>> 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.

>>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD HISTORY, DAY CARE SERVICES ARE NOW PROVIDED ON THE POST OF CAMP RIPLEY.

OUR NEWS REPORTER, SKYLER BLAINE, WAS ON BASE TO SEE THE MOST SECURE DAYCARE IN MINNESOTA AND HOW IT ALL CAME TO FRUITION.

>> Reporter: CAMP RIPLEY HAS BEEN IN THE PROCESS OF OPENING CHILD CARE SERVICES FOR YEARS.

THE FACILITY WAS RENOVATED AND IN PLACE.

THEN CAME NICOLE AND CARISSA, PEOPLE WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND HELPING OUT THE MILITARY COMMUNITY.

>> I THINK IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

I KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN NEEDING IT FOR PROBABLY 10 OR 20 YEARS.

I'VE JUST ALWAYS LOVED WORKING WITH KIDS AND WATCHING THEM LEARN AND GROW AND THE LIGHT CLICKS WHEN THEY LEARN SOMETHING NEW AND CAN BE PROUD OF THEM AND THEY ARE SUPER EXCITED FOR THEMSELVES AS WELL.

>> Reporter: MILITARY FAMILIES, WHETHER ACTIVE OR GUARD, CAN BE SENT AWAY AT A MINUTE'S NOTICE.

HAVING CHILD CARE ON ANY BASE RELIEVES STRESSORS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN THAT MAY NOT HAVE CHILD CARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE OR AFFORDABLE.

CAMP RIPLEY CARES ABOUT THEIR SOLDIERS AND MAKING DAYCARE AVAILABLE.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE MILITARY STAFF AND EMPLOYEES HERE BECAUSE IT'S CONVENIENT.

IT'S RIGHT ON CAMPUS HERE.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT.

>> IT'S SLIM PICKENS OUT THERE TO BEGIN WITH.

HAVING SOMETHING FOR FAMILIES THAT IS CLOSE TO THEM AND WHERE THEY CAN POP IN THE THEY WANT TO OR THEY KNOW WHERE THEIR KIDS ARE AT ALL TIMES.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE TWO HOMES BUT THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING A THIRD ONE.

THEY ARE LICENSED TO HAVE A CAPACITY OF 22 CHILDREN UNDER THEIR CARE AT A TIME.

THE GOAL IS TO HAVE A 3-HOUSE DAYCARE SINNER -- CENTER AT CAMP RIPLEY WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE.

>> IF I HAD IT MY WAY, I WOULD LOVE TO EVENTUALLY OPEN UP A CENTER OPTION ON CAMP RIPLEY AND TO BROADEN OUR HORIZONS.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN LITTLE FALLS, I'M SKYLER BLAINE, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> FIRST LIEUTENANT COLTON ROSSOW STATED, “ WE UNDERSTAND THAT OUR SOLDIERS CARE ABOUT THEIR FAMILIES AND WE CARE ABOUT OUR SOLDIERS."

>>> WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION TONIGHT ON THE FATAL CRASH THAT KILLED A PEDESTRIAN IN RURAL BRAINERD ON SATURDAY.

AUTHORITIES HAVE NOW RELEASED THE NAMES OF THE SUSPECT AND THE VICTIM.

57-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL KRUSE OF NISSWA IS SUSPECTED OF DRIVING WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL WHEN HE HIT AND KILLED 34-YEAR-OLD JILL BURNHAM OF BRAINERD.

CASS COUNTY SHERIFF BRYAN WELK SAYS KRUSE WAS DRIVING AN SUV WESTBOUND ON GULL LAKE DAM ROAD AROUND 4:00 P.M.

WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A PICKUP DRIVEN BY 52-YEAR-OLD AMY VIEHAUSER OF BRAINERD PARKED IN THE WESTBOUND LANE.

VIEHAUSER WAS TALKING TO BURNHAM WHO WAS WALKING ON THE ROADWAY.

WELK SAYS KRUSE LOST CONTROL ON THE ICY ROADWAY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN AND STRUCK BURNHAM.

BURHMAN WAS HOSPITALIZED FOLLOWING THE CRASH AND DIED ON SUNDAY.

A SEARCH WARRANT WAS EXECUTED AND A BLOOD SAMPLE WAS OBTAINED FROM KRUSE ON SUSPICION OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.

FORMAL CHARGES ARE PENDING BLOOD SAMPLE RESULTS.

>>> MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF SHAWN LARSEN SAYS HIS OFFICE, IN COOPERATION WITH ALL LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY, HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED THE ANNUAL PREDATORY OFFENDER REGISTRATION VERIFICATIONS FOR MORRISON COUNTY.

EACH YEAR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ORGANIZES A VERIFICATION CHECK FOR ALL PREDATORY OFFENDERS WHO ARE ON THE REGISTRY AND RESIDING WITHIN THE COUNTY.

DURING THE MOST RECENT ROUND OF CHECKS, 68 PREDATORY OFFENDERS WERE CHECKED IN MORRISON COUNTY BY THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, PIERZ POLICE DEPARTMENT, MOTLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ROYALTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.

ALL BUT ONE INDIVIDUAL WAS FOUND TO BE COMPLIANT WITH CONDITIONS IMPOSED UPON THEM.

38-YEAR-OLD GERALD DEAN BOLLIG HAS PENDING CHARGES FOR FAILING TO REGISTER HIS CURRENT ADDRESS, WHICH IS A FELONY.

41 PREDATORY OFFENDERS WERE CHECKED BY THE LITTLE FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH ARE NOT PART OF THE BREAKDOWN.

SHERIFF LARSEN SAYS THE VERIFICATION PROCESS IS ESSENTIAL FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY AS IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO KEEP TABS ON THE PREDATORY OFFENDER REGISTRY.

>>> THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS ANNOUNCED THREE GRANTS TO PROVIDE HIGH-SPEED, RELIABLE INTERNET TO RESIDENTS IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

THAT INCLUDES A $5.5 MILLION GRANT AND $5.5 MILLION LOAN FOR CONSOLIDATED TELEPHONE COMPANY.

THE INVESTMENT WILL BE USED TO DEPLOY HIGH-SPEED FIBER OPTICS TO 67 BUSINESSES AND 78 FARMS IN CROW WING AND MORRISON, WITH MORE THAN 2,800 PEOPLE EXPECTED TO BENEFIT.

THE MONEY COMES FROM USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT'S RECONNECT LOAN AND GRANT PROGRAM.

U.S.

SENATOR TINA SMITH ANNOUNCED THE GRANTS TODAY SAYING INTERNET ACCESS IS NOT JUST A LUXURY IN THE 21ST CENTURY, IT'S A NECESSITY.

>>> WELL, YOU PROBABLY KNOW WHEN MURDER HORNETS HAD EVERYONE ON EDGE IN 2019.

WELL, FRET NO MORE.

ACCORDING TO A NEW YORK TIMES REPORT, THE INVASIVE SPECIES HAS BANDAGE -- BEEN ERADICATED ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THEY TRACK THEM BACK TO FOUR MAJOR NESTS IN WASHINGTON STATE, WHICH WERE THEN DESTROYED.

EXPERTS WILL KEEP AN OUT ON MURDER HORNETS AND STOP FUTURE INVASIONS.

>>> THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION SAYS A PATIENT IN LOUISIANA HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED WITH A SEVERE CASE OF H5N1 BIRD FLU.

THE AGENCY SAID THE PERSON WAS EXPOSED TO SICK AND DEAD BIRDS IN BACKYARD FLOCKS.

IT IS BOTH THE FIRST SEVERE CASE AND THE FIRST CASE LINKED TO BACKYARD FLOCK IN THE U.S.

THIS VIRUS IS THE SAME TYPE LINKED TO RECENT CASES IN CANADA AND WASHINGTON STATE.

THE C.D.C.

SAYS THE IMMEDIATE RISK FROM H5N1 BIRD FLU REMAINS LOW.

PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN BY PEOPLE WITH BACKYARD CHICKEN FLOCKS, HUNTERS, AND OTHER BIRD ENTHUSIASTS.

>>> WELL, THE FIRST EVER MERRY BRIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS HAS TAKEN PLACE ON THE PAST TWO THURSDAY EVENINGS AND THE FINAL ONE WILL BE TOMORROW NIGHT.

THE DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI ALLIANCE HAS BEEN PUTTING ON A AN EVENT SINCE THANKSGIVING.

>> Reporter: IT'S STARTING TO SNOW OUTSIDE AND SOON ALL THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WILL BE ON IN BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI, WHERE THE LAST MERRY AND BRIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS EVENT UNDER THE YEAR WILL BE TAKING PLACE THURSDAY NIGHT.

>> MANY OF OUR DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES ARE STAYING OPEN UNTIL 8:00, SO PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME OUT, EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF BEMIDJI.

>> Reporter: THE MAIN GOAL IS NOT ONLY TO BRING ATTENTION TO LOCAL BUSINESSES, BUT TO ALSO PROVIDE SHOPPERS WITH THE FULL CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE.

>> THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB AT MAKING OUR DOWNTOWN BRIGHT AND VISIBLE FOR EVERYBODY TO ENJOY.

>> IT'S JUST MAGICAL BEING DOWN HERE IN THE WINTER AT NIGHT WITH ALL THE LIGHTS.

I LOVE ALL THE ROOFTOPS LIT UP, ALL THE TREES ARE LIT UP DOWN HERE.

OF COURSE, THE WATERFRONT IS BEAUTIFUL, SO IT REALLY BRINGS THIS CHARMING ASPECT TO OUR DOWNTOWN.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE ONLY THREE WEEKS BETWEEN THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS, SO THE DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI ALLIANCE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO FINISH HOLIDAY SHOPPING.

THE HOPE OF KEEPING SHOPS OPEN UNTIL 8:00 P.M. ON THURSDAYS IS TO GIVE SHOPPERS THE OPTION TO GO AFTER WORK AND ALSO TO STAY LOCAL.

>> OUR BUSINESSES DEPEND ON PEOPLE SHOPPING LOCAL.

IT HELPS OUR FAMILIES.

IT HELPS OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, WE ALL WANT THESE GREAT SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS TO STAY DOWNTOWN.

SO IF PEOPLE AREN'T SHOPPING LOCAL, WE'LL SLOWLY DIMINISH.

>> EACH BUSINESS MIGHT HAVE SOME SPECIALS AND DEALS GOING ON, IT'S DIFFERENT AT EACH BUSINESS.

HERE WE'RE HAVING A SIP AND SHOP EVENT.

WE'RE PARTNERING WITH A STORE A FEW STORES DOWN AND THEY WILL BE HERE SERVING CHRISTMAS MARTINIS TO OUR CUSTOMERS.

>> COME OUT, SHOP, HAVE FUN, YOU DON'T NECESSARILY NEED TO BUY ANYTHING.

WE JUST WANT TO SEE YOUR SMILING FACES AND WISH YOU A HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

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

>> Dennis: THE FULL LIST OF PARTICIPATING STORES AND ANY DEALS OR PROMOTIONS CAN BE FOUND ON THE DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI ALLIANCE WEBSITE.

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

>> Elissa: HOW MUCH SNOW IS ON THE WAY?

I'LL HAVE INFO AND MORE IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> Charlie: AND FIRST CITY DANCE STUDIO HOLD AS SPECIAL SHOWING OF THE NUTCRACKER FOR THE ST >> 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 WEEKEND, THE FIRST CITY DANCE STUDIO WILL BE PRESENTING THEIR 16TH ANNUAL PERFORMANCE OF “THE NUTCRACKER” AT THE HISTORIC CHIEF THEATER.

BUT BEFORE MAKING IT TO DOWNTOWN, THE STUDIO FIRST STOPPED BY THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY AT GENE DILLON ELEMENTARY TO GIVE A UNIQUE PREVIEW OF THE PERFORMANCE TO THE STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN STOPPED BY TO CHECK OUT THE PREVIEW, AND HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: SINCE THE LATE 1960s, THE CLASSIC BALLET THE NUTCRACKER HAS BEEN PERFORMED COUNTLESS TIMES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

IN ORDER TO PREVIEW THEIR SHOWS THIS WEEKEND, THE FIRST CITY DANCE STUDIO PUT TOGETHER A SNIPPET OF THE SHOW FOR STUDENTS AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

>> I GIVE KUDOS TO THE DANCERS BECAUSE WE MADE A 30 MINUTE PERFORMANCE AND INTRODUCED MANY OF THESE STUDENTS TO NUTCRACKER FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> Reporter: THE CAST ALL LEARNED A VARIETY OF DANCE STYLES FOR THIS PERFORMANCE.

>> THERE WAS BALLET, THERE WAS JAZZ, THERE WAS TAP IN THERE.

>> MUSICAL THEATER.

>> THAT'S SUPER IMPORTANT, THERE IS A LOT OF ACTING.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE CAST INCLUDED STUDENTS ENROLLED AT GENE DILLON ELEMENTARY.

>> IT WAS SCARY BECAUSE THERE ARE MY FRIENDS OUT THERE AND CRUSHES AND STUFF.

>> IT'S EMBARRASSING BECAUSE IT'S MY SECOND YEAR HERE.

>> Reporter: SINCE THE PERFORMANCE WAS ON THE GYM FLOOR OF GENE DILLON, THERE WAS CONCERN ON HOW THE PERFORMERS WOULD DO DANCING ON SUCH A SLICK SURFACE, BUT THAT WENT AWAY AS SOON AS THE SHOW STARTED.

>> THEY DID TURNS, THEY DID TRICKS THAT WE WERE CONCERNED WITH THE FLOOR.

THEY DID AMAZING.

>> Reporter: THE GYM FLOOR OF GENE DILLON CAN NOW BE CALLED THE FIRST STAGE FOR SOME OF THE PERFORMERS INVOLVED.

>> FOR SOME PEOPLE, IT WAS THEIR FIRST TIME.

THEY ACTUALLY GOT THE EXPERIENCE TO DO IT.

>> Reporter: THE PERFORMERS PUT HOURS OF PRACTICES INTO LEARNING THE FULL SHOW.

THEN THEY ADDED ANOTHER FEW HOURS FOR THIS SNIPPET FOR GENE DILLON STUDENTS.

THEY BELIEVE ALL THE HOURS HAVE BEEN WELL WORTH IT.

>> I THINK IT WENT PERFECT.

>> I THINK IT WAS JUST PERFECT TOO.

>> I JUST LIKED IT AND IT WAS ALSO PERFECT.

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

>> IF YOU WISH TO CHECK OUT THE FULL SHOW AT CHIEF THEATER IN DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI THIS WEEKEND.

TWO SHOWS WILL HAPPEN ON SATURDAY THE 21ST AT 2:00 AND 6:00 P.M. AND ANOTHER ON SUNDAY AT 2:00 P.M. >>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY HAS THE NIGHT OFF.

ELISSA IS HERE AND SNOW WILL BE HERE SOON I UNDERSTAND.

>> Elissa: YEP, IT'S GOING TO BE STARTING TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW >> 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 ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >> Elissa: HI EVERYONE, I'M ELSA BENSON WITH YOUR WEATHER.

WE HAVE SOME WINTER WEATHER HAPPENING.

WE HAVE A WINTER STORM WARNING THAT WILL GO IN EFFECT FOR EASTERN VIEWING AREA AT MIDNIGHT, AND THEN FOR OUR WESTERN VIEWING AREA WE HAVE A WINTER STORM WARNING GOING IN EFFECT AT 9:00 P.M.

GOING TOWARDS TOMORROW, THAT WILL INCLUDE 3 TO 7 INCHES OF SNOW, WITH WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES IN EFFECT WITH LESS CHANCES OF SNOW, LESS WIND, BUT COULD BE DANGEROUS.

BE CAREFUL AND KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR WEATHER UPDATES.

OUR HIGHS TODAY, QUITE ON AVERAGE FOR WHAT WE WOULD EXPECT THIS TIME OF YEAR, LOOKING AROUND THE 20 DEGREE MARK ACROSS THE BOARD HERE.

CURRENTLY IN BEMIDJI IT IS 6 DEGREES, WITH A SOUTHEAST WIND AT 5 MILES PER HOUR, AND A PEAK WIND OF 10.

SIMILAR CONDITIONS IN BRAINERD, 14 DEGREES, FAIR WEATHER, WITH A CALM WIND.

LOOKING AT OUR RADAR, WE SEE THE SNOW SYSTEM MOVING IN ACROSS THE STATE AND THAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW AND INTO TOMORROW NIGHT AS WELL.

AS WE SEE HERE, IT WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE BOARD HERE IN THOSE NORTHERN LAKES STATES WITH THAT SNOW CHANCE ONCE AGAIN A FEW INCHES ACROSS THE BOARD.

IT WILL SCATTER ACROSS THE REGION.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA SENDING IN PHOTOS TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR SENDING THOSE IN AND THANK YOU TO OUR EAGLE EYES FOR SENDING OUR WEATHER UPDATES.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SNOW COMING AND A HIGH OF 15.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, A HIGH OF 19 TODAY.

ANGELA IN CASS LAKE SAW CLOUDS WITH SNOWFLAKES.

THANK YOU FOR SENDING THOSE IN.

MOVING ALONG HERE, WE HAVE OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD, A HIGH OF 23, LOW OF 10, WITH A SUNSET AT 4:31, ABOUT ON PAR FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

BEMIDJI, SIMILAR CONDITIONS, HIGH OF 21, LOW OF 15, SUNRISE AT 8:02.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, THE SNOW CHANCE WILL CONTINUE, LIGHT SNOWFLAKES FOR OUR ADVISORY, HEAVY SNOWFLAKES FOR OUR WARNING.

IT WILL BE AROUND THE 20 DEGREE MARK ACROSS THE BOARD TOMORROW WITH WIND MOVING IN AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

LOOKING TOWARDS TONIGHT, CLOUDY, 1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW TONIGHT, WIND, LOW OF 5 DEGREES.

TOMORROW, SNOW WILL CONTINUE AND UP TO 4 INCHES IN SOME AREAS, MOSTLY IN THE MORNING, HIGH OF 16 DEGREES.

THEN OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, MOSTLY SUNNY AND MOSTLY CLOUDY THIS WEEKEND, BUT TEMPERATURES WILL INCREASE.

THAT TREND WILL CONTINUE INTO NEXT WEEK WHERE MONDAY WE'RE GOING TO SEE ABOVE FREEZING.

THAT SHOULD CONTINUE WARMING UP AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE HOLIDAYS.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS ELISSA.

WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO HAVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN STORE FOR SPORTS?

>> Charlie: WE HAVE AN ALL AMERICAN FOR BSU FOOTBALL THIS YEAR, SECOND ONE IN THREE YEARS AND WE'LL TELL YOU ABOUT HIM, BUBBA BRYCE PETERS AND EXACTLY WHAT HE DID THIS YEAR TO EARN THAT RECOGNITION.

>>> ALSO SOME OTHER BSU PLAYERS RECOGNIZED AS WELL IN HOCKEY AND THEN WE GET TO HEAR FROM BRAINERD BOYS BASKETBALL.

ALL THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK [♪♪♪] >> 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.

>> HEALTH MINUTE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY EMPLOYEE-OWNED LUEKEN'S VILLAGE FOODS, FEATURING THE AREA'S LARGEST SELECTION OF SEAFOOD AND HIGHEST QUALITY MEATS.

MORE INFO AT LUEKENS.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS, BEMIDJI STATE FOOTBALL HAS AN ALL-AMERICAN AT WIDE RECEIVER.

BRICE PETERS, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS BUBBA, WAS NAMED TO THE 2024 DIVISION 2 ALL-AMERICAN SECOND TEAM BY THE AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION, JOINING BRENDAN BEAULIEU AS THE ONLY OTHER BSU WIDE-OUT TO RECEIVE THE HONOR.

PETERS FINISHED THE SEASON RANKED 7TH IN THE NCAA IN RECEIVING YARDS AND RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS AND RANKED 23RD IN RECEIVING YARDS PER GAME, ALL CATEGORIES HE LED THE TEAM IN AS WELL.

THE SENIOR CAPTAINED A TEAM THAT MADE THE 3RD ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY AND MADE IT TO AT LEAST THE 2ND ROUND ALL FOUR YEARS HE PLAYED AT BSU.

A SOLID CAREER THAT PUTS HIM AT 4TH IN RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS, 9TH IN RECEIVING YARDS AND RECEPTIONS, AND 10TH IN YARDS PER CATCH ALL-TIME AT BEMIDJI STATE.

AS FAR AS SINGLE SEASON RECORDS, PETERS 2024 RANKS AMONG SOME OF THE BEST, AT LEAST 6TH OR BETTER IN THESE FOUR CATEGORIES.

ALONG WITH PETERS AND BEAULIEU, DEFENSIVE BACKS MICHAEL JUNKER AND GUNNER OLSZEWSKI AND PUNTER ZACH PULKINEN ARE THE ONLY OTHER BEAVERS TO BE NAMED AFCA ALL AMERICANS.

SOME MORE HONORS FOR BSU ATHLETES.

BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY WOLF EARNED CCHA DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK.

HE BLOCKED FOUR SERIES FOR THE BEAVERS, SCORING ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND NOTCHING THE ASSIST ON SATURDAY.

IT'S WOLF'S SECOND CAREER DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK AWARD.

THE BEMIDJI STATE WOMEN'S HOCKEY TEAM ALSO HAD A WINNER, GABBY SMITH SCORED HER FIRST CAREER HAT-TRICK AT MINNESOTA STATE ON SATURDAY, EARNING HER WCHA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK HONOR.

SMITH'S HAT-TRICK WAS THE BEAVERS' FIRST BY A FRESHMAN SINCE HUNT DID IT IN 2020.

>>> BRAINERD BOYS BASKETBALL BEGAN THE SEASON WITH A 74-64 WIN OVER THE REIGNING SECTION 8-4A CHAMPION ROGERS ROYALS.

SINCE THEN, THE WARRIORS HAVE ALTERNATED WINS AND LOSSES RESULTING IN THEIR CURRENT 3-AND-2 RECORD.

SPORTS REPORTER MILES WALKER STOPPED BY PRACTICE TO FIND OUT HOW THE BOYS PLAN FIND CONSISTENCY AS THEY ENTER THE HEART OF THEIR SCHEDULE.

>> Reporter: BRAINERD BOYS BASKETBALL HAS SHOWCASED OFFENSE PROFICIENCY EARLY IN THE 2024-2025 SEASON.

WITH THREE SUCH GAMES ECLIPSING THE 70-POINT MARK.

>> THEY'RE DOING PRETTY WELL FROM THE FIELD AND I LIKE OUR SHOT SELECTION.

THAT'S THE MAIN THING.

OUR SHOT SELECTION, NO ONE HAS BEEN SELFISH THIS YEAR.

THE PAST TWO GAMES WE HAD, IT'S BEEN A LOT OF GOOD LOOKS.

>> WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF SHARING THE BALL.

EVERYONE KNOWS FOR THIS TEAM TO BE SUCCESSFUL, WE CAN'T HAVE ONE PERSON TAKING EVERY SINGLE SHOT.

>> Reporter: HOLDING TEAMS TO ROUGHLY 61 POINTS PER GAME.

>> WE HAVE BEEN DOING A FAIRLY GOOD JOB OF FORCING THEM TO THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR AND GETTING HELP AND MAKING SURE NO ONE HAS A STRAIGHT LINE DRIVE TO THE HOOP OR A WIDE OPEN SHOT.

AS FAR AS WHAT WE CAN WORK ON, LIKE I SAID EARLIER, FINISHING POSSESSIONS SO THAT WE HAVE A HIGHER CHANCE OF WINNING THE GAME.

>> Reporter: WHERE THE WARRIORS BELIEVE IMPROVEMENTS ARE NECESSARY ARE THE LITTLE THINGS, SUCH AS COMMUNICATING AND THEIR PASSING ATTACK.

>> CHEST TO CHEST, MAKE SURE WE MAKE SMART PASSES AND NOT THROWING IT ANYWHERE.

>> COMMUNICATING IS SOMETHING WE CAN IMPROVE ON, ALWAYS TALKING, WHETHER IT'S ON OFFENSE OR DEFENSE, AND MAKING SURE TO LIFT EACH OTHER UP.

>> Reporter: WHILE BRAINERD BOYS BASKETBALL HAS SHOWED PROMISE EARLY IN THE CAMPAIGN, THEY HAVE FALLEN SHORT TO THE POWERHOUSES ALEXANDRIA AND SAUK RAPIDS RICE, WHO ARE RANKED THIRD IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CLASSES IN THE STATE.

ACCORDING TO THE WARRIORS, THE KEY TO REACHING THE NEXT GEAR IS CLEANING UP THE TURNOVERS.

>> JUST TAKING CARE OF THE BALL.

IF YOU ARE THROWING A LOT OF TURNOVERS, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET MANY SHOTS.

IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET MANY SHOTS, YOU WON'T GET MANY POINTS.

TAKING CARE OF THE BALL IS THE MAIN THING WE NEED TO FOCUS ON.

EVERYTHING ELSE, I THINK WE'RE DOING PRETTY WELL.

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

>> Charlie: BRAINERD IS TRYING TO WIN THEIR SECOND GAME IN A ROW, A TOUGH ASK ON FRIDAY.

THEY WILL BE TAKING ON SAINT MICHAEL ALBERTVILLE AT HOME.

>>> THE MINNESOTA WILD ARE DOWN 3-1 TO THE FLORIDA PANTHERS.

THEY LOST THREE OUT OF THEIR LAST FIVE GAMES.

>> Dennis: PRETTY BEAT UP.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> VITAMIN D AND CALCIUM ARE VITAL FOR YOUR OVERALL HEALTH, BUT THEY WON'T HELP OLDER ADULTS WHEN IT COMES TO FALLS AND FRACTURES.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A NEW DRAFT RECOMMENDATION FROM THE U.S. PREVENTIVE SERVICES TASK FORCE.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, PATRICK CORNELL EXPLAINS THE NEW FINDINGS AND SHARES WHAT SENIORS CAN DO TO REDUCE THEIR RISK OF INJURY.

>> Reporter: IT'S A MESSAGE THAT WE'VE HEARD SINCE CHILDHOOD, IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE YOUR VITAMINS, BUT THERE ARE LIMITATIONS TO THOSE BENEFITS.

>> WE DIDN'T FIND THAT TAKING VITAMIN D WITH OR WITHOUT CALCIUM PREVENTED FRACTURES OR FALLS IN POST MENOPAUSAL WOMEN AND MEN 68 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.

>> Reporter: DR. GOTHAM IS A MEMBER OF THE U.S. PREVENTATIVE TASK FORCE THAT RELEASED THESE FINDINGS.

>> WE'RE NOT DISCOURAGING PEOPLE FROM TAKING VITAMIN D OR CALCIUM.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICINE HAS SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW MUCH VITAMIN D AND CALCIUM THAT EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE.

IT'S ESSENTIAL FOR BONE HEALTH, FOR MUSCLES, FOR OVERALL WELLBEING, FOR BRAIN HEALTH, AND IMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE TASK FORCE LOOKED AT WHAT SENIORS CAN DO TO REDUCE THEIR RISK OF FALLS.

WOMEN AGE 65 AND OLDER SHOULD BE SCREENED FOR OSTEOPETROSIS AND ANYONE WHO IS AT HIGH RISK.

>> LOOK AT STRUCTURED EXERCISE.

WEIGHTBEARING EXERCISE, WHERE THERE ARE A LOT OF PROGRAMS, HAVE A NUMBER OF BENEFITS, INCLUDING PREVENTING FRACTURES AND FALLS.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THEY HAVE BENEFITS FOR BALANCE, THE SOCIAL EFFECT IS REALLY INCREDIBLE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: SOME ADULTS MAY ALSO BENEFIT FROM HAVING THEIR VISION AND HEARING TESTED TO REDUCE THEIR RISK OF FALLS.

FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M PATRICK CORNELL.

>> Dennis: AND LET'S GO BACK TO ELISSA FOR A LAST CHECK OF OUR WEATHER.

>> Elissa: SO MOVING TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW, WE HAVE WINTER WEATHER ON THE WAY AND THEN CLOUDS MOVING IN THIS WEEKEND BEFORE WE START WARMING UP NEXT WEEK.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS ELISSA.

ANY CHANCE OF SNOW TONIGHT, SO GET THE SHOVEL OUT.

WE'RE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:00.

WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US THING.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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