>> 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 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 BEMIDJI AREA MAN HAS SUSTAINED A LIFE-THREATENING COLD WEATHER EXPOSURE INJURY FOLLOWING A MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT AROUND 7:00 WHEN A PERSON REPORTED TO AUTHORITIES THAT A MAN WAS EXPERIENCING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY AFTER CONSUMING ILLICIT DRUGS AND OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION.

WHEN AN AMBULANCE ARRIVED THE MAN RAN INTO THE WOODS DESPITE NOT BEING DRESSED FOR THE WEATHER CONDITIONS OF -10.

BELTRAMI COUNTY DEPUTIES AND LEECH LAKE POLICE OFFICERS WERE ABLE TO LOCATE HIM ON BIG LAKE ABOUT A HALF MILE FROM SHORE WEARING A LIGHT SWEATSHIRT, PANTS AND TENNIS SHOES.

AUTHORITIES SAY THE MAN APPEARED TO BE IMPAIRED AND HAD ARMED HIMSELF WITH TWO LARGE KNIVES AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO INFLICT SELF-HARM.

DEPUTIES ATTEMPTED TO DEESCALATE THE SITUATION ULTIMATELY USING A TASER TO DISARM THE SUBJECT AND HE WAS EVENTUALLY SECURED IN HANDCUFFS AS HE WAS STILL ATTEMPTING TO FIGHT LAW ENFORCEMENT.

DUE TO UNKNOWN ICE CONDITIONS, RESOURCES WERE LIMITED AND DEPUTIES USED A BACKBOARD TO BRING HIM TO SHORE WHERE LIFESAVING EFFORTS WERE PERFORMED.

THE MAN WAS THEN TRANSPORTED TO SANFORD BEMIDJI MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT OF COLD WEATHER EXPOSURE AND MEDICAL ISSUES AND WAS LATER TRANSFERRED TO SANFORD FARGO IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

>>> AS TEMPERATURES ARE DROPPING AND LAKES ARE STARTING TO FREEZE ENOUGH TO GO ONTO, THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WANTS TO REMIND EVERYONE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PRACTICING ICE SAFETY.

EVERY WINTER FIRST RESPONDERS SEE INJURIES AND DEATHS SURROUNDING ICE INCIDENTS FROM PEOPLE FALLING THROUGH WHEN THE ICE IS NOT THICK ENOUGH.

ALTHOUGH IT IS NEVER 100% SAFE TO BE OUT ON ICE, THERE ARE MANY MEASURES PEOPLE CAN TAKE TO PUT THEMSELVES AT THE LEAST RISK.

>> THERE ARE PRECAUTIONS AND GUIDELINES THAT THE STATE PUTS OUT, SUCH AS NO WALKING ON LESS THAN 4 INCHES OF ICE, SNOWMOBILES ON ROUGHLY 6 TO 8 INCHES OF ICE.

SMALLER VEHICLES, YOU PROBABLY WANT 10 TO 12.

FOR LARGER PICK UPS, YOU ARE LOOKING AT 14, 15, OR 16 INCHES.

BE SAFE OUT THERE.

KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING.

HAVE THE EQUIPMENT WITH YOU FOR SELF RESCUE.

>> THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT THINGS TO DO ON THE ICE LIKE SKATING, ICE FISHING, SNOWMOBILING OR RIDING A.T.V.

'S, AND MANY MORE ACTIVITIES ALL COME WITH POTENTIAL DANGER.

WHEN DOING ANY WINTER ACTIVITY, SHERIFF RIGGS URGES PEOPLE TO BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST.

>> BRING FLOATS AND A LIFE JACKET ON THE ICE WITH YOU, ROPE, ICE PICKS, CHECK THE DEPTH OFTEN.

LET PEOPLE KNOW WHEN YOU ARE GOING AND WHEN YOU WILL RETURN.

THAT CAN HELP US TRACK AND PINPOINT YOU SHOULD YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY.

>> ONE PERSON RECENTLY DIED IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA WHEN THE A.T.V.

HE WAS ON WENT THROUGH THE ICE ON A LAKE NEAR LONGVILLE.

>>> HEALTHCARE WORKERS AT DEER RIVER ESSENTIA HEALTH HIT THE PICKET LINES ON MONDAY AND ARE NOW IN DAY FIVE OF AN OPEN-ENDED UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES STRIKE.

THE WORK STOPPAGE INVOLVES AROUND 70 WORKERS FROM THE HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME WHO ARE PART OF THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION.

THE UNION PREVIOUSLY WENT ON A FIVE-DAY STRIKE IN NOVEMBER.

UNION MEMBERS SAY THAT THEY WILL BE ON THE PICKET LINE UNTIL A DEAL IS REACHED.

THEY SAY THERE ARE NO BARGAINING SESSIONS SCHEDULED BUT THEIR BARGAINING TEAM IS READY AT ANY TIME TO COME TO THE TABLE TO REACH A FAIR DEAL.

>> WE ARE HOPING WE CAN GET ESSENTIA TO THE TABLE NEXT WEEK BECAUSE WE WOULD LIKE TO BE BACK TO WORK BY CHRISTMAS, BUT IF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET A DEAL WITH US, OR EVEN GET TO THE TABLE.

WE WILL BE HERE THROUGHOUT CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR.

WE WILL BE HERE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WE WILL BE HERE.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE TEMPERATURE IS, WE'LL BE HERE.

>> ESSENTIA SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE ON MONDAY THAT THEY ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT THE UNION CONTINUES TO PURSUE WORK STOPPAGES RATHER THAN REACHING A RESOLUTION.

>>> IN FOSSTON, ELECTED OFFICIALS VOTED RECENTLY TO TERMINATE THE CITY'S AFFILIATION AGREEMENT WITH ESSENTIA.

THE FOSSTON HOSPITAL HAS BEEN OPERATED BY ESSENTIA HEALTH FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS, BUT AFTER ESSENTIA CLOSED THE LABOR AND DELIVERY SERVICES AT THE HOSPITAL IN 2022, CITY LEADERS HAVE BEEN LOOKING TO END THE AFFILIATION AGREEMENT WITH ESSENTIA.

THEIR HOPE IS TO BRING BACK LABOR AND DELIVERY TO THE HOSPITAL IN THE FUTURE AND CHANGE TO FIRST CARE MEDICAL SERVICES TO ADMINISTER SERVICES AT THE FACILITY.

ESSENTIA SAID IN A STATEMENT THEY RECEIVED THE NOTICE THAT CITY OFFICIALS HAVE VOTED TO TERMINATE THE AGREEMENT AND THEY ARE REVIEWING THE NOTICE TO DETERMINE THEIR NEXT STEPS.

THE STATEMENT SAYS THAT ESSENTIA DOES NOT BELIEVE THE CITY HAS THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE THE AFFILIATION AGREEMENT AND THAT A NEUTRAL ARBITRATION PANEL IN SEPTEMBER RULED IN ESSENTIA'S FAVOR.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY AND NORTHWEST TECHNICAL COLLEGE HAS NAMED ITS NEW VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT.

BEN HOFFMAN WHO HAS HELD THE POSITION ON AN INTERIM BASIS SINCE MAY 2024 WILL NOW SERVE IN THAT ROLE AND HAVE THE INTERIM TAG REMOVED FROM HIS TITLE.

IN HIS INTERIM ROLE, HOFFMAN GUIDED THE EFFORTS OF AN ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT TEAM THAT INCREASED NEW-STUDENT ENROLLMENT AT BSU BY NEARLY 180 STUDENTS FOR THE FALL OF 2024, TO ITS HIGHEST TOTAL IN MORE THAN A DECADE.

AT NTC, OVERALL ENROLLMENT GREW BY 8.5 PERCENT IN THE FALL OF 2024 AND HAS ITS HIGHEST HEAD COUNT ENROLLMENT SINCE 2018.

>>> BRAINED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY LAST WEEK.

A COLLABORATION ARRANGED THROUGH CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE, THE MINNESOTA STATE TRANSPORTATION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE AND MORE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON WHAT BRAINERD'S CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS TOOK AWAY FROM THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES WORKSHOP.

>> Reporter: C.L.C.

'S AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM STOPPED BY THE HIGH SCHOOL TO ENRICH THE STUDENTS' MINDS ON THE INDUSTRY AND TO DISPEL ANY STIGMAS SURROUNDING THE AUTOMOTIVE TECH INDUSTRY.

>> DECADES AGO, WE ONLY HAD MECHANICAL SYSTEMS ON CARS AND GASKETS THAT WOULD LEAK A LOT SO ROADS WERE DIRTIER BACK THEN.

NOW IT'S A CLEAN SHOT.

MANY OF OUR TECHNICIANS ARE HIGH PAID BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGES AND THE SKILLS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE SOME OF THOSE COMPLICATED PROBLEMS.

>> Reporter: THEY HAD THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY AND SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW THE FIELD HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS AS TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO ADVANCE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF ELECTRONICS, A LOT OF SYSTEMS, BUT ALL VEHICLES HAVE COMPLEX COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONIC ISSUES.

THE EVENT TODAY IS TO HELP OUR YOUTH UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE.

>> Reporter: AS TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO REACH NEW HEIGHTS, NEW CAREER PATHWAYS CONTINUE TO PRESENT THEMSELVES.

>> IT'S VERY ENCOURAGING TO HEAR THAT THOSE GETTING INTO AUTOMOBILE OR DIESEL TECH, OR SOME OF THEM ARE GETTING INTO ENGINEERING ON THE AUTOMOTIVE SIDE OF THINGS.

IT'S ENCOURAGING TO SEE THE PASSION AND THE GROWTH THAT IS HAPPENING.

>> Reporter: CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE PROVIDED A LAUNDRY LIST OF OPTIONS FOR BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO SINK THEIR TEETH INTO, TO HIGHLIGHT THE MANY CAREER PATHS THAT THE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY PRESENTS, OFFERING HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WITH CONVERTERS, A PLUG IN SUV, AND TO TAKE A RIDE OR ZOOM IN A FORD MUSTANG.

>> THEY CAN PUT THE HIGH-VOLTAGE GLOVES ON, DIAGNOSE THE BATTERY, DIAGNOSE A MOTOR, FIGURE OUT HOW TO SAFELY DISABLE A HIGH-VOLTAGE VEHICLE, AND GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE AND TASTE WHAT OUR COLLEGE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS DO ON A DAILY BASIS.

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

>> C.L.C.

'S AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM WILL BE HOSTING ANOTHER EVENT FOR STUDENTS, FOCUSING ON AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES LATER IN THE SPRING.

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

>> Stacy: A PART OF THE AREA IS UNDER A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

THERE IS FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW THAT COULD BE MOVING THROUGH THE AREA.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, THE HISTORY CENTER IS HOLDING THEIR THIRD ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> WITH THE HOLIDAYS HERE, THE GRINCHES ARE LOOMING NEAR, HOPING YOU'LL SLIP UP AND FALL VICTIM TO THEIR SCAMS.

REPORTER BRIAN ABEL SHOWS US SOME OF THE RED FLAGS AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU DON'T CATCH THEM IN TIME.

>> Reporter: FOR SCAMMERS, IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR.

>> WE'RE SHOPPING MORE THAN AT ANY POINT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>> Reporter: THOSE SCAMS CAN BE ANYWHERE, E-MAIL, TEXT MESSAGES, EVEN WHILE SCROLLING SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> UNFORTUNATELY SCAMMERS CAN FOLLOW US JUST LIKE LEGITIMATE MARKETERS.

THEY CAN TRACK OUR COOKIES, SEE WHAT WE'RE SEARCHING FOR, AND THEN YOU WILL SEE AN AD POP-UP FOR SOMETHING YOU SEARCHED FOR AN HOUR AGO.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE TOP SCAMS TO BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS YEAR ACCORDING TO EXPERTS INCLUDE THOSE PACKAGE NON-DELIVERY ALERTS.

TEXTS FROM SCAMMERS PRETENDING TO BE SHIPPING COMPANIES, HOPING YOU WILL CLICK THAT LINK.

FAKE CHARITIES ASKING FOR A DONATION, GIFT CARD EXCHANGES OR GIVE AWAY SCHEMES, AND THOSE FAKE OR MISLEADING SOCIAL MEDIA PRODUCTS.

>> WE SEE A LOT OF WEBSITES THAT HAVE THE FEEL OF A LEGITIMATE RETAILER BUT ONE OF THE LETTERS IN THE URL IS OFF.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF, FINANCES, AND DATA.

MAKE SURE THE BUSINESS IS REPUTABLE, STRENGTHENING PASSWORDS, AND AVOIDING THOSE QUESTIONABLE LINKS.

>> IF A DEAL LOOKS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS.

IF SOMEONE IS OFFERING A QUARTER OF THE PRICE, HALF THE PRICE, DEFINITELY VET THE COMPANY THAT IS OFFERING THAT BECAUSE AGAIN, IT'S LIKELY A SCAM.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, BRIAN ABEL REPORTING.

>> Dennis: AND NOW STACY, A LITTLE BIT OF WINTER WEATHER COMING IN.

>> Stacy: YES, WE WILL SEE WARMING TEMPERATURES THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS BUT THERE WILL BE SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION, FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW.

WE HAVE A WINTER WEATHER >> 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: WELL, IT WAS ANOTHER NICE DAY OF SUNSHINE AND WE DID SEE THOSE TEMPERATURES CLIMBING TO ABOUT 10, EVEN INTO THE LOW TEENS IN THE AREA TODAY.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT, WE WILL START TO SEE SOME PRECIPITATION MOVING INTO THE AREA, ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, COULD SEE SOME FREEZING RAIN, COULD SEE SOME SNOW.

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR ICING ACCUMULATION AND SNOW ACCUMULATION AND WE HAVE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY TO TALK ABOUT.

THE CURRENT CONDITIONS, IT'S 12 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT IN BEMIDJI THIS EVENING.

THE WINDS ARE AT 9 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 1, HUMIDITY IS AT 60%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, 14 DEGREES, DEW POINT IS 1, WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 9 MILES PER HOUR.

PART OF WEST CENTRAL INTO NORTH-CENTRAL MINNESOTA ARE UNDER A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 3:00 P.M. ON SATURDAY.

WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE SOME LIGHT FREEZING RAIN AND LIGHT SNOW MOVING INTO THE AREA TONIGHT THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING.

THAT COULD RESULT IN A GLAZE OF ICE, MAYBE AN INCH OR LESS OF ACCUMULATING SNOW.

THAT WILL CREATE SOME SLIPPERY ROADWAYS OUT THERE THROUGHOUT THE MORNING HOURS, ESPECIALLY TOMORROW, EXPIRING AT 3:00 P.M. ON THE RADAR, A LITTLE BIT OF UPPER LEVEL MOISTURE, NOT SEEING REPORTS OF PRECIPITATION REACHING THE GROUND, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO THE LATER HOURS TONIGHT, WE WILL START TO SEE THE WEATHER SYSTEM PUSHING IN FROM THE SOUTH AND IT COULD BRING IN SOME AREAS OF SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN TO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, POSSIBLY UP TO THE HIGHWAY 2 CORRIDOR, AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR MIXED PRECIPITATION TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING, LINGERING IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON.

SO AGAIN THAT COULD CREATE SOME ICY ROADWAYS TOMORROW.

TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE MID-20s, WITH A WARMER HIGH TEMPERATURE BY THE TIME WE HIT THE END OF THE WEEKEND.

A FEW WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU.

GORGEOUS SKIES FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

WE HAVE THE MOON AND THE EVENING SKIES NEAR LAKE ADA.

THE MOON IS REALLY BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE IN THE EVENING SKIES, CARRIE SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM WALKER.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNSHINE AND THE HIGH WAS 10.

DEBRA IN PINE RIVER, 12 DEGREES THIS EVENING.

WE HEARD FROM ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY AND BREEZY TODAY.

ANGELA REPORTING A 25 MILES PER HOUR WIND GUST AND STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, A HIGH OF 15.

ON OUR ALMANAC, IT'S BEEN WARMER, BUT STILL MORE THAN 10 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE, -11 WAS THE LOW.

FOR BEMIDJI, 12 WAS OUR HIGH, WITH OUR LOW AT -19.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

PLENTY OF CLOUD COVER, WE MAY SEE SOME SNOW OR MIXED PRECIPITATION MOVING TO THAT HIGHWAY 2 CORRIDOR, HIGHWAY TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE MID-20s, AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, THAT CHANCE FOR SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING, COULD LINGER IN THE AFTERNOON IN THE REGION WITH THE HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID TO UPPER 20s.

MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES FOR TONIGHT, THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SNOW AND FREEZING DRIZZLE, ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WITH LOWS NEAR 7.

TOMORROW, MOSTLY CLOUDY, SNOW IS LIKELY IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, OTHERWISE WE DO HAVE THE CHANCE OF SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION TO THAT HIGHWAY 2 CORRIDOR, WITH HIGHS NEAR 25.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, A LOT OF CLOUD COVER, A LITTLE BIT WARMER ON SUNDAY, WITH A HIGH OF 32.

ANOTHER CHANCE OF SNOW ARRIVING SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY, WITH QUIETER WEATHER TOWARDS MIDWEEK, AND COOLER ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

BEMIDJI STATE HOCKEY.

>> Charlie: THEY HAVE MICHIGAN TECH THIS WEEKEND AND THE LAST TIME THEY PLAYED MICHIGAN TECH, IT WAS A DOWNER.

THEY'RE LOOKING TO GET THEM BACK HERE.

ALSO, NEEDING A COUPLE WINS IN THE CCHA AS WELL, TO MOVE THEIR WAY UP TO THE POINTS STANDINGS.

WE WILL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BRE >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS; NORTHERN MINNESOTA'S CERTIFIED APPLE SERVICE CENTER, OFFERING REPAIR SERVICES ON APPLE PRODUCTS AND P.C.S.

PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND GRAND RAPIDS, IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY HAS BEEN LIVING IN SPLIT CITY U.S.A.

WHEN IT COMES TO CONFERENCE SERIES.

THE BEAVERS HAVE SPLIT 4-OF-5 WEEKENDS IN CCHA PLAY AND ARE LOOKING TO BUCK THAT TREND.

OF COURSE THEY'LL NEED A WIN TONIGHT BEFORE THEY EVEN BEGIN TALKING ABOUT A SWEEP.

BEMIDJI STATE HOSTING MICHIGAN TECH.

THE TWO TEAM'S FIRST MEETING SINCE THE MASON CUP FINAL LAST MARCH.

THE HUSKIES ENDED THE BEAVERS SEASON THAT NIGHT BY A SCORE OF 2-TO-1.

TONIGHT WOULD BE A LOW SCORING AFFAIR.

BSU PLENTY OF CHANCES IN THE FIRST PERIOD, JUST UNABLE TO PUSH ONE THROUGH.

HUSKIES MAKE THEIR PUSH ON THE POWER PLAY, NOW TECH LED 1-0 AFTER ONE.

THEN THE BEAVERS WERE SHINING EARLY AND THEY COULD BARELY CLEAR THE PUCK BUT THEY GET ONE IN THE ZONE.

THE FIRST OF HIS CAREER, KNOTTING THE GAME AT 1-1.

BEMIDJI GOES ON TO TIE MICHIGAN TECH.

THE BEAVERS WOULD WIN THE SHOOTOUT TO TAKE TWO OF THE THREE AVAILABLE POINTS.

BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY ALSO PLAYED TODAY, WITH THEIR LOSING STREAK AT 3.

>>> BSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL AT HOME TONIGHT, TAKING ON NORTHERN STATE.

THE BEAVERS TRYING TO END A TWO GAME SKID AND SNAG THEIR FIRST NSIC WIN THIS SEASON.

GENTLEMAN -- DEDECIDING ON A PLAN OF ATTACK, KEEPING THE BEAVERS CLOSE.

NOW THE SECOND QUARTER, BSU APPLYING THE PRESSURE, AND TRYING TO MAKE UP SOME GROUND, BUT BEMIDJI STATE CANNOT STOP NORTHERN STATE'S OFFENSE.

THEY FALL 77-60 AND SUFFER THEIR THIRD CONSECUTIVE LOSS.

>>> BSU MEN'S BASKETBALL ALSO AT HOME PLAYING NORTHERN STATE.

THEY TOO ARE ON A TWO GAME SKID AND ARE SEARCHING FOR THAT FIRST CONFERENCE VICTORY.

WE PICK UP LATE IN THE SECOND HALF, BEAVERS TRAILING BY 3.

TATE WILL HIT HIS ONLY THREE OF THE GAME, BUT IT'S A BIG ONE, TIES THINGS AT 66.

NOW BEAVERS ARE DOWN AGAIN.

DROPPING 17 TONIGHT, ABLE TO TIE IT AGAIN.

NORTHERN STATE WITH A CHANCE ON THE OTHER END.

BSU DEFENSE HOLDS STRONG.

NOW THE BEAVERS HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN IT, THEY GOT 6 SECONDS TO GO THE LENGTH OF THE COURT.

LEADING THE TEAM IN SCORING WITH 20 POINTS, LEAVES THEM TO THE WIN AS WELL.

HALF SECOND LEFT ON THE CLOCK.

INTERCEPTING THE PASS, AND THEY DOWN NORTHERN STATE IN A THRILLER, 72-70.

BEAVERS PICK UP THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON IN NSIC PLAY, HALTING THEIR TWO GAME SKID.

>>> MORE SCORES FOR YOU, A LOT GOING ON IN HIGH SCHOOL.

MAPLE GROVE BEATS GRAND RAPIDS 2-1.

IN BOYS HOCKEY, BEMIDJI BEATS BUFFALO.

WADENA DEER CREEK GETS A WIN OVER PARK RAPIDS.

ROSEAU BEATS SARTELL.

LITTLE FALLS, WHO IS RANKED IN CLASS A, THEY GET A WIN OVER ROCK RIDGE.

THIEF RIVER FALLS PULLS IT OUT IN OVERTIME, 6-5.

ON THE GIRL'S SIDE OF THINGS, ANOVER WINS.

DULUTH BEATS NORTHERN LAKES AND THIEF RIVER FALLS BEATS DETROIT LAKES.

OVER TO BOYS BASKETBALL, PIERZ WINS OVER STAPLES MOTLEY.

CASS LAKE-BENA COLLECTING A WIN TONIGHT ON THE BOYS SIDE.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS, THEY GET THE WIN -- EXCUSE ME, THE SCORES MAY HAVE BEEN SWITCHED.

WE'LL GET TO THAT LATER.

ON THE GIRL'S SIDE OF THINGS, BEMIDJI GETS A WIN OVER ST.

CLOUD.

PEQUOT LAKES FALLS.

CROSBY-IRONTON WINS TONIGHT.

WADENA DEER CREEK AND BERTHA HEWITT, THEY BOTH GET WINS.

CASS LAKE-BENA BEATS LAPORTE.

FOSSTON FALLS.

AND IN THE NBA, THE TIMBERWOLVES GET A WIN TONIGHT.

THEY WON FIVE OF THEIR LAST SIX GAMES.

>> Dennis: MAYBE GETTING BACK ON TRACK.

>> Charlie: HOPEFULLY.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THE CLEARWATER COUNTY HISTORY CENTER HAS THEIR THIRD ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES GOING ON THIS MONTH, WITH TONIGHT'S SPECIAL EVENT BEING A LOCAL CHOIR CONCERT.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK JOINED THE HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS.

>> Reporter: CHRISTMAS CAROLS, COMMUNITY, AND HOT COCOA AND COOKIES.

WHAT ELSE COULD YOU ASK FOR ON A COLD DECEMBER NIGHT?

WHAT ABOUT A WHOLE MUSEUM FULL OF CHRISTMAS TREES.

THE CLEAR WATER COUNTY HISTORY CENTER IS BRINGING SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS WITH THEIR THIRD ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES.

AT THE FESTIVAL, THERE ARE 30 UNIQUE TREES THAT ARE ALL DONATED AND DECORATED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WITH EVERYTHING FROM A FOOD TREE THEME TO THE GRINCH.

>> IT COME FROM INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND BUSINESSES, AND NON-PROFITS, AND CHURCHES.

>> Reporter: EVERY WEEK IN DECEMBER, THE CENTER HAS A SPECIAL EVENT AND THIS FRIDAY'S WAS THE COMMUNITY CHOIR CONCERT.

>> I REALLY LIKE THIS EVENING WHEN WE HAVE THE CHOIR AND WE HAVE THE BIG CROWD IN IT.

IT'S QUIET AND THE TREES ARE LIT.

IF YOU DON'T LEAVE HERE IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT MORE WE CAN DO.

>> IT'S TRULY LIKE A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY THING.

EITHER YOU ARE PART OF THE CHOIR OR YOU JUST LOVE SINGING CHRISTMAS CAROLS, OR YOU JUST WANT TO BE IN THE MOMENT WHERE YOU CAN BE NOSTALGIC AND REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER AND MAYBE WHAT CERTAIN SONGS MEANT TO YOU AS A CHILD.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE WHO WAS IN THE BUILDING, CHOIR MEMBER OR NOT, WAS WELCOME TO JOIN IN THE CAROL SINGING.

>> I ALWAYS LOVE LOOKING OUT AND SEEING THE FACES AND SOME PEOPLE ARE SMILING AND SOME OF THEM ARE TEARING UP.

YOU JUST KNOW THAT IT'S KIND OF A SPECIAL MOMENT FOR A LOT OF MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: GETTING IN THE DOOR AND ENJOYING THE DIFFERENT EVENTS ARE ALL FREE, BUT THE TOTAL FESTIVAL IS A SMALL FUNDRAISER FOR THE MUSEUM AS PEOPLE CAN DONATE $1 AND VOTE FOR THEIR FAVORITE TREE.

EVERY TREE IS INDIVIDUALLY DECORATED AND NO TWO ARE THE SAME.

>> WE DIG THEM ALL OUT AND THEN THE PEOPLE COME AND DECORATE.

I SAY IT TAKES ABOUT TWO WEEKS FOR IT TO GET ALL READY TO GO.

I REALLY LIKE ALL THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT COME.

THEY LOVE THESE TREES.

THEY JUST LOVE THEM.

EVERYBODY HAS A SMILE ON THEIR FACE, SO THAT IS REALLY THE BEST PART ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: LAST YEAR, THE FESTIVAL BROUGHT IN 500 PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THE TREES AND THIS YEAR THEY ARE ON THAT SAME TRACK.

THEY WILL BE OPEN TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY THROUGH DECEMBER 22ND.

ONE MORE LOOK AT OUR WEATHER, WE HAVE STACY.

>> Stacy: WE COULD SEE THE WINTERY MIX OF PRECIPITATION TO THE HIGHWAY 2 CORRIDOR.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL INTO NORTH-CENTRAL MINNESOTA UNTIL 3:00 P.M.

TOMORROW.

WE COULD SEE A LIGHT GLAZE OF ICE, AND POSSIBLY UP TO AN INCH OF SNOW, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SOME SLIPPERY ROADWAYS.

TONIGHT, CLOUDY SKIES, AND THE FREEZING DRIZZLE MOVING IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

TOMORROW, MOSTLY CLOUDY, AND WE DO HAVE THE CHANCE OF MIXED PRECIPITATION IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

>> Charlie: AND WE GOT AN UPDATE.

RED LAKE IN BOYS BASKETBALL DID BEAT PINE RIVER BACKUS.

>> Dennis: HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU BACK ON MONDAY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]