>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Josh: GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, I'M JOSH PETERSON IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>>> A TEEN DRIVER FACES MULTIPLE CRIMINAL CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH A BUS CRASH IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA THAT SENT 12 STUDENTS TO THE HOSPITAL LAST SEPTEMBER.

19-YEAR-OLD, SAVAYA SNICKERS IS CHARGED WITH FIVE COUNTS OF CRIMINAL VEHICULAR OPERATION, 17-GROSS MISDEMEANOR COUNTS OF THE SAME AND TWO MISDEMEANOR TRAFFIC OFFENSES ACCORDING TO DOCUMENTS FILED IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY COURT EARLIER TODAY.

LAW ENFORCEMENT ALLEGE SNICKERS BLEW A STOP SIGN AT TOWNLINE ROAD AND COUNTY ROAD FIVE EAST OF HIBBING, HITTING THE SCHOOL BUS AND CAUSING IT TO ROLL INTO THE DITCH.

WHILE INVESTIGATING THE CRASH THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL SEARCHED SNICKERS PHONE, FINDING SHE HAD USED IT APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES BEFORE AUTHORITIES RESPONDED TO THE CRASH AND SECONDS BEFORE THE 9-1-1 CALL WAS INITIATED.

INVESTIGATORS ALSO FOUND THE CAR WAS GOING 48 TO 53 MILES PER HOUR JUST BEFORE THE CRASH AND THAT SNICKERS DID NOT BRAKE BEFORE IMPACT.

SNICKERS FIRST COURT APPEARANCE IS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 30TH.

>>> A LEVEL THREE PREDATORY OFFENDER HAS BEEN RELEASED AND RELOCATED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO THE VICINITY OF CASS LAKE.

CASS COUNTY SHERIFF BRYAN WELK SAYS THAT 36-YEAR-OLD JAMES LITTLEWOLF WAS RELEASED ON DECEMBER 26TH.

LITTLEWOLF WAS INCARCERATED FOR ENGAGING IN SEXUAL CONTACT WITH A KNOWN FEMALE TEENAGER.

ACCORDING TO THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, LITTLEWOLF GAINED ACCESS BY ENTERING THE HOME WHERE THE TEEN WAS STAYING WITHOUT PERMISSION.

AUTHORITIES SAY LITTLEWOLF HAS SERVED THE SENTENCE IMPOSED ON HIM BY THE COURT AND IS TRANSITIONING INTO THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT THIS NOTIFICATION IS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED.

>>> CHRISTMAS IS OVER AND WITH THE END OF THE SEASON COMES THE END OF DECORATIVE TREES AND WREATHS.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING RID OF YOUR TREES SAFELY AND THE POTENTIAL HARM THAT NOT DOING SO CAN HAVE ON THE STATES ECOSYSTEM.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH CHRISTMAS TREES CAN BE FESTIVE AND BEAUTIFUL DECLARATIONS, THEY CAN BE DANGEROUS.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE URGES PEOPLE TO SAFELY DISPOSE OF THE TREES IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF AND THEY MAY NOT KNOW THIS IS WHEN WE GET SOME OF THESE PRODUCTS THAT COME IN FROM OUT OF THE STATE, OFTENTIMES THEY CAN BE HARBORING INVASIVE SPECIES.

THEY CAN HAVE OTHER INSECTS OR DISEASES AS WELL, BUT THE BIGGER ISSUE THE INVASIVE SPECIES.

>> Reporter: THOUSANDS COME FROM OUT-OF-STATE CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS.

>> ONE OF THE INSECTS WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH IS A TINY, TINY LITTLE INSECT ON THE UNDER SIDE OF THE LEAVES THAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY WON'T SEE.

IT LOOKS LIKE A SPECK OF DIRT.

THAT INSECT IS NOT ESTABLISHED IN MINNESOTA AND IT IS A PEST OF CHRISTMAS TREES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: THESE PESTS CAN EFFECT THE YIELD OF TREES, THEIR COLORS, SIZE, AND DURABILITY OF NEEDLES AND LEAVES.

ONCE THEY MAKE THEIR WAY INTO THE STATE, THEY CAN EFFECT ALL OF THE MINNESOTA GROWN TREES AS WELL, WHICH IS WHY TREE AND WREATH DISPOSAL IS SO VITAL.

>> THE BEST THING FOR PEOPLE TO DO IS USE THEIR CURBSIDE PICKUP.

MOST COMMUNITIES WILL HAVE SOME KIND OF THROUGH THIS TIME PERIOD, THROW THEIR CHRISTMAS TREE BY THE TRASH CAN.

THAT'S THE BEST THING TO DO.

OTHER TIMES, THERE ARE DESIGNATED DROP-OFF SITES TO TAKE THOSE CHRISTMAS TREES TO.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER WAY IS TO SAFELY BURN THEM, BUT THIS IS BASED ON DIFFERENT CITY ORDINANCES, SO BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE LOCAL RULES AND REGULATIONS.

>> IF PEOPLE THINK THEY HAVE SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE, THEY CAN GO TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WEBSITE AND THERE IS, IT'S CALLED REPORT A PEST.

YOU CAN REPORT THINGS RIGHT IN THERE AND JUST LET US KNOW AND WE CAN TRY TO HELP YOU FIND OUT WHAT IT IS.

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

>> ANOTHER IMPORTANT CHRISTMAS DECORATION TO DISPOSE OF PROPERLY ARE WREATHS.

DEPENDING ON YOUR CITY ORDINANCES, THEY CAN EITHER BE BROUGHT OUT TO THE CURB OR IF THEY ARE SMALL ENOUGH, CAN GO RIGHT IN THE TRASH.

>>> WHILE SOME ARE STARTING TO TAKE DOWN THEIR HOLIDAY DECOR, THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENJOY SOME OF THE BEST DISPLAYS IN THE BEMIDJI AREA!

THE FIRST CITY OF LIGHTS FOUNDATION TOUR OF HOMES RECENTLY ANNOUNCED ITS WINNERS FOR THE 2024 SEASON.

THE JUDGES CHOICE WAS AWARDED TO THE HOME ON 5252 ELMWOOD COURT NORTH EAST IN BEMIDJI, WITH SECOND PLACE BEING AWARDED TO THE HOME AT 23567 398TH STREET IN LAPORTE.

AND ROUNDING OUT THE TOP THREE, A HOME AT 4508 WAVILLE ROAD NORTH EAST IN BEMIDJI WHICH WON THIRD PLACE.

THE PEOPLE CHOICE WAS AWARDED TO THE HOME FEATURING GINGERBREAD MEN AND MULTIPLE VIDEO PROJECTIONS LOCATED AT 1003 FIFTEENTH STREET NORTH WEST IN BEMIDJI.

HOMES ON THE TOUR WILL BE ILLUMINATED FROM 5:00 UNTIL 10:00 P.M. EACH NIGHT THROUGH JANUARY 1ST.

>>> ITS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR FOR RETAILERS.

DESPITE A SHORTENED TIME BETWEEN THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR, RETAIL SALES GREW THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

LEIGH WALDMAN BREAKS DOWN WHERE CONSUMERS WERE SPENDING THEIR MONEY AND WHAT THIS COULD MEAN FOR THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR, RETAILERS WERE RACING THE CLOCK TO MOTIVATE SHOPPERS TO BUY EARLY AND IN BULK BECAUSE THERE WERE FIVE FEWER DAYS THAN LAST YEAR BETWEEN THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS.

THEY LANDED ON SANTA'S NICE LIST.

>> I GOT TO JUST SAY, HATS OFF TO THE AMERICAN CONSUMER.

WE THINK THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A STOP TO THE SPENDING, BUT THERE NEVER IS.

>> Reporter: TOTAL U.S.

SPENDING GREW BY 3.8% THIS YEAR COMPARED TO LAST, ACCORDING TO PRELIMINARY DATA FROM MASTERCARD SPENDING POLLS.

IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT SHOPPERS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ONLINE DEALS THEY FOUND, CLICKING THEIR WAY TO 6.7% OF YEAR OVER YEAR E-COMMERCE GROWTH THE SAME DATA SHOWED.

>> TO ME, WHAT THESE NUMBERS SAY IS THAT CONSUMERS ARE FEELING OKAY ABOUT THEIR JOBS, THEY ARE FEELING GOOD ABOUT WHERE THE ECONOMY IS GOING TO BE IN 2025.

>> Reporter: BUT IT MIGHT NOT ALL BE GOOD NEWS.

GLOBAL ECONOMIC ANALYST BELIEVE THAT THE CONSUMER SPENDING COULD BE A WARNING SIGN FOR THINGS TO COME.

>> WE ARE OVERDUE FOR A RECESSION AND THE KIND OF BEHAVIOR YOU'RE SEEING NOW IS OFTEN THE KIND OF BEHAVIOR YOU SEE WHEN YOU ARE AT THE TOP OF THE MARKET CYCLE.

>> Reporter: WHILE BIG HOLIDAY SPENDING NUMBERS WERE A GREAT SIGN FOR RETAILERS, THERE IS SOME ADVICE FOR CONSUMERS AS WE HEAD INTO 2025.

>> I WOULD LOOK AT PAYING DOWN DEBT, GETTING LOWER INTEREST RATES, LOCKING THEM IN ON ANYTHING THAT I CAN, BECAUSE I THINK THE NEXT FEW YEARS, YOU'RE LOOKING AT HIGHER RATES.

>> Reporter: IN NEW YORK, I'M LEIGH REPORTING.

>> ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION, BY THE TIME 2024 WRAPS UP, U.S. CONSUMERS WILL HAVE RETURNED NEARLY $900 BILLION IN GOODS FROM THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO SEE AREAS OF FOG ONCE AGAIN TONIGHT AND PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA IS UNDER A DENSE FOG ADVISORY TONIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS.

THE LITTLE FALLS COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER FOR THE ST. FRANCIS COMMUNITY CORRAL'S 19th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT.

[♪♪♪] >> 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 LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> LAKE BEMIDJI STATE PARK WILL ONCE AGAIN KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH A HIKE.

THE PARK WILL BE ONE OF TEN STATEWIDE TO BEGIN 2025 WITH AN OUTDOOR TREK TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH NATURE.

WE TAGGED ALONG AT THE FIRST HIKE OF 2024 TO SEE WHAT THE EXPERIENCE IS LIKE.

>> Reporter: EVERY YEAR, PARKS IN ALL 50 STATES PARTICIPATE IN THE FIRST DAY HIKE, WITH THE NEW YEAR KICKING IN, LAKE BEMIDJI STATE PARK GAVE THEIR FIRST DAY HIKE IN THE SNOW, WELCOMING THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE.

CHRISTA HAS BEEN LEADING THE FIRST DAY HIKE SINCE 2020, WHERE SHE GOES AROUND PEOPLE TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND TALK ABOUT THEIR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION.

>> OUR FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS WAS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT OUR RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR.

WE ALSO WROTE DOWN THREE THINGS WE WOULD LIKE TO LET GO OF FROM THE PAST YEAR.

WE CARRIED THOSE WITH US ALONG THE TRAIL.

I READ SOME POEMS AND WHEN WE GOT BACK, WE PUT OUR PAST, THINGS WE WANT TO LET GO OF INTO THE FIRE, TO SYMBOLICALLY LET THEM GO.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE HAD A CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER AND LEARN FROM THEIR PAST EXPERIENCE, WHILE TAKING IN A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.

>> IT WAS VERY INSPIRING TO HEAR PEOPLE'S STORIES ALONG THE WAY, PEOPLE WHO WERE CHITCHATTING AND IT WAS NICE TO HEAR THAT.

>> Reporter: WHEN ASKED, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE HIKERS TOOK AWAY FROM THE HIKE TODAY, CHRISTA HAD A LOT TO SAY.

>> HOPEFULLY THEY TOOK AWAY SOME SENSE OF PEACE, SOME CALM, A FEELING OF EXCITEMENT FOR THE FUTURE AS WELL, AND HOPEFULLY THEY HAD SOME HOPE FOR THE NEW YEAR COMING UP.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE RESIDENTS BROUGHT THE NEW YEAR-END WITH A HIKE AND MEETING NEW PEOPLE.

SOME SAY IT WAS A SIGHT TO SEE.

>> IT WAS A NICE WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR.

IT WAS NICE TO MEET NEW PEOPLE AND BE OUT IN NATURE AND EXPERIENCE ALL OF GOD'S CREATIONS.

IT WAS JUST THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE, NOT TOO COLD.

IT WAS A FEAST FOR YOUR EYES, YOU KNOW, TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING AND TO LISTEN TO THE WIND AND TO JUST EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING THAT NATURE HAS TO OFFER.

>> AND THAT WAS A STORY FROM FORMER REPORTER ZYRIAH SIMMONS.

THIS YEARS FIRST DAY HIKE AT LAKE BEMIDJI STATE PARK BEGINS AT 10:00 A.M. ON JANUARY 1ST AND WILL BE A SNOWSHOE WALK UNDER THE PINES.

VISITORS CAN BRING THEIR OWN SNOWSHOES OR BORROW SOME FOR THE EVENT.

>>> WHILE THIS WARM WEATHER IS COMFORTABLE, FOR THE SECOND WINTER BREAK I A ROW MOST OUTDOOR SKATING RINKS AROUND THE BEMIDJI AREA ARE NOT IN THE BEST SHAPE.

TODAY THE CITY OF BEMIDJI PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT DUE TO THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE OUTDOOR RINKS ARE VERY SLUSHY AND NOT IDEAL FOR USE.

AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE VIDEO, SLUSH, MELTING ICE AND POOLING WATER HAS MADE FOR POOR SKATING CONDITIONS AT CITY PARK.

PARKS STAFF WILL BEGIN FLOODING THE RINKS AGAIN ONCE THE AIR TEMPS DROPS BELOW FREEZING, WHICH PARKS STAFF IS HOPING WILL BE NEXT WEEK.

>>> STACY JOINS US AND I MEAN PARK STAFF IS HOPING FOR COOLER TEMPS NEXT WEEK, BUT ARE THEY GOING TO GET THAT?

>> Stacy: IT LOOKS THAT WAY.

WE WILL HAVE MILD TEMPERATURES TO START THE WEEKEND, BUT WE WILL SEE A COOLING TREND AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE FIRST PART OF NEXT WEEK.

WE'RE LOOKING AT HIGHS PROBABLY IN THE TEENS BY WEDNESDAY.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE ARE ONCE AGAIN DEALING WITH AREAS OF FOG OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA IS >> 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, WE HAD ANOTHER DREARY DECEMBER DAY OUT THERE TODAY AND IT LOOKS LIKE MORE OF THE SAME EXPECTED OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE COULD SEE AREAS OF RAIN IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT, OTHERWISE, FREEZING DRIZZLE, AREAS OF FOG, WE HAVE THAT DENSE FOG ADVISORY FOR PARTS OF OUR VIEWING AREA AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT AND IN SOME LOCATIONS INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

THERE IS A CHANCE WE WILL SEE SOME SUNSHINE THIS WEEKEND AND AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK, EXPECT TO SEE COOLER TEMPERATURES.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 34 DEGREES.

WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 4 MILES PER HOUR, WITH A DEW POINT OF 34.

OUR PEAK WIND GUSTS THIS EVENING, 6 MILES PER HOUR.

IN BRAINERD, WE ARE SEEING AREAS OF FOG, IT'S 38 DEGREES, WITH A DEW POINT OF 36.

PRESSURE IS FALLING.

WINDS ARE CALM.

WE HAVE A DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA, FOR THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA, CASS COUNTY, AITKIN COUNTY, CROW WING COUNTY, THIS ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT.

FOG WILL BECOME PATCHY AFTER THAT.

IT WILL EXPIRE AT 9:00 A.M.

IN THE WEST AND PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE'RE LOOKING AT MILLE LACS COUNTY THAT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL 10:00 A.M., VISIBILITY IS A QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES WHEN WE HAVE THE DENSE FOG OUT THERE.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, WE DO HAVE THIS AREA OF PRECIPITATION MOVING ACROSS MUCH OF EASTERN MINNESOTA AND AS A RESULT, WE COULD SEE AREAS OF RAIN IN THE EAST, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

OUTSIDE OF THAT, WE ARE STILL LOOKING AT AREAS OF DRIZZLE AND FREEZING DRIZZLE, ALONG WITH AREAS OF FOG THROUGHOUT THE VIEWING AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND EVEN INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

SOME OF THAT DRIZZLE AND FREEZING DRIZZLE COULD LINGER IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING BEFORE THAT MOVES OUT.

WE WILL START WITH CLOUDY SKIES, VARIABLE CLOUDS AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, SOME OF US COULD SEE SUNSHINE, TEMPERATURES MILD, IT COULD BE COOLER THAN WHAT WE HAD TODAY.

ONE WEATHER SHOT TO SHARE WITH YOU, ANGELA SHARING THIS PHOTO OF THE FOGGY CONDITIONS AT CASS LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT WITH US.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS.

BOB IN BLUFFTON REPORTING A HIGH OF 36.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, FOGGY WITH DRIZZLE.

ANGELA REPORTING FOG, DRIZZLE, AND CLOUDY CONDITIONS, HIGH OF 37.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC IN BRAINERD, WE TOPPED OUT AT 40 TODAY, SO VERY MILD OUT THERE.

5 DEGREES SHY DEGREE OF THE RECORD, 4 DEGREES HIGHER THAN THE LOW TEMPERATURE, WHICH WAS 36 THIS MORNING.

BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 35, SO VERY MILD, AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE IS 19, 33 WAS OUR LOW, WE SAW THAT TEMPERATURE VARY ABOUT 2 DEGREES THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND SUNSET AT 435 -- 4:35.

IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, WE WILL SEE DRIZZLE.

OUTSIDE OF THAT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, TEMPERATURES SHOULD REACH THE 30s, SO IT'S COOLER THAN TODAY, BUT STILL VERY, VERY MILD OUT THERE.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, THERE AGAIN THAT AREA OF FREEZING DRIZZLE AND DRIZZLE IN THE MORNING, AROUND BRAINERD AND AITKIN.

IN THE AFTERNOON, WE WILL SEE SIES BECOMING PARTLY SUNNY WITH THE HIGHS IN THE 30s.

TONIGHT, CLOUDY WITH AREAS OF FOG, RAIN IS LIKELY IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, BUT OUTSIDE OF THAT, WE COULD SEE SCATTERED DRIZZLE AND FREEZING DRIZZLE, LOWS NEAR 28.

FOR TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, STILL SOME LINGERING DRIZZLE OR FREEZING DRIZZLE IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING.

ALSO LOOKING AT SOME AREAS OF FOG IN THE MORNING HOURS WITH HIGHS AROUND 34.

WE WILL START OUT WITH CLOUDS ON SUNDAY, SKIES WILL BE PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY.

THE COOLING TREND CONTINUES ON MONDAY AS CLOUD COVER RETURNS AND CLOUDY SKIES WILL BE WITH US ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, AND HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE MID-TEENS.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Josh: THANK YOU VERY MUCH STACY.

WITH THAT FORECAST, IT MEANS IT MUST BE CHRISTMAS BREAK AND A LOT OF TEENS ARE ON THE ROAD FOR ALL KINDS OF TOURNAMENTS.

>> Matt: LOCALLY WE HAVE A TOURNAMENT HAPPENING IN WALKER.

IT USE TO BE A TOURNAMENT IN WALKER FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND THE ORGANIZER BEHIND IT PASSED AWAY NOT TOO LONG AGO.

ORGANIZERS ARE HOPING TO KEEP IT ALIVE.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT 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.

>> IN FOCUS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND AND BY >> NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>>> DWAYNE LISETMOE, KNOWN BY HIS FRIENDS AS DEWEY, WAS A LOCAL WALKER RESIDENT BORN IN 1955 WHO HAD A VERY STRONG PASSION FOR HOCKEY.

SO MUCH SO THAT EVERY YEAR FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS, ONCE THE WEATHER GOT COLD ENOUGH, HE WOULD SET UP HIS OWN ICE RINK, AND HOLD A HOCKEY TOURNAMENT, LATER TO BE KNOWN AS DEWEY'S TOURNEY WITH ANYONE IN THE AREA THAT WANTED TO PARTICIPATE.

WHEN DEWEY PASSED IN 2022.

THOSE WHO GREW UP PLAYING IN DEWEY'S TOURNAMENT WANTED TO KEEP THE TOURNAMENT GOING.

THE WALKER AREA COMMUNITY CENTER HAS BEEN THE NEW HOME OF THE TOURNAMENT FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS AND THINGS ARE ONLY IMPROVING AS THE YEARS GO ON.

DONATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY HAVE ALLOWED FOR DASHER BOARDS AND RINK SHIELDS TO BE PUT IN FOR DEWEY'S OUTDOOR RINK.

BUT JUST AS DEWEY AND HIS SON JOHN WOULD BE DOING.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE OUT THERE PREPPING THE RINK BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT BEGINS.

>> HE IS A MAN THAT DESERVES A LEGACY THAT CONTINUES TO BE SPREAD ON.

THEY WERE SELFLESS WITH THEIR TIME AND GIVING EVERYTHING THEY GOT TO MAKE A SAFE PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO COME TO, YOUTH AND ADULTS ALIKE.

THEIR CHARACTER WAS SELFLESS.

THEY GAVE THEIR TIME IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A SAFE PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO HANG OUT AND LEARN HOW TO PLAY HOCKEY AND SKATE.

>> ALONG WITH HOCKEY GAMES PLAYED THROUGHOUT THE DAY, THE EVENT WILL ALSO FEATURE A FREE LUNCH FOR THE COMMUNITY, ALONG WITH SOMETHING ORGANIZERS CALLED A SANTA SKATE.

BOTH DEWEY'S OUTDOOR RINK AND THE INDOOR RINK INSIDE THE COMMUNITY CENTER WILL BE HOSTING GAMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

EVEN WITH THE SLUDGE AND MELTING ICE THOUGH, THOSE WHO GREW UP PLAYING IN DEWEY'S TOURNAMENT WILL STILL BE PLAYING IN HIS OUTDOOR RINK.

>> YOU KNOW, WE WERE THINKING OF DOING IT ALL INDOORS, BUT IN THE SPIRIT OF DEWEY, WE PLAYED OUT DOORS, NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER GAVE US.

WE'RE GOING TO GET A LITTLE WET AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> THE EVENT IS FREE TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN IF YOU SO WISH.

REGISTRATION STARTS AT 10:00 A.M. SATURDAY MORNING AND THE FIRST PUCK DROP WILL BE AT 11:00 A.M. >>> THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES HAVE NOT LIVED UP TO MOST FANS' EXPECTATIONS SO FAR THIS SEASON.

CURRENTLY SITTING WITH A 15-14 RECORD AND STANDING 9TH IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE, THE T-WOLVES LOST THEIR LAST THREE GAMES BEFORE SNAPPING THAT SKID ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN A WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL REMATCH AGAINST THE DALLAS MAVERICKS ON THE ROAD.

THE T-WOLVES HOPE TO KEEP THE WINNING STREAK ALIVE AS THEY TRAVEL TO HOUSTON TO TAKE ON THE 2ND BEST TEAM IN THE WEST IN THE ROCKETS.

HOUSTON WOULD BE LEADING BY 6 IN THE THIRD QUARTER, AND THEN THE MISLEADS TO ANTHONY TO CLOSE THE ROCKETS' LEAD.

THE GAME CAME TO A CLOSE ANTHONY EDWARDS WITH ICE IN HIS VEINS, WOULD GAIN THE LEAD WITH 23 SECONDS LEFT AND HOUSTON GETS ONE SHOT BEFORE THE GAME ENDS, AND IT WAS UNABLE TO CONNECT.

EDWARDS FINISHES WITH 24 POINTS AND JULIUS LED THE TEAM IN POINTS WITH 27.

>>> HERE'S SOME OTHER BASKETBALL SCORES FOR YOU.

BRAINERD HOLDING IT OFF.

NEVIS FALLS TO DAWSON.

CASS LAKE-BENA ALSO FALLS DURING THEIR TOURNAMENT, AS WELL AS GRAND RAPIDS.

BEMIDJI IS ABLE TO HOLD IT OFF AGAINST MONMONTICELLO.

PEQUOT LAKES FALLS.

ON THE BOY'S SIDE, PEQUOT LAKES FALLS TO MORA.

DEER RIVER ALSO HOLDS IT OFF AGAINST CROSBY-IRONTON.

WADENA DEER FALLS.

CASS LAKE-BENA ALSO FALLS IN THEIR GAME.

DEER RIVER ALSO HOLDS IT OFF AGAINST CENTRAL, AS WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY HOLDINGS IT OFF AGAINST PIERZ.

BRAINERD HOLDS IT OFF AGAINST ROBINDALE.

CROSBY-IRONTON ABLE TO HOLD IT OFF AGAINST SOUTHWEST CHRISTIAN.

>>> THE MINNESOTA WILD ALSO TOOK THEIR TALENTS TO THE LONE STAR STATE TO TAKE ON THE 4TH RANKED TEAM IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE, DALLAS STARS.

STARTING OFF IN THE SECOND PERIOD, DALLAS UP 1-0.

WYATT CONNECTS WITH THE BACK OF THE NET TO GIVE THE STARS A 2-0 LEAD.

THEY WERE MUNDANE DURING THIS GAME, GOING SCORELESS UNTIL THE THIRD PERIOD AND NOT EVEN A MINUTE LATER, SCORING AGAIN TO TIE THE GAME.

A DRIVE FROM THE BLUE LINE SENDS THE GAME INTO OVERTIME.

THEN BROCK FOR THE WILD WRAPS IT AROUND THE GOALIE TO RING THE DINNER BELL, GIVING THEM THE 3-2 OVERTIME VICTORY.

THE WILD ARE THREE POINTS BEHIND WINNIPEG FOR FIRST IN THE WEST.

>>> SOME LOCAL HOCKEY SCORES FOR YOU.

WE HAVE BAGLEY, WHO FELL TO WILMER.

LAKE OF THE WOODS FALLS.

BEMIDJI HOLDING IT OFF AGAINST SAINT CLOUD CATHEDRAL.

BRAINERD FALLS TO ALEXANDRIA.

GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY ABLE TO PULL ONE OFF AND BEMIDJI AND FERGUS FALLS TIES IN OVERTIME.

WE HAD A LOT OF TOURNAMENT GAMES.

>> Josh: A LOT OF SCOREBOARDS FOR YOU TO GO THROUGH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> MUSIC ENTHUSIASTS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE IN THE SAINT FRANCIS COMMUNITY CHORALES ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT, ACCOMPANIED BY THE SAINT FRANCIS YOUTH CHOIR, BRASS ENSEMBLE, ORCHESTRA, AND MORE.

THE CHORALE PERFORMED A COLLECTION OF CHRISTMAS CLASSICS FOR THOSE IN ATTENDANCE TO ENJOY.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE FOR THIS WEEKS IN-FOCUS.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: MUSIC HAS BEEN A PART OF BARBARA'S LIFE SINCE SHE WAS 3 YEARS OLD.

WHILE SHE HAD NO INTENTION OF BECOMING SAINT FRANCES DIRECTOR, UPON MOVING TO LITTLE FALLS, SHE WANTED TO SINGLE -- SING AND KNEW WHAT MUSIC CAN DO FOR OTHERS.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN ARTICLES WHERE THEY SAY PEOPLE THAT SING TOGETHER, THEIR HEARTBEATS SYNC.

>> Reporter: NOW IT HAS A LASTING EFFECT ON THOSE WHO STOP BY AND ENVELOPE THEMSELVES IN THE HOLIDAY TUNES.

>> PEOPLE LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

WE ALMOST NEED TWO CONCERTS NOW.

IT'S A HIGHLIGHT AND WE DON'T CHARGE FOR THE CONCERTS.

WE HAVE DONATIONS.

>> THEY REALLY LISTEN.

YOU PROBABLY SAW WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF ROOM TO PUT EVERYBODY AND WE HAD TO PUT UP MORE CHAIRS.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, BACKGROUNDS, AND DIFFERENT FAMILIARITY LEVELS WITH MUSIC ARE WELCOME TO JOIN.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THE GROUP THAT DON'T READ MUSIC.

YOU HAVE DOCTORS, LAWYERS, AS FAR AS THE PROFESSIONS THAT PEOPLE ARE IN.

WE WANT TO GIVE EVERYBODY THE OPPORTUNITY TO SING.

ONE GENTLEMAN THAT WAS IN BRASS AND THEN HE HAD TO SING, AND THEN BRASS AGAIN.

>> Reporter: HAVING PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND ALL HAVING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE, SEEING EVERYTHING COME TOGETHER FOR THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT IS ALL THE MORE SPECIAL FOR THE SINGERS AND MUSICIANS AS THEY TRY TO TOUCH THE HEARTS OF THE LITTLE FALLS COMMUNITY.

>> I HOPE THEY GO OUT AND SHOW SOME KINDNESS AND LOVE TO PEOPLE AND SHARE HOW THEY WERE TOUCHED BY THE MUSIC.

MUSIC TOUCHES YOUR HEART, DOESN'T IT?

IT TOUCHES DEEPLY INSIDE.

>> FOR US, IT'S A MINISTRY REALLY.

IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN GIVE TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN LITTLE FALLS WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Josh: ALL RIGHT, HAVE