WAS THE 2023 PAC 12 PLAYER OF THE YEAR.

>> Dennis: VERY GOOD, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> WHEN THE OLDE OPEN WINDOW OPENED 14 YEARS AGO IN DOWNTOWN BRAINERD, IT WAS ORIGINALLY A GIFT SHOP WITH ANTIQUES AND HOME D ÉCOR.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN BUSINESS, REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY VISITED THE STORE TO SEE HOW THE STORE HAS EXPANDED AND EVOLVED.

>> Reporter: WHEN LINDA FIRST OPENED THE OLDE OPEN WINDOW, IT TOOK HER SIX MONTHS TO EXPAND THE STORE.

OWNING A SMALL BUSINESS REQUIRES FLEXIBILITY AND THE WILLINGNESS TO ADAPT TO WHAT THE MARKET CALLS FOR.

>> JUST HAVING THE VISION AND SEEING WHAT IT COULD BE AND THEN JUST GOING FORWARD WITH IT, I GUESS.

IT JUST EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS WITH DIFFERENT STORES AND TOWNS, BIG BOX STORES THAT WOULD CLOSE AND THEN I WOULD SEE AN OPPORTUNITY AND THEN JUST INCREASE THE CLOTHING PART OF MY STORE.

>> Reporter: SHE ATTRIBUTE IT IS GROWTH OF HER STORE TO ONE OF THE OLDEST FORMS OF MARKETING.

>> OR JUST WEAR THEM OUT AND THEN PEOPLE COMING IN, CUSTOMERS COMING IN.

I HAVE A HUGE FOLLOWING NOW ON FACEBOOK AND JUST BEING HERE FOR 14 YEARS.

THEY JUST TELL ME WHAT THEY LOOKING FOR AND WHAT THEY WANT AND WE KEEP ADDING.

>> Reporter: THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA IS A TIGHT-KNIT ONE, SOMETHING THAT IS VERY APPARENT IN BOUTIQUE STORES, WITH ALL THE BUSINESSES IN THE AREA TRYING TO STICK TOGETHER AND UPLIFT EACH OTHER.

>> IF WE WEREN'T SENDING EACH OTHER TO ONE ANOTHER'S STORES WE WOULDN'T EXIST.

IT'S JUST THAT WORD OF MOUTH, THE COMMUNICATION, CHEERING PEOPLE ON TO ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, SUCCEED IN THEIR BUSINESS.

WE NEED TO SEND PEOPLE BACK AND FORTH.

THAT'S JUST FUN TO SEE THE GROWTH THAT WE ALL CAN SHARE.

>> Reporter: BEING OPEN FOR 14 YEARS IS NO SMALL FEAT FOR A SMALL BUSINESS.

THEY'RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT, WHICH IS WHY THE OLDE OPEN WINDOW SERVES AS A GUIDE TO OTHER BUSINESSES IN THE AREA.

>> JUST COMING IN HERE THE PAST 14 YEARS AND PEOPLE HAVE SEEN HOW MUCH GROWTH WE HAVE DONE HERE, THEY JUST KIND OF AUTOMATICALLY GRAVITATE TOWARDS US TO ASK US QUESTIONS.

EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT TELLING US WHAT THEY'RE DOING, WE'RE STILL HELPING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: WITH THAT, WE'RE GOING TO CALL IT A NIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM