>> 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.

>> CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF LOCAL NEWS FOR BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER AND CHARLIE YAEGER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

>> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> ON JANUARY 31ST, A REICHERT BUS DRIVER WAS CAUGHT ON VIDEO VERBALLY ABUSING TWO FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ON THEIR WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL.

REICHERT IS THE COMPANY THE BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT USES TO BUS ITS STUDENTS.

THE FAMILY OF THE TWO STUDENTS WHO ARE BROTHER AND SISTER CLAIM ABUSE WAS NOT LIMITED TO JUST THOSE TWO STUDENTS AND HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: A SCHOOL BUS IS A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN SHOULD FEEL SAFE.

THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FOOL SCARED OR EXPECT TO DEAL WITH VERBAL ABUSE TO OR HOME FROM SCHOOL.

THE STUDENTS THAT HAVE BEEN RIDING ON BUS 69, BUS RIDES HAVE NOT BEEN COMFORTABLE.

>> THIS BUS DRIVER HAD BEEN VULGAR, CUSSING AND YELLING AT OUR KIDS FOR A YEAR AND A HALF SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR AND MY KIDS TOLD US THAT.

SO HAVE THE OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.

THIS IS THE TALK WHERE THEY CALLED ME AND THEY WERE SCARED OF THE BUS DRIVER.

>> Reporter: IN THIS VIDEO SENT TO LAKELAND NEWS, YOU CAN HEAR THE BUS DRIVER YELLING AT THE CHILDREN.

>> SPEAK LOUDER.

>> I TEXT MY MOM.

>> YOU TEXT YOUR MOM?

OKAY.

WHY?

>> BECAUSE I WANT -- >> I DON'T GIVE TWO -- WHAT YOU WANT.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO SIT NEXT TO YOUR BROTHER.

>> HE IS FREAKING OUT, HE DOESN'T LIKE BEING YELLED AT.

>> I DON'T CARE.

SHUT YOUR MOUTH.

>> DON'T TALK TO MY BROTHER LIKE THAT.

>> THE BUS DRIVER HAD BEEN IN A BAD MOOD THAT DAY BECAUSE THE BUS WAS NOT CLEAN FROM THE DAY BEFORE.

THEY WERE CALLED THE DAY OF THE CONFRONTATION AND UNDERSTANDABLY THE CHILDREN WERE OVERCOME BY EMOTION AFTER BEING YELLED AT BY THEIR BUS DRIVER.

>> IT WAS SILENT.

NO ONE WAS TALKING.

HE WOULD YELL AT KIDS IF THEY WERE GRINNING.

IT'S NOT A DAY TO BE GRINNING OR SMILING.

SO, HE WOULD PICK ON YOU FOR EVERY LITTLE THING.

>> I WAS GETTING EMOTIONAL.

I WAS TEARING UP.

THE DAY BEFORE THE LAST DAY I WAS GOING TO BE THERE.

>> Reporter: IT TOOK A LOT OF BRAVERY FOR THE 10 AND 13-YEAR-OLD TO STAND UP TO AN ADULT.

AFTER A 2.5 DAY SUSPENSION, THE BUS DRIVER WAS LET GO PERMANENTLY.

FOR THE KIDS, A LOT MORE STUDENTS WILL FEEL SAFER ON THEIR BUS RIDES HOME THANKS TO THE COURAGE THAT THE CHILDREN SHOWED THAT DAY.

>> I WAS REALLY PROUD OF MY KIDS FOR STANDING UP FOR EACH OTHER AND SUPPORTING EACH OTHER.

FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS, I HAVE BEEN TEACHING THEM TO STAND TOGETHER, BE STRONG, AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

THE REST OF THE WORLD IS OUT THERE TO TEAR YOU DOWN.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOUR FAMILY IS WHAT YOU HAVE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> REICHERT BUS DID NOT RESPOND WHEN ASKED FOR COMMENT.

BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT, HEIDI HAHN, TOLD LAKELAND NEWS SHE WAS HAPPY THE SITUATION WAS RESOLVED, BUT WOULD NOT COMMENT ON A PERSONNEL MATTER.

>>> HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE SOURCE A LEGIONNAIRES DISEASE OUTBREAK IN GRAND RAPIDS.

FOURTEEN CASES OF LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED SINCE APRIL 2023.

LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE IS A SERIOUS TYPE OF PNEUMONIA CAUSED BY INHALING LEGIONELLA BACTERIA FOUND IN WATER.

LIKELY CASE EXPOSURES HAVE BEEN GEOGRAPHICALLY CLUSTERED IN HOMES AND OTHER BUILDINGS IN THIS AREA.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS THE MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY WAS THE ONLY COMMON EXPOSURE REPORTED BY THE PEOPLE WHO GOT SICK.

CITY AUTHORITIES SAID MONDAY THAT THEY PLAN TO FLUSH AND DISINFECT THE WATER SYSTEM TO REDUCE RISKS OF THE DISEASE.

LEGIONELLA LIVES AND GROWS PARTICULARLY WELL IN WATER THAT IS STAGNANT BETWEEN 70 AND 120 DEGREES FARENHEIT OR WHEN IT IS NOT TREATED WITH ADEQUATE WATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS, SUCH AS CHLORINE.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC UTILITIES WATER SUPPLY IS ONE OF THE FEW COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS IN MINNESOTA THAT DOES NOT CHLORINATE ITS WATER.

THIS IS BECAUSE SOME SYSTEMS THAT DRAW WATER FROM GROUNDWATER SOURCES, SUCH AS COMMUNITY WELLS, ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ADD DISINFECTANTS.

LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE CAN BE SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES FATAL.

IN GENERAL, ABOUT ONE OUT OF EVERY 10 PEOPLE WHO GET SICK WITH LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE DIES.

OF THE 14 CASES ASSOCIATED WITH THE GRAND RAPIDS OUTBREAK, ALL HAVE BEEN ADULTS AND 11 HAVE REQUIRED HOSPITALIZATION FOR THEIR ILLNESS.

TO DATE, NO DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED ASSOCIATED WITH THIS OUTBREAK.

>>> MILLE LACS COUNTY AUTHORITIES SAY TWO PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY DIED FROM EXPOSURE TO CARBON MONOXIDE YESTERDAY.

DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO A HOME NEAR PRINCETON AROUND 8:00 LAST NIGHT ON THE REPORT OF A POSSIBLE OVERDOSE.

27-YEAR-OLD MARCOS LARSON OF PRINCETON AND A FEMALE WHOSE IDENTITY HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED WERE FOUND DEAD IN THE HOME.

PRINCETON FIRE AND RESCUE DETERMINED THERE WERE LETHAL AMOUNTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE HOME.

SHERIFF KYLE BURTON SAYS IT APPEARS AT THIS STAGE OF THE INVESTIGATION, THE OCCUPANTS OF THIS HOUSE WERE USING A GAS-POWERED GENERATOR TO POWER SOME SPACE HEATERS IN ADDITION TO PROPANE HEATERS TO HEAT THE HOUSE.

THERE WAS NO POWER OR RUNNING WATER IN THE HOUSE AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT.

THE 9-1-1 CALLER WAS ALSO HOSPITALIZED FOR CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE.

HER CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN.

>>> A 32-YEAR OLD BEMIDJI WOMAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN IOWA AND IS ACCUSED OF STEALING THE VEHICLE OF A FARIBAULT HOMICIDE VICTIM.

ARLENE THERESA BELL IS BEING HELD IN DALLAS COUNTY JAIL IN IOWA FOR MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT.

FARIBAULT POLICE OFFICIALS SAY BELL IS ALSO A PERSON OF INTEREST IN THE GARY LEHMEYER HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM FARIBAULT P.D.

EVIDENCE RECOVERED FROM THE VEHICLE HAS ESTABLISHED PROBABLE CAUSE LINKING BELL TO THE VEHICLE THEFT.

THE RICE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS ISSUED A WARRANT FOR BELL'S ARREST AND SHE IS EXPECTED TO BE EXTRADITED ON A CHARGE OF MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT AFTER HER IOWA CASE.

THE PRESS RELEASE ALSO SAYS THAT BELL AND LEHMEYER WERE ENGAGED IN A LEGALLY QUALIFYING DOMESTIC RELATIONSHIP AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH.

THE 76-YEAR-OLD LEHMEYER WAS FOUND DEAD AT A HOUSE IN FARIBAULT ON FEBRUARY 5TH AND INVESTIGATORS DETERMINED HE DIED FROM HOMICIDAL VIOLENCE.

>>> THREE PILLAGER SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES WHEN THE SCHOOL BUS THEY WERE RIDING ON WAS INVOLVED A COLLISION WITH A VAN THAT WAS HAULING A TRAILER.

NONE OF THE INJURED JUVENILES REQUIRED TRANSPORTATION TO A HOSPITAL.

THE CRASH HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY 210 AT 37TH AVENUE SOUTHWEST AT ABOUT 8:00 A.M. LAST FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH.

PILLAGER SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT MIKE MALMBERG TELLS LAKELAND NEWS THE BUS WAS FROM FORNSHELL TRANSPORTATION THAT THEY CONTRACT THEIR BUSING WITH.

THE DRIVER OF THE BUS 73-YEAR-OLD JOHN GORDON PETERSON OF CUSHING AND THE DRIVER OF THE VAN 45-YEAR-OLD JEREMY TREBESCH BOTH SUFFERED NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES AND WERE TAKEN TO LAKEWOOD HEALTH FOR TREATMENT.

BOTH WERE WEARING SEATBELTS AND THE STATE PATROL SAYS ALCOHOL WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE CRASH.

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

>> Elissa: IT'S LOOKING LIKE ANOTHER WEEK OF 30 DEGREE TEMPS AND CLOUD COVER.

I'LL HAVE MORE IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, SWANSON'S BAIT AND TACKLE SHOP HAS JUST SWITCHED OWNERSHIP HANDS BUT SAY >> 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.

>>> LAST MONTH THE LAKEWOOD HEALTH SYSTEM IN STAPLES ANNOUNCED ITS OFFICIAL PLANS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE LAKEWOOD CANCER CENTER.

THE 19,270 SQUARE FOOT ADDITION WILL BE LOCATED JUST SOUTHWEST OF THE CLINIC AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE SUMMER OF 2025 WITH ITS GROUNDBREAKING OCCURRING THIS UPCOMING SPRING.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON THE HUGE STEP FORWARD FOR RURAL MEDICINE.

>> Reporter: OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, LAKEWOOD'S ONCOLOGY TEAM HAS GROWN EXPONENTIALLY, COUPLE THAT WITH A STEADY GROWTH IN PROVIDER COVERAGE AND IT BECAME CLEAR, EXPANSION WAS NEEDED.

>> AS WE BROUGHT IN ADDITIONAL PROVIDERS, WE NEED ADDITIONAL SPACE.

WITH A CANCER DIAGNOSIS, IT TOUCHES ALL AREAS OF THE FACILITY, LAB, PALLIATIVE CARE, HOSPICE, HOSPITAL, E.R., SO IT ADDS VOLUME ACROSS THE SYSTEM THAT WE NEED MORE ROOM TO TAKE ON.

TAKING THE CURRENT ONCOLOGY FOOTPRINTS, IT ALLOWS US TO FREE UP THE SPACE FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES.

>> Reporter: AND THOSE ADDITIONAL SERVICES WILL INCLUDE 14 INFUSION BASED, AND IN-HOUSE C.T.

SCAN MACHINE AND MUCH MORE, ALL TO THE JOY OF LAKEWOOD STAFF.

>> A LOT OF CANCER PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THROUGHOUT THE REGION HAVE SOME BASIC SERVICES, BUT THIS WILL BE A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FROM THE THERAPIES.

WE HAVE A CANCER, WE HAVE AN ONCOLOGY, AND WE HAVE PROGRAMS.

IT'S A RARE AND RURAL SETTING, BUT IT'S ESSENTIAL TO CARE FOR THOSE PATIENTS.

IT'S BEEN REALLY REWARDING TO SEE THESE GROW AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM HERE, IT HAS COME TO FRUITION.

>> Reporter: THE STAPLES COMMUNITY WILL HAVE A STATE-OF-THE-ART CANCER TREATMENT CENTER HERE AT THE LAKEWOOD SYSTEM.

TO HAVE ONE, IT'S NOT ONLY UNHEARD OF FOR THE PATIENTS, BUT ALSO FOR THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

>> THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN BUILT SO FAR, INCLUDING THE PALLIATIVE CARE PIECE THAT IS VERY RARE IN RURAL AMERICA, TO HAVE A PALLIATIVE CARE PROGRAM LIKE THIS, BUT INCLUDING THAT WITH THE CANCER PROGRAM AND THE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT INCORPORATING IN THE FUTURE.

I THINK REALLY WILL BE EXCITING TO EXPERIENCE AND REALLY BE A MODEL FOR OTHER SYSTEMS TO LEARN THAT THEY CAN DO THIS.

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

>> THE CANCER CENTER WILL ALSO INCLUDE A DEDICATED RECEPTION AND WAITING AREA WITH ONCOLOGY CASE MANAGERS LOCATED WITHIN THE NEW SPACE FOR EASY ACCESS TO PATIENTS.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY HAS THE NIGHT OFF BUT ELISSA IS HERE AND MORE OF THE SAME THIS WEEK AS FAR AS TEMPERATURES TO START.

>> Elissa: THAT'S RIGHT DENNIS.

WE ARE LOOKING AT COOLER TEMPERATURES TOWARDS THE END OF THE WEEK AND I'LL HAVE >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ACCESS MINNESOTA.

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

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >> Elissa: GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, I'M ELISSA IKOLA AND I AM HERE WITH YOUR WEATHER.

TODAY WAS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE DAYS WHERE WE WERE A LITTLE WARMER THAN WE USUALLY WOULD BE, BUT WE ARE GETTING CLOSER TO THOSE NORMAL TEMPERATURES FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

ONCE AGAIN, 30 DEGREES, PRETTY MUCH ACROSS THE BOARD, EXCEPT FOR SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, BUT OUR VIEWING AREA STAYED PRETTY MUCH THE SAME.

MOVING ALONG HERE, THERE WE GO.

HERE IN BEMIDJI, WE CURRENTLY HAVE A TEMPERATURE OF 25 DEGREES.

THAT WIND IS STILL CONTINUING FROM THE NORTHWEST DIRECTION.

THAT RISING BAROMETER, AND THE SIMILAR CONDITIONS HERE IN BRAINERD, 33 DEGREES AND OVERCAST, RISING BAROMETER AND A NORTHWEST WIND AT 8 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING TOWARDS OUR RADAR, WE DID SEE SOME SLIGHT FLURRIES ACROSS THE REGION THIS AFTERNOON.

THAT WILL CONTINUE INTO THIS EVENING FOR THE NORTHERN VIEWING AREA AS WE DO SEE HERE ON THE NORTH SHORE OF MINNESOTA, BUT OTHERWISE A CLEAR SKY, EXCEPT FOR THE CLOUDS ACROSS THE REGION.

THIS WILL CONTINUE TOWARDS TOMORROW.

THERE WILL BE A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SNOW, LOOKING TOWARDS TOMORROW, BUT NOT LIKELY TO PRODUCE ANYTHING AS WE DO SEE THOSE CLOUDS MOVING THROUGH THE AREA.

THAT TREND WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO SUBMITTED PHOTOS, ANGELA IN CASS LAKE WITH THOSE CLOUDS MOVING IN TODAY.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA WITH THE SUNRISE THIS MORNING.

DEBRA IN PINE RIVER WITH THOSE CLOUDS ON THE LAKE TODAY AND SAME WITH SAMROSE.

THANK YOU FOR SENDING THOSE IN.

WE ALSO HAVE OUR EAGLE EYE WEATHER WATCHERS SUBMITTING THEIR WEATHER REPORTS.

CLOUDS MOVING IN TODAY AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, BUT FEELS LIKE 19 BECAUSE OF THE WIND WE HAD TODAY.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, HIGH OF 34, SUNNY.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, SIMILAR CONDITIONS.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY AND 34 FOR A HIGH.

THANK YOU FOR SENDING THOSE IN.

LOOKING FOR OUR ALMANAC TODAY, BRAINERD A HIGH OF 33 DEGREES, WITH A LOW OF 23 DEGREES, SUNSET AT 5:37.

WE'RE GAINING THOSE MINUTES BACK.

SIMILAR CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI, 30 DEGREES WITH A LOW OF 19.

SUNRISE IS AT 7:29.

LOOKING TOWARDS TOMORROW, THERE ARE THOSE 30 DEGREES WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, MOSTLY CLOUDY CONDITIONS, AND THAT WILL CONTINUE INTO THE SOUTHERN VIEWING AREA AS WELL.

THEN LOOKING FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY, CHANCE OF FLURRIES FOR NORTHERN MINNESOTA, A LOW OF 19 DEGREES.

TOMORROW, SIMILAR CONDITIONS, MOSTLY CLOUDY, VARIABLE WINDS AS THEY WILL CHANGE DIRECTIONS, BUT MOSTLY SOUTH, 0 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR.

OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, THERE WE ARE AGAIN WITH THE 30 DEGREE MARKS THROUGHOUT THE BOARD.

IT WILL GET COOLER AND WE MAY SEE SUB-ZERO WINDCHILLS, BUT IT LOOKS TO BODILY HARM -- WARM UP FOR THE WEEKEND.

>> Dennis: THANKS ELISSA.

A COUPLE OF COOLER DAYS AND THEN BACK UP.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SPORTS.

>> Charlie: WE HAVE THE THIRD PARK RAPIDS BASKETBALL PLAYER TO HIT THEIR 1,000th POINT TONIGHT.

ALSO, I WENT TO MENAHGA AND PILLAGER FOR THEIR GAME.

WE HAVE THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE GIGAZONE GAMING CHAMPIONSHIP AND TECH EXPO SATURDAY, APRIL 20TH WITH SPECIAL GUEST DANIELLE FEINBERG, PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS.

EXHIBITOR APPLICATIONS ONLINE AT GIGAZONETECHXPO.COM.

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

>>> AGAINST EAST GRAND FORKS TWO WEEKS AGO NOAH MORRIS SCORED HIS 1,000TH POINT FOR PARK RAPIDS BOYS BASKETBALL.

TEAMMATE NOAH LARSON ENTERS TONIGHT'S CONTEST AGAINST STAPLES-MOTLEY JUST 8 POINTS SHY OF THAT SAME MARK.

PARK RAPIDS HOSTING STAPLES-MOTLEY, THE CARDINALS COME IN RIDING A TWO-GAME WIN STREAK BUT THE PANTHERS HAVE BEATEN THEM ONCE ALREADY THIS YEAR.

6 MINUTES IN, PANTHERS UP.

LARSON TWO POINTS AWAY AND HE KNOCKS IT DOWN TO PASS THE 1,000th POINT MARK.

LATER, CARDINALS ARE LOOKING TO STRIKE BACK, CUTS THE DEFICIT TO SINGLE DIGITS.

FINAL MINUTES OF THE HALF.

LARSON CORRALS A LONG MISS, AND HE WOULD DO THE REST.

MORRIS FINISHES WITH 21 POINTS.

PARK RAPIDS WOULD RUN AWAY WITH THIS ONE.

PANTHERS ARE ON THEIR HOME COURT AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT.

>>> IN GIRLS BASKETBALL, MENAHGA AT HOME AGAINST PILLAGER.

THE LADY BRAVES HAVE WON 21 STRAIGHT GAMES AND ARE RANKED 19TH IN CLASS 2A.

FIRST HALF, MENAHGA LEADING BY 6.

MACKENZIE ANDERSON WITH THE BEHIND THE HEAD PASS TO LEAH WEAVER.

SHE FINISHED WITH 12.

BRAVES UP 10-2.

MIDWAY THROUGH THE FIRST, PILLAGER TRYING TO CLIMB OUT OF A 21-POINT HOLE.

AVA SWANSON DRAINS THE TREY.

SHE LED THE HUSKIES WITH 11 POINTS.

THEY TRAIL 28-10.

BRAVES WOULD NOT LET OFF THE GAS THOUGH.

ANDERSON KNOCKS DOWN ONE OF HER FOUR THREES ON THE DAY.

SHE LED ALL SCORERS WITH 23.

AS MENAHGA GOES ON TO BEAT PILLAGER 76-30.

THE LADY BRAVES HAVE NOW WON 22 STRAIGHT GAMES SINCE LOSING THEIR FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON.

TONIGHT'S WIN ALSO SECURED THEM THE PARK REGION CONFERENCE TITLE.

>>> A COUPLE MORE SCORES FOR YOU FROM THE WEEKEND.

ROSEAU WON 3-2.

IT WAS ACTUALLY MOORHEAD THAT BEAT BEMIDJI.

SO ROSEAU AND MOREHEAD WILL PLAY ON WEDNESDAY.

WARROAD WON.

WISCONSIN BEATS BEMIDJI STATE.

BEMIDJI TIES OVER NORTHERN MICHIGAN AND THEN WINS IN A SHOOTOUT.

>>> IT CAN BE HARD TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SOMETHING IN THE MOMENT.

IT MAY NOT BE UNTIL 10, 15, EVEN 20 YEARS LATER THAT WE REALIZE HOW SPECIAL SOMETHING WAS LIKE THE 2004 WADENA-DEER CREEK BOYS HOCKEY TEAM.

THE FIRST EVER TO DON THE GOLD AND BLUE OR THE 2010-2011 TEAM THAT HAD TO PRACTICE AND PLAY WITHOUT A HOME ARENA AFTER AN F-4 TORNADO RAVAGED THE TOWN.

NOW THIS YEAR'S TEAM IS ONLY 7 AND 13, NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THAT BUT WHEN PEOPLE LOOK BACK AT THE 23-24 WOLVERINES.

THEY WILL SEE THEIR SUCCESS DEFINED BY SOMETHING OTHER THAN THEIR RECORD.

>> IT'S NOT COMMON FOR HOCKEY TEAMS TO CONDITION AT THE BEGINNING OF PRACTICE.

THE BOYS WHO WEAR THE W ON THEIR CHEST, THEY ARE UNCOMMON.

>> WE GRADUATED 10 SENIORS LAST YEAR, AND THIS YEAR AND WE HAVE A WHOLE ROSTER OF 12, INCLUDING THE GOALIE.

>> Reporter: YES, YOU HEARD THAT CORRECTLY.

THE WOLVERINES ONLY HAVE A ROSTER OF 12.

IT'S SO FEW THAT WADENA DEER CREEK HOCKEY ALMOST FOLDED IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE 12 BOYS LACING UP THEIR SKATES ON GAME DAYS.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN KNOCKED AROUND, KNOCKED DOWN, BEATEN AND BROKEN.

WHAT HASN'T BROKEN IS YOUR WILLINGNESS TO COME TO THE RINK AND PLAY.

YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO BE A LOT OF THINGS IN LIFE WHEN THIS IS OVER, BUT WE KNOW YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE QUITTERS.

YOURSELF -- YOU'RE NOT GOING TO QUIT.

>> Reporter: THEY PLAYED WITH AS FEW AS 8 AVAILABLE SKATERS, PRESENTING THE SQUAD WITH PLENTY OF CHALLENGERS.

>> WHEN WE HAVE 8 PLAYERS, EVERYONE HAS TO DO THEIR PART.

THEY HAVE TO KEEP THEMSELVES HEALTHY AND PLAY AS SMART AS YOU CAN.

IN GAMES, WE WORK SO YOU PLAY FOR TWO MINUTES, REST FOR ONE, AND THEN DRINK TONS OF WATER AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: IT'S ALSO COMMON FOR OPPOSING TEAMS TO CARRY TWICE AS MANY PLAYERS, SO THE WOLVERINES MUST BE UNCOMMON AND PLAY WITH TWICE AS MUCH HEART.

>> PLAY THE GAME LIKE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO, WORK HARD, SKATE HARD, ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.

[Cheering] >> I ALWAYS TRUST OUR GUYS.

I THINK THAT WILL GO OUT THERE AND GIVE A GREAT EFFORT, EVEN IF THEY ARE GASSED OR JUST PRESSURED, THEY WILL GIVE THEIR BEST EFFORT.

>> Reporter: SO EVEN THOUGH THEIR JERSEYS ARE YELLOW, THE YOUNG MEN WEARING THEM ARE NOT.

THEIR CONFIDENCE IS AS SOLID AS THE STRIPES THAT ADORN THEIR UNIFORM, NEVER DISCOURAGED BY WHAT THEY DON'T HAVE AND ENCOURAGED BY WHAT THEY DO.

>> WE JUST FOCUS ON HAVING FUN.

IT'S EASY TO BE NEGATIVE, BUT WE ALL PLAY HOCKEY AND WE LOVE PLAYING HOCKEY AND YOU'RE PLAYING WITH YOUR GOOD BUDDIES AND YOU FOCUS ON THE GOOD STUFF.

>> Reporter: PLAY TIME, THE BENEFIT OF HAVING A SHORT BENCH.

>> LAST YEAR, I DIDN'T GET ANY SKATING TIME REALLY.

A LOT OF SENIORS WERE AHEAD OF ME AND NOW I'M GETTING A THIRD OF THE ICE TIME.

>> Reporter: UNCOMMON PLAY TIME ASIDE, THIS YEAR'S TEAM HAS A LOT UNCOMMON WITH TEAMS IN THE PAST.

>> THE FANS ARE ALL THE SAME.

THERE ARE A LOT OF FANS COMING AND CHEERING US ON.

THE ENERGY IS STILL THE SAME.

GREAT COACHES STILL, SO A LOT HAS STAYED THE SAME, IT'S JUST NUMBER-WISE THAT HAS CHANGED.

>> Reporter: BUT THE NUMBERS ARE GROWING ALL BECAUSE A DOZEN BOYS CONTINUE TO TAKE THE ICE AND INSPIRE A NEW GENERATION OF WADENA DEER CREEK HOCKEY PLAYERS.

>> WHEN THEY CONNECT THE DOTS YEARS LATER, THEY WILL BE ABLE, WITH A GREAT DEAL OF PRIDE, SAY YOU KNOW WHAT?

OUR LEGACY IS THAT WE'RE THE ONES THAT MADE THAT HAPPEN.

>> IT'S GREAT, BECAUSE I WAS SKEPTICAL IF WE WOULD HAVE A TEAM THIS YEAR WITH THE LOW NUMBERS AND NEXT YEAR, WE HOPE MORE PEOPLE WILL COME OUT AND PLAY.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHY THEY FINISHED PRACTICE LIKE THEY STARTED.

YOU SEE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT LAKES FEED THE WOLVES, OR IN THIS CASE THE WOLF -- WOLVERINES BECAUSE IT'S COMMON TO BE UNCOMMON WHEN YOU WEAR THE W ON YOUR CHEST.

>> EVERYONE SHOWS UP.

NO ONE DIALED IN SAYING COACH, I DON'T FEEL LIKE PLAYING TONIGHT.

A TEAM IS COMPRISED OF INDIVIDUALS FIRST AND FOREMOST, AND THEY HAVE TO BE TO THE RIGHT ONES.

WE DEFINITELY HAVE THE RIGHT ONES.

>> Charlie: YOU THINK THEY WOULD BE TIRED AFTER THE GAME BUT NOT A SINGLE ONE SAID COACH -- THEY JUST LOVE THE PLAY TIME AND GOING AT IT.

>> Dennis: YEAH, THEY GOT TO BE IN SHAPE.

>> Charlie: DEFINITELY HAVE TO BE IN SHAPE.

>> Dennis: 12 TOTAL COUNTING THE GOALIE?

>> Charlie: YES, ONE GAME THEY FINISHED WITH 8 SKATERS.

>> Dennis: THAT'S AMAZING.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THERE ARE NEW FACES IN CHARGE AT SWANSON'S BAIT AND TACKLE SHOP IN HACKENSACK MINNESOTA BUT THESE FACES SAY THAT THINGS AT THIS MOM-AND-POP SHOP WILL REMAIN RELATIVELY THE SAME.

OR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE FOR THIS WEEKS IN-BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: NEW FACES IN CHARGE AT A BUSINESS MEANS SWEEPING CHANGES ARE SOON TO FOLLOW.

AT SWANSON'S BAIT AND TACKLE IN HACKENSACK, THESE FACES WANT THINGS TO REMAIN SOMEWHAT THE SAME.

>> IT'S A CHALLENGE.

WE WANT TO KEEP IT THAT MOM AND POP SHOP.

YOU KNOW, WITH ALL THE TECHNOLOGY THESE DAYS AND THE NEW THINGS, WE HAVE TO CHANGE WITH IT.

WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A FEW IMPROVEMENTS ON THE INSIDE BUT WE WILL TRY TO KEEP IT THE MOM AND POP SHOP WHERE PEOPLE STOP IN AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT A FUN PLACE TO STOP IN SO IT'S NOT JUST ANOTHER CONVENIENT STORE.

THIS IS A PLACE WHERE YOU WILL BE WELCOMED AND WE ARE GOING TO CATER TO YOU AND SHOW YOU OUR DISCOUNTS OR SALES AND MAKE A HAPPY ENVIRONMENT.

>> THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO BRINGING THE EXPERIENCE TO THE HACKENSACK AREA.

>> THE LOG CABIN, IT BRINGS ME BACK TO THE OLD DAYS AND IT WAS AN EXCITING ADVENTURE AND I TOOK IT.

I LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING SOME OF THE BEMIDJI SECRETS TO THE HACKENSACK AREA.

>> Reporter: WEE KNOW THAT HE IS DEDICATED TO THE LOCAL ATTRACTION BUT WANTS TO ADD TO WHAT IS BEING BUILT.

>> IT'S A SMALL TOWN AND IT'S PRETTY COOL TO COME INTO THE STORE.

YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE IN ALASKA, JUST FOR THE FACT THAT IT'S A LOG CABIN.

YOU COME IN AND YOU DON'T EXPECT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE.

YOU DON'T EXPECT THE GIFT SHOP AND THE APPAREL WE HAVE, SO IT'S COOL.

>> Reporter: JUST BECAUSE THERE IS NEW OWNERSHIP DOESN'T MEAN THERE WILL BE A SWEEPING CHANGE.

THE NEW OWNERSHIP WANTS THINGS TO REMAIN THE SAME.

>> WE'RE GOING TO ADD CONVENIENCE AND WE WILL ADD MORE FISHING APPAREL AND MORE GIFTS.

WE WILL ADD MORE PEG BOARDS, ADD MORE PRODUCTS.

WE STARTED OFF AS A ROCK BUILDING YEARS AGO.

THE CLIENTELE, THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMING FOR YEARS.

WE'RE RIGHT OFF 371, SO IT'S EASY IN AND EASY OUT.

WE WANT TO KEEP IT GOING FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM HACKENSACK, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> SWANSON'S WAS PURCHASED BY THE PINE CREEK PARTNERS, WHO NOW OWN 11 HARDWARE STORES AND 3 CONVENIENCE STORES, MOST OF WHICH CARRY BAIT, TACKLE, AND SPORTING GOODS.

>> Charlie: DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK AFTER THEY GOT 5 POINTS THIS WEEKEND.

>> Dennis: EXCELLENT, THAT'S IT FOR US.

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]