YOUR SPORTS.

>>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I'M SYDNEY DICK IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> A 62-YEAR-OLD HOPKINS MAN DIED IN AN A.T.V.

CRASH NEAR GRAND RAPIDS ON SUNDAY.

THE ITASCA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTED THAT RORY JOHN STRACHOTA WAS INVOLVED IN THE CRASH JUST BEFORE 8:00 P.M. ON SUNDAY IN ARBO TOWNSHIP, WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT STRACHOTA WAS OPERATING A 2000 POLARIS A.T.V.

WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AND HE WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.

LIFESAVING MEASURES WERE PERFORMED BUT THE VICTIM WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT THE SCENE.

NO OTHER RIDERS WERE REPORTED INJURED AND THE INCIDENT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> A 69-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM BIG LAKE WAS KILLED IN A CAR CRASH IN MILLE LACS COUNTY EARLIER TODAY.

A STATE PATROL REPORT SAID THAT AT AROUND NOON ON MONDAY, DONALD GEORGE GOERISCH WAS INVOLVED IN A TWO-VEHICLE CRASH IN SOUTH HARBOR TOWNSHIP WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.

HE WAS DRIVING A 2026 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SOUTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 169 OVER THE CENTER LINE WHEN HE STRUCK A 2020 HONDA RIDGELINE PICKUP THAT WAS HEADED NORTHBOUND.

GOERISCH WAS REPORTED TO HAVE NOT BEEN WEARING HIS SEATBELT BUT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE.

79-YEAR-OLD RICHARD LAND AND 62-YEAR-OLD MARY BETH LICK OF EXCELSIORM, WERE AIR LIFTED TO TWO DIFFERENT HOSPITALS TO ATTEND TO THEIR INJURIES.

GOERISCH WAS THE ONLY FATALITY FROM THE INCIDENT AND THE OCCUPANTS OF THE SECOND VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH ARE SAID TO HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT ARE NON-LIFE THREATENING.

>>> CROSSLAKE HAS BECOME THE LATEST CITY IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA TO ENDORSE CROW WING COUNTY'S AGREEMENT WITH U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, ALSO KNOWN AS I.C.E.

AT LAST WEEK'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING, THE CROSSLAKE CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING CROW WING COUNTY'S AGREEMENT WITH I.C.E.

CROW WING COUNTY ORIGINALLY ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH ICE BACK IN MARCH, WHICH ALLOWS LOCAL OFFICERS THE AUTHORITY TO PERFORM SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS UNDER THE AGENCY'S DIRECTION.

>> BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL IN THE LAST MONTH HAS ALSO ENDORSED SUPPORT FOR THIS.

SO I FELT IT'S REALLY JUST A GOOD CADENCE TO SAY WE SUPPOSE -- SUPPORT YOU AND THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>> CROSSLAKE FOLLOWED BRAINERD AS THE MOST RECENT CITY IN CROW WING COUNTY TO GIVE THEIR STAMP OF APPROVAL ON THE AGREEMENT.

>>> THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT SWORE IN 4 NEW OFFICERS DURING TONIGHT'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

TWO OF THEM SWORE IN AS PEACE OFFICERS, WHILE THE OTHERS WERE SWORN IN AS COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS.

C.S.O.

'S PRIMARY FOCUS IS PARKING AND ANIMAL CONTROL BUT BEMIDJI POLICE CHIEF, MIKE MASTIN, HOPES THEY WILL GAIN MORE RESPONSIBILITIES AS THEY SETTLE INTO THE NEW JOB.

[APPLAUSE].

>> WE'RE FORTUNATE THAT THESE FOUR INDIVIDUALS ARE COMMITTING TO OUR DEPARTMENT AND TO OUR COMMUNITY TO SERVE OUR CITIZENS.

EACH OF THESE INDIVIDUALS DO GO THROUGH A RIGOROUS TRAINING PROGRAM SO WE CAN ENSURE THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR ROLES.

THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO TEACH THEM THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WORK OR THE INFORMATION TO DO THIS WORK AND TO TEACH THEM THE STYLE IN WHICH WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IT IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN IN A PROBLEM-SOLVING MANNER.

>>THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT ALSO PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT'S NEW SCRAM PROGRAM.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN WILL HAVE MORE DETAILS ON THAT PROGRAM DURING TOMORROW'S NEWSCAST.

>>> AFTER BEING APPOINTED AS THE NEXT CROW WING COUNTY ATTORNEY AT A BOARD MEETING LAST WEEK, KELSEY HOPPS SAYS SHE'S EXCITED TO START HER NEW ROLE LATER THIS YEAR.

HOPPS, CURRENTLY THE ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY WILL MAKE HISTORY AS THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS CROW WING COUNTY ATTORNEY.

SHE FIRST STARTED WORKING WITH THE COUNTY AS AN INTERN IN 2008 AND HAS WORKED IN THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE EVER SINCE.

HOPPS ANTICIPATES THAT THERE WON'T BE MUCH OF A CHANGE IN HOW THINGS ARE RUN ONCE SHE TAKES OVER THE POSITION, DUE TO HER TIME SPENT WITH RETIRING COUNTY ATTORNEY DON RYAN.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYTHING IS REALLY GOING TO CHANGE.

I WORKED WITH HIM MY WHOLE CAREER AND I APPRECIATE AND RESPECT THE ATMOSPHERE AND THE DRIVE.

I THINK THAT'S WHY I AM GOING TO STEP INTO THIS ROLE BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN A MENTOR.

I DON'T FORESEE ANY MAJOR CHANGES.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT PRETTY MUCH THE SAME.

>> HOPPS IS SLATED TO BE OFFICIALLY SWORN INTO THE POSITION IN A CEREMONY ON SEPTEMBER 12TH.

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

>> Stacy: IT WILL BE MAINLY QUIET AND WARMER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE WEATHER MAY TURN MORE FALL-LIKE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, AFTER THE CLOSURE OF ONE OF THE LOCATIONS, WE HAVE THE DETAILS ON THE FUTURE >> AND NOW LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE CELEBRATING ITS 59TH ANNUAL TRADITIONAL POWWOW WITH THREE DAYS OF EVENTS THIS PAST WEEKEND.

HUNDRED OF DANCERS AND MANY TRIBES ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA CAME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE NATIVE CULTURE AND PASS DOWN RESPECTIVE CUSTOMS OF THEIR ANCESTORS.

THE PEOPLE OF THE NON-REMOVABLE MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE HAVE CALLED THE MILLE LACS LAKE AREA HOME FOR LONGER THAN MINNESOTA HAS BEEN A STATE, ENDURING MANY CHALLENGES AND HARDSHIPS BOTH PRIOR TO ARRIVING IN THE REGION, AS WELL AS DURING THEIR TIME IN MILLE LACS.

WHICH MAKES THE ANNUAL TRADITIONAL POWWOW, ALL THE MORE CRUCIAL, FOR THOSE IN ATTENDANCE, TO ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE.

>> WHAT I LIKE TO SEE IS OUR YOUNG KIDS THAT CAN BARELY WALK WITH REGALIA OUT DANCING.

THAT MAKES MY HEART FULL.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THIS AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO STOP.

IT'S GOING TO KEEP FLOURISHING.

OUR LANGUAGES COME BACK.

OUR TRIBAL IDENTITY IS JUST GETTING ELEVATED.

>> EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE ANNOUNCED IT HAD PURCHASED THE NAMING RIGHTS OF THE XCEL ENERGY CENTER, WHICH WILL BE CALLED THE GRAND CASINO ARENA STARTING IN SEPTEMBER.

>>> LEECH LAKE MAY BE KNOWN FOR ITS WALLEYE, BUT THIS WEEKEND THE BASS WERE THE STAR OF THE SHOW.

MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED ANGLERS WERE IN TOWN FOR THE SECOND EVER SAINT CROIX BASSMASTER OPENS IN WALKER.

>> Reporter: MINNESOTA IS THE FURTHEST NORTH OPEN THAT BASS MASTER HOLDS AFTER THEY START THEIR FISHING IN TEXAS IN JANUARY AND WORK THEIR WAY UP THE COUNTRY.

THE TOURNAMENT IN WALKER IS THE LAST STOP IN THE DIVISION 2 SEASON.

>> THE WIND BLEW OUT OF THE WEST, AND THEN THE NEXT DAY OUT OF THE EAST, AND THEN THE SOUTH, SO THEY HAD THEIR PRACTICE WITH WIND.

WE HAD A SOLID CATCH OF FISH AND THE LAKE IS FISHING REALLY WELL AND IT WILL COME DOWN TO OUNCES TODAY TO SEE WHO WILL HOLD THE TROPHY UP.

>> THE ANGLERS SEARCHED THE LAKE FOR THE FIVE BIGGEST BASS THEY COULD FIND WITH A 12-INCH MINIMUM AND THE WEIGH IN COMBINES THE WEIGHT OF THE FISH THEY CATCH OVER BOTH DAYS.

>> IF YOU ARE FROM HERE, YOU ARE VERY SPOILED.

THE FISHING HERE IS WORLD CLASS AND THE ANGLERS LOVE IT.

EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT IT, HOW THEY LOVE COMING TO MINNESOTA THIS TIME OF YEAR TO FISH.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH THE NORMALLY THREE DAY EVENT WAS SHORTENED TO TWO DAYS DUE TO UNFAVORABLE FISHING WEATHER, WALKER STILL SAW A HUGE ECONOMY BOOST WITH ALL THE ANGLING ATTENTION.

>> IT'S BEEN AN AMAZING DEAL FOR US, ALL THE ANGLERS, THE FAMILIES, BASICALLY REPRESENTING AND COMING TO OUR TOWN, IT'S HUGE.

THEY'RE EATING AT OUR RESTAURANTS, STAYING AT OUR LODGES, THEY'RE GETTING OUT IN TOWN, SHOPPING, DOING ALL THAT FUN STUFF AND WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN FOR THESE ANGLERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: AFTER THE FISH ARE WEIGHED, THEY ARE RELEASED BACK INTO THE WATER TO KEEP THE WILDLIFE AND FUTURE FISHING GOING.

>> I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING, THE THIRD LARGEST IN THE STATE.

IT'S GOOD FOR THEM AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVEN'T FISHED IT BEFORE.

A LOT OF NEWBIES COME TO OUR AREA TO FISH LEECH LAKE.

IT'S THE BEST.

>> USUALLY OUR CROWDS ARE 300 TO 400 PEOPLE AND WALKER IS BLOWING THAT OUT OF THE WATER.

IT'S A GOOD WAY TO END THE SEASON.

THERE IS A LARGE FAN BASE OUT HERE FOR FISHING AND WALKER JUST PROVES THAT WE LIKE TO CALL THEM BASSVILLE U.S.A., AND I THINK WE CAN STAMP WALKER AS ONE OF THOSE TOWNS.

>> AND WALKER DEFINITELY BECAME BASSVILLE U.S.A.

EVEN IF IT WAS JUST FOR TWO DAYS.

AND LEECH LAKE HAD PLENTY OF BASS TO GO AROUND, WITH THE OPENS WINNER, LAKER HOWELL FROM ALABAMA, SECURING FIRST PLACE WITH A TOTAL WEIGH-IN OF 39 POUNDS, 13 OUNCES, AND THE LITTLE $47,000 CHECK THAT HE ALSO TOOK HOME WAS AN ADDED BONUS TO SECURING HIS SPOT IN THE 2026 BASS PRO SHOPS BASSMASTER CLASSIC.

>>> IN ONE WEEK FROM TODAY WE WILL FIND OUT WHO IS THE WINNER OF OUR LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY CONTEST.

THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER GETS A THREE-NIGHT STAY AT CRAGUNS RESORT NEAR BRAINERD.

ALL SUMMER LONG DURING EACH NEWSCAST WE DRAW FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS FOR A GRAND DRAWING THAT WILL HAPPEN ON OUR MONDAY, AUGUST 25TH NEWSCAST AND THAT IS NEXT MONDAY, SO YOU HAVE JUST FOUR MORE DAYS OF QUALIFYING CHANCES FOR THAT DRAWING.

AND HERE ARE TONIGHTS POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

TO BE AN OFFICIAL QUALIFIER, IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME, CALL THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN BEFORE THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AND YOU WILL BE IN THAT GRAND DRAWING SLATED FOR NEXT WEEK.

>>> NOW WE HAVE STACY JOINING US FOR WEATHER.

STACY, IT WAS PRETTY CLOUDY WHEN I WAS OUT THERE TODAY.

IS THAT GOING TO CONTINUE?

>> Stacy: NO, WE SHOULD SEE MORE SUNSHINE TOMORROW, TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMING UP A LITTLE BIT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

OVERALL PRETTY QUIET, JUST A FEW CHANCES OF PRECIPITATION.

HOWEVER, AS WE HEAD INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEK AND ESPECIALLY INTO THE WEEKEND, WE WILL SEE A COOL DOWN, HIGHS THIS WEEKEND EXPECTED TO BE IN THE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE DID HAVE A BIT OF A DREARY DAY, ESPECIALLY EARLY ON TODAY.

A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE PEEKING OUT NOW AND AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT, THERE IS A CHANCE OF SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, MAINLY IN PARTS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN MINNESOTA.

OTHERWISE, WE WILL BE SEEING CLEARING SKIES OVERNIGHT.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE WILL SEE A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE, BUT SUNSHINE SHOULD RETURN AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMER TOMORROW AND A COUPLE OF DAYS WITH WARMING TEMPS BEFORE THINGS TAKE A FALL-LIKE TURN AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW IT'S 70 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 4 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 70, IT'S MUGGY OUT THERE.

HUMIDITY IS AT 100%.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY WITH SOME FOG, IT'S 68 DEGREES, A DEW POINT OF 67.

PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE CALM.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE, WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF CLOUD COVER THROUGHOUT THE DAY, A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE NOW AND AGAIN AS WE MOVED INTO THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

LOOKING OUT TO THE WEST, WE DO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A CELL MOVING THROUGH PARTS OF WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA, JUST SOUTH OF FARGO, AND THAT WILL POSSIBLY BE AFFECTING WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA LATER ON TONIGHT.

THERE IS A CHANCE OF SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THAT REGION AND THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE ACROSS THE REST OF EASTERN MINNESOTA OF AN ISOLATED SHOWER OR THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPING, OTHER THAN THAT, WE WILL BE SEEING PLENTY OF CLOUD COVER OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WITH MORE SUNSHINE RETURNING, ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON TOMORROW.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF A FOGGY MORNING IN MENAHGA.

ALSO, GRAY SKIES OVER UPPER RED LAKE THIS MORNING FROM SAMROSE.

STEPHANIE SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE MONARCHS SHE SPOTTED IN HER YARD IN BRAINERD.

YOLANDA TAKING A PHOTO OF THE PELICANS GATHERED AT THE END OF THE DOCK.

SANDY SENDING US THIS PICTURE FROM BLACKDUCK AND THE HUMMINGBIRDS WERE TAKING A BREAK FROM THEIR FEEDING TODAY.

THE DAHLIA ARE IN BLOOM, GARY SPOTTING A WILD MUSHROOM.

ANGELA SEEING A LOT OF CLOUD COVER OVER STEAMBOAT LAKE THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PICTURES TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING A LIGHT SHOWER THIS MORNING, OTHERWISE OVERCAST SKIES.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, FOG, DRIZZLE, SUNSHINE, BUT HUMID TODAY.

PAUL IN BEMIDJI, CLOUDS THIS MORNING, SUNSHINE RETURNING THIS AFTERNOON.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY WITH 0.2-INCH OF RAIN.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE WITH 0.2-INCH OF RAIN.

A HIGH OF 75.

SANDY AT BLACKDUCK WITH A HIGH OF 74.

OUR ALMANAC, 73 WAS THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD.

62 WAS OUR LOW.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 78, PRETTY MUCH ON TARGET FOR THAT AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE AND THE LOW TODAY WAS 59.

SO HERE'S TOMORROW'S FORECAST, VARIABLE CLOUDS TO START THE DAY.

THERE MAY BE A FEW HIT AND MISS SHOWERS OUT THERE, MAINLY IN EAST MINNESOTA.

AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, WE WILL SEE THE CLOUDS THINNING AND BREAKING UP WITH SUNSHINE RETURNING BY TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

HIGH TEMPERATURES TOMORROW SHOULD BE IN THE MID-70s IN THE FAR NORTH, BUT MOST OF US SHOULD SEE HIGHS IN THE 80s, A FEW DEGREES SHY OF THAT IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WITH HIGHS AROUND 80 IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, MAINLY IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

LOWS NEAR 62.

VARIABLE CLOUDS AGAIN TOMORROW WITH THAT SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS, ESPECIALLY IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AND THE SUNSHINE RETURNING IN THE AFTERNOON, HIGHS NEAR 81.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, QUIET AND 82 ON WEDNESDAY, COULD BE SEEING SOME AREAS OF FOG TONIGHT AND TOMORROW NIGHT.

THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON THURSDAY, AND THEN THINGS START TO COOL DOWN AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE WEEKEND.

MAYBE A FEW SHOWERS IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA ON SATURDAY, OTHERWISE IT LOOKS PRETTY QUIET THIS WEEKEND, BUT HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE 60s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY.

NOW WE HAVE CHARLIE YAEGER JOINING US FOR SPORTS.

CHARLIE, WHAT DO WE HAVE GOING ON TONIGHT?

>> Charlie: OVER THE WEEKEND, WE HAD THE NHRA INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY.

THEY WERE DOING THE DRAGSTERES, THE FUNNY CARS, AND WE WERE THERE FOR THE HIGHLIGHTS.

WE'LL SHOW YOU WHO THE WINNERS WERE AND HEAR FROM ONE OF THEM AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE NHRA RETURNED TO THE B.I.R.

THIS WEEKEND FOR THE 43RD LUCAS OIL NATIONALS, WITH QUALIFYING RACES FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AND THE ELIMINATIONS RACES ON SUNDAY.

WE HEAD OUT TO BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY FOR THE FINAL ROUNDS OF RACING.

IN THE FUNNY CAR FINALS, AUSTIN PROCK, COASTS TO VICTORY OVER J.R. TODD IN 3.907 SECONDS, SECOND STRAIGHT WIN OF THE SEASON, FIRST CAREER WIN AT B.I.R.

IN PRO STOCK, DULUTH NATIVE GREG ANDERSON, COLLECTS HIS FOURTH-EVER WIN AT BRAINERD, EDGING OUT TEAMMATE DALLAS GLENN IN 6.551 SECONDS.

AND IN THE TOP FUEL FINALS, DOUG KALITTA, GONE FROM THE GO.

POWERS TO THE FINISH LINE IN 3.670 SECONDS GOING NEARLY 338 MILES PER HOUR.

ALSO SNAGGING HIS SECOND STRAIGHT WALLY OF THE SEASON.

AFTER THE RACES WE HEARD FROM THE LOCAL PRO STOCK DRIVER.

GREG ANDERSON, HAILING FROM DULUTH MINNESOTA HE'S THE REIGNING NHRA PRO STOCK CHAMPION, AND HE SHARED WHAT IT MEANS TO WIN IN FRONT OF A HOME CROWD.

>> I HAVE A BUNCH OF BUDDIES THAT I GREW UP WITH IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THERE IS NO ONE TOUGHER ON ME THAN THEM.

WHEN I DON'T DO WELL, I LOST FIRST ROUND LAST YEAR.

I HAD A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND GOING, I WON THE TASTING CHALLENGE ON SATURDAY, NUMBER ONE QUALIFIER, AND I LOST FIRST ROUND TODAY.

IT'S LIKE THEY DIDN'T COME BACK THIS YEAR.

SO THEY ARE HART -- HARD ON ME BUT I LOVE THEM FOR THAT.

YOU DON'T WANT TO STUMBLE, YOU DON'T WANT TO FALL ON YOUR FACE IN FRONT OF ALL YOUR BUDDIES.

THAT'S THE HONEST TO GOD TRUTH.

THIS IS A SPECIAL ONE AND AT MY AGE, YOU NEVER KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO GET ANOTHER ONE.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN YOUR LAST WIN WILL BE YOUR LAST WIN.

LET'S HOPE THIS ISN'T, BUT IF IT IS, I WILL CELEBRATE LIKE HELL TONIGHT.

I'M PROUD OF IT.

>>> DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS, WE MAKE THEM EVERY DAY, MOSTLY TRIVIAL BUT ON OCCASION.

WE FIND OURSELVES STARING DOWN SOME BIG ONES, THE KIND THAT REQUIRE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, PERHAPS A LITTLE INPUT FROM OTHERS.

MAYBE YOU JUST GO WITH YOUR GUT FEELING, BUT WHATEVER DECISION YOU MAKE, IT'S YOURS, AND YOURS ALONE.

GRAND RAPIDS' GOALTENDER CARTER CASEY HAS BEEN MAKING A FEW DECISIONS OF HIS OWN THIS SUMMER, THE KIND THAT WILL FOREVER SHAPE HIS HOCKEY FUTURE.

>> Reporter: MAKING DECISIONS UNDER PRESSURE COMES SECOND NATURE TO CARTER CASEY.

IT'S WHAT GOALTENDERS DO AND WHAT HE'S BEEN DOING FOR GRAND RAPIDS HOCKEY THE PAST TWO SEASONS.

THIS SUMMER, HE HAD TO MAKE SOME OF THE BIGGEST DECISIONS OF HIS LIFE, ONES THAT COULD SHAPE HIS HOCKEY CAREER FOREVER.

>> IT'S BEEN GOOD, IT'S BEEN A LOT OF FUN.

I THINK I'M FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THE DECISIONS.

THERE WERE A LOT OF TOUGH DECISIONS BUT I HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY CORNER TO HELP MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

>> Reporter: THEY BEGAN THIS SPRING AT THE END OF CASEY'S JUNIOR SEASON.

>> GOING DOWN THERE, I EXPECTED TO BE THE THIRD GOALIE, A COUPLE INJURIES, AND THEN I WAS IN AND PLAYING GAMES.

>> Reporter: HE LEAD THE BLACKHAWKS THROUGH THE PLAYOFFS ALL THE WAY TO THE FINALS, PROVING HE COULD HANG WITH THE BEST HOCKEYAL LEN -- HOCKEY TALENT IN THE COUNTRY.

HE DECIDED PLAYING IN CANADA WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TOO GOOD TO PASS UP.

>> I THINK THAT WAS A BIG PART OF IT.

I THINK BEING CONFIDENT IN MYSELF, I WANT TO TAKE THIS AS FAR AS I CAN AND BEING AT MEDICINE HAT NEXT YEAR WILL BEST GET ME READY TO DO IT.

I THINK THE DEVELOPMENT PIECE IS HUGE AND MAKING SURE I'M MOVING FORWARD WITH MY CAREER.

>> Reporter: THE DECISION CAME AT A COST.

HE WILL FOGO HIS MAJOR SEASON TO MAKE THE JUMP.

>> IT WAS A TOUGH DECISION, IT'S TOUGH TO LEAVE MY SENIOR YEAR AND MISSING OUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND NOT JUST HOCKEY, EXPERIENCES, ALL THAT STUFF.

I THINK IT'S WHAT IS RIGHT FOR ME AND MY CAREER.

>> Reporter: THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IN THE WHL, PART OF THE CANADIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE, IS A NEW PROSPECT FOR AMERICAN PLAYERS WHO ASPIRE TO PLAY COLLEGE HOCKEY.

CHL PLAYERS USE TO BE INELIGIBLE TO THE AMATEUR RULE BUT THOSE RULES CHANGED THIS YEAR, ALLOWING FOR THE CROSS OVER.

>> WE'RE IN A FUNNY SPOT.

MY GROUP LIKE THIS GROUP GOING UP THERE IS THE FOREFRONT OF IT.

WE'RE THE TRAILBLAZERS OF IT.

IT'S A HIGHER SCORING LEAGUE SO I WILL SEE A LOT OF SHOTS, BUT IT'S GOOD.

IT'S GOOD FOR MY DEVELOPMENT, THE FACILITY IS REALLY NICE.

I CAN SPEND A LOT OF TIME AT THE RINK AND DIVE IN.

>> Reporter: IT WASN'T LONG AFTER DECIDING TO PLAY FOR MEDICINE HAT THAT CASEY MADE HIS FINAL BIG DECISION, A COMMITMENT TO PLAY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

>> WANTING TO WEAR THAT JERSEY, RIGHT?

I THINK THAT WAS A BIG PART OF MY DECISION.

I LOVE THE FACILITY, THE SCHOOL IS GREAT, ACADEMICS IS A GOOD THING FOR ME, I WANT TO GET A DEGREE AND THEY KEEP MINNESOTA GUYS.

IT'S A MINNESOTA-BUILT TEAM AND I THINK BEING A PART OF THAT WILL BE COOL.

>> Reporter: IT'S MADE FOR A WHIRLWIND SUMMER BUT NOW WITH HIS CAREER PATH SET, CASEY IS READY FOR THE FUTURE TO COME TO HIM.

>> HEAD WHERE YOUR BOOTS ARE, THAT'S WHERE YOU NEED TO BE MENTALLY.

YOU CAN LOOK AND DREAM BIG, BUT YOU HAVE TO PUT IN THE WORK EVERY DAY.

TAKING THINGS DAY BY DAY IS WHAT I WANT TO DO.

ESPECIALLY THIS SUMMER, BEING AROUND HERE AND ENJOYING IT.

I HAVE BEEN GRINDING AND PUTTING IN A LOT OF WORK, BUT TAKING TIME TO ENJOY MY LIFE AND BE WHERE I AM.

>> Charlie: CARTER HAS PLAYED FOR TEAM U.S.A.

IN THE CUP AGAINST CANADA AND WHITE BEAR LAKE, ONE OF THE GREATEST FINISHES IN HOCKEY STATE TOURNAMENT THERE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WONDERING IF HE IS RELATED TO JOHN CASEY OF GRAND RAPIDS?

NO, HE IS NOT.

HE IS HIS OWN MAN AND MAYBE WE WILL REMEMBER THE NAME CARTER CASEY DOWN THE LINE.

>> Sydney: I LOOKED UP CARTER CASEY AND THAT WAS THE NUMBER ONE GOOGLED QUESTION, ARE THEY RELATED.

THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>>> WELL, WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING MANY BUSINESSES IN THE BEMIDJI AREA THAT HAVE BEEN AND CONTINUE TO SEE THE EFFECTS FROM THE JUNE 21ST STORM.

ONE OF THOSE BUSINESSES WAS THE SOUTH LOCATION OF KEITH'S PIZZA, HAVING TO CLOSE INDEFINITELY DUE TO STORM DAMAGE.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, SPOKE WITH ONE OF THE OWNERS OF KEITH'S PIZZA TO SEE WHAT THE PLANS ARE MOVING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: LIKE MANY WHO LIVE IN THE AREA, SCOTT ANDERSON, CO-OWNER OF KEITH'S PIZZA WAS SHOCKED TO SEE WHAT HE SAW IN THE CITY.

>> IT WAS A LONG MORNING.

IT STARTED LIKE A DOMINO EFFECT, WHERE WHEN WE GOT CLOSER, THE TREES WERE WORSE AND WORSE.

WHEN WE GOT TO THE MALL STORE, IT TOOK 4 OR 5 HOURS TO SECURE IT WITH THE WINDOW AND DIFFERENT THINGS.

THE SOUTH LOCATION, STORE MEMBERS WERE SHOWING UP FOR WORK AND THEY WERE SENDING VIDEOS AND CONTENT ON HOW BAD IT WAS, AND THE ROOF WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AND THERE WAS DEBRIS.

>> Reporter: 120 MILES PER HOUR WINDS, BRINGING DAMAGE TO THE SOUTH LOCATION OF KEITH'S PIZZA.

THIS WOULD FORCE THE CLOSURE OF THIS LOCATION UNTIL OWNERS COULD DETERMINE THE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.

>> IT WAS SCARY BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH WATER DAMAGE AT THE SOUTH LOCATION THAT WE COULDN'T SEE THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES.

WE KNEW WE WOULDN'T BE OPEN FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS AT THAT POINT.

WE WERE HOPING WE COULD GET THROUGH A BUSY SUMMER BECAUSE TYPICALLY, THE SUMMER SEASON STARTS ON THAT SATURDAY.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE OWNERS HAD TO WAIT AND SIT FOR INSURANCE DETAILS, MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SHOWED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE CALM AFTER THE STORM EVENT, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNITED WAY OF THE BEMIDJI AREA.

>> IT GIVES ME GOOSEBUMPS ACTUALLY.

I THINK WE RAISED, WITH HELP FROM OTHER ENTITIES, I THINK IT WAS AROUND $4,000.

THAT WAS A SCHOOL EXPERIENCE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE STEPPED UP AND HELPED.

>> Reporter: AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF WAITING, THE SOUTH LOCATION OF KEITH'S PIZZA WOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH DEMOLITION, BUT FOR A COMPLETE REMODEL.

>> WE HAVE A NEW PLAN FOR THE INSIDE.

THE OUTSIDE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH DAMAGE TO REALLY DO MUCH FOR NEW, UNLESS YOU WANTED TO SPEND MONEY OUT OF POCKET.

WE'RE GOING TO LIFT THE CEILING ABOUT 5 FEET.

WE WILL HAVE BRAND NEW FLOORING AND WALLS, ALL SURFACES WILL BE NEW, INCLUDING SEATING.

WE'RE ANXIOUS TO SEE HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> WITH THE SOUTH LOCATION CLOSED FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS..

THE MALL LOCATION IN FRONT OF HOBBY LOBBY HAS ADDED TEN NEW TAP LINES TO THEIR CRAFT BEERS.

>>> NOW WE'RE GOING BACK TO STACY FOR MORE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE COULD BE SEEING A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, OTHERWISE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH LOWS NEAR 62.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS TO START THE DAY, A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SHOWERS IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING.

THEN MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, HIGHS SHOULD BE AROUND 81.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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