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

MEMBER FDIC.

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

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

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU WITH LOCAL NEWS FROM BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

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

>> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> AFTER MOVING INTO ITS NEW LOCATION IN EARLY FEBRUARY, LIVING AT HOME OF THE PARK RAPIDS AREA HAS PLANS TO BECOME A SENIOR HUB SPACE FOR ALL OF HUBBARD COUNTY.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN SPOKE WITH SOME OF THE STAFF AND CLIENTS AT THE ORGANIZATION TO SEE HOW THEY PLAN ON ACCOMPLISHING THAT GOAL.

>> Reporter: FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, ABOUT 18% OF THE POPULATION CONSISTS OF SENIOR CITIZENS.

MEANWHILE IN HUBBARD COUNTY, THAT NUMBER JUMPS TO OVER 27%, WITH 7.5% OF THE POPULATION BETWEEN 75 AND 84 YEARS OLD.

THAT IS WHY LIVING AT HOME, HOPES TO BECOME A SENIOR HUB FOR ALL OF HUBBARD COUNTY.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE PUT SERVICES IN PLACE FOR SENIORS TO THRIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

THIS IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO MAKING THAT A REALITY FOR ALL SENIORS IN OUR AREA.

>> Reporter: LIVING AT HOME HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR 32 YEARS, WITH THE GOAL OF SENIORS LIVING IN THEIR HOMES AS LONG AS THEY CHOOSE.

>> OUR CORE PROGRAMING IS LIGHTHOUSE KEEPING, FRIENDLY VISITING, CAREGIVER SUPPORT, RESPITE CARE, AND TRANSPORTATION WAS OR IS OUR BIGGEST PROGRAM.

OUR VOLUNTEERS DROVE ALMOST 51,000 MILES IN SERVICE TO SENIORS.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE VOLUNTEERS IS 98-YEAR-OLD DARLENE, WHO DRIVES SENIORS AND VISITS THOSE WHO NEED COMPANIES.

>> THERE ARE 24 HOURS A DAY, YOU SLEEP 8, WHAT DO YOU DO THE OTHER 16?

THERE ARE ALWAYS THINGS TO DO, BUT I WANTED SOMETHING ELSE TO DO.

I ENJOY HELPING PEOPLE.

I KNEW SOME DAY I WILL BE OLD MYSELF BACK THEN, SO WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND.

>> Reporter: LIVING AT HOME WON'T BE JUST ANOTHER SENIOR CENTER AS THEY WANT TO BECOME A SENIOR HUB FOR ALL OF HUBBARD COUNTY.

>> SO THIS IS THE FUTURE DINING ROOM, THAT IS THE FURNACE ROOM, WHICH WE WILL BE ABLE TO USE FOR A THIRD SENIOR ACTIVITY SPACE AS WELL.

SO IF YOU GET BUSY OVER THERE, WE CAN COME OVER HERE.

THIS WILL BE A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN IF YOU CAN IMAGINE IT.

SO IF WE COME IN HERE AND BE CAREFUL BECAUSE IT'S ALL CONSTRUCTION.

THIS WILL BE THE ADULT DAY AREA.

>> Reporter: A FORMER VOLUNTEER BEFORE BECOMING A CLIENT AT LIVING AT HOME HIMSELF.

HIS WIFE WAS A CLIENT WHO WAS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA BEFORE SHE PASSED AWAY.

LIVING AT HOME WAS THERE FOR THEM THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.

>> THIS PLACE IS A GOD SEND.

SHE SPENT THE LAST SIX YEARS IN A HOME.

I SPENT EVERY DAY WITH HER.

THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE THAT CARE.

TWO YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO BE ALONE AND THERE IS NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

I COME HERE, DRINK COFFEE OR WHATEVER, AND I MEET PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE FOR THE SAME REASON.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PARK RAPIDS, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> IF THE SENIOR CITIZEN POPULATION CONTINUES TO GROW IN HUBBARD COUNTY LIKE THE LATEST CENSUS REPORT SEEMS TO SUGGEST, 30-PERCENT OF THE POPULATION OF HUBBARD COUNTY WILL CONSIST OF SENIOR CITIZENS BY THE YEAR 2030.

>>> A LARGE GRASS FIRE THREATENED BUILDINGS IN MORRISON COUNTY AND HAS BURNED NEARLY 1,000 ACRES SO FAR.

THE FIRE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER NINE LAST NIGHT AND WAS BELIEVED TO BE THREATENING BUILDINGS LOCATED IN HILLMAN TOWNSHIP.

AT 3:20 THIS MORNING, AN EVERBRIDGE ALERT WAS ISSUED BY THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO AREA RESIDENTS WARNING OF THE RUNNING SWAMP FIRE.

THE ALERT URGED RESIDENTS TO EXERCISE CAUTION AND REMAIN AWARE OF A FIRE TRAVELING NORTHWEST FROM 123RD STREET AND PARTRIDGE ROAD.

AT THE TIME OF THE MESSAGE, THE PIERZ FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

WERE ON SCENE WORKING TO CONTAIN THE BLAZE.

RESIDENTS WERE ADVISED TO CONTACT DISPATCH IMMEDIATELY IF ANY BUILDINGS OR LIVES WERE IN DANGER.

AS OF 11:15 THIS MORNING, THE D.N.R.

REPORTED THAT THE FIRE HAD BURNED APPROXIMATELY 800 ACRES AND WAS ABOUT 70-PERCENT CONTAINED FIREFIGHTING EFFORTS, AS WELL AS THE INVESTIGATION INTO THIS CASE CONTINUE.

>>> CROW WING COUNTY HAS BEEN AWARDED THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING AND AN AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN POPULAR FINANCIAL REPORTING.

THE RECOGNITION CITES THE COUNTY FOR DEMONSTRATING A CONSTRUCTIVE SPIRIT OF FULL DISCLOSURE TO CLEARLY COMMUNICATE ITS FINANCIAL STORY AND MOTIVATE USERS TO READ THE REPORT.

THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF RECOGNITION IN THE AREA OF GOVERNMENT AND FINANCIAL REPORTING.

IT REPRESENTS SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT BY A GOVERNMENT AND ITS MANAGEMENT AND FOR THE 11TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, CROW WING COUNTY MET THE MARK.

>> IT MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO ME.

I SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND I PUT A LOT OF WORK IN DIRECTING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

THIS AWARD IS A TESTAMENT TO THE WORK THAT I DO AND EVEN OVERALL, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT IS DOING.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE REPORT THE FINANCIALS ACCURATELY AND ALSO PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY THAT I THINK THE CROW WING COUNTY RESIDENTS DESERVE.

>> CROW WING COUNTY IS ONE OF ONLY 17 COUNTIES IN MINNESOTA TO HAVE EARNED THIS AWARD.

>>> THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL BOARD WILL BE DISCUSSING REDUCING EXPENSES FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR AT A WORK SESSION NEXT TUESDAY, APRIL 22ND.

AND LAKELAND NEWS HAS LEARNED ONE OF THE REDUCTIONS WILL BE THE CUTTING OF THE POSITION OF MIDDLE SCHOOL DEAN OF STUDENTS AND ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR.

ANDRA VAUGHN HAS FILLED THAT ROLE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

LAKELAND NEWS HAS ALSO LEARNED THAT SIXTH GRADE SPORTS AT THE SCHOOL WILL BE RUN THROUGH COMMUNITY EDUCATION IN THE FUTURE AND THAT SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE SPORTS WILL BE COORDINATED THROUGH THE HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR'S OFFICE.

WE EXPECT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EXPENSE REDUCTIONS AT THAT SCHOOL BOARD WORK SESSION NEXT WEEK.

>>> TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND AT LEAST FIVE OTHERS ARE INJURED AFTER A MASS SHOOTING AT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY IN TALLAHASSEE THIS AFTERNOON.

AT LAST CHECK, THE SHOOTING LEFT ONE PERSON IN CRITICAL CONDITION AND FIVE IN SERIOUS CONDITION.

ACCORDING TO LEON COUNTY'S SHERIFF, THE SUSPECT IS THE SON OF A LOCAL SHERIFF'S DEPUTY THAT SUSPECT IS IN CUSTODY.

SHERRELL HUBBARD HAS MORE.

>> IT WAS JUST COMPLETE CHAOS.

>> Reporter: MOMENTS OF TERROR ON CAMPUS, THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE NEAR THE STUDENT UNION.

ONE STUDENT DESCRIBES THE CHAOTIC SCENE.

>> I STARTED HEARING GUNSHOTS RING OFF IN A VERY RAPID SUCCESSION.

>> WE ACTUALLY WERE BY THE WINDOW.

SO AT THE WINDOWS, WE SAW COPS RUNNING, STUDENTS RUNNING.

>> Reporter: THE UNIVERSITY WAS IMMEDIATELY PLACED ON LOCKDOWN.

ONE COLLEGE STUDENT CAPTURED A CHILLING WARNING TO STUDENTS.

>> ATTENTION, A DANGEROUS SITUATION MAY EXIST ON CAMPUS.

TAKE SHELTER NOW.

>> Reporter: IN THE AFTERMATH, STUDENTS EVACUATED THE HALLS OF FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY WITH THEIR HANDS UP, SOME WERE TAKEN OUT ON STRETCHERS.

THE MASS SHOOTING WAS CARRIED OUT BY A RELATIVE OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY.

THE SUSPECT, THE SON OF A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY WHO HAD BEEN WITH THE OFFICE FOR MORE THAN 18 YEARS.

THE SHOOTING SUSPECT WAS SHOT AND INJURED BY POLICE.

>> HE HAS BEEN STEEP IN THE LEON COUNTY SHERIFF'S FAMILY, ENGAGED IN A NUMBER OF TRAINING PROGRAMS WE HAD.

IT'S NOT A SURPRISE TO US THAT HE HAD ACCESS TO WEAPONS.

>> Reporter: SURVIVORS SAY THIS IS A DAY THEY WILL NOT SOON FORGET.

>> IT WAS HORRIFIC AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE SOMETHING I WILL FORGET FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

>> Reporter: I'M SHERRELL HUBBARD REPORTING.

>> THE TALLAHASSEE POLICE CHIEF SAYS THE SUSPECT, 20-YEAR-OLD PHOENIX IKNER, INVOKED HIS RIGHT NOT TO SPEAK WHEN HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY POLICE.

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY'S MAIN CAMPUS IN TALLAHASSEE HAD MORE THAN 42,000 STUDENTS IN THE FALL OF 2024, ACCORDING TO THE SCHOOL'S WEBSITE.

FSU CANCELLED ALL SCHOOL ACTIVITIES UNTIL TOMORROW.

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

>> Stacy: SOME OF US WILL CONTINUE TO SEE SOME RAINFALL OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND TOMORROW, BUT OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE A CLOUDY, CHILLY, AND BREEZY DAY FOR US TO END THE WORKWEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE BEMIDJI CHAMBER ORCHESTRA HELD THEIR ANNUAL SPRING CONCERT.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> THE BEMIDJI CHAMBER ORCHESTRA BROUGHT TOGETHER INSTRUMENTS AND VOICES IN THEIR ART SONG NIGHT AT THE ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE LAST NIGHT.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WAS THERE TO PROVIDE US WITH AN INSIGHT INTO WHAT MADE THIS PERFORMANCE SPECIAL AND THERE WAS MORE TO IT THAN JUST BEING THE FIRST OF ITS KIND.

>> Reporter: THE AUDIENCE TAKES THEIR SEAT.

THE LIGHTS GO DOWN AND THE BEMIDJI CHAMBER ORCHESTRA BEGINS THEIR SPRING CONCERT.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: DESPITE THE FULL HOUSE, THE MUSICIANS EACH HAVE THEIR OWN WAY TO DROWN OUT THE WATCHING EYES AND FOCUS ON THEIR PERFORMANCE.

>> WHAT I DO IS I JUST GET IN THE MOMENT WITH THE MUSIC AND I KNOW HEY, I AM GOING TO PUT MY BEST WORK OUT THERE, AND I HOPE THEY ENJOY WHAT I AM WORKING ON.

>> I TRY TO ALMOST IGNORE THEM AND BE PRESENT IN THE MUSIC AND THEN THEY GET TO LISTEN.

>> Reporter: THE CONCERT TITLED ART SONG NIGHT AT THE ORCHESTRA FEATURED AN ENSEMBLE OF MUSIC FROM GERMANY, FRANCE, AMERICA, AND ENGLAND.

ALTHOUGH THEY HAD PLENTY OF SPRING CONCERTS IN THE PAST, THIS IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND AS IT IS COMBINING SINGERS WITH STRINGS.

>> IT'S BEEN A FUN EXPERIENCE.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I AND OTHER SINGERS HERE HAVE WORKED WITH AN ORCHESTRA BEFORE.

IT'S BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

>> IT'S BEEN CHALLENGING AND GOOD.

IT MAKES US LISTEN TO EACH OTHER BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BE QUIET AND MAKE SURE WE DON'T OVERPOWER.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH BRINGING TOGETHER SINGERS AND INSTRUMENTS, THE SHOW EVEN BROUGHT FAMILY TOGETHER.

>> MY MOM IS IN THE ORCHESTRA, SO IT'S BEEN REALLY FUN TO PERFORM WITH HER.

USUALLY SHE IS WATCHING ME OR I AM WATCHING HER.

IT'S BEEN FUN TO COLLABORATE.

>> Reporter: AND TO OTHERS, PERFORMING MAY NOT BRING THEM CLOSER TO FAMILY BUT MEANS JUST AS MUCH.

>> CREATING MUSIC WITH OTHER MUSICIANS AND CREATING EXPERIENCES FOR THE AUDIENCE.

IT SPEAKS TO MY HEART.

IT'S HOW I HAVE ALWAYS CONNECTED WITH MUSIC AND I ALSO TEACH A LOT.

I ENJOY TEACHING IT TO STUDENTS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> OVER 100 FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS GATHERED TO SEE THE PERFORMANCE THAT FEATURED COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM STUDENTS TO HEADWATERS MUSIC TEACHERS.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

WE'RE CLOSING IN ON EASTER WEEKEND.

HOW DOES THE WEATHER LOOK?

>> Stacy: THE WEEKEND WEATHER IS LOOKING UP AND IN FACT EASTER SUNDAY SHOULD BE NICE WITH A LOT OF SUNSHINE AND WARMER TEMPERATURES.

WE DO HAVE TO GET THROUGH TOMORROW.

WE WILL BE SEEING A LOT OF CLOUD COVER, IT WILL BE BREEZY, AND TEMPERATURES ARE >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH WITH PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST.

SANFORD HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CARE CLOSE TO HOME.

LEARN MORE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

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

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE DID HAVE QUIETER WEATHER EARLY ON TODAY, BUT SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON BRINGING SOME RAIN AND EVEN SOME HAIL TO THE AREA.

MOST OF THOSE WILL BE MOVING OUT TONIGHT.

WE DO HAVE AT LEAST A SMALL CHANCE OF SHOWERS LINGERING IN PARTS OF THE AREA TONIGHT AND EVEN INTO TOMORROW.

TOMORROW WILL BE CLOUDY, IT'S GOING TO BE BREEZY, IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT COOL, BUT CONDITIONS SHOULD IMPROVE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

BY EASTERN SUNDAY, WE ARE LOOKING AT SUNNY SKIES WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 40 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WE PICKED UP 0.2-INCH OF A RAINFALL.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 45, WITH A DEW POINT OF 41.

WE HAVE A RISING BAROMETRIC PRESSURE WITH WINDS OUT OF THE NORTH AT 12 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE, WE CAN SEE THE LARGE AREA OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, WHICH WAS IMPACTING US EARLIER TODAY.

WE HAVE A SECOND ROUND MOVING INTO SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA, THAT HAS A CHANCE OF BRIDGING A LITTLE BIT OF SHOWER ACTIVITY TO PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND EVEN INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

OTHERWISE, IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER.

WE WILL SEE THE WINDS PICKING UP, 5 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR, MAYBE STRONGER IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

AGAIN, TEMPERATURES ARE CHILLY FOR TOMORROW BEFORE THEY START A WARM UP THIS WEEKEND.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

ARLENE SENDING US A PHOTO OF A NICE QUIET SKY THIS MORNING IN MENAHGA.

AS I MENTIONED, WE HAVE THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, AND MANY OF US REPORTING SOME HAIL.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE WITH SOME OF THE HAIL IN THE AREA, STEVEN WITH SOME QUARTER-SIZED HAIL, AND CORY SAYING THERE WAS 2 INCHES OF HAIL ACCUMULATION AT ITASCA STATE PARK.

A LITTLE QUIETER THIS EVENING, SAMROSE SENDING US A PHOTO OF THE SUNSET BELOW THE CLOUDS OVER LOWER RED LAKE TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 41 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS, SOME DRIZZLE THIS EVENING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON REPORTING CLOUDY SKIES WITH SOME RAIN DDROPS, TH HIGH WAS 56.

FOR OUR ALMANAC, 59 WAS THE HIGH IN BRAINERD.

WE BEAT THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

36 WAS THE LOW THIS MORNING, WE HAD SUNSET AT 8 MINUTES AFTER 8:00.

50 DEGREES IS THE HIGH IN BED MY.

>> Charlie: SO -- IN BEMIDJI, SUNRISE AT 6:25.

AS WE LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, A LOT OF CLOUD COVER, THERE IS SOME SNOW ATTEMPTING TO FALL IN PARTS OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA, PROBABLY NOT GOING TO REACH THE GROUND, BUT AGAIN WITH ALL THE CLOUD COVER, A LITTLE BIT OF UPPER LEVEL MOISTURE, THERE MAY BE A FEW SNOWFLAKES THAT REACH THE GROUND.

OVERALL, IT LOOKS QUIET THROUGH MOST OF THE DAY, THE CLOUDS WILL BREAK UP AS WE HEAD INTO SATURDAY.

PLENTY OF SUNSHINE TO END THE WEEKEND, HIGH TEMPERATURES TOMORROW WILL BE COOL, WE ARE LOOKING AT LOW 40s AND WARROAD, MID TO UPPER 40s FOR NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, WE ARE LOOKING AGAIN AT THE CHANCE FOR SOME MORNING RAIN, BUT WE WILL SEE THE TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT IN THE UPPER 40s TO LOW 50s.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 34.

TOMORROW, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH THE CHANCE OF SOME RAIN IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, MAINLY IN THE MORNING.

HIGHS NEAR 44 WITH THE NORTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

THEN AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEKEND, VARIABLE CLOUDS ON SATURDAY, STILL COOL, BUT SUNDAY, MOSTLY SUNNY AND 57, AND AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE HIGHS IN THE MID-50s TO MID-60s, BUT WE COULD SEE SCATTERED RAIN SHOWERS.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

YOU HIT THE ROAD FOR GRAND RAPIDS TODAY.

>> Charlie: I DID, DESPITE THE RAIN ACROSS THE STATE, THEY DID GET TO PLAY AND IT WAS AWESOME BECAUSE IT ENDED UP BEING A REALLY GOOD GAME BETWEEN GRAND RAPIDS AND BEMIDJI IN SOFTBALL.

SO WE GOT THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT AND FROM THE BRAINERD AREA AS WELL, A LITTLE BASEBALL, A LITTLE LACROSSE ACTION FOR YOU, COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE, OFFERING THE LATEST IN TECHNOLOGY FROM YOUR BUSINESS, FROM YOUR LOCAL BROADBAND COOPERATIVE.

>> THE GOLDEN APPLE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY CROW WING POWER.

DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELIABLE ELECTRICITY AND A KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CARING STAFF TO ASSIST YOU WITH ENERGY-SAVING PROGRAMS AND TIPS MORE AT CWPOWER.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: BEMIDJI SOFTBALL IS COMING OFF THEIR FIRST OPENING DAY WIN IN THREE YEARS, WITH THEIR 5-3 VICTORY OVER PROCTOR ON TUESDAY.

THEY HAD A ROUGH START, DROPPING THEIR FIRST THREE GAMES OF THE SEASON.

DESPITE THE GLOOMY WEATHER TODAY, THE TWO TEAMS MET ON THE DIAMOND THIS AFTERNOON IN GRAND RAPIDS.

WE'LL PICK UP THE TOP OF THE FIRST, RUNNER ON THIRD.

SHE SKIES ONE TO SHALLOW RIGHT, THE SAC FLY, GOING TO SCORE SAMMY AND THE LUMBERJACKS LEAD IT 1-0.

NOW MOLLY CAN'T MAKE THE PLAY DOWN THE LINE AND OLIVIA IS ABLE TO SCORE.

IT'S 2-0 BEMIDJI.

TOP HALF OF THE INNING, THUNDER HAWKS WITH THE BASES LOADED, AND INFIELD SINGLE, PUSHES TWO ACROSS, AND RAPIDS TIE THE GAME AT 2-2.

T HAWKS WILL TAKE THE LEAD ON A FIELDER'S CHOICE, AND THEY WOULD SCORE ANOTHER RUN ON THE INNING.

THEY GOT 4-2.

TOP OF THE 7th, RUNNERS ON SECOND AND THIRD WITH NO OUTS FOR JORDAN, DEEP SAC FLY, BRINGS IT HOME.

BALL GETS AWAY AND BROOK ON HER WAY HOME, ABLE TO TIE THE GAME.

A FEW BATTERS LATER, CHARLIE HELPING WITH A RUNNER ON THIRD, GIVING THE LUMBERJACKS THE LEAD, THEY WIN 6-4 OVER RAPIDS.

IRONICALLY BOTH TEAMS WILL MEET AGAIN ON SATURDAY MORNING.

SOFTBALL, BRAINERD BEATSS RACOR.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS COLLECT AS WIN.

LAPORTE GETS A WIN AND LONG PRAIRIE GREY EAGLE.

SEBEKA, THOSE ARE SOME FOOTBALL SCORES YOU'RE LOOKING AT RIGHT THERE.

MENAHGA SPLITS WITH NEW YORK MILLS IN SOFTBALL.

>>> OVER IN BASEBALL, BRAINERD LOOKING TO STAY UNDEFEATED HOSTING WILLMAR.

WARRIORS ENTER STILL UNDEFEATED AT 2-0, BUT THAT WAS IN DOUBT EARLY.

BRAINERD DOWN 4-0 IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST.

COOPER SCHENCK WITH A MAN ON SECOND, PARTING THE RED SEA, KNOCKS IN ELI TAUTGES TO GET BACK A RUN.

BOTTOM SECOND, STILL 4-1, RUNNER ON THIRD FOR BRAXTON TAUTGES, PUTS IT PLAY, SHORT CANT MAKE THE PLAY.

WARRIORS PULL TO WITHIN TWO.

THEN IN THE THIRD, RUNNERS ON THE CORNERS FOR DREW HERKENHOFF.

THAT'S A GROUND BALL WITH EYES, PLATES ANOTHER ONE TO MAKE IT 4-3.

BRAINERD WOULD EVENTUALLY TIE THE GAME BUT IN THE END.

WILLMAR WOULD COME OUT ON TOP 8-7 IN EIGHT INNINGS.

TRISTON, WILSON, BARTHOLOMAUS, AND HERKENHOFF EACH NOTCHED THREE HITS FOR THE EVENING.

>>> MORE IN BASEBALL, WADENA DEER CREEK GETS A WIN.

AITKIN OVER CROSBY-IRONTON.

SEBEKA FALLS.

PEQUOT LAKES WINS.

WE HAVE A DOUBLE HEADER AT MENAHGA SPLIT WITH NEW YORK MILLS IN BASEBALL AS WELL.

ROSEAU FELL IN BOTH GAMES TO THOMPSON.

>>> IN GIRLS LACROSSE, BRAINERD LOOKING FOR THEIR FIRST WIN HOSTING INTER-CONFERENCE FOE SARTELL/SAUK RAPIDS-RICE.

FIRST QUARTER, WARRIORS CAME OUT FIRING.

MADELINE MAURER GETS TO THE PROMISED LAND.

BRAINERD UP 1-0.

A MINUTE LATER, STILL 1-0 BRAINERD.

BROOKE MULHOLLAND PUTS THE BISCUIT IN THE BASKET, MAKES A 2-0 WARRIOR LEAD.

COUPLE MINUTES LATER, NOW 3-0 BRAINERD AFTER AN ELLEN GERMUNDSON GOAL, MAURER BACK AT IT AGAIN, PUTS THE WARRIORS UP 4-0.

SHE HAD A HAT-TRICK.

AS BRAINERD GOES TO WIN 16-1 OVER SARTELL-SAUK RAPIDS, MOST GOALS THE WARRIORS HAVE SCORED SINCE THEIR LAST MATCH UP AGAINST THE STORM-N-SABRES LAST SEASON.

>>> A COUPLE MORE SCORES FOR YOU.

DULUTH BEATS GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY.

BRAINERD FALLS TO SSRR.

IN MEN'S GOLF TODAY, COLLEGE GOLF, BEMIDJI STATE IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE NSIC CHAMPIONSHIP, THEY ARE IN FIRST PLACE.

THEN LOGAN 4 UNDER AND JACK IN THE TOP FIVE THERE.

THEN BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY HASN'T GONE TO THE TRANSFER PORTAL, BUT YESTERDAY VAN COMMITS, HE IS A TRANSFER FROM MERE -- MERRIMAC.

>> Dennis: THAT'S HOW IT IS.

YOU HAVE PLAYERS.

>> Charlie: IT'S LIKE A REVOLVING DOOR.

TOUGH.

>> Dennis: OKAY, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> AS THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS TO DRAW TO A CLOSE, BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL RECOGNIZED STUDENTS WHO EXCELLED IN THEIR FINE ARTS PROGRAMS.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

>> Reporter: AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, THEY PLACE AN EMPHASIS ON EXPOSING THEIR STUDENTS TO THE ARTS.

>> WE'RE BELIEVERS OF HAVING A ROBUST OFFERING OF FINE ARTS PROGRAMS, TOP QUALITY.

WE BELIEVE IF YOU HAVE A PASSION, YOU CAN EXPLORE IT AT BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: ON MONDAY, THE SCHOOL HELD THEIR FINE ARTS CELEBRATION TO RECOGNIZE THOSE STUDENTS THAT EXCELLED IN THE ARTS.

>> A LONGSTANDING TRADITION WE HAVE HERE AT BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL, STUDENT INVOLVEMENT EQUALS STUDENT SUCCESS.

THIS IS A WAY FOR US TO SHOWCASE OUR STUDENTS' TALENTS AND ALSO CELEBRATE ALL THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THEIR TIME HERE AT BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL IN FINE ARTS ACTIVITIES.

>> Reporter: WHETHER IT'S PHOTOGRAPHY, PAINTING, OR DEKOI FISH MAKING, THEY ENCOURAGE THEIR STUDENTS TO MAKE THEIR MARK.

>> THERE IS OUR MUSIC GROUPS, THEATER GROUPS, ACTIVITIES, CLUBS, YOU WILL FIND A BELONGING IN THOSE SPACES.

>> Reporter: DIRECTOR JACK FREEMAN SAYS RECOGNIZING A STUDENT'S SUCCESS INSIDE THE SCHOOL LEADS TO SUCCESS OUTSIDE OF IT.

>> THE MORE WE CAN GET OUR KIDS INVOLVED IN THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE, K-12, THE MORE THEY WILL GROW, THE MORE TAKEAWAYS THEY WILL HAVE AND APPLY TO THE REAL WORLD.

>> Reporter: FREEMAN SAYS THE EVENT IS A CULMINATION OF THE WORK THAT THE STUDENTS AND STAFF PUT INTO THEIR CRAFT OVER THE SCHOOL YEAR.

>> WE HAVE KIDS THAT ARE HIGHLY INVOLVED IN MULTIPLE WAYS AND EXPLORING THE PASSION IN MULTIPLE WAYS AND TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE THAT, AND THEN SHOWCASE THOSE TALENTS, WHETHER IT'S THE ART DISPLAYS IN THE LOBBY BEFORE THE EVENT, OR ALL THE DIFFERENT RECOGNITIONS THAT HAPPENED THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND IT JUST HIGHLIGHTS THE CARE FACTOR THAT OUR DIRECTORS AND ADVISERS HAVE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> OVER 70 STUDENTS WERE RECOGNIZED AT THE EVENT SHOWCASING WHAT THE STUDENT'S HAVE TO OFFER.

>>> WE HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

LET'S GO OVER TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE MAY SEE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

MOSTLY CLOUDY, LOWS NEAR 34.

TOMORROW, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, WE MAY SEE SOME LINGERING SHOWERS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, MAINLY IN THE MORNING, HIGHS NEAR 44, AND A LITTLE BIT BREEZY, NORTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20, COULD BE UP TO 25 IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, QUIETER WEATHER AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, HIGHS ON SUNDAY NEAR 57.

>> Charlie: I'M HOPING THE SHOWERS ARE DONE BY THE END OF THE MORNING BECAUSE THERE IS A DOUBLE DOUBLE HEADER SOFTBALL, AND BASEBALL, BACK TO BACK TO BACK.

WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR THAT TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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