>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Sydney: HI EVERYONE, I'M SYDNEY DICK FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>> OVER 200 PEOPLE GATHERED IN BEMIDJI TODAY TO RECOGNIZE THE MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES CAUSE.

THE LOCAL GROUP, MMIW218, HAS BEEN DOING THEIR EVENT FOR OVER TEN YEARS WITH THEIR MARCH FROM THE NORTHWEST INDIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER TO BSU'S BEAUX ARTS BALLROOM WHERE THEY HELD A PROGRAM WITH SEVERAL PRESENTERS AND SONGS.

FEBRUARY 14TH IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED DAY FOR THE MMIR MOVEMENT, WHICH WAS CREATED TO BRING AWARENESS TO INDIGENOUS HISTORY AND THINGS THAT ARE STILL HAPPENING TODAY.

>> AND REALLY PUSHING FOR ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, AND REALLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF TODAY'S EVENT IS REMEMBERING COMMUNITY, BEING TOGETHER IN COMMUNITY, SHARING THAT GRIEF WITH COMMUNITY.

ALSO, SHARING THE HOPES AND DREAMS FOR COMMUNITY AS WELL.

I THINK IT'S A TESTAMENT TO ALL OF THE REALLY GREAT WORK THAT ALL OF THE PEOPLE BEFORE US HAVE DONE AROUND THIS ISSUE.

THEN IT'S ALSO A TESTAMENT THAT OUR COMMUNITY WANTS MORE.

WE WANT TO HEAL FROM THIS.

YOU KNOW, WE SEE OTHER STORIES OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN MISSING OR MURDERED AND THEY GET CLOSURE OR SOME KIND OF CLOSURE.

SO WE HOPE THAT BY BRINGING OUR COLLECTIVE VOICES TOGETHER, THAT SYSTEMS THAT HAVE POWER IN THESE SPACES LISTEN TO OUR MESSAGES AND DO EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO GIVE FAMILIES ANSWERS.

>> MMIW218'S NEXT BIG EVENT WILL BE ON MAY 5TH, WHERE THEY WILL BE GATHERING TO BRING ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS TO THE OLD BOARDING SCHOOLS AND TO REMEMBER THE LIVES LOST.

>>> A HACKENSACK MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOLLOWING A SHOOTING IN CASS COUNTY LAST NIGHT.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THEY RECEIVED 9-1-1 CALLS AROUND 11:30 P.M. ABOUT A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED AT A RESIDENCE IN RURAL BACKUS.

THERE, FIRST RESPONDERS LEARNED A 34-YEAR-OLD PINE RIVER MAN HAD BEEN SHOT WHILE EXITING A VEHICLE.

THE MAN WAS FLOWN TO A FARGO HOSPITAL WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES.

SEVERAL WITNESSES HELPED IDENTIFY A SUSPECT, AND THAT PERSON, A 47-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM HACKENSACK, WAS ARRESTED.

AUTHORITIES SAY THE VICTIM AND SUSPECT ARE KNOWN TO EACH OTHER AND THAT THERE IS NO THREAT TO THE PUBLIC.

THE INCIDENT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> A CRASH INJURED MULTIPLE PEOPLE IN BRAINERD AFTER A VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT, THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL RESPONDED TO THE CALL AROUND 10:30 THIS MORNING, WHERE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY RAN THE STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF WILLOW STREET AND BUSINESS HIGHWAY 371.

THE CAMRY STRUCK A 2019 RAM 3500.

THE 32-YEAR-OLD DRIVER OF THE CAMRY, REMONE LEROY SIMPSON, AS WELL AS HIS 25-YEAR-OLD PASSENGER BOTH SUFFERED NON-LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.

ONE PASSENGER IN THE RAM TRUCK WAS ALSO TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH NON-LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.

THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK, 17-YEAR-OLD AVA MARIE VIELE FROM DULUTH, AS WELL AS HER OTHER PASSENGER WERE UNHARMED IN THE INCIDENT.

>>> THE CITY OF NISSWA WILL HAVE A NEW POLICE CHIEF FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 24 YEARS, WITH CRAIG TAYLOR ANNOUNCING HIS IMPENDING RETIREMENT EARLIER THIS WINTER.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE LATEST ON WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR BOTH TAYLOR AND THE NISSWA POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> TAYLOR HAS SPENT 33 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, 29 OF WHICH WAS IN THE NISSWA POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND WITH HIS TENURE APPROACHING ITS FINAL DESTINATION, IT'S THE PEOPLE HE MET ALONG THE WAY THAT ARE MOST FRIEND OF MIND.

>> THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN GOOD TO ME AND THIS PROFESSION HAS BEEN GOOD TO ME.

>> I PROBABLY STARTED GETTING INTERESTED IN BEING A POLICE OFFICER IN HIGH SCHOOL.

THE REASON I WANTED TO DO IT WAS TO DRIVE FAST AND GET IN PURSUITS, LIKE MOST PEOPLE DO WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG AND WHEN YOU GET INTO THE PROGRAM IN COLLEGE, YOU REALIZE IT'S MORE THAN THAT.

>> Reporter: LIKE ANY OFFICER, IT'S TO SERVE AND PROTECT HIS COMMUNITY, AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE, REBUILDING THE P.D.

STAFF MANY TIMES OVER.

>> I AM PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE ALWAYS FOUND GOOD PEOPLE.

I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE THE BEST CREW IN THIS DEPARTMENT.

>> WE'RE ALL AWARE OF THE CHALLENGES, ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST 5 TO 10 YEARS.

HE'S A CONSISTENT STEADY PRESENCE IN THE DEPARTMENT AND I BELIEVE THEY CAN ALL LEAN TO HIM AND LOOK TO HIM WHEN THEY NEED SUPPORT OR ADVICE.

>> Reporter: BUT HE BELIEVES THAT IT'S TIME FOR A NEW ERA.

>> IT'S TIME FOR SOMEONE TO COME IN AND LEAD THE DEPARTMENT TO THE FUTURE, INCORPORATE THE CHALLENGES THAT WILL BE MET AND PICK THE PERSON THAT IS READY TO MEET THOSE.

IT'S THE MOST FAIR THING FOR THE DEPARTMENT, COMMUNITY, AND FOR ME.

>> Reporter: NOW SLATED TO SEE A NEW POLICE CHIEF FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO DECADES, HE STATED THAT THE ROLE'S JOB DESCRIPTION IS BEING UPDATED, AS WELL AS THE RECRUITMENT AND PLANNING PROCESS AS A WHOLE AS THE TOWN AIMS TO ENSURE THAT THE RIGHT PERSON IS CHOSEN TO TAKE OVER THE MANTLE.

>> THEY NEED THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY, DEPARTMENT IN MIND WITH EVERYTHING THEY DO AND HAVE GOOD COMMUNICATION WITH THE OFFICERS IN THE DEPARTMENT.

THEY FOLLOW THE LAW AND THEY DON'T INFRINGE ON PEOPLE'S RIGHTS AND WE'RE SUCCESSFUL IN DOING THAT.

>> Reporter: MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> TAYLOR'S RESIGNATION WILL OFFICIALLY GO INTO AFFECT ON JUNE 26TH.

>>> TONIGHT, THOUSANDS OF WORKERS ACROSS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARE WITHOUT JOBS.

IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S SWEEPING EFFORT TO SHRINK THE SIZE OF THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE, IT'S TAKING AIM AT PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEES.

THE DAY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TOOK OFFICE, JANUARY 20TH, A MEMO WAS SENT TO ALL AGENCIES ORDERING THEM TO COMPILE A LIST OF ALL THEIR PROBATIONARY WORKERS, NOTING THAT IT IS EASIER TO TERMINATE THOSE EMPLOYEES.

THIS WEEK SCORES OF THOSE WORKERS WERE LET GO.

SHERRELL HUBBARD HAS MORE ON THE FALLOUT FROM THAT BOLD MOVE.

>> Reporter: THE DISMISSAL OF FEDERAL WORKERS HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS SINCE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S FIRST DAY IN OFFICE, BUT IT BEGAN IN EARNEST THIS WEEK.

THOUSANDS OF PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEES WERE MET WITH PROVERBIAL PINK SLIPS, FIRED AT FEDERAL AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, ENERGY, U.S. FOREST SERVICE, JUST TO NAME A FEW.

OPPONENTS SAY CUTS FROM THAT AGENCY COULD IMPACT WORKERS, CRITICAL TO WILDFIRE PROTECTION.

>> YOU SAW THE FIRES THAT HAND OUT WEST IN CALIFORNIA.

THEY DO A TREMENDOUS JOB PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE FIRINGS IS A PART OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORT TO SLASH THE FEDERAL WORK FORCE.

IN A STATEMENT, THE SPOKESMAN FROM THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SAID AGENCIES ARE TAKING INDEPENDENT ACTION IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT HIRING FREEZE AND IN SUPPORT OF THE PRESIDENT'S BROADER EFFORTS TO RESTRUCTURE AND STREAMLINE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BETTER SERVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AT THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARD.

FEDERAL WORKERS ACROSS THE GOVERNMENT ARE BRACING FOR EVEN MORE DOWNSIZING IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES UNION FILED A LAWSUIT ON THURSDAY OVER THE LAYOFFS.

>> THEY WANT TO GET RID OF 75% OF THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE AND HOW THEY ARE DOING IT IS ILLEGAL AND THAT'S WHY WE FILED THIS LAWSUIT.

>> Reporter: I'M SHERRELL HUBBARD REPORTING.

>> ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT DATA FROM THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT MORE THAN 200,000 EMPLOYEES HAVE WORKED WITHIN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR LESS THAN A YEAR.

THOSE PROBATIONARY WORKERS HAVE FEWER JOB PROTECTIONS AND LACK THE RIGHT TO APPEAL.

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

>> Stacy: ANY LINGERING SNOW SHOWERS WILL TAPER OFF OVERNIGHT AND WE WILL START TO SEE ANOTHER COOL DOWN AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, A FREE MONTHLY CLASS THROUGHOUT 2025.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> JOANN FABRICS AND CRAFT STORES WILL BE CLOSING ABOUT 500 LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE, THE COMPANY ANNOUNCED ON WEDNESDAY, ONE OF THESE LOCATIONS WILL BE THE BEMIDJI STORE.

THE COMPANY FIRST FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR AND HAS JUST ANNOUNCED A SECOND FILING.

STORES ARE NOW HOLDING GOING-OUT-OF-BUSINESS SALES.

OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS.

THE BEMIDJI LOCATION'S SALES ARE EXPECTED TO START TOMORROW, BUT THE DATE OF THE ACTUAL CLOSING HAS NOT YET BEEN ANNOUNCED.

THE CRAFT STORE IS LOCATED IN THE PAUL BUNYAN MALL AND IS HOME TO CRAFT SUPPLIES OF ALL KINDS.

THERE ARE 12 TOTAL MINNESOTA STORES THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BE CLOSING.

ACCORDING TO JOANN'S INTERIM C.E.O., THE REASONS FOR THE CLOSINGS ARE DUE TO SLOW SALES AS WELL AS MANY, “UNEXPECTED” PRODUCTION AND INVENTORY ISSUES.

AS OF RIGHT NOW THE BEMIDJI STORE'S HOURS WILL REMAIN THE SAME AS USUAL.

>>> THE SECOND ANNUAL BRRMIDJI DAYS IS COMING TO TOWN FROM FEBRUARY 15TH TO THE 22ND.

TOMORROW WILL BE THE START OF THE WEEK OF FUN ACTIVITIES PUT ON BY THE BEMIDJI JAYCEES AND PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT.

THE IDEA BEHIND THE WEEK-LONG EVENT WAS TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER WHEN THINGS CAN SOMETIMES JUST SEEM COLD AND GRAY.

BRRRMIDJI DAYS WILL SHOWCASE EVENTS FROM CORNHOLE TO A 5K TO TRY TO COMBAT THE WINTER BLUES.

>> KICK OFF WOULD BE THE PLUNGE THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH.

THE DART TOURNAMENT IS HELD RIGHT AFTER THAT.

WE HAVE FAMILY SLEDDING NIGHT ON MONDAY FROM 3:00 TO 7:00 P.M. WE WILL HAVE A LIGHT DOWN AT THE HILL, GLOW STICKS, HOT CIDER, AND TREATS TOO AT THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY.

WE WILL BE SLIDING DOWN THE HILL.

I'M GOING TO RACE SOME KIDS SO BRING IT ON.

>> THEN ON FRIDAY NIGHT, THERE WILL BE A COMEDY SHOW AT KEG AND CORK AND A BIG FISHING DERBY ON SATURDAY.

AND EACH OF THESE EVENTS DURING BRRRMIDJI DAYS HAS MORE TO IT THAN JUST HAVING FUN, THEY ARE ALSO FUNDRAISERS.

>> FOR EXAMPLE THE PLUNGE WILL RAISE PROCEEDS FOR THE LOCAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS.

WE HAVE ANOTHER EVENT THAT IS RAISING FUNDS FOR THE PAISLEY PAWS FUND.

BEMIDJI GIRLS BASKETBALL AND THEN WE HAVE COMMUNITY FOOD SHELF.

IT'S REALLY HEARTWARMING TO SEE.

FUNDRAISING IN THIS COUNTY CAN BE A BIG CHALLENGE.

THERE IS A LOT OF NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY GIVERS AND IT'S REALLY GREAT TO SEE IT ALL COME TOGETHER.

>> AND EVERYTHING WILL BE KICKING OFF TOMORROW WITH THE PLUNGE INTO LAKE BEMIDJI.

REGISTRATION WILL BE OPEN AT THE SITE FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 12:45 P.M. AND THE FREEZING JUMP WILL TAKE PLACE AT 1:00 P.M. ON THE DOT.

THE SCHEDULE FOR THE WHOLE WEEK CAN BE FOUND ON THE BEMIDJI JAYCEES WEBSITE.

>>> NOW WE HAVE STACY WITH THE WEATHER.

STACY, I PLAN ON DOING THAT PLUNGE, WHAT CAN I EXPECT TOMORROW?

>> Stacy: TOMORROW IS NOT LOOKING TOO BAD.

IT'S GOING TO BE VERY SIMILAR TEMPERATURE-WISE TO WHAT WE HAD TODAY, BUT THERE IS GOING TO BE A LARGE ARCTIC AIR MASS MOVING IN NEXT WEEK, SO IT LOOKS LIKE VERY COLD TEMPERATURES ARE IN STORE FOR US, AT LEAST THROUGH THE MIDDLE >> 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, MANY OF US DID SEE SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE AREA TODAY, BUT WE ALSO PICKED UP A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW, ESPECIALLY IN PARTS OF CENTRAL AND OVER INTO EASTERN MINNESOTA.

ANY LINGERING SNOW SHOWERS WILL BE COMING TO AN END IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS.

WE WILL BE SEEING QUIETER WEATHER TOMORROW, AND IT LOOKS LIKE TEMPERATURES WILL BE SIMILAR TO TODAY, BUT SOME COLDER AIR IS ABOUT TO MOVE BACK IN SO WE'RE HEADED BACK INTO THE DEEP FREEZE AS WE HEAD INTO THE FIRST PART OF NEXT WEEK.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 7 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WE HAVE A NORTHEAST WIND AT 12 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 1, AND WE RECEIVED A TRACE OF SNOW AT OUR STUDIOS.

IN BRAINERD, SOME LIGHT SNOW, 14 DEGREES, AND THE DEW POINT IS 9, NORTHEAST WINDS AT 9 MILES PER HOUR, AND WE HAVE A HUMIDITY AT 80%.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, WE HAVE SEEN A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT SNOW AND SOME FLURRIES IN THE AREA THIS EVENING.

WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING THOSE TAPERING OFF AND MOVING OFF TO THE EAST AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT.

WE'LL STILL BE SEEING PLENTY OF CLOUD COVER OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT TEMPERATURES WILL BE SIMILAR TO TODAY, SO IN MANY LOCATIONS, IT WILL BE ONLY ABOUT 10 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE, BUT WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE COLDER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEK.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU FOR TONIGHT, ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE GORGEOUS MORNING SKIES IN MENAHGA THIS MORNING.

SONYA WITH A PICTURE AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

AND ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE CLOUDS IN BEMIDJI.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA -6 THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY TODAY, REPORTING ABOUT 2 INCHES OF NEW SNOW.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, LIGHT SNOW THIS EVENING, HIGH OF 14.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 16 DEGREES, WARMER THAN WE'VE BEEN SEEING, BUT WE ARE STILL10 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

SUNRISE AT 7:24.

SO AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE'RE GOING TO START OUT THE DAY WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AND IN FACT, WE WILL BE SEEING THE MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH MUCH OF THE DAY.

AS WE HEAD INTO LATE TOMORROW AND TOMORROW NIGHT, IT LOOKS LIKE WE SHOULD STAY QUIET, SOME MODELS SUGGESTING A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW, WHICH SHOULD IMPACT SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, MAY PUSH INTO THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE AS WELL, BUT EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER UNTIL WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY WHEN THAT SUNSHINE RETURNS.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, VERY SIMILAR TO TODAY, HIGHS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

WE'RE LOOKING AT 10 TO 15 FOR THE REST OF THE VIEWING AREA.

AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE WILL BE SEEING THOSE TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT FROM ABOUT 12 TO 17, SO AGAIN NOT TOO BAD TOMORROW, BUT WE ARE EXPECTING MORE COLD WEATHER AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR -2, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY TOMORROW, 8 FOR THE HIGH, WINDS OUT OF THE NORTH AT 5 TO 20.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE REST OF OUR WEEKEND FORECAST AND WE START TO SEE THAT COOL DOWN, STARTING ON MONDAY -- SUNDAY AND CONTINUING INTO MONDAY, AND HIGH TEMPERATURES ON MONDAY LOOK TO BE AROUND -7 AND LOWS MONDAY AND TUESDAY MORNING SHOULD BE IN THE -20 TO -25 RANGE ACROSS THE AREA.

ON WEDNESDAY, HIGHS NEAR 4, SHOULD BE BACK ON THE PLUS SIDE, LOW OF -14 AND WE MAY SEE SLIGHTLY WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO LATE NEXT WEEK.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY.

NOW WE ARE JOINED BY CHARLIE YAEGER FOR SPORTS.

CHARLIE, WE HAVE SOME SECTION WRESTLING HAPPENING?

>> Charlie: YEAH, WE DO.

IT'S FUNNY, IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR, BEMIDJI AND WILMER PLAYING EACH OTHER IN THE SECTION 8-3A CHAMPIONSHIP.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

SEE IF THEY CAN FINALLY GET OVER THE HUMP.

[♪ >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.

>> IN FOCUS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND.

>> NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: IT'S BEEN A YEARLY TRADITION FOR BEMIDJI AND WILMER TO MEET BUT IT'S THE CARDINAL THAT ARE COMING OUT ON TOP AS OF LATE, TAKING HOME THE TITLE THE LAST FOUR YEARS IN A ROW.

AFTER THE LUMBERJACKS TOOK CARE OF BUSINESS WITH BRAINERD, THEY WERE SQUARING OFF WITH WILMER.

THE JACKS LED EARLY, BUT THE CARDS TIED THINGS AT 20.

THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET WORSE IN THE 172 CLASS.

THE CARDS WOULD EXTEND THE LEAD TO 9 WITH JUST TWO MATCHES LEFT.

AT 2:15, BEMIDJI CAN'T AFFORD A THREE POINT DECISION.

THEY NEED SOMETHING MORE AND BEN DELIVERS.

HE FLIPS AND LEVI GETS THE PIN.

AND NOW ALL BEMIDJI NEEDS IS A THREE POINT DECISION BECAUSE EVEN IF THEY TIE THEY WILL HOLD THE TIE-BREAKER.

AND NOW HE WINS THE MATCH 7-2.

THERE'S THE FINAL WHISTLE AND BEMIDJI FINALLY GETS OVER THE HUMP AND IS HEADED BACK TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE YEARS.

THERE IS A LOOK AT THE SCORES FOR YOU FROM THE TWO MATCHES, THEY WIN OVER WILLMAR BY THE TIE-BREAKER.

ALSO A COUPLE MORE AREA SCHOOLS GET TO HEAD TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT AS WELL.

IN SECTION 8-A, NORTH-CENTRAL WINS.

THEY ARE HEADED THERE.

STAPLES MOTLEY WHO IS ONE OF THE TOP RANKED TEAMS IN THE STATE, REGARDLESS OF CLASS WILL RETURN TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT AS WELL, LOOKING TO BE STATE CHAMPIONS.

>>> IN THE POOL, BEMIDJI BOYS SWIMMING HOSTING A LAST CHANCE TRIANGULAR WITH PARK RAPIDS AND MOORHEAD AHEAD OF SECTION MEETS WHICH START NEXT WEEK.

UP FIRST, THE 100-YARD FREESTYLE.

MOORHEAD'S FRANCIS CASEY FINISHING FIRST IN 51.3-SECONDS AND PARK RAPIDS CARTER SCHILLER IS JUST BEHIND HIM WITH A TIME OF 52.41.

NEXT IN THE 100-YARD BREASTROKE, SPUDS WIN AGAIN.

SAHAN NAGODAVITHANA TOUCHING IN 1-MINUTE AND 2-SECONDS.

THE LUMBERJACK'S DANIEL SCHERLING TOUCHES SECOND 5-SECONDS LATER.

THEN IN THE 200-YARD FREESTYLE RELAY, WILLIAM LOHSE, DANIEL SCHERLING, KYLE YODER, AND TANNER JOHNSON PACE THE JACKS TO VICTORY IN 1:36.46.

UNFORTUNATELY IT WASN'T ENOUGH TO WIN, BEMIDJI THE TRIANGULAR AGAIN, IT WAS THE LAST CHANCE FOR SOME OF THE SWIMMERS WHO ARE TRYING TO QUALIFY.

THEY FINISHED SECOND TO MOORHEAD THERE, PARK RAPIDS FINISHES THIRD.

>>> MORE SCORES FROM HIGH SCHOOL, BRAY FLERD GETS A THREE POINT WIN.

THEN PARK RAPIDS, THEY FALL TO CENTRAL CASS.

ALBAN NAY BEATS PEQUOT LAKES.

WADENA DEER CREEK GETS A WIN.

NEVIS GET A WIN ALSO, 51 POINTS BY ALEX, THEIR CENTER, GAME HIGH FOR NEVIS EVER SCORED IN A GAME FOR NEVIS BOYS.

BERTHA HEWITT WINS OVER SEBEKA.

ALSO ON BOYS BASKETBALL, RED LAKE FALLS TO MAHNOMEN.

IN GIRLS, MENAHGA AND NORTHOME-KELLIHER COLLECTING WINS.

BERTHA HEWITT FELL.

BLACKDUCK GETS THE WIN OVER NEVIS, A TIGHT ONE THERE.

>>> BEAVERS HAVE WON FIVE GAMES THIS SEASON AND THEY CONTINUE TO HAVE THEIR WAY WITH THEM.

HAILEY BREAKS THE 0-0 TIE AND IT STAYS 1-0 UNTIL THE THIRD.

THAT'S WHEN IZZY GETS THE BREAK AWAY, AND SHE BEATS DANNY.

IT'S 2-0.

ARMSTRONG OFF THE RIGHT SIDE AGAIN, PUTS THE GAME AWAY WITH HER SECOND GOAL OF THE GAME, HER TEAM LEADING 10th OF THE SEASON.

5-0 IS THE FINAL.

27 SAVES FOR THE BEAVERS.

THEY NOW BEATEN THEIR LAST TWO SEASONS.

THEY ONLY HAD FIVE WINS.

>>> ALSO IN COLLEGE, AUGUSTANA BEATS BEMIDJI STATE MEN BY THREE BUT ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THINGS, THE WOMEN GET THE WIN, A CLOSE ONE AS WELL.

MUCH NEEDED WIN FOR THE WOMEN BEAVERS.

>> Sydney: AND BACK TO WRESTLING, BEMIDJI FINALLY BEATING WILMER.

>> Charlie: YES, IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

WILLMAR BECAME THE NUMBER ONE SEED THERE AND NOW IT'S BEMIDJI'S TURN TO GET THE UPSET.

I'M GLAD TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL DO AND WE GET TO HEAR FROM THEM NEXT WEEK.

>> Sydney: EXCITING STUFF.

THANK YOU SO MUCH CHARLIE.

>>> IT IS VALENTINE'S DAY TODAY, A TIME TO SHOW FRIENDS AND FAMILY ALIKE HOW MUCH YOU LOVE AND APPRECIATE THEM.

A GOOD WAY TO SHOW THAT APPRECIATION IS WITH A PERSONAL ART PROJECT.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN STOPPED BY LOON COUNTRY ARTS, WHERE THEY PROVIDED A FREE VALENTINE'S DAY CARD MAKING CLASS AND HAVE MORE CLASSES LIKE THIS PLANNED THROUGHOUT THE REST OF 2025.

>> Reporter: LOON COUNTRY ARTS HAS SOMETHING NEW FOR 2025.

>> WE HAVE THE CREATIVE CAFE GOING ON AT LOON COUNTRY ARTS AND YOU DON'T NEED TO REGISTER TO COME.

YOU ARE ABLE TO COMPLETE A PROJECT AND USUALLY THE PROJECTS TAKE AN HOUR OR AN HOUR AND A HALF.

>> Reporter: USUALLY THEY HAVE TO PAY $10 TO $25 PER CLASS, BUT THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT.

>> FOR 2025, IT'S FREE.

WE RECEIVED UNDERWRITING FUNDS FROM PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, WE ARE ALLOW THESE FREE.

>> Reporter: AND FEBRUARY'S CLASS IS VALENTINE'S DAY THEME.

>> WE HAVE IRIS FOLDING CARDS.

I PICKED A VALENTINE'S THEME, THEY CAN EITHER MAKE A FLOWER OR HEART BECAUSE THIS IS VALENTINE'S.

IT'S A PROCESS OF FOLDING PAPER LAYERS.

IT IS ABSTRACT OR FANCIFUL TYPE OF THING.

I PICKED COLORS PURPLES, PINKS, GREENS, THAT KIND OF REPRESENT THE VALENTINE SPIRIT.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE OF ALL DIFFERENT AGES COME FROM ALL OVER THE AREA TO TAKE PART IN THE CREATIVE CAFE.

>> IT'S ENCOURAGING AS A TEACHER.

I LOVE TO TEACH AND TO SEE THE RESPONSE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO DO THE PROJECT AND ACTUALLY DEMAND MORE AND A GOOD VARIETY OF PROJECTS.

>> Reporter: KATHY HOPES THAT THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE CLASSES TAKE MORE HOME WITH THEM THAN A NEW PIECE OF ART.

>> HAVING PEOPLE ENJOY THE PROJECT AND TAKING AWAY AN IMPORTANT RESPECT FOR THE ARTS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME THAT PEOPLE APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT PEOPLE PUT INTO A PAINTING OR A CARD FOLDING PROJECT LIKE TODAY.

THERE IS A LOT OF WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY HAVE TO TAKE A CLASS TO APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT GOES INTO A PIECE OF ART.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> CLASSES AT LOON COUNTRY ARTS HAPPEN ON THE FIRST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH, SO THE NEXT CLASS WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 1ST.

THIS TIME HOSTED BY LES SANDERS, WHO WILL BE TEACHING HOW TO USE WATERCOLOR PENCILS.

>>> WE HAVE SOME EXTRA TIME SO LET'S TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING LINGERING SNOW SHOWERS TAPERING OFF, LEAVING CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT, NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 20.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TOMORROW, HIGHS NEAR 8, NORTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

THEN AS WE LOOK AHEAD, MORE COLD AIR IN STORE, GOING TO BE QUIET WEATHER, BUT COLD TEMPERATURES, HIGHS NEAR -7 ON MONDAY, BACK TO 0 BY WEDNESDAY.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY, THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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