>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

>> C.T.C.

; KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED WITH INTERNET, TV, MOBILE, AND HOME PHONE.

LEARN MORE AT AT GOCTC.COM.

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH WITH PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST.

SANFORD HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CARE CLOSE TO HOME.

LEARN MORE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED IN PART BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS, SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, PROVIDING ALL FIBEROPTIC INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGS WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> 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.

>>> THE BRAINERD COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER OVER THE WEEKEND FOR A PEACE ASSEMBLY ON WASHINGTON STREET, FOLLOWING THE RECENT DEATHS OF TWO FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY WAS AT THE ASSEMBLY AND SPOKE WITH THE FAMILIES.

>> LOVING AND CARING, SHE ALWAYS MADE THEM FEEL WELCOME.

SHE WAS A LOVING AND KIND GIRL.

SHE DIDN'T DESERVE NOT TO BE HERE.

PEOPLE WANT TO SEE CHANGE AND THEY WANT THEIR KIDS TO STAY ALIVE.

>> I LIKE FOR SCHOOL, FOR WHEN THE KIDS COME TO THE TEACHER WITH A PROBLEM, CONTACT THE PARENTS.

DON'T SHRUG IT OFF.

DON'T TELL THE CHILD TO GET OVER IT.

DO SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS THE PARENTS OF 13-YEAR-OLD ALEXIS THORNTON, WHO TRAGICALLY TOOK HER OWN LIFE AFTER BEING BULLIED.

THIS COMES ONE MONTH AFTER THE SUICIDE OF ANOTHER STUDENT, 11-YEAR-OLD AVA STARR WHO DEALT WITH HER OWN STRUGGLES OF BULLYING.

GATHERING BEHIND ME IS ONE OF SEVERAL WAYS THAT THE COMMUNITY IS COMING TOGETHER TO RESPOND TO THE DEATH OF TWO FORESTVIEW STUDENTS, CREATING AWARENESS IN THE AREA.

>> A MIND CAN BREAK AND IF WE TREAT A BROKEN MIND LIKE A BROKEN ARM OR CUT, WE RUSH THEM TO THE E.R.

IF YOU TOLD ONE PERSON, YOU CAN SET A PRECEDENT ON HOW PEOPLE ARE TREATED.

IT STARTS FROM THE TOP AND GOES DOWN.

>> Reporter: THEY HOPE TO SEE CHANGE IN THE SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY.

>> THE SCHOOL SYSTEM DOES BETTER AND THAT THEY GET THESE BULLIES COUNSELING THEY NEED.

WORDS HURT AND THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT TEENAGERS' EMOTIONS ARE HUGE AT THAT POINT.

IT'S EXPLOSIVE.

SOMETHING SMALL TO AN ADULT IS SOMETHING HUGE TO THEM AND THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

EVERY CHILD MATTERS.

EVERY LIFE MATTERS.

>> SPREAD THE LOVE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE FAMILY OF AVA STARR WAS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE ASSEMBLY AND DID NOT WISH TO SPEAK ON-CAMERA.

BUT, THEY DID GIVE A STATEMENT SAYING THEY WANT THE BULLYING TO STOP AND THEY HOPE TO CONTINUE TO SPREAD PEACE AND KINDNESS TO EVERYONE.

AND IF YOU ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE OR NEED MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, YOU CAN CALL OR TEXT THE SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE AT 9-8-8.

>>> ONE MAN IS IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING A SHOOTING IN BEMIDJI SUNDAY NIGHT.

BEMIDJI POLICE RESPONDED TO THE SCENE OF 2422 RIDGEWAY AVENUE NORTH AROUND 11:40 LAST NIGHT AND FOUND A 27-YEAR-OLD MAN WITH A SINGLE GUNSHOT WOUND TO HIS SHOULDER.

THE MAN WAS TAKEN TO SANFORD BEMIDJI FOR TREATMENT OF HIS INJURY.

OFFICERS CANVASSED THE AREA AND LOCATED THREE SHELL CASINGS IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE KESTREL PINES APARTMENT COMPLEX.

20-YEAR-OLD TERRANCE JONES OF BEMIDJI WAS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS ONGOING INVESTIGATION.

THE INVESTIGATION REMAINS ACTIVE AND ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>>> A BLACKDUCK AREA MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED FOR SECOND DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT WITH A VICTIM UNDER THE AGE OF 14.

50-YEAR-OLD JOEY JAY LEE PLEADED GUILTY TO SEXUALLY ASSAULTING A GIRL NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF FOUR YEARS, BEGINNING WHEN THE GIRL WAS EIGHT.

LEE PLEADED GUILTY ON APRIL 20TH TO TWO COUNTS OF SECOND DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT WITH A VICTIM UNDER THE AGE OF 14.

HE PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO THREE OTHER SECOND DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT CHARGES AND THOSE CHARGES WERE DISMISSED.

LEE WAS SENTENCED IN BELTRAMI COUNTY COURT ON JULY 16TH.

ON COUNT ONE HE RECEIVED SIX YEARS IN PRISON WITH THE SENTENCE STAYED FOR TEN YEARS, 90 DAYS IN BELTRAMI COUNTY JAIL, AND TEN YEARS SUPERVISED PROBATION WITH CONDITIONAL RELEASE AFTER CONFINEMENT SET AT 10 YEARS.

AND ON COUNT TWO HE RECEIVED EIGHT YEARS AND TWO MONTHS IN PRISON WITH THE SENTENCE STAYED FOR TEN YEARS, 90 DAYS IN BELTRAMI COUNTY JAIL, AND TEN YEARS SUPERVISED PROBATION WITH CONDITIONAL RELEASE AFTER CONFINEMENT SET AT 99 YEARS.

THE TWO SENTENCES WILL RUN CONCURRENTLY.

>>> RELATIVES OF THE WOMAN WHO WAS FOUND DEAD LYING IN A DITCH NEAR BALL CLUB LAST WEEK ARE TRYING TO RAISE MONEY TO COVER THE COST OF A FUNERAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR HER.

AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THE DEATH OF RIKKI SKOG, A DEER RIVER MOTHER OF THREE.

HER BODY WAS FOUND ON JULY 16TH ABANDONED IN A DITCH ALONG COUNTY ROAD 39.

NOW HER FAMILY IS SEEKING THE COMMUNITY'S HELP TO LAY HER TO REST WHILE THEY AWAIT ANSWERS.

SKOG'S NIECE TAJA MILLER HAS SET UP A GOFUNDME PAGE.

AND SAYS HER FAMILY WANTS TO HONOR HER MEMORY AND CELEBRATE HER LIFE WITH AN OJIBWE CEREMONY, REFLECTING HER HERITAGE AND THE LOVE SHE HAD FOR HER FAMILY.

SHE SAYS, "THE FUNDS RAISED WILL HELP COVER THE COST OF THE FUNERAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICE, ALLOWING US TO GIVE RIKKI THE FAREWELL SHE DESERVES."

WE'RE INCLUDING A LINK TO THAT FUNDRAISER ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> MINNESOTA HOUSE D-F-L FLOOR LEADER REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE LONG VISITED BEMIDJI LAST WEEK TO SPEAK TO LOCAL CHILDCARE REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT THEY ARE FACING ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK ATTENDED THE FIRST STOP ON HIS TOUR AROUND THE STATE, AT THE BETHEL LUTHERAN CHILDCARE CENTER.

>> I'VE HEARD FROM PARENTS WHO SAY THE FIRST CALL THEY MAKE WHEN THEY KNOW THEY'RE PREGNANT IS TO GET A SPOT AT THE CHILDCARE CENTER.

WE'RE HOPING TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE HAVE MORE AFFORDABLE, MORE AVAILABLE CHILDCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS.

>> Reporter: ONE OF MANY LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WHO HAVE TRAVELED AROUND MINNESOTA RECENTLY TO SPEAK TO CHILDCARE CENTERS AND LEARN ABOUT WHAT ISSUES THEY ARE FACING AS FINDING AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE HAS BECOME ONE OF THE BIGGEST CRISES IN THE STATE.

THESE VISITS COME IN THE WAKE OF THE NEW CHILDCARE FOR ALL CAMPAIGN THAT STARTED IN JUNE TO BRING ATTENTION TO EVERY DAY CHILDCARE ISSUES TO THE STATE LEVEL.

>> HAVING SUPPORT IS ABSOLUTELY FUNDAMENTAL TO US BECAUSE IT SHOWS THAT WE HAVE A VOICE AND OUR ISSUES ARE NOT JUST OUR ISSUES.

THEY ARE INDUSTRY-WIDE.

HAVING SOMEBODY WHO IS WILLING TO SIT DOWN AND TALK TO US, LEARN ABOUT OUR CENTER, AND THEN TAKE THAT EXPERIENCE BACK TO ADVOCATE FOR US AND ADVOCATE FOR OTHER CENTERS IS AN IMPORTANT THING FOR US.

>> Reporter: INFANT CHILDCARE IS CLASSIFIED FOR CHILDREN FROM THE AGES OF 6 WEEKS TO 16 MONTHS.

IN BEMIDJI, THERE ARE TWO CHILDCARE LOCATIONS WITH INFANT CHILDCARE.

>> CHILDCARE FOR ALL AGES IS SUPER IMPORTANT BECAUSE OUR PARENTS NEED TO WORK AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

WITHOUT THE SUPPORT FOR THE YOUNGER AGE, A LOT OF PARENTS ARE UNABLE TO SEND THEIR KIDS.

>> WE HAVE A COUPLE OF PROGRAMS THAT HELP OUT THE LOWEST INCOME FAMILIES.

THOSE DON'T GO FAR.

THEIR SPOTS ARE LIMITED AND THEY GET FILLED UP.

I HOPE WE CAN EXPAND ACCESS TO MIDDLE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, OTHERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING.

THE AVERAGE COST OF CHILDCARE IN MINNESOTA IS HIGHER THAN THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA TUITION ON ANNUAL BASIS.

IT'S A CHOICE WHETHER SOMEONE IS ABLE TO GO BACK TO HOME OR NOT.

IT'S A WORKFORCE ISSUE TOO.

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

>> ON THE SAME DAY, ASSISTANT FLOOR LEADER REPRESENTATIVE PAUL CUMMINGS WAS ALSO IN BEMIDJI TO VISIT THE PINE PALS NEST INFANT TODDLER CHILD CARE TO HEAR ABOUT THE MORE WIDESPREAD ISSUES AROUND THE AREA, AND TO SEE WHAT TOPICS MULTIPLE PROVIDERS ARE STRUGGLING WITH.

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

>> Stacy: IT'S GOING TO BE BREEZY BUT COOLER TOMORROW.

WE WILL START A SLOW WARM UP AFTER TOMORROW AND BY THE WEEKEND, WE COULD BE SEEING HIGHS IN THE 90s.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, THERE WAS A 69-UNIT HOTEL SET TO BREAK GROUND AT PEQUOT LAKES THIS AUGUST.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE 58TH ANNUAL WATERMARK ART FESTIVAL BROUGHT ARTISTS, VENDORS, AND VISITORS TOGETHER IN DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI THIS PAST WEEKEND.

LIVE MUSIC FILLED THE AIR AS VISITORS MADE THEIR WAY THROUGH ROWS OF UNIQUE, HANDMADE CREATIONS TO SHOWCASE THEIR WORK.

FESTIVAL GOERS EXPLORED THE BOOTHS AND ENJOYED EVERYTHING THE DOWNTOWN CELEBRATION HAD TO OFFER.

THE FESTIVAL ALSO GAVE THE COMMUNITY A CHANCE TO CONNECT WITH THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE ART.

>> THIS IS OUR THIRD OR FOURTH YEAR IN THE PARK AND MY FRIEND ROBIN AND I GOT ACQUAINTED.

WE USED TO WORK AT A SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WE BOTH HAD THE LOVE FOR MAKING WOOD PRODUCTS, IN OUR SPARE TIME, AND WE'RE BOTH RETIRED AND IT HAS TURNED INTO MORE OF A JOB THAN A HOBBIT PI -- HOBBY RIGHT NOW, BUT WE LOVE IT.

A LOT OF FAMILIAR FACES.

>> THE FESTIVAL MAY BE OVER, BUT THE CREATIVITY CONTINUES YEAR-ROUND AT THE WATERMARK ART CENTER, IN THEIR EXHIBITS, CLASSES, AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS.

>>> TWO NEW BLACK BEAR CUBS WILL BE ADDED TO ELY'S NORTH AMERICAN BEAR CENTER FAMILY IN SEPTEMBER.

THESE CUBS COME ALL THE WAY FROM ALASKA, AND IN THE SAME WAY THAT THE CENTERS THREE ADULT AMBASSADOR BEARS ARE UNABLE TO RETURN TO NATURE, THESE TWO CUBS ARE IN NEED OF A HOME.

ORPHANED AND FAR TOO YOUNG TO SURVIVE ON THEIR OWN THEY NEED A FOREVER HOME.

AND THAT IS WHY THEY ARE COMING TO THE NORTH AMERICAN BEAR CENTER.

BEAR CENTER OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE EAGER, EXCITED, AND HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE OF THESE CUBS AT THEIR NEW HOME.

THE CENTER WILL BE WELCOMING THE BEARS SOMETIME IN SEPTEMBER AND YOU CAN STAY UPDATED ON THE CUBS ARRIVAL BY FOLLOWING THE NORTH AMERICAN BEAR CENTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

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

WE ARE GIVING AWAY A FOUR-NIGHT STAY AT CHASE ON THE LAKE IN WALKER ALONG WITH A $200 RESORT GIFT CARD.

TO REGISTER, SEND US A POSTCARD WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER ON IT AND THEN WATCH LAKELAND NEWS TO SEE IF YOUR NAME IS DRAWN, LIKE TONIGHTS FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME TONIGHT, OR ANY NIGHT ON LAKELAND NEWS YOU CAN QUALIFY BY CALLING US ON THE VACATION GIVEAWAY HOTLINE NUMBER BEFORE 5:00 P.M.

THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY.

WE ARE ANNOUNCING FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS EVERY WEEKNIGHT THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, RIGHT HERE ON LAKELAND NEWS.

AND WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER IN A LIVE DRAWING ON OUR MONDAY, AUGUST 31ST NEWSCAST.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US NOW.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LITTLE MODERATING OF THE TEMPERATURES HERE.

>> Stacy: WE ARE GOING TO SEE A COOL DOWN.

HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 70s TOMORROW AND IN ALL LIKELIHOOD, ON WEDNESDAY.

HOWEVER, WE WILL START TO SEE THE TEMPERATURES SLOWLY WARMING UP.

SO EXPECT TO SEE 80s AND 90s BY THE WEEKEND, A FEW CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE FORECAST, AND I WILL [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE DID HAVE SOME SUNSHINE EARLIER TODAY, A LITTLE BIT MUGGY AND WARM, BUT WE HAVE SEEN SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AS A COLD FRONT HAS BEEN MOVING OUT OF THE AREA AND WE SHOULD SEE COOLER TEMPERATURES TOMORROW, BUT IT WILL BE A BREEZY DAY.

HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 70s ON WEDNESDAY, BUT WE WILL HAVE WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, 80s AND 90s BY THE TIME WE HIT SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 68 DEGREES.

AT THE AIRPORT.

THE DEW POINT IS 61, WE PICKED UP 0.02-INCH OF RAIN.

IN BRAINERD, DEW POINT IS 62, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE CAN SEE THE LINE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THAT HAS BEEN MOVING SOUTHWARD, A FEW SCATTER SHOWERS REMAINING BEHIND THE FRONT.

WE COULD SEE A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, OTHERWISE VARIABLE CLOUDS, WE'LL SEE THE WINDS PICKING UP AND IT CONTINUES TO BE WINDY TOMORROW.

WE'LL SEE A RETURN TO PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, AND WE WILL HAVE COOLER TEMPERATURES.

NOW WE DO HAVE THIS VIDEO SENT TO US FROM DAVE IN BEMIDJI OF A COUPLE OF BEAR CUBS HAVING A LITTLE PLAY TIME IN THE YARD.

I'M CALLING THIS ONE SIBLING LOVE.

THANK YOU FOR SENDING THAT VIDEO IN.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES PICTURES, WE HAVE THE MORNING SKIES FROM GARY IN DEERWOOD AND SOME LOON FAMILIES ARE OUT FOR A SWIM.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD WITH STORM CLOUDS IN THE DISTANCE.

JOAN IN LAPORTE SPOTTING THOSE DISTANT CLOUDS.

SAMROSE TAKING THIS PHOTO OF THE RAIN MOVING OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

THEN THE SKIES THIS EVENING WERE BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE ONCE AGAIN, BILL AND JUDY SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM UPPER RED LAKE, LAURIE FROM LITTLE TURTLE LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 77 AND WINDY THIS EVENING.

DEBRA IN PINE RIVER, 69 THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY AND WINDY DAY.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, THE HIGH WAS 85, BROOEDZ -- BREEZY THIS EVENING.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, BREEZY AND 83, STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING A HIGH OF 86.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, 88 WAS OUR HIGH IN BRAINERD.

69 WAS THE LOW, SUNRISE AT 6:45 THIS MORNING.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE MAY SEE SOME CLOUDS HANGING ON, AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, WE WILL START TO SEE THOSE CLEARING OUT WITH SKIES BECOMING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, STILL BREEZY OUT THERE TOMORROW, BUT WE WILL HAVE COOLER TEMPERATURES, HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-70s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF LAKELAND COUNTRY AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, HIGHS SHOULD REACH THE MID TO UPPER 70s.

CLOUDY TONIGHT, A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ROLLING THROUGH, 59 FOR THE HIGH, NORTHWEST WINDS PICKING UP 10 TO 25.

SKIES HAVE BECOME PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY TOMORROW WITH HIGHS IN THE MID-70s, AND NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS AT 10 TO 25.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, SUNNY AND 77 ON WEDNESDAY, THEN AS WE HEAD INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEK, WE HAVE OFF AND ON CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE THEIR WARM UP, HIGHS IN THE MID-80s ON FRIDAY, COULD BE SEEING SOME LOW 90s ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AND OUTSIDE OF THOSE SMALL CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

WE WILL BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: OKAY, CHARLIE HAS OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

YOU WERE AT A COOL EVENT ON SATURDAY.

>> Charlie: A COUPLE OF COOL EVENTS.

THEY REVEALED WHO WILL BE PLAYING AT HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA AND THE DATES FOR WHEN THEY WILL BE PLAYING.

WE HAVE THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> THE DATES AND TIMES ARE NOW SET FOR HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA 2027 AT THE BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY.

THE WEEK-LONG EVENT WILL RUN FROM MONDAY, JANUARY 25TH, THRU SATURDAY, JANUARY 30TH.

AND THIS PAST SATURDAY, IN FRONT OF THE ESSENTIA HEALTH SPORTS CENTER IN BRAINERD, THE VEIL WAS LIFTED ON THE PARTICIPATING TEAMS AND THEIR MATCH-UPS.

INCLUDING THE SATURDAY LINEUP WHICH FEATURES THE BRAINERD GIRLS TAKING ON BLOOMINGTON JEFFERSON FOLLOWED BY THE BRAINERD BOYS PLAYING BUFFALO.

THEN, THE MARQUEE MATCHUP THAT AFTERNOON WILL BE A MENS HOCKEY GAME BETWEEN SAINT CLOUD STATE AND SAINT THOMAS.

>> EVERY NEW MILESTONE MAKES IT ALL THE MORE REAL.

WE'VE BEEN DREAMING ABOUT THIS SINCE 2022.

AND NOW WE'RE IN 2026, WE'RE ON THE PRECIPICE OF HOCKEY DAY, AND WE COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED.

NOW THAT WE HAVE LET OTHER COMMUNITIES KNOW WHICH ONES ARE PARTICIPATING, NOW WE CAN GO INTO THOSE COMMUNITIES AND CELEBRATE WITH THEM WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN JANUARY.

>> IT'S JUST LIKE REALLY EXCITING.

IT'S GOING TO BE A FUN GAME.

>> I THINK IT'S COOLER BECAUSE IT'S AT OUR OWN TOWN AND THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WE KNOW AND LIKE, I DON'T KNOW, IT'S JUST REALLY BIG.

>> IT'S A SURREAL FEELING, JUST BEING OUT THERE WITH THE BOYS.

YOU ALWAYS DREAM OF IT AS A KID AND YOUR SENIOR YEAR ESPECIALLY.

>> I KNOW THEY CALL IT HOCKEY DAY BUT IT'S MORE LIKE HOCKEY WEEK, HERE ARE THE MATCH-UPS AND TIMES, LOTS OF AREA TEAMS IN THE MIX.

BOTH NORTHERN LAKES BOYS AND GIRLS WILL BE PLAYING TUESDAY EVENING WITH THE BOYS PLAYING LITTLE FALLS.

THEN THURSDAY WARROAD AND BEMIDJI GIRLS PLAY BACK-TO-BACK.

MOVING TO FRIDAY, BOTH BRAINERD J-V'S WILL GET TO PLAY ON THE OUTDOOR RINK AT THE B-I-R, PLUS A REMATCH OF THE CLASS 2-A STATE TITLE GAME FROM A YEAR AGO.

AND ONCE AGAIN HERE'S SATURDAY'S SLATE THAT WILL BE BROADCAST BY FANDUEL SPORTS NETWORK, OF COURSE WE'LL BE THERE COVERING IT ALL FOR YOU THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AS WELL, FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS YOU CAN VISIT THE HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA WEBSITE.

>>> THERE WERE A COUPLE OF GAMES TODAY.

THE TWINS GOT CLOBBERED.

THE LYNX HAVE A ONE POINT LEAD IN THE THIRD QUARTER IN THEIR GAME.

>>> WELL, FOR FORMER BRAINERD WARRIOR AND PRO-HOCKEY PLAYER MITCH MCLAIN, IT'S BEEN SEVERAL YEARS IN THE MAKING, AND ON SATURDAY, IT FINALLY CAME TO FRUITION.

WHEN THE PUCK DROPPED ON THE BE NEXT MCLAIN FAMILY FOUNDATION ALL-STAR CHARITY GAME.

FANS PACKED BRAINERD'S ESSENTIA HEALTH SPORTS CENTER TO WATCH 32-PRO AND SEMI-PRO HOCKEY PLAYERS FACE-OFF, ALL IN AN EFFORT TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR HOCKEY PROGRAMS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

AFTER THE GAME, MCLAIN REFLECTED ON WHAT IT MEANT TO PUT ON AN EVENT LIKE THIS FOR THE COMMUNITY HE GREW UP IN.

>> ANYBODY THAT HAS PLAYED SPORTS IN THEIR HOMETOWN ALWAYS ASK FOR ONE MORE GAME.

HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY ONE MORE GAME AND ALL THE GUYS I HAVE BEEN IN THE TRENCHES WITH IN PROHOCKEY, IT MEANT A LOT TO ME.

>> YOU SEE HOW EXCITED THESE KIDS ARE TO SEE MATT PLAY, AND THESE GUYS HAVE PLAYED FOR A WHILE.

YOU HAVE LOCAL HEROES OUT THERE, RYAN, AND IT'S REALLY COOL TO SEE WHAT GOOD HOCKEY IS AND WE HAD A NORWEGIAN GUY PLAYING IN THIS GAME.

IT'S IMPORTANT AND SHOWS HOW LOYAL AND WELL LIKED THE HOCKEY WORLD IS.

>> BIGGER THAN THE NAMES ON THE JERSEY'S, WAS THE CAUSE, WHICH IS TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE FINANCIALLY AND WITH RESOURCES SO THEY CAN PLAY ATHLETICS, WITH A FOCUS ON MAKING POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE.

SOMETHING THE ALL-STARS WERE HAPPY TO SUPPORT.

>> IT'S SO NICE TO SEE ALL THE KIDS OUT AND WANTING TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND YOU KNOW, THERE IS A HUNGER FOR HOCKEY AND MAYBE IT HELPED BUILD IT.

IF I CAN BE A PART OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS, I'M DEFINITELY DOING IT.

AND MAINLY BECAUSE OF MITCH, HE IS A MAN OF THE PEOPLE.

>> IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER TO HAVE ALL THESE PEOPLE COME OUT AND SUPPORT US.

I GREW UP WATCHING MY BROTHERS PLAY AND THE ARENA WAS ALWAYS FULL.

IT WAS AWESOME AND I CAN'T REALLY EXPRESS HOW COOL AND SPECIAL THIS IS.

>> Dennis: SO IS THAT A ONE OFF OR SOMETHING EVERY YEAR?

>> Charlie: IT'S FUNNY YOU ASKED THAT.

I ASKED McLEAN THE SAME THING.

HE SAID I'M TAKING A BREATH RIGHT NOW.

EVERYBODY SAID THEY WANTED TO COME BACK AND DO IT.

IT WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC.

THE PLACE WAS PACKED.

I THINK HE WANTS TO DO IT AGAIN, LOGISTICALLY IT'S A LOT TO PUT TOGETHER BUT IT WAS FOR A GREAT CAUSE AND IT WOULD BE AWESOME TO SEE THEM DO THAT ANNUALLY.

>> Dennis: IT TURNED OUT TO BE A BIG SUCCESS.

THANKS CHARLIE.

A 69-UNIT HOTEL COMPLEX IS SET TO BREAK GROUND IN PEQUOT LAKES IN AUGUST.

THE BOBBER INN AND SUITES WILL BE STATIONED OFF HIGHWAY 371 AND NEAR THE PAUL BUNYAN STATE TRAIL IN AN EFFORT TO REVITALIZE AN 80-ACRE PROJECT SITE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS.

>> CITY OFFICIALS CAME FORWARD TO LEVEL CONTRACTING OWNER REGARDING A REQUEST TO BUILD HOUSING A FEW YEARS AGO.

AFTER DELIBERATION, HE VENTURED OFF TO THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

>> WE'RE BUILDING A TRADEMARK PRODUCT BY WYNDHAM.

WE KNOW THAT PEQUOT LAKES IS BOBBER TOWN SO WE WANTED TO FOLLOW THAT THEME.

>> Reporter: IT WILL BE THE FIRST FINISHED PROJECT FOR THE BROADER 80-ACRE DEVELOPMENT AREA, AN AREA THE TOWN BELIEVES NEEDS TO BE REVITALIZED AFTER A BYPASS DIVERTED TRAFFIC AWAY.

>> YOU CAN SEE WHAT HAPPENED WHEN IT REROUTED AROUND BRAINERD.

THERE WAS ECONOMIC IMPACT.

WE WANT THE ANCHOR PROPERTY TO GET THIS GOING AND IT WILL SUPPORT TOURISM AND TRAFFIC COMING INTO THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE BOBBER INN IS EXPECTED TO SHOWCASE AN LODGE DESIGN AND OFFERING LOWER RATES THAN THE ADJACENT OPTIONS.

>> WE THINK IT FITS THE AREA, TRYING TO KEEP A NATURAL VIBE.

WE HAVE A LOBBY BAR, POOL, AND HOT TUB, FITNESS CENTER, ALL OF THE THINGS YOU EXPECT IN A MID-SCALE HOTEL.

WE WILL BE MORE AFFORDABLE THAN A RESORT.

>> Reporter: HE BELIEVES THE BOBBER INN IS WHAT THEY NEED TO NOT ONLY BRING IN MORE TRAFFIC BUT ALSO TO BRING IN MORE DEVELOPERS LOOKING TO OCCUPY THE SPACE.

>> THERE HAS TO BE AN ANCHOR PROPERTY THAT STARTS IT.

AS SOON AS SOMETHING IS BUILT AND IS WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY, OTHER PEOPLE JUMP IN AND INVEST.

WE'RE PROUD TO BE IN THE POSITION TO BE THE ANCHOR PROPERTY.

I THINK THERE WILL BE OTHER DEVELOPERS AND BUSINESSES THAT WILL WANT TO DO THE SAME.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PEQUOT LAKES WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE OFFICIAL GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE BOBBER INN AND SUITES WILL TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 25TH.

>>> LET'S HEAD BACK TO STACY FOR MORE ON OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, OTHERWISE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, 59 FOR THE HIGH, NORTHWEST WINDS PICKING UP 10 TO 25.

TOMORROW, SKIES BECOME PARTLY SUNNY, HIGHS IN THE 70s, NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS AT 10 TO 25.

THEN WE CONTINUE TO SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK WITH HIGHS NEAR 91 ON SATURDAY.

>> Charlie: THE BEMIDJI JUNIOR LEGION TEAM, THEY WON THE SUB STATE F FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.

BEMIDJI SENIOR LEGION TEAM WILL BE HOSTING THEIR SUB STATE STARTING WEDNESDAY, AND THAT WILL RUN THROUGH SUNDAY.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'RE BACK AT 10:00 TOMORROW.

GOOD NIGHT.

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