>> 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.

>>> A FORMER MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR FROM GRAND RAPIDS WHO WAS ARRESTED IN A POLICE STING OPERATION PLEADED NOT GUILTY MONDAY TO A FEDERAL CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED ENTICEMENT OF A MINOR FOR PROSTITUTION.

JUSTIN EICHORN ENTERED HIS PLEA IN A BRIEF APPEARANCE BEFORE MAGISTRATE JUDGE SHANNON ELKINS.

A GRAND JURY HAD RETURNED A FELONY INDICTMENT ON EICHORN ON APRIL 1ST.

THE CHARGE CARRIES A MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCE OF 10 YEARS.

THE JUDGE GRANTED EICHORN'S REQUEST FOR MORE TIME FOR HIS ATTORNEYS TO REVIEW THE EVIDENCE, SO A TRIAL THAT HAD BEEN SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 9TH WILL BE RESCHEDULED.

THE 40-YEAR-OLD REPUBLICAN WAS ARRESTED IN BLOOMINGTON ON MARCH 17TH AFTER COURT DOCUMENTS ALLEGE HE WAS EXCHANGING TEXT MESSAGES WITH AN UNDERCOVER OFFICER WHO POSED AS A 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND ARRANGING A MEETUP FOR SEX FOR MONEY.

EICHORN WAS RELEASED TO A HALFWAY HOUSE IN DULUTH ON MARCH 26TH.

EICHORN RESIGNED FROM THE SENATE MARCH 20TH.

A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL HIS SEAT IS SET FOR NEXT TUESDAY, APRIL 29, BETWEEN REPUBLICAN KERI HEINTZEMAN AND DEMOCRAT DENISE SLIPY.

>>> TOMORROW THE BRAINERD LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS HOLDING A FORUM TO MEET THE TWO CANDIDATES FOR THE EMPTY DISTRICT 6 SEAT.

BOTH DENISE SLIPY AS WELL AS KERI HEINTZEMAN WERE INVITED TO ATTEND THE FORUM BUT ONLY SLIPY WILL APPEAR AS HEINTZEMAN TURNED DOWN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DEBATE.

WE REACHED OUT TO HEINTZEMAN FOR COMMENT, WITH HER REPLYING, "I PARTICIPATED IN A REPUBLICAN FORUM ON APRIL 8TH, WHERE I BELIEVE THE ORGANIZERS MISTAKENLY EXCLUDED THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE.

FAIRNESS REQUIRES GRANTING THE DEMOCRAT EQUAL TIME TO ADDRESS THE SAME QUESTIONS I ANSWERED.

MOREOVER, THE PRIOR FORUM DEVOLVED INTO DISORDER, WITH AT LEAST THREE AUDIENCE MEMBERS CALLING 9-1-1 DUE TO THE LACK OF DECORUM.” BUT ACCORDING TO THE BRAINERD LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, D.F.L.

CANDIDATE DENISE SLIPY WAS NOT MISTAKENLY LEFT OUT OF THE FORUM ON THE 8TH.

ORGANIZERS SAY THAT PARTICULAR EVENT WAS MEANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO MEET THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES VYING FOR THE NOMINATION.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT HOW SHE FELT REGARDING HEINTZEMAN'S ABSENCE FROM TOMORROW'S DEBATE, SLIPY HAD THIS TO SAY.

REGARDING THE 911 CALLS AT THE # PRIOR FORM RUM.

>> IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT PEOPLE CAN'T SEE BOTH OF US AND HEAR BOTH OF OUR PLATFORMS AND HAVE THAT DEBATE TO SEE WHAT THE VAST DIFFERENCES ARE.

>>> REGARDING THE 911 CALLS AT THE PRIOR FORUM, A MAN WAS ESCORTED OUT OF THE SESSION AFTER REPEATEDLY INTERRUPTING AND CAUSING A COMMOTION DURING THE EVENT, CAUSING AT LEAST TWO DELAYS.

THE CHAMBER DECLINED TO COMMENT ON THE MAN'S ACTIONS FOLLOWING THE APRIL 8TH FORUM.

TOMORROW'S FORUM WILL BE HELD AT THE GREATER LAKES ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS IN BAXTER AT 7:00 P.M. >>> A JUVENILE FEMALE HAS DIED FOLLOWING A POLICE PURSUIT IN ITASCA COUNTY EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM ITASCA COUNTY SHERIFF JOE DASOVICH, AN ITASCA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY SAW A VEHICLE WITHOUT ITS HEADLIGHTS ON TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON COUNTY ROAD 63 IN THE AREA OF COUNTY ROAD 271 AT AROUND 1:30 A.M.

THE DEPUTY ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FLED, AND THE DEPUTY INITIATED A PURSUIT.

THE FLEEING VEHICLE CRASHED IN THE AREA OF HIGHWAY 6 AND COUNTY ROAD 11.

THE DRIVER, A JUVENILE FEMALE, WAS THE LONE OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE AND DIED AT THE SCENE AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH.

THE SHERIFF DID NOT DISCLOSE HER AGE BUT SAYS SHE WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT AND ALCOHOL USE IS NOT SUSPECTED.

THE ITASCA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS ASKED THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY'S BUREAU OF CRIMINAL APPREHENSION TO LEAD THE INVESTIGATION.

THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL IS COMPLETING THE CRASH RECONSTRUCTION.

>>> THE SUPREME COURT HAS REJECTED AN APPEAL FROM MINNESOTA ASKING TO REVIVE THE STATE'S BAN ON GUN-CARRY PERMITS FOR YOUNG ADULTS.

THE DECISION NOT TO HEAR THE MINNESOTA CASE WAS SOMEWHAT SURPRISING BECAUSE BOTH SIDES SOUGHT THE SUPREME COURT'S REVIEW AND COURTS AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE COME TO DIFFERENT CONCLUSIONS ABOUT WHETHER STATES CAN LIMIT THE GUN RIGHTS OF PEOPLE AGED 18 TO 20 WITHOUT VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION.

THE FEDERAL APPEALS COURT IN ST. LOUIS RULED THAT THE MINNESOTA BAN CONFLICTED WITH THE SECOND AMENDMENT, WHICH THE COURT NOTED SETS NO AGE LIMIT AND GENERALLY PROTECTS ORDINARY, LAW-ABIDING YOUNG ADULTS.

>>> POPE FRANCIS, THE FIRST NON-EUROPEAN PONTIFF IN NEARLY 1,300 YEARS DIED ON EASTER MONDAY.

HE WAS 88 YEARS OLD.

HIS DEATH FOLLOWS AN EXTENDED HOSPITAL STAY JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO.

LEIGH WALDMAN BRINGS US THE LATEST ON THE HOLY FATHER'S DEATH.

>> DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WITH DEEP SORROW, I MUST ANNOUNCE THE DEATH OF OUR HOLY FATHER, FRANCIS.

>> Reporter: HOURS AFTER GIVING THE EASTER BLESSINGS IN FRONT OF THOUSANDS OF CATHOLICS IN SAINT PETER'S SQUARE, POPE FRANCIS DIED AT HIS RESIDENCE AT 88 YEARS OLD.

HE CALLED FOR AN END TO WAR IN GAZA, UKRAINE, AND SUDAN.

HIS DEATH SPARKS NINE DAYS OF MOURNING FOR CATHOLICS AND AN OUTPOURING OF LOVE FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN HE CALLED ME WHEN MY MOM DIED.

I REMEMBER WHEN HE CALLED ME DURING COVID, TO ASK HOW GOD'S PEOPLE HERE IN NEW YORK ARE DOING.

>> Reporter: HIS PAPACY WAS UNPRESS DEFINITED, SUPPORTING SAME-SEX CIVIL UNIONS, AND HIS ADVOCACY FOR MIGRANTS.

HE IS REMEMBERED BY MANY AS THE PEOPLE'S POPE.

>> THE POPE OF THE POOR, OF THE MARGINALIZED, UNDER PRIVILEGED, AND HE IS ALSO A REFORMER POPE BECAUSE HE MADE A LOT OF CHANGES TO THE WAY THAT THE VATICAN IS RUN.

>> HE WAS A GOOD MAN.

I LOVE THE WAY HE WAS WITH THE POOR.

>> PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER AND NOT BE AGAINST EACH OTHER AND TO DISAGREE, BUT TO STILL LOVE EACH OTHER.

I THINK THAT WAS GOOD THAT HE BROUGHT THAT TO THE TABLE.

>> Reporter: POPE FRANCIS' DEATH COMES WEEKS AFTER HE WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL AFTER BATTLING A LIFE-THREATENING CASE OF PNEUMONIA IN BOTH LUNGS.

IN NEW YORK, I'M LEIGH WALDMAN.

>> POPE FRANCIS' LYING IN STATE AT ST. PETER'S BASILICA COULD BEGIN AS SOON AS WEDNESDAY.

A NEW POPE WILL BE ELECTED IN A PROCESS CALLED THE CONCLAVE, A SECRET MEETING OF CARDINALS TO HOLD A PAPAL ELECTION.

THE CONCLAVE TYPICALLY HAPPENS 15 TO 20 DAYS AFTER THE PAPAL OFFICE BECOMES VACANT.

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

>> Stacy: A LINE OF RAIN SHOWERS WILL MOVE THROUGH THE AREA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW, QUIET WEATHER ON WEDNESDAY, BUT ANOTHER CHANCE FOR SHOWERS ARRIVES LATER THIS WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> Reporter: COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, AN OLD CASTLE HAS BECOME THE SPOT FOR MEDIEVAL THEMED AXE >> 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.

>>> BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL HOSTED ITS FOURTH ANNUAL WARRIOR DAY LAST WEEK, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STUDENT BODY, STAFF, AND ALL INVOLVED TO TAKE PART IN A DAY DEDICATED TO FUN, LEARNING, AND COMMUNITY.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THE DAY STARTED WITH A TALENT SHOW.

[♪♪♪] >> TRYING TO INCORPORATE AS MANY TYPES OF OUR STUDENTS AS POSSIBLE, WE ARE ABLE TO BRING IN KIDS WHO ARE MUSICALLY TALENTED AND SOMETIMES DON'T PARTICIPATE IN A FORM OF A MUSIC COURSE.

WE HAVE SINGERS, SINGERS PLAYING DRUMS, SINGERS PLAYING PIANO, A JAZZ COMBINATION, IT'S A FUN WAY TO INCORPORATE EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: AS WELL AS INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER TANNER CLARK SHARING SOME WORDS.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO GET HIM ON OUR CAMPUS AND WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCES SO MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF OUR LIVES, STUDENTS, AND ADULTS.

WE ARE JUST HOPING THAT HE CAN SHOW THE POSITIVE WAYS TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS GOT TO TAKE PART IN A JOB FAIR.

>> WE HOPE THAT GETTING THESE BUSINESSES ON TO OUR CAMPUS, WE CAN SET THEM UP WITH A JOB, AN INTERNSHIP, GET THEM IDEAS OF THINGS THEY CAN DO IN OUR FUTURE, OR A SUMMER JOB, PUTTING IT INTO ONE FOCUS DAY.

>> Reporter: AND IT WOULDN'T BE WARRIOR DAY WITHOUT FINDING A WAY TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD COMMUNITY HERE IN BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL.

IT CAN BE LACKING AT TIMES, BUT WE WANT TO KIDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT HEY, THEY BELONG HERE.

>> FOR US TO BE HERE AND BE PART OF WARRIOR DAY, THAT MEANS THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY IS LARGE.

WE WORK WITH THE KIDS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, BUT IT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT WHEN YOU SEE THAT KIDS REALLY WANT AN INPUT ON THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL WARRIOR DAY IS ALL ABOUT THE STUDENTS, GIVING THEM A CHANCE TO LEARN OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM, CONNECT WITH PEERS, AND MUCH MORE, ALL THAT THE KIDS AND STAFF APPEAR TO LOVE.

>> IF PEOPLE CAN SEE HOW KIDS LOOK WHEN THEY'RE PASSING THROUGH THE HALLWAYS AND THEIR EXPERIENCE HERE, IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS DIFFERENTLY.

I THINK THAT'S SUPER IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> AND THE BRAINERD FAITHFUL CAPPED OFF WARRIOR DAY WITH A POLAR PLUNGE, WHICH RAISES MONEY FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS AND OTHER BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL CLUBS THAT TOOK PART.

>>> TOMORROW IS EARTH DAY AND TO CELEBRATE, CAMP CONFIDENCE IN EAST GULL LAKE IS HOLDING ITS FIRST EVER EARTH DAY CELEBRATION.

KIDS IN ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH COGNITIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ARE INVITED TO THE CONFIDENCE LEARNING CENTER TO CREATE ARTS AND CRAFTS INTERACT WITH WILDLIFE AT THE CAMP'S NATURE CENTER AND MORE ALL WITH THE PURPOSE OF BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMANS AND OUR PLANET.

>> WE'RE ALL ABOUT NOT ONLY BEING FRIENDS TO PEOPLE, BUT ALSO OUR ANIMALS AND THE SPACE THAT WE ACTUALLY HABITATE.

SO BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF OUR CAMPGROUND AND OUR EARTH IS JUST HAND IN HAND WITH OUR MISSION.

TOMORROW IS JUST A CELEBRATION OF WHAT WE DO AND WHAT WE CAN STILL BE DOING.

>> Dennis: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND, YOU CAN RSVP BY CALLING THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN.

THE COST IS $4 PER PERSON.

>>> WELL, WILL EARTH DAY BE A SUNNY DAY OR A RAINY DAY?

>> Stacy: IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LINE OF SHOWERS THAT WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW, SO IF YOU HAPPEN TO GET THROUGH IT, IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE DRIER BEHIND THAT.

IT DOES LOOK LIKE SOME OF US COULD PICK UP 0.25-INCH OF RAINFALL.

THIS SYSTEM MOVES THROUGH TOMORROW NIGHT AND THEN QUIETER MIDWEEK, AND MORE RAIN SHOWERS >> 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: WE ENJOY ADD SUNNY AND MILD DAY TODAY, BUT A LINE OF RAIN SHOWERS IS MAKING ITS WAY TOWARDS OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE'LL START TO SEE THOSE RAIN SHOWERS BEGIN TO MOVE IN TO WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA LATER ON TONIGHT AND THEN ACROSS THROUGH THE AREA TOMORROW.

IT LOOKS LIKE QUIET WEATHER ON WEDNESDAY, BUT ANOTHER CHANCE OF SHOWERS ARRIVES ON THURSDAY.

HOWEVER, IT DOES LOOK LIKE THE QUIETER WEATHER AND THE SUNSHINE WILL BE BACK AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THIS WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 49 AT THE AIRPORT.

OUR STUDIO IS SEEING EAST WINDS AT 3 MILES PER HOUR, 27 IS OUR DEW POINT, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 41%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, IT'S 49 DEGREES, 29 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS FALLING, AND WINDS ARE CALM.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR AND THE SATELLITE PICTURE, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME CLOUDS MOVE INTO WESTERN MINNESOTA THIS EVENING, AND IF WE LOOK OFF INTO THE DAKOTAS, WE CAN SEE THE PRECIPITATION FORMING.

OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, THE RAIN SHOWER ACTIVITY IS LIKELY TO MOVE INTO WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA, A LITTLE SMALLER CHANCE IT WILL ACROSS INTO THE REST OF OUR VIEWING AREA BUT IT SHOULD MAKE ITS WAY THROUGH LAKELAND COUNTRY TOMORROW, SO WE HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING SOME RAIN SHOWERS, AT LEAST AT SOME POINT DURING THE DAY AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO SEE A TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE FROM NORTH TO SOUTH AND HIGHS IN THE 40s IN THE NORTH, AND 60s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, BEAUTIFUL SKIES THIS MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND KAREN WITH THIS GORGEOUS SHOT OVER LONG LAKE.

ANGELA SPOTTING AN EAGLE IN THE TREES, THIS ONE WAS TAKEN NEAR LAKE BEMIDJI TODAY.

SANDY WAITING FOR ICE OUT AT RABIDEAU LAKE AND THIS IS SILVER LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTING 33 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE REPORTING A LOW OF 35.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, SOME PATCHY CLOUDS WITH A HIGH OF 63.

SANDRA AT CASS LAKE, 53 THIS EVENING, AND BOB IN BLUFFTON REPORTING SUNNY SKIES WITH A HIGH OF 62.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, 62 WAS OUR HIGH IN BRAINERD, 40 DEGREES FOR THE LOW, SUNSET AT 8:13.

BEMIDJI ALSO REACHING A HIGH OF 63, SO SOME NICE MILD TEMPERATURES OUT THERE, A LITTLE BIT COOLER TO START THE DAY, DOWN TO 26, AND WE HAD SUNRISE AT 6:17.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

WE'RE GOING TO START OUT AT 7:00 WITH THE LINE OF RAIN SHOWERS INTO EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

AGAIN, THIS WILL BE MOVING THROUGH THE AREA STARTING TONIGHT AND THEN AS WE PUT THIS IN MOTION, WE'LL SEE THE LINE MOVING TO THE NORTH AND THE LOW PRESSURE IS STARTING TO SPIN AND.

WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SEEING RAIN SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON, A BETTER CHANCE IN THE NORTH AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE AFTERNOON.

TOMORROW NIGHT, WE WILL START TO SEE THOSE TAPERING OFF AND IT LOOKS LIKE A QUIET DAY ON WEDNESDAY, HIGHS WILL RANGE FROM 48 IN WARROAD, TO A LOT OF 50s IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE SHOULD SEE UPPER 50s TO LOW AND MID-60s FOR OUR HIGHS.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, WITH THE RAIN SHOWERS LIKELY IN WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT THERE IS A CHANCE THEY COULD ARRIVE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE VIEWING AREA, AND RAIN LIKELY TOMORROW AS THE SHOWERS MOVE THROUGH, OTHERWISE VARIABLE CLOUDS AND HIGHS NEAR 56.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, QUIET WEATHER WITH A HIGH OF 57.

THEN ANOTHER CHANCE OF RAIN ON THURSDAY.

LATE THIS WEEK, WE'LL HAVE THE SUNSHINE RETURN AND TEMPERATURES WARMING INTO THE LOW 60s ON SATURDAY, BUT ANOTHER CHANCE OF RAIN ON SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

WE HAD SOME TOUGH SPRING SPORTS FOR THE SPRING SPORTS CREW IN THE LAST, YOU KNOW, FIVE YEARS OR SO.

IT HASN'T BEEN GREAT THIS YEAR, BUT IT'S BEEN A LOT BETTER.

>> Charlie: YES, A LOT BETTER THIS YEAR AND TODAY WAS MAGNIFICENT IF YOU HAD A CHANCE DO GO OUTSIDE.

WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO BEMIDJI BASEBALL.

THEY ARE THREE GAMES INTO THE SEASON AND WE GOT TO HEAR WHY THEY WERE SO SUCCESSFUL TO START THE SEASON AND HOW THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT, THAT HOPEFULLY IT WON'T BE AS RAINY AS I >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE, OFFERING THE LATEST IN TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS, FROM YOUR LOCAL BROADBAND COOPERATIVE.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy:.

>> Charlie: THE WEATHER MADE FOR A SLOW START FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SEASON HERE IN MINNESOTA, BUT BEMIDJI CERTAINLY GOT OFF FAST ONCE IT DID.

THE LUMBERJACKS ARE 3-0 THROUGH THEIR FIRST TWO WEEKS OF ACTION AND THEY OWE MUCH OF THAT SUCCESS TO THEIR NEWISH STYLE OF PLAY.

SECOND YEAR HEAD COACH JIM GRIMM INSTILLED SEVERAL NEW PHILOSOPHIES INCLUDING A FUNDAMENTAL HEAVY MINDSET LAST SEASON.

SO NOW THIS SEASON, THE PLAYERS ARE ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH HIS EXPECTATIONS.

>> IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

THIS YEAR, WE JUST STARTED KNOWING THE SYSTEM, KNOWING THE PROGRAM, AND KNOWING WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO WIN SOME GAMES.

I THINK SOME OF OUR KEYS IS ATTENTION TO DETAIL, LIKE OUR BASE RUNNING REALLY HELPED.

YOU HAVE TO BE SPOT ON EVERY DAY AND WILLING TO WORK HARD.

THAT'S OUR TEAM'S GOAL.

>> WE KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AND THAT MAKES IT EASIER.

WE CAN COACH THE YOUNGER GUYS COMING UP, AND IT HELPS THEM OUT.

>> WE'RE WAY BETTER AT THE START OF THE YEAR THAN LAST YEAR AND MAYBE THAT'S JUST FROM, LIKE I SAID, EXPERIENCE, BUT THIS GROUP OF GUYS, THEY HAVE A LOT OF TALENT AND I'M PROUD OF THEM.

>> THROUGH THREE GAMES THE JACKS ARE AVERAGING JUST UNDER 5 RUNS A CONTEST BUT THEIR PITCHING IS HOLDING TEAMS TO LESS THAN TWO RUNS PER GAME, A WINNING RECIPE WHEN COMBINED WITH SOME OF THEIR OTHER STRENGTHS.

>> DEFINITELY THE CHEMISTRY.

I MEAN WE PLAYED WITH EACH OTHER FOR SO LONG AND WE ALL KNOWN EACH OTHER.

WE'RE JUST A FAMILY.

>> HUSTLE IS A BIG THING AND STAYING FOCUSED.

WE RUN A SPRINT FOR EVERY MISTAKE AND THAT HELPS A LOT WITH US STAYING FOCUSED.

>> WE ALWAYS HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN BECAUSE OF OUR PITCHING AND BASE RUN.

WE CAN HIT WELL AS A TEAM.

IT'S ONLY THREE GAMES IN SO WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET THERE.

>> Charlie: WE'LL SEE IF THEY CAN GET THEIR TOMORROW WHEN THEY TAKE ON THIEF RIVER FALLS AT THE BSU BASEBALL FIELD.

BEMIDJI ALSO PLAYS AT MOORHEAD IN A MAKE-UP DOUBLE-HEADER THURSDAY AND AT SARTELL ON FRIDAY.

WE DO HAVE SOME SCORES FROM TODAY.

>>> PIERZ GETTING THE WIN IN BASEBALL.

ROSEAU SWEEPING I-FALLS, AND IN SOFTBALL, GRAND RAPIDS BEATS ESKO 8-7.

ON SATURDAY, BEMIDJI STATE GOLFER CAPTURED THE NSIC CHAMPIONSHIP.

HE HAD A FINAL TOTAL SCORE OF 7 UNDER TO WIN THE TOURNAMENT BY ONE STROKE.

HE WAS THE ONLY GOLFER TO SHOOT-UNDER-PAR.

HE IS THE 17th BEAVER TO EARN THE TOP MEDALIST HONORS AT THE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE FIRST IN 2021.

THE BEAVERS TIED FOR THIRD PLACE OVERALL, SHOOTING A COMMUTATIVE PLUS 20, CONCORDIA ST. PAUL TOOK HOME THE TITLE.

>>> WELL, IT WASN'T EXACTLY SHOCK AND AWE BUT THE 6-SEED TIMBERWOLVES CAME AWAY WITH A SURPRISING WIN OVER THE 3-SEED LAKERS IN GAME ONE OF THE 1ST ROUND OF THE NBA PLAYOFFS, AFTER TRAILING BY 7 POINTS AT THE END OF THE 1ST QUARTER, THE WOLVES EXPLODED FOR 38-POINTS IN THE 2ND AND TOOK AN 11-POINT LEAD TO THE HALF BEFORE EVENTUALLY WINNING 117-95.

THE KEY, TRANSITION BUCKETS.

MINNESOTA OUTSCORED LOS ANGELES 25 TO 6 IN FAST BREAK POINTS, A WELL-EXECUTED PLAN THEY WILL CONTINUE TO LEAN ON AS THE SERIES PROGRESSES.

>> IT WAS ONE WAY TO HAVE A CHANCE OF WINNING.

GET BACK DEFENSIVELY AND TRYING TO PUSH THE TEMPO A LITTLE BIT AND GIVE OUR GUYS MORE SPACE AND ROOM TO WORK.

THEY'RE A GREAT TEAM DEFENSIVELY, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU GET LOADED UP.

SO WE WANTED TO TRANSITION AND GET SOME EASY ONES.

>> IT'S ABOUT FOCUSING AND WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE VERY PHYSICAL AND WE DON'T KNOW WHICH ADJUSTMENT THEY WILL MAKE.

IT'S ON US TO BRING THAT TO THEM.

>> Charlie: THE TIMBERWOLVES ONLY WON GAME ONE FIVE TIMES IN FRANCHISE HISTORY.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

GAME TWO IS IN L.A.

TOMORROW, TIP OFF IS SUPER LATE, 9:00 P.M. CENTRAL.

>>> THE WILD PLAY TOMORROW NIGHT, THEY'RE IN VEGAS AND THAT GAME STARTS AT 10:00 P.M. CENTRAL TIME, MINNESOTA IS DOWN ONE GAME IN THEIR FIRST ROUND SERIES WITH THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> AN OLD STONE CHURCH CASTLE LOCATED IN COLERAINE HAD SEEN BETTER DAYS SINCE IT WAS BUILT IN 1908, BUT WHEN A MINNESOTA COUPLE DECIDED TO RENOVATE AND TRANSFORM IT INTO A MEDIEVAL-THEMED AXE THROWING BAR AND BISTRO, THE BUILDING GOT NEW LIFE.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN BUSINESS, OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS THE STORY BEHIND THE ONE-OF-A-KIND SPOT AND WHAT IT HAS MEANT TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: WHEN VISITING A STONE CASTLE IN HUNGARY, SUE AND HER HUSBAND AGREED IF THEY EVER OWN ADD CASTLE, THEY WOULD CALL IT RAVENSTONE, SO WHEN THEY FOUND AN ABANDONED CHURCH.

>> WE WALKED THROUGH AND I COULD SEE IT.

I HAD A SKETCH PAD WITH ME AND I DREW IT OUT.

I FOUND THE SKETCH PAD SIX MONTHS INTO THE RENOVATION AND I WAS SHOCKED THAT IT WAS COMING TOGETHER EXACTLY LIKE I DRAWN IT.

>> Reporter: AND RAVENSTONE ABBEY WAS BORN.

>> I DON'T WANT TO DO SOMETHING STUPID, DO SOMETHING REAL.

I DON'T WANT TO WORK FOR MONEY.

JUST DO REAL QUALITY STUFF.

>> Reporter: THE ABANDONED 1908 BUILDING HAD BEEN AN UNUSED CHURCH FOR OVER 50 YEARS UNTIL IT GOT THE MEDIEVAL MAKEOVER, BETWEEN THE COFFEE SHOP AND THE BAR, THE ABBEY PROVIDES DRINKS THAT YOU JUST CAN'T FIND AT YOUR LOCAL STORE.

>> I REALIZE THAT YOU HAVE ONE LIFE AND YOU WANT TO DO GOOD THINGS IN YOUR LIFE.

YOU WANT TO SERVE SOMETHING WHAT YOU CAN.

OH, I JUST GO THAT.

JUST BE UNIQUE.

>> WELL, WE IMPORT OUR WINES, WE IMPORT OUR WHISKEY.

WE DO SPECIALTY COCKTAILS.

OUR COFFEE, WE HAVE OUR OWN ROASTER IN ITALY.

WE IMPORT THAT.

WE ARE THE ONLY ONES WITH THAT COFFEE.

>> Reporter: AND THE DUNGEON PROVIDES A WHOLE DIFFERENT TYPE OF ENJOYMENT.

IN LESS THAN A YEAR, THE MAIN ATTRACTION, THE AXE THROWING HAS BROUGHT IN OVER 9,000 PEOPLE.

>> WHEN I WAS A KID, I ALWAYS THROW KNIVES, AXES, SO I JUST LIKE THE IDEA THAT IT'S SOMETHING GOOD, NORMAL, AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE THIS EXPERIENCE, SOMETHING RAW.

>> Reporter: HAVING A UNIQUE NIGHT OF FUN IS NOT THEIR MAIN PURPOSE.

>> ONE OF THE GREATEST JOYS OF HAVING IT IS HEARING THE PEOPLE THAT COME IN AND ARE SO HAPPY THAT WE'VE DONE THIS OR THE STORIES WHEN THEY WERE MARRIED HERE OR WHEN THEY USED TO GO TO CHURCH HERE.

IT'S AWESOME TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> RAVENSTONE ABBEY ALSO HOSTS SPECIAL EVENTS WHERE ALL OF THE STAFF WILL BE IN FULL PERIOD ATTIRE AND PLAYING CHARACTERS OF THE MEDIEVAL TIME PERIOD.

THEIR NEXT BIG CELEBRATION WILL BE THEIR ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN JUNE.

>>> TIME FOR' ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER, BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING THE LINE OF SHOWERS IN WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, A SMALLER CHANCE IT WILL SPREAD ELSEWHERE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

>> Dennis: WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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