>> 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.

>>> THERE'S A NEW SHUTTLE SERVICE COMING TO THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA IN MARCH AS SUN COUNTRY AIRLINES AND THE LANDLINE COMPANY ANNOUNCED A PARTNERSHIP CONNECTING TRAVELERS FROM BRAINERD LAKES REGIONAL AIRPORT TO MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

SLATED TO SHUTTLE FOUR BUSES TO THE TWIN CITIES A DAY, THE SERVICE ALSO WILL CONNECT CUSTOMERS DIRECTLY WITH THE SUN COUNTRY AIRLINES NETWORK.

AND WHILE THE SERVICE IS IN ITS INFANCY, AIRPORT DIRECTOR STEVEN WRIGHT SEES ITS CONVENIENCE ATTRACTING MANY MINNESOTANS.

>> PEOPLE ARE WANTING CONVENIENCE AGAIN.

PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO DRIVE THE 2.5 TO 3-HOUR DRIVE.

THERE IS FREE PARKING AT THE AIRPORT, AND YOU CAN HAVE A SEAMLESS TRANSITION OF TRAVEL.

WHETHER IT IS ON THIS DAILY BUS SERVICE OR THE DAILY AIRCRAFT SERVICE THAT IS OFFERED THROUGH THE B.R.D., YOU ARE ABLE TO ARRIVE AT YOUR DESTINATION FRESH AND NOT FRIED.

>> THE SERVICE WILL RUN SIX DAYS A WEEK FROM MARCH 21ST THROUGH APRIL 11TH AND FIVE DAYS A WEEK FROM APRIL 12TH THROUGH MAY 31ST.

SUN COUNTRY WILL ALSO BE WAIVING THE FEE ON CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE TWO AIRPORTS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 9TH.

>>> POLARIS IS TELLING OWNERS OF SNOWMOBILES RECALLED IN 2022 THAT THERE ARE STILL SOME FIRE DANGER ISSUES WITH THEM.

ON A BULLETIN POSTED ON ITS WEBSITE, POLARIS SAYS THAT WHILE THE REPAIR THEY ISSUED IN 2022 DID REDUCE THE FIRES CAUSED BY ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE THERE WERE STILL EIGHT MORE INCIDENTS REPORTED SINCE THE RECALL REPAIRS.

NOW, POLARIS IS ISSUING A REVISED RECAL TELLING OWNERS TO USE E-10 FUEL HAS AN OCTANE OF 91 OR HIGHER BECAUSE THAT FUEL PREVENTS ELECTROSTATIC BUILD UP.

POLARIS IS NOT ISSUING A NEW STOP RIDE/STOP SALE ORDER BECAUSE THE FUEL SWITCH WILL PREVENT FUTURE ISSUES WHILE THEIR ENGINEERS DEVELOP A PERMANENT REPAIR.

THE POLARIS SNOWMOBILES AFFECTED ARE 2021-2024 MATRYX MODELS AND 2015-2023 AXYS MODELS.

>>> THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS SEEKING THE PUBLICS HELP IN IDENTIFYING THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR VANDALIZING PROPERTY AT AN AREA RECYCLING FACILITY.

HERE ARE THE PHOTOS OF TWO SUSPECTS THAT WERE POSTED ON THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FACEBOOK PAGE.

THEY ARE ACCUSED OF VANDALIZING PROPERTY AT CROW WING RECYCLING FACILITY IN THE IRONTON/DEERWOOD AREA.

IF YOU KNOW WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY'S DEPARTMENT OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION HOSTED A CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

THE EVENT, THE BLACK HISTORY EXPERIENCE, HAD GUEST SPEAKER SELENA DAVANT A FORMER ART DIRECTOR AT APPLE, AND CO-FOUNDER AND C.E.O.

OF MADE IN COLOR, A CREATIVE AGENCY BASED IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

REPORTER ZY'RIAH SIMMONS HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THIS MONTH IS DEDICATED TO CELEBRATING BLACK EXCELLENCE.

BSU DEPARTMENT OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION ORGANIZED AN EVENT TO COMMEMORATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

THE GUEST SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INTUITION.

>> I ENJOYED SPEAKING TO THE STAFF AND STUDENTS TODAY.

IT WAS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO REMIND EVERYONE ABOUT THEIR INTUITION AND HOW IT IS THE SOURCE AND HOW YOU MAKE DECISIONS.

THERE ARE CREATIVE PROJECTS.

>> Reporter: DURING THE BLACK HISTORY EXPERIENCE EVENT, SOME PARTICIPANTS SHARED WHAT THEY LEARNED OR GAINED FROM THE EXPERIENCE.

>> I THINK I TOOK AWAY LIKE THE IMPORTANCE OF ACTUALLY FALLING YOUR INTUITION.

A LOT OF TIMES I GO BACK AND FORTH DO I REALLY WANT TO DO THIS OR NOT?

I DO FEEL LIKE THE MORE I FOLLOW MY GUT, I GET THE RESULTS I WANT OR I FEEL LIKE I'M WALKING DOWN A PATH I'M SUPPOSE TO BE GOING THROUGH.

>> Reporter: BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS A TIME TO LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY HONORS BLACK STUDENTS BY HOSTING EVENTS WHERE THEY CAN SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE, EDUCATE OTHERS, AND PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING.

>> OUR BLACK STUDENTS HAVE SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE AND SO MUCH INSIDE OF THEM THAT IS A GIFT TO THIS INSTITUTION AND WE ARE DESPERATE IN TERMS OF OUR NEED TO ENGAGE AT A DEEPER LEVEL WITH OUR BLACK STUDENTS.

IT'S THAT MUTUALITY THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN OTHER PLACES.

WE NEED TO ENGAGE WITH OUR BLACK STUDENTS, OUR BLACK FACULTY AND STAFF IN THAT MUTUALITY SO WE ARE LEARNING FROM ONE ANOTHER.

BLACK HISTORY GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THE RICHNESS OF THE CULTURE, THE HERITAGE, THE ANCESTRY, THE CREATIVITY THAT OUR BLACK FOLKS BRING TO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: LEARNING FROM THE EVENT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS ATTENDING THEM AND BSU PRESIDENT HOFFMAN SAYS HE DOES JUST THAT AT EVERY EVENT.

>> I ALWAYS LEARN SOMETHING FROM THESE EVENTS.

THESE ARE THE BEST.

THESE ARE MY BEST EXPERIENCES AS PRESIDENT.

I'M SO EXCITED.

EVERY TIME I LOOK FORWARD FROM ONE HISTORY MONTH AND HERITAGE EXPERIENCE TO THE NEXT BECAUSE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND GROW.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M ZY'RIAH SIMMONS, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE BSU DEPARTMENT OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION WILL BE HOSTING A NIGHT OF MAGIC ON FEBRUARY 21ST.

>>> A LONG TIME BELTRAMI COUNTY JUDGE HAS ANNOUNCED HER RETIREMENT.

SHARI SCHLUCHTER TELLS LAKELAND NEWS HER LAST DAY ON THE JOB WILL BE MARCH 15TH.

SCHLUCHTER HAS SERVED A JUDGE IN THE NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT SINCE 2005.

SHE WAS ORIGINALLY APPOINTED TO THE POSITION BY THEN GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY IN MAY OF 2005 AND WAS ELECTED IN 2006, 2012, AND 2018.

HER CURRENT TERM WAS SET TO EXPIRE IN JANUARY OF 2025.

PRIOR TO SERVING ON THE COURT, SCHLUCHTER SPENT 20 YEARS IN THE BELTRAMI COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND WAS THE CHIEF ASSISTANT BELTRAMI COUNTY ATTORNEY FROM 1990 UNTIL 2005.

SCHLUCTER GAVE HER RETIREMENT NOTICE TO GOVERNOR WALZ ON JANUARY 1ST AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR HER REPLACEMENT.

SCHLUCTER TELLS LAKELAND NEWS SHE IS READY TO STEP BACK AND SPEND MORE TIME WITH HER FAMILY, TO TRAVEL MORE AND TO FINALLY READ THE STACK OF BOOKS SHE HAS BESIDE HER BED.

>>> APPROXIMATELY 500,000 AMERICANS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE BUT WITH SOME INDIVIDUALS GOING UNDIAGNOSED OR MISDIAGNOSED.

EXPERTS ESTIMATE THAT AS MANY AS 1 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE PARKINSON'S DISEASE.

IN BEMIDJI THE PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP MEETS AT SANFORD HEALTH WINDSONG EACH MONTH.

IT ALLOWS THOSE WITH PARKINSON'S, ALONG WITH ANY FAMILY OR FRIENDS, TO COME AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE AND TO TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES OR CHALLENGES LIVING WITH PARKINSON'S.

ONE OF THOSE CHALLENGES BEING THERES NO FULL-TIME NEUROLOGISTS ANYWHERE CLOSE TO THE AREA.

>> ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE LOCAL HERE IN BEMIDJI, THERE HAVE BEEN PART TIME NEUROLOGISTS THAT COME FROM FARGO OR A PART TIME PERSON HERE FROM SANFORD.

WHAT WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE IS A FULL TIME OR SEVERAL FULL TIME NEUROLOGISTS ON STAFF.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DRIVE DOWN TO THE CITIES, SOMETIMES EVERY MONTH TO DO DIFFERENT THINGS, AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR.

IT WOULD BE GREAT IF SOMEONE HAD ANY CONTROL ON HOW TO GET NEUROLOGISTS HERE AT SANFORD.

>>> THE NEXT MEETING FOR THE PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP IS ON MARCH 13TH AT SANFORD HEALTH WINDSONG AND PARKINSON'S AWARENESS MONTH IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER IN APRIL.

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

>> Stacy: IT WILL BE WINDY AND WARMER TOMORROW AND WE SHOULD HAVE EVEN WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, A GARAGE SALE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION TURN IN POACHERS.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> TURN IN POACHERS IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PARTNERS WITH THE MINNESOTA DNR ENFORCEMENT DIVISION.

CITIZENS CAN REPORT POACHING PROBLEMS AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCE VIOLATIONS THROUGH TURN IN POACHERS.

THIS WEEKEND, THE ORGANIZATION WILL HAVE A GARAGE SALE TO RAISE FUNDS AT THEIR OFFICE IN BRAINERD.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THIS WEEKEND, THANKS TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY DONATING ITEMS, TURN IN POACHERS WILL BE HAVING A GARAGE SALE TO RAISE FUNDS.

ITEMS BEING SOLD RANGE FROM CHILDREN'S TOYS, GLASSWARE, KITCHEN ITEMS, TO HOLIDAY DECLARATIONS.

>> IT'S ALL A FUNDRAISER FOR TURN IN POACHERS.

SO EVERYTHING HERE IS DONATED AND THE MONEY ALL STAYS WITH TURN IN POACHERS.

>> Reporter: FUNDS BEING RAISED VIA THE GARAGE SALE WILL GO TOWARDS EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE DETRIMENTS OF POACHING.

>> THE MINUTE WE RAISE TURN IN POACHERS, TO GO TOWARDS TRAILERS, TO GO TOWARDS DIFFERENT EVENTS, SO PEOPLE CAN SEE WHAT IS BEING ILLEGALLY TAKEN IN MINNESOTA.

>> Reporter: THEY WORK WITH MINNESOTA D.N.R.

TO STOP ILLEGAL ACTIVITY IN NATURE.

LAST YEAR, OVER 2,000 CALLS WERE MADE TO TURN IN POACHERS.

195 ARRESTS WERE MADE DUE TO ILLEGAL RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY, 88 ARRESTS INVOLVED DEER.

>> IT GIVES THE PEOPLE A PLACE TO CALL IF THEY FIND SOMEBODY VIOLATING THE LAW, WHETHER IT'S TAKING FISH, BIG GAME, SMALL GAME, OUT STRIPPING TREES, LIKE THE BARK OFF TREES, IT KILLS THE TREES.

>> Reporter: THEY DO NOT RECEIVE ANY MONEY FROM THE STATE OR THE D.N.R.

THE MONEY THEY RAISE IS NOT ONLY USED FOR AWARENESS BUT FOR REWARDS.

>> YES, IT'S LIKE I SAID, GIVING PEOPLE A PLACE TO CALL AND IT'S ANONYMOUS, AND/OR IF THEY WANT TO GET PAID A REWARD FOR TURNING SOMEONE IN, THAT'S FINE TOO.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T TAKE THE REWARD.

THEY JUST WANT A PLACE TO TELL US, TELL THE D.N.R.

ACTUALLY ABOUT THE GROSS MISDEMEANOR, THE GROSS TAKING IS THE WORST.

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

>> HOURS FOR THE GARAGE SALE WILL BE BETWEEN 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. ON SATURDAY, SUNDAY, AND MONDAY.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TURN IN POACHERS AND HOW YOU CAN REPORT A VIOLATION YOU CAN VISIT THE WEBSITE ON THE SCREEN.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY CHRISTENSON IS HERE NOW WITH OUR WEEKEND FORECAST.

IT ALMOST FELT LIKE WINTER TODAY.

>> ALMOST, WE'RE JUST MISSING THE SNOW OF COURSE.

WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING WARMER TEMPERATURES STARTING TOMORROW, PRETTY WINDY TO START THE WEEKEND, AND WARMER TEMPERATURES WILL MOVE IN EARLY NEXT >> 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 WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE HAD QUITE A BIT OF SUNSHINE TODAY, BUT IT WAS A DECEIVING SUNSHINE BECAUSE TEMPERATURES WERE PRETTY COLD ACROSS THE AREA, HIGHS IN THE TEENS.

NOW IT'S GOING TO BE CHILLY AGAIN TONIGHT BUT EXPECT WARMER WEATHER AND WARMER TEMPERATURES TO ARRIVE TOMORROW.

IT WILL BE WINDY, BREEZY TOMORROW, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK, WE WILL SEE A BIGGER WARM UPSTARTING ON MONDAY.

IN BEMIDJI, 10 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT, WINDS AT THE WEST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

5 IS OUR DEW POINT.

WE HAD A DUSTING OF SNOW AND LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES THIS EVENING.

IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, DEW POINT OF -2.

PRESSURE IS FALLING, WINDS ARE WEST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

IT'S QUIET ON THE RADAR, AS I MENTIONED, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS AND FLURRIES IN THE AREA THIS EVENING.

THOSE WILL BE TAPERING OFF.

WE SHOULD HAVE QUIET WEATHER OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE COLD, WE'RE LOOKING AT LOWS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS, BUT WE COULD START TO SEE THE TEMPERATURES STARTING TO RISE, ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

TEMPERATURES WILL ALSO BE WARMING UP, HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE MID-20s, TO MAYBE SOME MID-30s, BUT WE WILL HAVE TO CONTEND WITH A LITTLE BIT OF A BREEZE.

WE ARE SEEING THE WINDS OUT OF THE WEST AT 10 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU.

WE HAD SOME SUN DOGS SPOTTED IN THE CASS LAKE AREA.

ANGELA SENDING US THAT PHOTO.

A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

BEAUTIFUL SKIES OVER LAKE EDWARD FROM SARAH.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING YOUR PICTURES TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 0 AND WINDY THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY TODAY, A LOW OF -8.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLEAR, TOPPLING OUT AT 16.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN AND BREEZY TODAY.

PAUL IN BEMIDJI, A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS TODAY, BUT THEN A FEW FLURRIES THIS EVENING, THE LOW IS -2.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 17 IS THE HIGH IN BRAINERD.

WE STAYED 10 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

3 IS THE LOW TEMP THIS MORNING, SUNSET AT 5:43.

IN BEMIDJI, WE MANAGED TO REACH 11.

OUR AVERAGE IS 24, SO WE ARE QUITE A BIT BELOW THAT.

-2 WAS THE LOW TEMPERATURE, AND 7:24 WAS OUR SUNRISE.

TOMORROW, WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, SOME FLURRIES IN FAR NORTHEAST MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING.

OTHER THAN THAT, QUIET AND BREEZY, HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 20s TO CLOSE TO 30, 30 IN PARK RAPIDS AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, LOW 30s WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, BUT WE WILL HAVE TO CONTEND WITH A LITTLE BIT OF A BREEZE.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, 8 FOR THE LOW.

FOR TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, A FEW FLURRIES POSSIBLE IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, BUT LOOK FOR HIGHS NEAR 29.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE REST OF OUR WEEKEND FORECAST.

WE WILL BE SEEING VARIABLE CLOUDS ON SUNDAY, WITH MOST SKIES BECOMING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY THROUGHOUT THE DAY, HIGHS NEAR 28.

AS WE START THE WORKWEEK, MONDAY, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, THE SKY UP TO 32, AND WE SHOULD SAY IN THE 30s AS WE HEAD INTO TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

36 ON TUESDAY, A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SNOW ON WEDNESDAY.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY, CHARLIE IS HERE.

>> Charlie: WE HAVE MENAHGA ON THE 23-GAME WIN STREAK.

MENAHGA GIRLS BASKETBALL, I HAD A CHANCE TO CHAT WITH THE BRAVES.

BRAINERD BASKETBALL TONIGHT AND BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY.

THEY HAD A CHANCE TO CLIMB INTO FIRST PLACE IN THE CCHA.

WE'LL HAVE HIGHLIGHTS FROM 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.

>>> AFTER LOSING THEIR FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON, MENAHGA GIRLS BASKETBALL HAS RATTLED OFF 23 STRAIGHT WINS, THE LONGEST ACTIVE STREAK IN THE STATE.

THE LADY BRAVES HAVE SECURED THE PARK REGION CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP AND ARE CURRENTLY RANKED 17TH IN THE STATE IN CLASS 2-A BUT THE TEAM ISN'T LETTING THE STREAK GET TO THEIR HEADS AS THEY PREP TO ACHIEVE A MUCH LOFTIER GOAL.

>> Reporter: SOMETIMES YOU LEARN MORE FROM A LOSS THAN YOU DO FROM A WIN.

[Cheering] >> Reporter: AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT THE BRAVES BELIEVE.

>> I THINK WE REALLY LEARNED HOW TO PLAY AS A TEAM AND NOT EVERYBODY ELSE FOCUSING ON SCORING OR JUST LIKE YOU HAVE TO FOCUS ON IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A PLAY, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DO STUFF SO OTHER PEOPLE CAN SCORE.

WE'RE ALL IN IT FOR EACH OTHER.

>> Reporter: A LESSON MENAHGA LEARNED AFTER SUFFERING A LOSS IN THEIR SEASON OPENER, SOMETHING THEY HAVE NOT DONE SINCE, SOMETHING THE GIRLS ATTRIBUTE TO THEIR HEAD COACH.

>> IT'S BEEN A GRIND FOR SURE.

I GIVE IT TO OUR COACH, HE'S A GREAT COACH.

HE KNOWS WHAT TO DO IN EVERY PRACTICE.

HE TELLS US WHAT'S GOING ON.

HE'S A GREAT GAME PLANNER AND HE SCOUTS EVERY TEAM.

HE PREPS US FOR THE GAMES.

>> Reporter: ULTIMATELY THE PLAYERS HAVE TO PLAY AND THE LADY BRAVES UNDERSTAND THERE IS PLENTY OF WORK TO DO ON THE COURT.

>> WE WERE REALLY BAD AT PRESSING, WHICH HAS GOTTEN BETTER.

YESTERDAY WE HAD A GAME AND IT'S THE BEST IT EVER LOOKED.

>> Reporter: THE PLAYERS LEAN ON A STRONG BOND.

>> WE'RE ALL LIKE FAMILY.

WE'RE COMFORTABLE AROUND EACH OTHER AND THERE IS A LOT OF COMMUNICATION.

WE LOVE EACH OTHER AND IT'S GREAT PLAYING TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: AND THEY KEEP THEMSELVES GROUNDED.

>> FOCUSING ON THE GAME YOU'RE IN, SO FOCUSING WHERE YOU ARE AT THE MOMENT AND NOT LETTING ALL THE HYPE GET TO YOU.

>> Reporter: THAT FOCUS HAS LED TO A WIN STREAK, ONE THAT IS SO LONG THAT THE YOUNG LADIES CAN'T REMEMBER HOW LONG IT ACTUALLY IS.

>> WE KEPT THE MOMENTUM GOING AND HOW MANY WINS IS IT?

>> Reporter: 22, YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW.

>> I'M JUST FOCUSING ON THE NEXT GAME IN FRONT OF ME.

>> Reporter: THAT NUMBER HAS SWELLED TO 23 AFTER A VICTORY YESTERDAY.

TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019, THEY CAN'T LET THEIR HEADS DO THE SAME.

>> COACH ALWAYS SAYS DON'T SETTLE WITH BEING GOOD, HE WANTS US TO BE GREAT.

YOU CAN LOOK AT OUR SEASON SAYING WE PLAYED GOOD, BUT WE WANT TO BE GREAT.

WE'RE NOT DONE YET.

WE HAVE THINGS TO WORK ON.

WE NEED TO KEEP FOCUS ON THAT AND NEVER SETTLE.

WE GET REMINDED THAT A LOT.

WE HAVE TO KEEP WORKING FOR OUR GOALS.

>> WHEN MENAHGA LAST MADE THE STATE TOURNAMENT THEY WERE STILL IN CLASS A AND GARNERED A THIRD-PLACE FINISH.

THEY PUT THEIR WIN STREAK TO THE TEST NEXT TUESDAY AT HOME VERSUS HAWLEY BEFORE FINISHING ON THE ROAD AT PELICAN RAPIDS PRIOR TO THE SECTION TOURNAMENT.

>>> AND ON THE BOYS SIDE, BRAINERD LOOKING FOR ITS FIFTH-STRAIGHT WIN HOSTING 10-10 FERGUS FALLS.

FIRST HALF, ELI HOELZ ON THE FAST BREAK, STRAIGHT TO THE RACK, GETS THE AND-ONE.

HE HAD 20.

BRAINERD UP 13-4 AFTER THE FREE THROW.

FEW POSSESSIONS LATER LUKE DIEM WITH THE STEAL AND THE MEAN THROW DOWN, LED ALL SCORING WITH 23.

BRAINERD TAKES A 23-15 LEAD.

LATER IN THE HALF, HOELZ FINDS BRADY RUSHIN WITH HIS SHOT STUCK ON AUTOMATIC.

THE WARRIORS PULL AWAY.

BRAINERD GO ON TO WIN 77-56 OVER FERGUS FALLS.

WARRIORS NOW HAVE NINE WINS IN THEIR LAST TEN GAMES.

>>> SOME OTHER SCORES FOR YOU.

CROSBY-IRONTON BEATS AITKIN.

PELICAN RAPIDS BEATS WADENA DEER CREEK.

ON THE GIRL'S SIDE, CASS LAKE-BENA GETS A WIN OVER BLACKDUCK.

WALKER HACKENSACK ACHELY GETS A WIN.

NORTHERN LAKES BLANKS LAKE OF THE WOODS.

IN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS WRESTLING TONIGHT, THE SECTION 8-3A SEMIFINAL, BEMIDJI BEAT BRAINERD.

THEY WENT ON TO FAY WILMER -- WILMAR IN THE FINAL.

BEMIDJI STATE HOSTING FERRIS STATE.

IT WAS A MAKE A WISH NIGHT.

THEY WILL HAVE A TEDDY BEAR TOSS AFTER THE FIRST GOAL OF THE GAME.

IN THE FIRST PERIOD, STEPHAN GETS A POWER PLAY GOAL AND THEY LEAD 1-0.

JAKE HITS REESE BETWEEN THE CIRCLES, TIES THE GAME AT 1-1.

AND THE BEARS WOULD START FLYING.

IT'S ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE.

IT'S A GREAT THROW RIGHT THERE.

YOU NEED A SHOPPING CART.

THAT'S A HUGE BEAR RIGHT THERE.

JUST OVER 1 MINUTE LATER, HE GETS HIS SIXTH GOAL OF THE SEASON.

BEMIDJI STATE GOES ON TO WIN FERRIS STATE 4-1.

THE KIDS GOT THEIR TEDDY BEARS.

THE BEAVERS TAKE 5 OF 6 POINTS FROM THE SERIES AND ARE NOW IN FIRST PLACE, 2 POINTS IN FRONT OF ST. THOMAS.

>>> A FEW MORE SCORES IN WOMEN'S COLLEGE HOCKEY,.

BEMIDJI STATE BEATS SIOUX FALLS, BUT THEY BEAT THE WOMEN EARLIER IN THE DAY.

>> Dennis: YEAH, THAT ONE IS BIGGER.

>> Charlie: I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY GOT IT THROUGH THE DOOR.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY THEATER RECENTLY HELD AUDITIONS FOR “THE SWEET DELILAH SWIM CLUB ” EARLIER THIS WEEK.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN GOT AN INSIDE LOOK INTO THE AUDITION PROCESS THAT GOES INTO PUTTING ON A THEATER PRODUCTION FOR THIS WEEKS IN-FOCUS.

>> Reporter: HERE'S TO THE FOOLS WHO DREAM, AS CRAZY AS THEY MAY SEEM, THEY HAVE A DREAM OF BEING ON THE BIG STAGE.

TO ACHIEVE THAT DREAM, IT STARTS ON THE AUDITION STAGE, WHERE PERFORMERS HOPE THEY GET THEIR BIG SHOT.

>> WHEN I WAS 6, MY MOM TOOK ME TO SEE CAMELOT.

I SAID MOMMY, I WANT TO DO THAT.

THEN ANNIE GET YOUR GUN WAS BEING DONE BY THE COMMUNITY THEATER SO I AUDITIONED AND GOT A ROLE.

WHEN IT WAS OVER, I SAT ON THE SET AND CRIED BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT IT TO BE DONE.

>> Reporter: BEING ON STAGE IN FRONT OF A PAYING AUDIENCE CAN BE NERVE-RACKING BUT FOR SOME, THE AUDITION IS EVEN WORSE.

>> IT'S TERRIFYING.

>> YOU'RE SO EXCITED BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE IN THE SHOW AND YOU HAVE ALL THESE VISIONS ALREADY OF WHAT YOU THINK THE CHARACTER MIGHT BE LIKE.

YOU JUST, YOU DO THE BEST YOU CAN AND YOU RESPECT THE DECISIONS THAT THE DIRECTOR MAKES AND YOU WIN SOME AND YOU LOSE SOME.

>> Reporter: PERFORMERS HOPE AND PRAY THEY GET THE PART THEY WANT.

THEY STUDY AND PRACTICE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

WHAT IS THE FEELING WHEN THE DIRECTOR CALLS WITH THE GOOD NEWS?

>> YOU DO THAT OH, WELL, I KNEW I WAS GOING TO GET IT.

THEN YOU ARE LIKE YEAH, I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW I WAS GOING TO GET IT.

I AM SUPER EXCITED THAT I DID.

THEN YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU WILL BE IN THE CAST WITH, HOW WILL WE GET ALONG?

THAT CALL, WHEN IT COMES, SEE, I'VE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME BUT IT STILL FEELS EXCITING AND IMMEDIATELY YOU KICK IN TO PREPARATION, IMMEDIATELY.

YOU CAN'T WAIT FOR REHEARSAL TO START.

YOU JUST WANT TO GET YOUR TEETH INTO IT.

>> Reporter: AUDITIONING CAN LEAD TO MORE THAN JUST A PART TO PLAY AS SOME WALK AWAY FORMING EVERLASTING RELATIONSHIPS.

>> I'VE ONLY BEEN INVOLVE WITH BEMIDJI COMMUNITY THEATER FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW.

SO ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WERE STRANGERS AND NOW THEY'RE SOME OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS.

THEATER PEOPLE ARE THESE AMAZING, WELCOMING, LIKE YOU KNOW, WHOEVER YOU ARE, WHATEVER IS IN YOUR BACK STORY, WE'RE JUST GOING TO TAKE YOU IN AND LOVE YOU LIKE FAMILY.

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

>>THE SWEET DELILAH SWIM CLUB WILL PREMIERE AT THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY THEATER ON MAY 10TH THROUGH THE 12TH, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL SHOWS ON MAY 16TH THROUGH THE 19TH.

>>> WELL, THAT IS GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

WE'RE BACK HERE ON MONDAY NIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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