>> 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.

>> 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.

>>> SOME PEOPLE FIND IT DIFFICULT ENOUGH TO RIDE A BIKE, BUT FOR OTHERS, TWO WHEELS IS JUST TOO EASY AND THAT IS WHERE WE FIND UNICYCLING.

OVER 1,000 UNICYCLISTS HAVE MADE THEIR WAY TO BEMIDJI TO PARTICIPATE IN UNICON 21.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WAS THERE FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY THAT SET THE TONE FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS WORTH OF EVENTS.

>> Reporter: OVER 1,200 UNION CYCLISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD HAS ARRIVED IN BEMIDJI FOR THE UNICYCLING FEDERATION WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AND CONVENTION, BETTER KNOWN AS UNICON.

IT BRINGS IN PEOPLE FROM -- >> BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

>> DENMARK.

>> GERMANY.

>> Reporter: AND SO MANY OTHER PLACES.

THERE WERE 28 COUNTRIES IN ATTENDANCE.

EVEN WITH ALL OF THESE EVENTS GOING ON, WELL PEOPLE SAID THEY'RE MOST EXCITED TO MEET OTHER UNI CYCLISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

>> I MET PEOPLE FROM INDIA, IT'S BEEN LOVELY.

>> I MET PEOPLE FROM GERMANY, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA.

IT'S AMAZING.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE HERE.

I'M JUST SPEECHLESS.

>> Reporter: THE FIRST DAY OF UNI CON STARTED OFF WITH INTRODUCTIONS AND TRADITIONAL DANCES AND SONG, INVITING ALL ATTENDEES ON TO THE FLOOR.

THE UNI CYCLING UNICORN JUMPED OVER A CHILD AND ROAD ON A 12-FOOT HIGH UNICORN.

THEN THE CROWD UNI CYCLED THEIR WAY TO PAUL BUNYAN PARK.

>> Reporter: IT WAS ALL THE NATIONALITIES GETTING TOGETHER AND CHEERING FOR US.

IT WAS VERY NICE.

ALL THE LOCALS HERE ARE WONDERFUL AND VERY GOOD AT GIVING US A GREAT WELCOME, WHICH WAS VERY NICE.

THROUGHOUT THE CONVENTION, THERE WILL BE MANY DIFFERENT EVENTS WITH A COMBINATION OF TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL COMPETITIONS.

THERE WILL BE EVENTS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL SKILL LEVELS FROM LESSONS TO HOCKEY AND BASKETBALL.

>> I THINK FOR ME PERSONALLY, A FREESTYLIST IS THE GREATEST EXPERIENCE.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GROUP FREESTYLE BECAUSE MY GROUP IS COMPETING.

IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL TIME AND EVERYONE IS GETTING TOGETHER AND IT'S THE BIGGEST SHOW EVER.

>> Reporter: AFTER THE PARADE WAS OVER, THEY GATHERED FOR A GROUP PICTURE TO END DAY ONE OF THE TWO WEEK CELEBRATION.

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

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] >> UNICON HAS EVENTS EVERY DAY FOR UNICYCLISTS AND FANS TO ENJOY ALL THE WAY THROUGH JULY 26TH, THE FULL SCHEDULE OF WHICH CAN BE FOUND AT THE UNICON 21 WEBSITE.

>>> THE WHITE EARTH NATION IS JOINING A LEGAL EFFORT TO DEFEND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S RULE THAT MANDATES STATES TO CONSIDER THE TREATY RIGHTS OF WATER-DEPENDENT TRIBAL NATIONS IN THEIR WATER MANAGEMENT DECISIONS.

THE E.P.A.

RULE, ESTABLISHED TO ENSURE THAT STATES CONSIDER THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON TRIBAL WATERS WHEN PERMITTING ACTIVITIES THAT MAY AFFECT WATER QUALITY, HAS FACED OPPOSITION FROM VARIOUS INTEREST GROUPS.

ATTORNEY GENERALS FROM 12 STATES HAVE SUED TO INVALIDATE THE RULE, ARGUING THAT IT OVERLY BURDENS STATE AUTHORITIES, BUT THE WHITE EARTH NATION CONTENDS THAT THIS RULE IS CRUCIAL FOR SAFEGUARDING THE WATER RIGHTS AND HEALTH OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.

THE LAWSUIT, FILED IN THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT, SEEKS TO UPHOLD THE E.P.A.

RULE AGAINST CHALLENGES THAT AIM TO WEAKEN THE PROTECTIONS IT AFFORDS TO TRIBAL NATIONS.

WHITE EARTH NATION JOINS THE NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUND, EARTH JUSTICE, AND A COALITION OF TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS IN THIS LEGAL BATTLE.

>>> IN MINNESOTA, ROAD CONSTRUCTION IS INEVITABLE AND IT MAINLY TAKES PLACE DURING THE PEAK SEASON FOR GOING TO THE LAKE DESTINATION COMMUNITIES LIKE JACOBSON, SWAN RIVER, WARBA, GOODLAND, AND PENGILLY.

THE ROUNDABOUT ROAD CONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAY 65 NORTH AND HIGHWAY TWO HAS AFFECTED MANY SMALL BUSINESSES IN THAT AREA.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE ON A PROJECT TO HELP THOSE COMMUNITIES AND TO HOPEFULLY KEEP CUSTOMER TRAFFIC FLOWING THROUGH THE SUMMER MONTHS.

>> Reporter: THANKS TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON HIGHWAY 65 AND HIGHWAY 2, MANY SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE ITASCA AREA HAS SEEN A DRASTIC IMPACT TO THEIR BUSIEST SEASON, WHICH LEAVES SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WORRIED ABOUT THE WINTER SEASON AHEAD.

>> A LOT OF OUR CUSTOMERS ARE LOYAL AND THEY WILL GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO GET TO US.

THEN THE ONES THAT AREN'T REGULARS, THEY DECIDED THEY'RE NOT EVEN GOING TO COME DOWN THIS WAY.

I'VE HEARD THAT FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE.

WELL, WE'LL JUST WAIT UNTIL THE CONSTRUCTION IS OVER AND THEN WE'LL COME AND SEE YOU.

WELL, THAT IMPACTS OUR BOTTOM LINE, SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> Reporter: TOURISM BRINGS IN $100 MILLION AND EMPLOYS OVER 1,500 PEOPLE IN ITASCA COUNTY ALONE.

WHEN CONSTRUCTION LIKE THIS TAKES PLACE, IT CAN AFFECT MANY SMALL BUSINESSES ON THE ROADS.

>> WE MAKE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OUR INCOME OVER THE SUMMER MONTHS FROM MAY TO PROBABLY SEPTEMBER.

WE LOST PROBABLY OVER HALF OF OUR REVENUE THIS SUMMER, FROM THIS PROJECT.

SO IT'S NOT GREAT, BUT WE'LL MUDDLE THROUGH.

>> HIGHWAY 65 IS LIKE AN INTERSTATE IN THE SUMMER AND THIS SUMMER, IT'S DEAD.

IT'S LIKE A COUNTY ROAD.

>> Reporter: THE DETOUR DOES NOT ONLY AFFECT THE BUSINESSES IN THE AREA BUT THE ROADS THAT DRIVERS ARE SUGGESTED TO TAKE MAY NOT BE THE BEST TO TRAVEL ON.

>> IT'S A GRAVEL ROAD, WHICH HAS PROVEN TO BE DISRUPTIVE TO THOSE LOCAL RESIDENTS BECAUSE THEY MIGHT ONLY SEE A COUPLE CARS A DAY, NOW THEY'RE SEEING SEMIS.

THE ROADS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE SIMPLY WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR THAT, SO IT'S BEEN IMPACTFUL TO THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE OUT IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THEY CHOSEN TO LIVE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS WHY ITASCA COUNTY COMMISSIONER PARTNERED WITH NORTH STAR MARKETING TO START THE OPEN ON 65 PROJECT, TO BRING AWARENESS TO THESE BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION.

>> MY FIRST AND FOREMOST DESIRE IS TO HELP FINANCIALLY SUPPORT AND INSPIRE PEOPLE TO GO THE EXTRA MILE AND CONTINUE TO COME TO THE BUSINESSES SO WE CAN HELP THEM BUILD UP THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND CONTINUE TO SUSTAIN THEIR OPERATIONS THROUGH THE SUMMER BECAUSE MUCH OF THE REVENUE THAT IS NEEDED TO GET THROUGH THE WINTER IS EARNED IN THE SUMMER.

I'M ALSO TRYING TO BRING TO LIGHT AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE OF MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN RURAL MINNESOTA, IN HOPES THAT MnDOT WILL TAKE A DIFFERENT LOOK AT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN MINNESOTA AND HANDLE THEM DIFFERENTLY IN TERMS OF 20 TO 30 MILE DETOURS, TAKING TRAFFIC PATTERNS AWAY FROM BUSINESSES THAT RELY ON THAT.

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

>> THE HIGHWAY 65 NORTH AND HIGHWAY 2 ROUNDABOUT CONSTRUCTION STARTED ON APRIL 8TH OF THIS YEAR AND HOPES TO BE COMPLETED LATER IN THE FALL OF 2024.

>>> A 70-YEAR-OLD PONSFORD WOMAN DIED ON SATURDAY AFTER BEING PULLED FROM A LAKE IN SOUTHERN CLEARWATER COUNTY.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CLEARWATER COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, A HUSBAND AND WIFE HAD BEEN ON LONG LOST LAKE IN A PONTOON AND DECIDED TO TAKE A SWIM.

OFFICERS LEARNED THAT ONCE IN THE WATER, THE PONTOON BEGAN TO DRIFT AWAY.

BOTH THE MAN AND WOMAN BEGAN TO SWIM FOR THE BOAT AND AT SOME POINT, THE HUSBAND LOOKED BACK FOR HIS WIFE CHERYL BREITBACH AND SHE WAS FACEDOWN, FLOATING IN THE WATER.

HE BEGAN TO YELL FOR HELP AND PEOPLE AT A NEARBY RESIDENCE HEARD THE YELLING AND TOOK THEIR BOAT OUT TO ASSIST BOTH BACK TO SHORE.

LIFE-SAVING MEASURES WERE PERFORMED ON THE WOMAN BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.

BREITBACH'S BODY WAS TAKEN TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA FORENSIC PATHOLOGY DEPARTMENT FOR AN AUTOPSY.

>>> TWO CHILDREN WHO WERE REPORTED MISSING ON SUNDAY MORNING BETWEEN BEMIDJI AND WILTON WERE WERE LATER LOCATED SAFE AT A HOME IN HUBBARD COUNTY THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE CHILDREN WERE 7 AND 9 YEARS OLD.

THIS INCIDENT IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION AND ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE NO FURTHER INFORMATION WILL BE RELEASED AT THIS TIME.

>>> ON SUNDAY, A YOUNG CHILD WAS FOUND UNRESPONSIVE IN A SWIMMING POOL SOUTH OF BAGLEY IN NORA TOWNSHIP.

THE CHILD WAS BROUGHT IN TO THE SANFORD BAGLEY MEDICAL CENTER BY PRIVATE VEHICLE AND AIRLIFTED TO SANFORD HOSPITAL IN FARGO.

THE CONDITION OF THE CHILD IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

NO NAME WILL BE RELEASED DUE TO THE VICTIM BEING A CHILD.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL HAVE MAINLY QUIET AND COOLER WEATHER AHEAD AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK ON THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, A THIRD GENERATION OWNED GARBAGE COLLECTION SERVICE SERVING CROW WING AND CASS COUNTIES.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> THE BREEZY POINT CITY COUNCIL IS ASSEMBLING A STREETS COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BE TASKED WITH ADVISING THE COUNCIL ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND ADDITION OF A STREETS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.

THE IDEA WAS FIRST RAISED ROUGHLY A YEAR AGO, THEN AGAIN DURING A DISCUSSION AT THE COUNCIL‘S MONTHLY WORKSHOP MEETING LAST MONTH.

BREEZY POINT HAS BIG PLANS REGARDING EXPANSION INCLUDING A CITY HALL REMODEL AND ADDITION, WHICH IS WHY THE CITY WANTS TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY AS INVOLVED AS POSSIBLE.

>> SINCE WE STARTED THE STREETS PLAN, WE KNEW THAT WE WANTED RESIDENT INPUT.

I THINK THAT'S BEEN THE BIGGEST IDEA MOVING FORWARD ON HOW WE GO ABOUT MOVING OUR CITY FORWARD.

ONCE THE STREETS PLAN IS IN PLACE, WE WILL HAVE A GOOD PLAN FORWARD ON WHAT EACH YEAR WILL LOOK AT AS WE LOOK AT ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.

>> RESIDENTS LOOKING TO JOIN THE COMMITTEE HAVE UNTIL JULY 26TH TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS.

>>> THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

HAS CONFIRMED THE PRESENCE OF ZEBRA MUSSELS IN UNION LAKE, NEAR ERSKINE IN POLK COUNTY.

A LAKE PROPERTY OWNER CONTACTED THE D.N.R.

AFTER FINDING A ZEBRA MUSSEL ATTACHED TO A NATIVE MUSSEL IN UNION LAKE.

D.N.R.

STAFF FOUND MORE THAN 15 ZEBRA MUSSELS NEAR THE PUBLIC WATER ACCESS, WHICH IS MORE THAN A MILE FROM THE LOCATION OF THE INITIAL DISCOVERY.

UNION LAKE IS LOCATED ABOUT TEN MILES SOUTH OF ERSKINE AND IS AN 887 ACRE LAKE.

>>> THE LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY IS BACK THIS SUMMER.

THIS YEAR ONCE AGAIN.

WE ARE GIVING AWAY A THREE-NIGHT STAY AT CRAGUN'S RESORT NEAR BRAINERD.

TO ENTER THE DRAWING YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR MAIL US A POSTCARD WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER.

THEN YOU JUST NEED TO WATCH LAKELAND NEWS AND CALL US BY 5:00 P.M.

THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY TO QUALIFY.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TONIGHT'S FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME, CALL THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN BEFORE THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AND YOU WILL HAVE A SHOT AT BEING OUR 2024 CRAGUN'S VACATION GRAND PRIZE WINNER.

>>> STACY JOINS US NOW WITH OUR WEATHER.

IT WAS A HOT AND STEAMY WEEKEND BUT THINGS COOLED DOWN.

>> Stacy: WE HAVE SEEN COOLER TEMPERATURES, LESS HUMIDITY OUT THERE, AND IT LOOKS LIKE A PLEASANT WEEK AHEAD OF US.

WE WILL HAVE HIGHS IN THE 70s AND MAYBE SOME MID TO UPPER 60s IN SOME INSTANCES, BUT A LOT OF SUNSHINE IN THE FORECAST, A FEW CHANCES FOR SHOWERS HERE AND THERE.

AGAIN, IT'S A QUIET WEEK >> 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: WELL, WE DID HAVE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS EARLIER TODAY.

ONCE THOSE CLEARED OUT, WE HAD SOME VERY NICE WEATHER OUT THERE AND A NICE SUNNY SKY.

WE HAD COOLER TEMPERATURES, MORE COMFORTABLE HUMIDITY LEVELS, AND IN FACT THE WEATHER LOOKS PLEASANT AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE ALL WEEK LONG WITH THE TEMPERATURES MAINLY IN THE 70s, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT COOLER IN SOME INSTANCES, WITH A FEW CHANCES OF RAIN SHOWERS HERE AND THERE.

MORE ON THAT IN A SECOND.

HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI, 67 AT THE AIRPORT, AT THE STUDIO WE HAVE A NORTHWEST WIND AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

THE HUMIDITY WAS AT 69%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, 73 DEGREES, A DEW POINT OF 57.

PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, IT IS PRETTY QUIET OUT THERE THIS EVENING ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

WE'RE EXPECTING QUIET WEATHER, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OUT THERE.

HEADING INTO TOMORROW, IT LOOKS FAIRLY QUIET.

WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME SUNSHINE, BUT THERE IS A CHANCE, ABOUT A 20% TO 40% CHANCE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA THAT WE COULD SEE SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING MAINLY IN THE AFTERNOON.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, WE HAVE SOME BLUEBERRIES SPOTTED FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND SOME WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM FROM JOAN IN LAPORTE.

LINDA SPOTTING A TURTLE NEAR LAKE MILLE LACS.

NOW THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF A BREEZE CREATING THE WAVES.

ANGELA FROM CASS LAKE WITH SOME SUNSHINE SHINING THROUGH THE CLOUDS THERE.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, SOME RAIN OVERNIGHT, OTHERWISE 77 DEGREES TODAY AT NOON.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, PARTLY SUNNY AND HUMID THIS MORNING, BOB IN BLUFFTON SAW 0.1-INCH OF RAIN, AND A HIGH OF 80.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, NEARLY 0.1-INCH OF RAIN.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY SUNNY, 0.035-INCH OF RAIN AND 83 WAS OUR HIGH IN BRAINERD.

63 WAS OUR LOW.

TEMPERATURES ARE REMAINING WARM OVERNIGHT LAST NIGHT.

SUNSET TONIGHT IS AT 9:05.

BEMIDJI WITH A MILE OF 78, RIGHT WHERE WE EXPECT THE HIGH TEMPERATURES TO BE.

OVERNIGHT LAST NIGHT, IT WAS A BIT ON THE WARM SIDE WITH A LOW OF 61.

OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW IS GOING TO ONCE AGAIN FEATURE A LOT OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, THERE IS THE CHANCE FOR MOST OF US, ABOUT A 20% CHANCE, A LITTLE HIGHER AS WE MOVE TO THE NORTHEAST.

WE MAY SEE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

HIGHS NEAR 69 IN WARROAD WITH A LOT OF LOW TO MID-70s IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

HEADING INTO THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, AGAIN, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, SHOULD STAY DRY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA WITH HIGH TEMPS IN THE MID-70s.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST.

CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, BUT A CHANCE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON OF SEEING A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, HIGHS NEAR 73.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, A LOT OF SUNSHINE IN THE FORECAST.

REALLY NICE TEMPERATURES, SUNNY AND 72 ON WEDNESDAY, UP TO 78 ON THURSDAY WITH MORE OF THE SAME AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY.

MAYBE TEMPERATURES ARE TOPPING OUT IN THE LOW 80s.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, HIGHS IN THE 80s.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: WELL, SUMMER IS FINALLY HERE.

YOU GET TO TAKE IN MORE RACING ACTION THIS WEEKEND.

>> Charlie: I FELT THE SUMMER OUT THERE.

IT WAS WARM, I WAS SWEATING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

IT WAS ALL WORTH IT BECAUSE WE HAD SOME ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC RACES ON SUNDAY OUT AT THE SPEEDWAY.

WE HAVE THAT AND MORE FROM THE WEEKEND 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.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW HOW A RACE IS GONNA GO UNTIL THE CARS ARE ON THE TRACK.

SOME WEEKS YOU'LL SEE RUNAWAY VICTORY AFTER RUNAWAY VICTORY BUT OCCASIONALLY THE CROWD IS TREATED TO SOME WHITE FLAG ACTION.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE GOT AT BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY ON SUNDAY, SOME LATE LAP THEATRICS IN THE FEATURE RACES.

STARTING WITH THE PURE STOCK, KADE LEEPER IN THE 3-CAR TRYING TO WIN BACK-TO-BACK WEEKS BUT JUSTIN BARSNESS IN THE 47J ABLE TO HOLD HIM OFF AFTER A LATE CAUTION AS THE MAN FROM GRAND RAPIDS GETS HIS FIRST WIN OF 2024.

>>> IN THE MIDWEST MODIFIEDS, A FEW LOVE TAPS ON THE RESTART OUT OF THE CAUTION SENDING CARS IN EVERY DIRECTION AND IT WAS HUNTER WEEKS FROM LAPORTE IN THE NUMBER 9 THAT WAS ABLE TO CAPITALIZE ON THE CHAOS AND FINALLY GET HIS FIRST EVER FEATURE WIN.

HUNTER CLAN ENJOYING EVERY BIT OF IT.

>>> THE BEMIDJI MINI-STOCKS SAW THE 50 CAR DRIVEN BY NICK MCCANN OF BRAINERD WHO FINISHED 2ND LAST WEEK, TAKE THE CHECKERED FLAG FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON.

THE RACE OF THE NIGHT HAS TO GO TO THE HORNET FEATURE RUSSELL KIKER JUNIOR IN THE NUMBER 13 SPENT MOST THE RACE CHASING AIDEN KESSLER IN THE 72 BUT ON THE FINAL LAP, KIKER JUNIOR ABLE TO PASS KASSLER AND THEN HOLD HIM OFF DOWN THE STRETCH AFTER A LITTLE BUMP-N-GO.

HE WOULD PULL INTO VICTORY LANE AS THE SECOND WINNER FROM BRAINERD ON THE NIGHT TO COLLECT HIS THIRD FEATURE OF THE SEASON.

>>> THE MOD-FOURS MARKED THE THIRD BRAINERD DRIVER TO GET A FEATURE WIN SUNDAY.

PATRICK SPECHT IN THE 6-1-7 PICKS UP HIS FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON.

THE SUPER STOCKS RACED IN THE DARK AND IT WAS BEMIDJI'S MATT SPARBY IN THE YELLOW 81X THAT WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE LEAD LATE IN THE FEATURE TO TAKE THE CHECKERED FLAG FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON.

AND IT WAS JOSH BEAULIEU IN THE 22B FROM BEMIDJI THAT WOULD CAP A LONG NIGHT OF RACING BY WINNING THE MODIFIED FEATURE.

HE TOOK A WELL-DESERVED VICTORY LAP FOR HIS THIRD WIN OF SEASON.

>>> QUITE THE NIGHT OF RACING FOR UNIFIED SPECIAL OLYMPICS NIGHT.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT AND THE MICHAEL FULLERTON 500 TOMORROW NIGHT.

NEXT WEEK BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY HOLDS THEIR WOMEN IN MOTORSPORTS NIGHT HONORING ALL THE WOMEN DRIVERS WHO RACE THERE AND ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

ALL SEVEN CLASSES ARE SCHEDULED TO RACE NEXT WEEK.

>>> WELL, EVEN THOUGH IT'S JULY THERE ARE STILL A FEW HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS FINISHING UP COMPETITION.

THIS PAST WEEKEND THE U.S.A. CLAY TARGET HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HELD ITS ANNUAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN MASON, MICHIGAN.

AND THE BEMIDJI LUMBERJACK TRAP TEAM WAS BACK AGAIN COMPETING ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER AREA SCHOOLS INCLUDING CLEARBROOK, BLACKDUCK, PILLAGER, PARK RAPIDS, AND ROSEAU.

THIS YEAR BEMIDJI SENT TWO SQUADS.

THE FIRST CONSISTING OF ERIC BITTMAN, CALEB HALL, KADYN NIPP, CLAYTON JOHNSON, AND CORBIN HADRAVA FINISHED 24TH OVERALL.

THIS SECOND SQUAD LANDED 56th PLACE OUT OF THE 482 TEAMS COMPETING.

IT WAS PARK RAPIDS WHO WOULD FINISH HIGHEST OF ALL THE AREA SCHOOLS IN SIXTH.

ONLY BEMIDJI AND PARK RAPIDS QUALIFIED FOR THE FINALS SUNDAY.

HERE ARE THE INDIVIDUAL RESULTS FROM THE FINALS AS WELL.

THE NUMBERS MAY SEEM HIGH BUT THERE OVER 1,700 SHOOTERS AT THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS WEEKEND.

HERE'S THE BACK HALF OF ALL THE FOLKS THAT GOT TO COMPETE IN THE FINALS ON FRIDAY.

>> Dennis: WOW, WHERE WAS THAT AT?

>> Charlie: MASON, MICHIGAN.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> SINCE THE DAWN OF CIVILIZATION, WASTE MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN A CONCERN.

THE FIRST LANDFILL CAN BE TRACED BACK TO ANCIENT GREECE IN 3000 B.C.

GARBAGE COLLECTION HAS EVOLVED QUITE A BIT SINCE THEN.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN BUSINESS, REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY VISITED WASTE PARTNERS INCORPORATED IN PINE RIVER, A THIRD-GENERATION OWNED GARBAGE COLLECTION COMPANY.

>> Reporter: GARBAGE COLLECTION SERVICES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR COMMUNITIES AS THEY HELP THE QUALITY OF WATER AND AIR.

IN 2000, WASTE PARTNERS INCORPORATED STARTED WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY SERVICE TO THE LAKES AREA.

>> MY DAD AND MY GRANDPA SET UP A COMPANY BUILT ON THE REPUTATION OF BEST VALUE IN THE LAKES AREA.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT THE SERVICE YOU ARE PROVIDED, WHETHER IT BE THE PEOPLE ON THE STREET, OR THE FOLKS HERE IN THE OFFICE, IT'S TOP QUALITY.

TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THAT YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT, IS WHAT WE STRIVE FOR.

>> Reporter: AT WASTE PARTNERS, THEIR COMPANY VALUES ALIGN WITH THEIR THREE PILLARS, CUSTOMERS, COMMUNITY, AND ENVIRONMENT.

>> CUSTOMERS IS THE BASE OF WHAT WE DO, PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS.

OUR COMMUNITY, THE SECOND PILLAR, BEING OUR INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

WE ARE A SPONSOR, SUPPORTER, OR MEMBER OF NEARLY 130 DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE LAKES AREA.

WE DO THAT BECAUSE WE WANT TO CONNECT WITH THE FOLKS THAT LIVE HERE AND THE FOLKS THAT DO BUSINESS WITH US.

THEN THE THIRD IS ENVIRONMENT, WE ARE THE STEWARDS OF WHAT YOU PROVIDE US, BE IT THE TRASH OR RECYCLING.

>> Reporter: THE GARBAGE MAN SOMETIMES GOES UNNOTICED IN THE COMMUNITY BUT IF YOU DON'T NOTICE THE GARBAGE PICK UPS, THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING THEIR JOB.

>> THAT MEANS WE DID IT WELL.

IF YOU PUT YOUR GARBAGE OUT AT THE END OF THE ROAD THAT MORNING AND YOU COME BACK AFTER WORK OR AN ERRAND AND IT'S PICKED UP, IT'S SITTING THERE EMPTY AND YOU WHEEL IT BACK IN, WE DID OUR JOB.

>> Reporter: MORE AND MORE FAMILY-OWNED OR SMALL HAULERS ARE GOING AWAY AND GIVING WAY TO LARGER COMPANIES.

THIS IS SOMETHING WASTE PARTNERS BELIEVES CAN BE HARMFUL TO SMALLER COMMUNITIES.

>> THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN HURT THE LAKES AREA.

YOU LOSE THAT ABILITY TO CALL AND TALK TO SOMEONE LOCALLY THAT MIGHT KNOW YOU OR YOUR NEIGHBOR OR BE ON THE SAME KIDS T-BALL TEAM OR YOU NAME IT.

ALL THOSE CONNECTIONS ARE CRUCIAL TO MAKING SURE WE KEEP SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE AREA.

THAT'S REALLY ON OUR SHOULDERS TO MAKE SURE IT HAPPENS.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PINE RIVER WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> WASTE PARTNERS RUNS ABOUT 16 TO 18 ROUTES A DAY THROUGHOUT CROW WING AND CASS COUNTIES.

>>> BACK TO STACY WE GO FOR MORE ON WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE HAVE GREAT WEATHER COMING UP THIS WEEK.

CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 55.

>> Charlie: AND IF YOU WEREN'T WATCHING THE DERBY, HERNANDEZ FROM THE DODGERS ENDED UP WINNING.

IT WAS FUN TO WATCH.

>> Dennis: THAT'S IT FOR US TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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