>> 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.

>> 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 YEARS OF BACK-AND-FORTH, THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL HAS ISSUED MUNICIPAL CONSENT FOR THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S HIGHWAY 197 PROJECT.

THE PLAN WOULD ADD ROUNDABOUTS ON THE INTERSECTIONS OF HANNAH AVENUE AND THE ENTRANCE TO MENARDS.

THE COUNCIL HAD CONCERNS ABOUT HOW CLOSE THE ROUNDABOUTS ARE TO THE SUPER 8 MOTEL ON HANNAH AVENUE.

THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS AS WELL AS THOSE STAYING IN THE MOTEL IN THE EVENT OF A CAR CRASH ON THAT ROUNDABOUT.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM MINN-DOT MET WITH THE COUNCIL STATING THE ROUNDABOUT WILL BE MUCH FURTHER AWAY THAN THE DESIGNS MAKE IT APPEAR.

>> THE ROUNDABOUT IS ALMOST 70 FEET AWAY FROM THE BUILDING.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LANDSCAPING AND TALKING ABOUT THAT.

THE CITY HAS BEEN CONSIDERING THAT.

ONE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE CAN LOOK AT IS THE LANDSCAPING BUFFER AREA BEHIND THE TRAIL.

THE TRAIL IS RIGHT UP BEHIND THE CURB AND THEN IT GOES INTO THE PARKING LOT.

WE CAN CREATE THAT LANDSCAPING BUFFER CREATING SPACE FOR TREES OR BOULDERS AND PROVIDE SCREENING AND PROTECTION.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER GWENIA FISKEVOLD GOULD SAID THAT BECAUSE THE ENTIRE PROJECT WOULD BE FUNDED THROUGH GRANT MONEY THAT WOULD BRING DOWN THE OVERALL COST TO RESIDENTS.

OTHERS COUNCIL MEMBERS BELIEVE THE ROUNDABOUT WILL HELP WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC IN THE AREA, AND PREVENT CRASHES WITHOUT CUTTING DOWN EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIMES.

>> THIS PROJECT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES.

IT IS ADDRESSING INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF POTHOLES NEXT SPRING AND THE NEXT YEAR AND IF WE CAN'T ADDRESS THAT, THAT WILL BE AN ISSUE WE NEED TO TACKLE.

WE DOCUMENTED SAFETY CONCERNS.

THERE ARE SUSTAINED CRASHES AT HANNAH AVENUE AND MIDDLE SCHOOL DRIVE AND HIGHWAY 71.

THIS PROJECT ADDRESSES THOSE.

55% REDUCTION IN CRASHES CAUSED BY THE IMPROVEMENTS WE ARE PLANNING THROUGH THIS PROJECT.

>> THE VOTE PASSED 5-2, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER JOSH PETERSON AND MAYOR JORGE PRINCE VOTING NO ON THE PROJECT.

MINN-DOT EXPRESSED THAT THEY BELIEVE THEIR PORTION OF THE PROJECT WOULD ONLY TAKE A YEAR AND SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY FALL OF 2026.

>>> PLANS HAVE BEEN FINALIZED FOR THE UPCOMING LOWELL SAFE ROUTES PROJECT AT LOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BRAINERD.

THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE PROJECT LAYOUT DURING ITS MEETING LAST NIGHT.

THE SAFE ROUTES PROJECT WILL ADD RAPID FLASHING BEACON SIGNAGE, A MEDIAN ON H STREET, AND CURB CROSSING BUMP OUTS.

THE PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE SAFETY FOR PEDESTRIANS NEAR THE SCHOOL.

>> WE'RE READY TO MOVE INTO THE DESIGN PHASE.

ONCE WE DEVELOP THE DESIGN, WE WILL GET THE PROJECT READY TO BID PROBABLY EARLY SPRING OR LATE WINTER, BID THE PROJECT OUT, AND THEN IDEALLY WE'RE HOPING TO HAVE THE CONSTRUCTION IN SUMMERTIME, AS SOON AS SCHOOL LETS OUT AND HAVE IT READY TO GO FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL SEASON.

>> $650,000 WORTH OF STATE AID FUNDS ARE GOING TOWARDS THE PROJECT, WHICH IS PLANNED TO TAKE PLACE IN 2025.

>>> PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP HAS INDICATED HE INTENDS TO BLOCK A JAPANESE FIRM'S $15 BILLION TAKEOVER BID OF U.S. STEEL.

U.S. STEEL BECAME THE WORLD'S FIRST COMPANY TO BE VALUED AT MORE THAN $1 BILLION BUT IT HAS STRUGGLED IN RECENT YEARS.

IN SEPTEMBER, THE COMPANY SAID IT WOULD BE FORCED TO LAY OFF WORKERS AND SHUTTER MILLS WITHOUT NIPPON STEEL'S BACKING.

NIPPON STEEL HAS SAID IT WAS DETERMINED TO PROTECT AND GROW U.S. STEEL BY INVESTING NEARLY $3 BILLION INTO ITS UNIONIZED FACILITIES, BUT TRUMP SAYS THE FORMER AMERICAN GIANT CAN EVENTUALLY STAND ON ITS OWN.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HAS ALSO VOICED OPPOSITION TO THE DEAL.

>>> MINNESOTA SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR IS TAKING ON A PROMINENT LEADERSHIP POSITION IN THE UPCOMING CONGRESS.

U.S. SENATE DEMOCRATS TODAY ELECTED KLOBUCHAR TO THE PARTY'S NUMBER THREE SPOT IN SENATE LEADERSHIP.

KLOBUCHAR WILL SERVE AS THE CAUCUS CHAIR OF THE STEERING AND POLICY COMMITTEE.

CURRENT MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE AS THE TOP DEMOCRAT.

SENATOR DICK DURBIN OF ILLINOIS WILL BE THE NUMBER TWO DEMOCRAT AND AGAIN SERVE AS THE PARTY'S WHIP.

>>> THE BIGGEST PRIVATE COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES WILL SHRINK ITS WORKFORCE.

CARGILL ANNOUNCED IT PLANS TO LAYOFF 5 PERCENT OF ITS EMPLOYEES WORLDWIDE.

THE MINNESOTA-BASED COMPANY HELPS DISTRIBUTE MEATS, GRAIN, AND OTHER FARM PRODUCTS GLOBALLY.

IT MADE HUGE PROFITS DURING AND AFTER THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE OF RISING INFLATION, BUT GROCERY PRICES ARE FALLING AND THERE'S FEWER U.S. CATTLE, AND THAT IS HURTING CARGILL'S BOTTOM LINE.

THE COMPANY SAID THE CHANGES ARE PART OF A LONG-TERM STRATEGY IT SET EARLIER THIS YEAR.

CARGILL HAS MORE THAN 160,000 EMPLOYEES WORLDWIDE.

>>> THE AUCTION IS ALMOST OVER FOR THE PAIR OF RUBY RED SLIPPERS THAT JUDY GARLAND WORE IN THE WIZARD OF OZ THAT WERE THEN LATER STOLEN FROM THE JUDY GARLAND MUSEUM IN GRAND RAPIDS.

ONLINE AUCTION HOSTED BY HERITAGE AUCTIONS IN DALLAS WILL END ON SATURDAY.

AS OF THIS EVENING THE HIGH BID IS $1.1 MILLION.

THE ICONIC SHOES WERE ON LOAN TO THE JUDY GARLAND MUSEUM WHEN THEY WERE STOLEN IN 2005.

WHEN THEY WERE RECOVERED IN 2018 THEY WERE VALUED AT $3.5 MILLION AFTER THEY WERE FOUND.

THE JUDY GARLAND MUSEUM HAS BEEN FUNDRAISING IN AN EFFORT TO PURCHASE THE SLIPPERS AT THE AUCTION.

THE STATE HAS GIVEN THE MUSEUM $100,000 TO GO TOWARDS THE PURCHASE.

>>> THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

IS ASKING HUNTERS AND OTHER RECREATIONISTS SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS THIS FALL TO REPORT THE LOCATIONS OF OCCUPIED BEAR DENS THEY ENCOUNTER IN AND AROUND THE BRAINERD AND DULUTH AREAS.

BEAR RESEARCHERS WITH THE DNR AND UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH HOPE TO FIT AN ADDITIONAL NUMBER OF BEARS WITH G.P.S.

TRACKING COLLARS THIS WINTER.

D.N.R.

OFFICIALS SAY THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO GET A WHOLE YEAR OF MOVEMENT DATA, WHICH THEY CAN'T DO WITH BEARS THAT THEY CATCH AND COLLAR IN MID-SUMMER.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS RESEARCH IS TO DOCUMENT BEAR MOVEMENTS ON THE LANDSCAPE, BOTH RURAL AND URBAN, AND ASSESS THE AGE OF FIRST REPRODUCTION IN THESE TWO STUDY AREAS.

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

>> Stacy: WE MAY SEE SOME FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW OVERNIGHT WITH STRONG WINDS DEVELOPING AND BLOWING SNOW WILL BE A CONCERN TOMORROW.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, THE CROW WING COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT IS FINALLY BACK ON THE ROAD AND READY FOR SNOWPLOW SEASON.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> THIS YEAR'S CYBER MONDAY WAS THE BIGGEST U.S. ONLINE SHOPPING DAY IN HISTORY!

ACCORDING TO ADOBE ANALYTICS, U.S. CONSUMERS SHELLED OUT A WHOPPING $13.3 BILLION.

THAT'S UP MORE THAN 7 PERCENT FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

DURING A TWO-HOUR PERIOD MONDAY NIGHT, CONSUMERS SPENT $15.8 MILLION EVERY 60 SECONDS.

IT CAPPED OFF A FIVE-DAY SPENDING SPREE THAT TOTALLED MORE THAN $41 BILLION, SMASHING PREVIOUS RECORDS.

>>> BRAINERD COMMUNITY ACTION IS TRYING TO SPREAD SOME HOLIDAY CHEER ACROSS THE TOWN, AS THE ORGANIZATION WILL HAVE 5-FOOT TALL, COOKIE-THEMED, FOAM STATUES GRACING DOWNTOWN BRAINERD THROUGH NEW YEAR'S.

LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THE AREA ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FUND THE PROJECT, AS WELL AS INCLUDE THEIR RESPECTIVE LOGOS AT THE STATUE'S BASE, WHILE LOCAL ARTISTS ARE ALSO INCLUDING THEIR OWN ADDITIONS AS THE PROJECT AT ITS CORE IS ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO FOR THE COMMUNITY IS GIVE BACK.

FOR MYSELF, THAT IS LOOKING AT WHAT IS THE NEXT GENERATION GOING TO LOOK LIKE?

I WANT TO SET AN EXAMPLE SO IN 25 YEARS WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWING UP NOW LOOK BACK AND SAY I WANT TO DO THOSE THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

COMMUNITY ACTION IS ABOUT FINDING INDIVIDUALS LIKE THAT AND THEN GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> THE STATUES WERE CREATED BY 'WHAT'S PROPPIN' OWNER CHASE VREELAND AND BRAINERD COMMUNITY ACTION PRESIDENT CHRIS SMITH.

YOU CAN FIND THEM BETWEEN SOUTH FIFTH AND SOUTH NINTH STREETS, AS WELL AS FRONT AND MAPLE STREETS.

>>> ALL RIGHT STACY, WE'RE IN DECEMBER NOW, A LITTLE WAYS OFF UNTIL CHRISTMAS.

WE'RE GOING TO GET SOME WINTER WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE COULD SEE MIXED PRECIPITATION AND FREEZING RAIN AND SOME SNOW AND WE DO HAVE THAT WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, A WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR A GOOD PORTION OF THE AREA DUE TO THE STRONG WINDS, WHICH WILL BE DEVELOPING AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW.

THAT COULD CREATE SOME AREAS OF BLOWIN >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, DEAF, DEAF/BLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING STATE SERVICES DIVISION.

>> 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, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE HAVE BEEN SEEING LIGHT PRECIPITATION IN THE AREA THIS EVENING, SOME RAIN AND FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW AND MORE IS POSSIBLE OVERNIGHT.

WE HAVE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR PART OF THE VIEWING AREA DUE TO THAT AND DEVELOPING WINDS, WHICH WILL BE PICKING UP AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW.

SO ANY SNOW ON THE GROUND COULD BE BLOWING AROUND ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW DUE TO THOSE STRONG WINDS, A LITTLE BIT OF A COOL DOWN ON THURSDAY, AND THEN WE WARM BACK UP FOR THE WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 23 AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS ARE SOUTHWEST AT 10 MILES PER HOUR.

OUR DEW POINT IS AT 17.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, IT'S 25 DEGREES, 19 IS OUR DEW POINT, AND WINDS ARE OUT OF THE SOUTH AT 14 MILES PER HOUR.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR WESTERN MINNESOTA UNTIL 6:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, WE DO HAVE THAT WINTERY MIX TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING, TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION UP TO AN INCH, BUT WE COULD SEE A GLAZE OF ICE AND WINDS GUSTING AS HIGH AS 45 MILES PER HOUR, AND REDUCED VISIBILITY.

A WIND ADVISORY IS OUT FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, AND THAT IS IN EFFECT FROM 6:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY TO MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY NIGHT, NORTHWEST WINDS, GUSTS UP TO 50 MILES PER HOUR EXPECTED.

NOW THE FIRST WAVE IS MOVING OUT.

WE COULD SEE MORE PRECIPITATION OVERNIGHT, MAINLY IN THE FORM OF SNOW, BUT THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR FREEZING RAIN, ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA.

THE SNOW TOMORROW WILL START TO TAPER OFF FROM WEST TO EAST, BUT WE WILL HAVE STRONG WINDS AS THIS COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH, WINDS ANYWHERE FROM 15 TO 30 TO 35 MILES PER HOUR WITH STRONGER GUSTS, SO ANY SNOW THAT HAS FALLEN COULD BE BLOWING AROUND CAUSING REDUCED VISIBILITY.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, CHARLENE SPOTTING A RAINBOW OVER PARK RAPIDS TODAY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CARRIE AT WALKER, AND JANICE WITH PICTURES OF TONIGHT'S EVENING SKIES.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE.

EAGLE EYES REPORTS, BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 21.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PICKING UP 1/10 INCH OF PRECIPITATION, AND ARLENE REPORTED SOME FREEZING RAIN TODAY WITH A HIGH OF 23.

A QUICK LOOK AT OUR ALMANAC, 25 WAS THE HIGH IN BRAINERD WITH A LOW OF 14.

IN BEMIDJI WE TOPPED OUT AT 23, THAT IS OUR CURRENT TEMPERATURE, 13 WAS OUR LOW, AND WE HAD SUNRISE AT 7:49.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, SNOW WILL TAPER OFF FROM WEST TO EAST, BUT CLOUDY SKIES AND WINDY CONDITIONS, BUT EXPECT THE TEMPERATURES TO FALL AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

SIMILAR CONDITIONS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, COULD SEE SOME SNOW SHOWERS ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING, BUT VERY WINDY AND HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE 20s, BUT AGAIN THOSE TEMPS WILL BE FALLING AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

SO HERE'S THAT FORECAST, A CHANCE OF SNOW TONIGHT, ISOLATED FREEZING RAIN IN THE WEST, AND BLOWING SNOW, WITH LOWS NEAR 13.

TOMORROW, WINDY CONDITIONS, STILL THAT CHANCE OF SNOW MAINLY IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, HIGHS NEAR 16.

QUIETER BUT COLDER ON THURSDAY, AND THEN AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE WEEKEND, CLOUDS ARE BACK, BUT WARMER TEMPERATURES ARE BACK, HIGHS IN THE 30s THIS WEEKEND, COULD SEE SOME MIXED PRECIP ON SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE.

BEMIDJI BOYS HOCKEY, IS THIS THEIR HOME OPENER?

>> Charlie: THEY PLAYED ONE ALREADY BUT DURING THE WEEK, IT IS FOR ME.

THEY HAD A GOOD SEASON STARTING OUT, BUT IT'S NOT JUST THEM THAT WAS PLAYING TONIGHT.

WE HAVE A BUNCH OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOU TONIGHT, FIVE OF THEM.

SO WE'RE GOING TO COMMERCIAL AND GET BACK TO IT AFTER THE BREAK.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, BRINGING NORTHERN MINNESOTA THE GIGAZONE.

INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGABITS PER SECONDS, BOTH UPLOAD AND DOWNLOAD.

IT'S THE GIGAZONE FROM PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS AND IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> THE BAND “THE WHO” ONCE SANG, ”THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT”.

NOW I'M NOT SURE IF THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT BEMIDJI BOYS HOCKEY BUT THE LUMBERJACKS ARE OFF TO A 2-AND-1 START AND RECEIVING VOTES WITH THEIR ONLY LOSS COMING IN A 6-5 OVERTIME THRILLER TO THE 13TH RANKED ACADEMY OF HOLY ANGELS.

SOUNDS ALRIGHT TO ME.

TONIGHT, BEMIDJI HOSTING THIEF RIVER FALLS.

JACKS COME IN AVERAGING 6-GOALS A GAME BUT HAVE ONLY SCORED ONE GOAL IN THE FIRST PERIOD IN ALL THREE OF THOSE CONTESTS.

WELL FOLKS, THEY BUCKED THAT TREND TONIGHT.

MIDWAY THROUGH THE FIRST, CONNOR FINDS TWINE ON THE POWER PLAY, LUMBERJACKS LED.

LATER IN THE PERIOD, DOMINIC ENDS UP WITH A POINT-BLANK SHOT, AND THE JACKS LED 2-0 AFTER ONE.

EARLY SECOND, PUCK IN FRONT OF THE NET, EVERYONE IS THROWING EVERYTHING AT IT, AND HE FILES IT AWAY AND BEMIDJI PUMPS THIEF RIVER FALLS FOR 9 GOALS.

>>> TONIGHT, GRAND RAPIDS, THEY WERE ON THE ROAD AT PROCTOR.

THEY ARE RANKED 15th IN CLASS 2A.

FIRST PERIOD JUST UNDER 5 TO PLAY, BAR DOWN OFF THE INTERCEPTION.

RAPIDS LED 1-0.

NOW LUKE GOES SAME SPOT, JUST FURTHER OUT, IT WAS 2-0 AFTER ONE.

AND NOW KNOCKING OFF PROCTOR OFF THE RAILS, 6-2.

A COUPLE SCORES FOR YOU IN BOYS HOCKEY.

BRAINERD BEATS RIVER LAKE.

BAGLEY FOSSTON GETS A 5-0 WIN OVER LAKE OF THE WOODS.

LITTLE FALLS TIES WITH SAUK RAPIDS RICE.

>>> IN GIRLS' HOCKEY, BRAINERD-LITTLE FALLS AT HOME AGAINST RIVER LAKES AFTER DROPPING THEIR FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON THE WARRIORS ARE UNBEATEN IN THEIR LAST FIVE.

FIRST PERIOD, WARRIORS ON THE ATTACK.

NOW BRAINERD TAKES A 1-0 LEAD.

THAT WAS ALL GOALIE ERICA NEEDED.

SHE BLANKED RIVER LAKES FOR HER FOURTH SHUTOUT OF THE YEAR, ALREADY A STONEWALL BACK THERE.

BRAINERD DOWNS RIVER LAKES IN A 2-0 VICTORY, SENDING THEIR STREAK TO 5.

IT'S THE WARRIORS BEST START SINCE THEY STARTED THE 2018-2019 SEASON.

>>> MORE IN GIRLS HOCKEY, BEMIDJI BEATS THIEF RIVER FALLS 5-2.

THAT WAS THE ONLY SCORE WE HAD THERE.

BRAINERD BOYS BASKETBALL SEASON TIPS OFF TONIGHT WITH A SECTION 8-4A CLASH AT HOME AGAINST THE REIGNING SECTION CHAMPS, ROGERS.

SECOND HALF, GRANT JOHNSON AUTOMATIC FROM DEEP MAKES IT 48-32.

LATER IN THE HALF, ROGERS PULLED WITHIN 6, BUT ELI TO THE RACK, FOR THE DEUCE, ADDS SOME CUSHION, 68-60 WARRIORS.

THEN IT'S GOING TO BE JOHNSON AGAIN.

DAGGER FROM THE CORNER, HE HAD 12 POINTS ON THE NIGHT AS BRAINERD GETS OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT TO OPEN THE YEAR.

THEY BEAT ROGERS.

>>> ELSEWHERE IN BOYS HOOPS, SUPERIOR BEATS GRAND RAPIDS.

CROSBY-IRONTON BEATS AITKIN.

AND IN GIRLS' BASKETBALL, GRAND RAPIDS AT BEMIDJI, JACKS TRYING TO BUILD OFF THEIR WIN VERSUS HERMANTOWN.

THUNDERHAWKS TRYING STOP A 2-GAME SKID.

WE'RE GOING TO PICK UP IN THE SECOND HALF, KAYLA KNOCKS DOWN THE TRAY, SHE FINISHES WITH 6 POINTS.

ON THE OTHER END OF THE COURT, SHE WAS SCORING AT WILL, GETS THE DEUCE HERE, SHE CONTRIBUTED 16 POINTS AND LATER CLAIRE ALSO IS GOING TO WORK OFF THE DRIBBLE.

THE BANK WAS OPEN AND SHE MAKES A DEPOSIT.

SHE LED THE JACKS IN SCORING WITH 21 AS BEMIDJI WINS BIG OVER GRAND RAPIDS.

LUMBERJACKS ARE NOW 3-1 TO START, T HAWKS DROPPED TO 1-3.

MORE SCORES, BRAINERD BEATS ROGERS 62-42.

LITTLE FALLS GETS A WIN OVER UPSALA.

PARK RAPIDS AND STAPLES MOTLEY, PARK RAPIDS GETS THE WIN.

I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT SCORE.

WADENA DEER CREEK BEATS SEBEKA.

MENAHGA OVER PILLAGER, WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY 81-21 OVER CLEAR BROOK GONVICK.

CASS LAKE-BENA GETS A WIN.

FOSSTON BEATS BAGLEY, 58-34.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS WINS OVER LAPORTE.

THE MINNESOTA WILD AGAINST THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS AND RIGHT NOW THEY ARE CURRENTLY LEADING THE NHL.

WHAT A SEASON THEY'RE HAVING, FROM LAST YEAR, NOT MAKING THE PLAYOFFS TO PLAYING WELL.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

WINTER HAS ARRIVED IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA WITH SNOWFALL ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS SINCE LATE NOVEMBER INCLUDING AN INCH OF SNOW YESTERDAY MORNING.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON HOW THE CROW WING COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT IS ADDRESSING THE CHANGE IN SEASON IN THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE WINTER JUST STARTED IN LATE NOVEMBER FOR THE BRAINERD FAITHFUL, DROPPING FROM A HIGH OF 51, TO 35 BETWEEN THE 19th AND 20th, THE CROW WING COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR THE CLIMATE CHANGE SINCE EARLY OCTOBER.

>> WE NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HIT.

OUR STRIKE AND GOAL IS TO HIT AND BE READY WITH ALL OUR EQUIPMENT AND PLOW TRUCKS BY OCTOBER 1ST.

IT CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME.

WE HAD SNOW IN SEPTEMBER, WE HAD SNOW NOT UNTIL JANUARY, SO WE JUST NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HIT AND WE NEED TO BE READY FOR IT AT ALL TIMES.

>> Reporter: EVERY SNOWFALL IS DIFFERENT, WITH SOME RESULTING IN THE SNOWPLOW DRIVERS SPENDING 16 HOURS TENDING THE ROADWAYS IN CROW WING COUNTY.

THAT'S WHY IT'S CRUCIAL TO HAVE ALL THEIR I'S DOTTED AND T'S CROSSED.

>> THE OPERATORS WILL GET A PHONE CALL, TEXT, OR E-MAIL, OR ALL THREE.

WE HAVE PRIORITY LEVELS, ONE, TWO, AND THREE, IT'S ALL BASED ON TRAFFIC PER DAY.

5,000 AND GREATER VOLUME ROADS ARE PRIORITY ONE.

>> Reporter: WHILE SNOWPLOW IS THE NAME OF THE GAME FOR THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, ANOTHER TROUBLESOME OBSTACLE FOR THE PATRONS IS ICE BUILD UP.

>> THAT SNOW THAT BECOMES COMPACTED TURNS INTO AN ICE RINK.

BEFORE WE KNOW IT, WE HAVE CARS IN THE DITCH AND OTHER ITEMS LIKE THAT.

SO WHATEVER WE HAVE TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THE ROAD AS DRY AND AS CLEAN AS POSSIBLE TO KEEP IT AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE FOR THE PUBLIC IS THE MAIN GOAL FOR THE DAY.

>> Reporter: LIFE DOESN'T WAIT UP ON ANYTHING, INCLUDING INCLEMENT WEATHER, AND CROW WING COUNTY SNOWPLOW DRIVERS UNDERSTAND THAT ITS RESIDENTS STILL HAVE PLACES TO BE, ALTHOUGH THOSE BEHIND THE MACHINERY URGE PATRONS TO GIVE DRIVERS AMPLE ROOM TO DO THEIR JOBS TO THE BEST OF THEIR CAPABILITY.

>> WE HAVE A LOT MORE BLIND SPOTS IN OUR MIRRORS OR BEHIND US THAT WE HAVE TO BE AWARE OF WHEN WE'RE DRIVING.

WE HAVE TO PUT IN A LOT OF TRAINING HOURS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SAFE AS WE'RE OUT ON THE ROADWAY AND KEEPING THE PUBLIC SAFE AS WELL.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND CROW WING COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN KEEP TABS ON THE COUNTY'S SNOWPLOW SCHEDULE VIA THE WHERE'S MY SNOWPLOW APP.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THOSE, THOSE APPS TO TELL YOU WHERE THE SNOWPLOWS ARE.

>> Stacy: NEITHER DID I BUT WE HAVE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 6:00 P.M.

TOMORROW.

WE HAVE POTENTIAL SNOW AND ICE ACCUMULATION, ALONG WITH THE STRONG WINDS.

WE HAVE A WIND ADVISORY IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA FROM 6:00 A.M.

TOMORROW UNTIL MIDNIGHT TOMORROW NIGHT AND AGAIN WE COULD BE SEEING BLOWING SNOW THERE AS WELL.

>> Charlie: TOMORROW WE'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM BSU FOOTBALL ABOUT THE BIG GAME THEY GOT COMING UP THIS WEEKEND AGAINST MINNESOTA STATE.

FAMILIAR OPPONENT, BUT A FEW THINGS HAS CHANGED.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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