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

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.

ARE -- [♪♪♪♪♪] >> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> LAST WEEK WE INFORMED YOU ABOUT BRAINERD PUBLIC UTILITIES WORKERS SENDING THE CITY OF BRAINERD AN INTENT TO STRIKE LETTER AND THE CITY'S RESPONSE.

TODAY OUR REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL NUMBER 31 TO GET THE UNION'S PERSPECTIVE ON THE LABOR DISPUTE.

>> Reporter: NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE CITY OF BRAINERD AND THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL NUMBER 31 ARE AT A STANDSTILL.

THE BIGGEST REASON FOR THE DIFFICULTY IN REACHING AN AGREEMENT IS WAGES.

THE CITY, ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE, PROPOSED A PAY INCREASE FOR EMPLOYEES AS FOLLOWS.

IN 2024, 2.5%, JANUARY 1st, 2.25% JULY 1ST, 2025, 3.75% JANUARY 1ST, AND 2.75% JULY 1ST, IN 2026, 3%, JANUARY 1ST.

THE PROBLEM FOR THE UNION IS THIS DOES NOT APPLY FOR ALL WORKERS HOURLY WAGES.

>> IF THE CITY WAGE NUMBERS ARE APPLIED TO EVERYBODY'S HOURLY WAGE, WE WOULD BE DONE.

THEY ARE FREEZING THE MAJORITY OF OUR FOLKS' WAGES FOR 2024 AND THEY WOULD GET A LUMP SUM PAYMENT ON BASE WAGES PAYABLE IN DECEMBER OF EACH CONTRACT YEAR.

SO THEY WOULD GO AN ENTIRE 11-PLUS MONTH WITHOUT ANY CREASE.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSAL WAS NOT SUFFICIENT IN THE UNION'S EYES.

IF THE PROPOSAL WAS ACCEPTED, UNION LEADERSHIP BELIEVES IT WOULD LEAD TO WORKERS MOVING ON.

>> THERE ARE ALREADY A NUMBER OF FOLKS EXPLORING OTHER EMPLOYMENT.

IT WOULD FREEZE WAGES FOR SOME FOLKS UP TO THREE YEARS, IT'S JUST GOING TO LEAD TO INCREASED TURNOVER, LEADING TO RECRUITMENT ISSUES AND COSTS FOR THE EMPLOYER.

THAT LEAVES THE TRAINING ISSUES, TRAINING COSTS, BRINGING THE EMPLOYEES UP TO SPEED, AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE WITH 5, 10, 30 YEARS OF SERVICE WALKING OUT THE DOOR WITH ALL THAT EXPERIENCE WITH THEM.

>> Reporter: UNION LEADERSHIP WANTS A CONTRACT THAT BEST SUITS THEIR WORKERS.

NEGOTIATIONS TO FIND THE BEST AGREEMENT WILL STILL TAKE PACE, THEY ARE PLANNING TO GO ON STRIKE.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO REACH AN AGREEMENT THAT OUR FOLKS CAN LIVE WITH.

ULTIMATELY IT'S UP TO THEM, NOT MYSELF OR OTHER LOCAL 31 LEADERSHIP.

THEY VOTE ON IT.

SO AS LONG AS THEY'RE OKAY WITH IT, WE'RE OKAY WITH IT.

THAT'S THE GOAL.

HOWEVER, IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO GET SOMETHING THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THEM, WE'RE ABSOLUTELY ABLE TO GO ON STRIKE AND THAT IS OUR PLAN.

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

>> THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL ALSO HELD A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING WITH THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.

WE WILL HAVE COVERAGE OF THE MEETING TOMORROW ON LAKELAND NEWS.

AS A REMINDER, THE UNION'S FIRST DAY TO LEGALLY STRIKE IS ON JULY 13TH.

>>> REPRESENTATIVES FROM BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY AND POLARIS WILL BE SIGNING AN AGREEMENT FOR POLARIS'S NEW MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TOMORROW.

THE SIGNING WILL HAPPEN AT 11:00 A.M. AT THE POLARIS MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN ROSEAU.

MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM WILL BE RELEASED TUESDAY AND WE'LL HAVE A FULL REPORT ON LAKELAND NEWS ON TOMORROW NIGHT.

>>> THE PAUL BUNYAN PLAYHOUSE, LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC CHIEF THEATER IN DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI IS THE LARGEST CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING SUMMER STOCK THEATER COMPANY IN MINNESOTA.

UNFORTUNATELY, FOR ITS OFFICIAL 73RD SEASON, THE PLAYHOUSE ADMITS THAT IT HAS SEEN BETTER DAYS.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN SPOKE WITH MEMBERS OF THE PAUL BUNYAN PLAYHOUSE TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING FOR THIS UPCOMING MAKE-OR-BREAK SEASON.

>> Reporter: THE PAUL BUNYAN PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCED A LIST OF PRODUCTIONS FOR THEIR 73rd SEASON.

THIS SUMMER WILL HAVE A LIMITED SELECTION.

>> WE'RE STARTING OFF WITH EARNEST HERE COMING UP AND THEN THE FOREIGNER, AND THEN FINALLY WE WILL HAVE PIRATES.

>> Reporter: THIS LIST OF PERFORMANCES STEMS FROM COVID-19 SHUT DOWNS THAT AFFECTED PEOPLE'S JOBS, LIVELIHOODS AND DIFFERENT FORMS OF ENTERTAINMENT.

>> THEATER IN GENERAL HAS BEEN STRUGGLING THE LAST FEW YEARS.

ANYTHING IN THE ARTS DOES.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET OUR DONOR RATE UP AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO COME BACK, ESPECIALLY ASH SHUT -- AFTER SHUT DOWNS.

WE'RE REALLY WORKING TO GET THOSE PIECES BACK IN PLACE.

>> Reporter: THEY BELIEVE A NEW PRESENTATION STYLE WILL HOPEFULLY HELP PACK THE HOUSE ONCE AGAIN.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO MAKE IT MORE NATURAL FEELING UP ON STAGE AND WE WILL BE MORE PROGRESSIVE IN THE WAY WE DO IT.

IT'S THE SAME THING THE CITY HAS STARTED TO PULL INTO AND WE'RE TRYING TO BRING THAT UP HERE TO BEMIDJI AS WELL.

SO WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BRING IN OLDER WORK THAT WILL LOOK NEW, FRESH, AND FEEL LIKE IT'S CONTEMPORARY FOR TODAY.

>> Reporter: THIS SEASON WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SUMMERS THAT THE PLAYOFF HAS HAD FOR A LONG TIME, NOT JUST THE THEATER BUT THE ARTISTIC COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> IT'S AN IMPORTANT SEASON BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WE NEED STUFF IN OUR SPACE.

WE KNOW WE NEED STUFF FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE.

BEMIDJI HAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL ART SCENE.

THE ARTS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT'S A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO BELONG AND TO DISCOVER NEW THINGS.

IT'S NOT JUST A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO BE IN THEIR COMMUNITY BUT BE PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE FIRST PLAY, “THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST”, WILL RUN FROM JULY 11TH THROUGH THE 20TH.

>>> THE BAXTER CITY COUNCIL RECEIVED AN UPDATE FROM THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL REGARDING PUBLIC TRANSIT AND A NOTICEABLE DECLINE IN RIDERSHIP.

THE REPORT DETAILED A 19.2% DECREASE IN TOTAL RIDERS BETWEEN 2022 AND 2023.

BAXTER WORKS WITH BOTH BRAINERD AND CROW WING COUNTY REGARDING PUBLIC TRANSIT AND EACH ENTITY COLLECTIVELY RAISED ITS FARES FROM $2.25 TO $7.00.

>> YOU FEEL LIKE THE STRUCTURE IS IN A GOOD SPOT.

THE FARE STRUCTURE IS SOMETHING WE WOULD LOOK AT FIRST.

WE NEEDED TO FIRST GET AN IDEA OF WHAT WE WILL BE GRANTED FOR 2025 FOR MnDOT AND THE FEDERAL GRANT AS WELL.

>> DEHN SAID THAT THE FARE PRICE WILL BE REVISITED ONCE A YEAR'S WORTH OF RIDERSHIP DATA HAS BEEN COLLECTED.

>>> A STORE THAT STOOD FOR DECADES IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA NO LONGER EXISTS, TAKEN DOWN BY RECENT HEAVY RAINS AND FLOODING IN THE REGION.

AUTHORITIES HAD TO DEMOLISH THE RAPIDAN DAM STORE IN MANKATO BECAUSE EROSION AT THE DAM PUT THE BUILDING IN DANGER.

FAMILY MEMBERS WHO RAN THE STORE SAY THEY ARE DETERMINED TO REBUILD.

SOPHIA GERNANDER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A TUMULTUOUS WEEK FOR THE FAMILY.

OWNERS OF THE HISTORIC DAM STORE.

FIRST, CATASTROPHIC FLOODING THREATENED THE DAM'S INTEGRITY.

THEN, EROSION CAUSED THE FAMILY'S HOUSE TO FALL INTO THE BLUE EARTH RIVER.

JUST WHEN IT APPEARED THAT THE STORM MIGHT BE SAFE, THEY HAD THE BUILDING DESTROYED.

>> COULD WE COME IN AND MOVE THE DAM STORE?

WE HAD A HOUSE MOVER COME IN, EVALUATE, AND IT WAS UNSAFE TO DO IT AT THAT TIME.

OUR ONLY OPTION WAS TO KEEP THE DAM STORE OUT OF THE RIVER.

>> Reporter: THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE FURNITURE OUT FROM THE STORE BEFORE IT WAS DEMOLISHED SO THAT THE ONLY CASUALTY WAS THE BUILDING ITSELF.

THEY SAY IT'S NOT OVER YET.

>> WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO REBUILD, AND WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE YET.

AS SOON AS WE KNOW, WE WILL MAKE SURE EVERYBODY ELSE KNOWS.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE FAMILY IS DOING ALL THEY CAN TO REBUILD, THEY RESPECT -- THEY AREN'T ALONE.

THERE HAS BEEN AN OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE DEFINITELY NEED THE HELP.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE USING A LAKESHORE EVENT TO SELL T-SHIRTS.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMORIES AND IT'S A GATHERING PLACE.

THAT IS WHAT SMALL RURAL COMMUNITIES DO, THEY GATHER TOGETHER AND THEY RALLY AND THEIR FAMILIES WHEN THE NEED ARISES.

>> Reporter: AND WHILE IT MAY TAKE TIME FOR THE STORE TO RETURN, THEY ARE DETERMINED THAT ONE DAY THE COMMUNITY WILL ONCE AGAIN GET TO ENJOY THEIR DAM PIES.

>> I WANT PEOPLE TO CONTINUE COMING OUT LIKE THEY DID.

THE RECREATION IS GREAT HERE.

IT'S WONDERFUL KAYAKING, CANOEING, FISHING, AND WE WANT THAT TO STAY THE SAME.

THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.

>> THE HOUSE AND STORE HAD STOOD ALONG THE RIVER FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

>> Stacy: WE HAVE TYPICAL JULY WEATHER ON THE WAY THIS WEEK WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES AND MORE HUMIDITY AS WELL.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE CHICKEN SHACK AT THE BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY HAS BEEN OPEN FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND IS NOW MAKING SOME CHANGES TO THEIR MENU.

[♪ >> 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 PEQUOT LAKES SCHOOL BOARD HAS RECEIVED GLOWING REMARKS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES INVOLVED WITH THE SCHOOL'S INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR SENIORS.

THE SCHOOL FIRST STARTED THE PROGRAM BACK IN 2017 AND HAS ONLY SEEN GROWTH SINCE WITH OVER 30 STUDENTS TAKING PART IN WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE, INTERNSHIPS, OR APPRENTICESHIPS, A 20-STUDENT INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR, MUCH TO THE DELIGHT OF PRINCIPAL AARON NELSON.

>> AN INTERNSHIP IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET INTO THE WORKPLACE, TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT IT REALLY FUNCTIONS LIKE.

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT REALLY CONNECTS WITH ME?

AND PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST LEARNING SKILLS IS THAT A KID WILL DISCOVER THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANTED TO DO.

IT SAVES THEM THE HEADACHE OF HEY, I WENT INTO THIS CAREER FIELD THINKING IT WOULD MEET THESE PARTS OF MY PERSONALITY AND TURNS OUT, I'M NOT FIT FOR THIS.

>> NELSON SEES THE NUMBER OF INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS SURPASSING 50 THIS UPCOMING YEAR.

>>> 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.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US AND A PROMISE OF SOME ACTUAL SUMMER WEATHER THIS WEEK.

>> Stacy: IT LOOKS LIKE IT.

WE WILL SEE THOSE TEMPERATURES WARMING UP WITH HIGHS IN THE UPPER 80s AND SOME LOW 90s LATE THIS WEEK AND WEEKEND.

WE WILL ALSO SEE THE HUMIDITY LEVELS INCREASE.

THERE MAY BE A FEW SHOWERS AND >> 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 ARE STARTING TO SEE THE BEGINNING OF A STRETCH OF SUMMER WEATHER THAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE REST OF THIS WEEK.

IN FACT AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK, WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF HUMIDITY.

WE WILL BE SEEING WARMER TEMPERATURES AND A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MIX AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, WE ARE LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE UPPER 80s AND LOW 90s OUT THERE.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 69 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, THE WINDS ARE CALM, DEW POINT IS 60, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 72%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES.

IT IS 74 DEGREES, 62 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE CALM.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, THERE ARE JUST A FEW LITTLE POP-UP SHOWERS AND MAYBE A THUNDERSTORM OR TWO OUT THERE THIS EVENING.

THOSE WILL BE DISSIPATING AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

EXPECT TO SEE CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES THROUGHOUT OUR VIEWING AREA.

IN FACT, WE WILL BE SEEING QUITE A BIT OF SUNSHINE TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES IN THE AREA, BUT ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TO DEVELOP IN OUR VIEWING AREA AND IT COULD CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING AS WELL.

THIS WILL BE A TYPICAL WEATHER PATTERN AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK WITH CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND WARMER TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY.

>>> BEAUTIFUL MORNING SKIES FROM ARLENE FROM MENAHGA.

JOAN SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF A FLOWER IN FULL BLOOM IN LAPORTE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 57, CALM, WITH FOG THIS MORNING.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, HIGH OF 82.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, TOPPING OUT AT 79.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY SKIES, 81 FOR THE HIGH TEMP.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY, HUMID, 82 THE HIGH TEMP.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE REPORTING A LOT OF HUMIDITY AND HIGH OF 79.

ON OUR ALMANAC IN BRAINERD, A HIGH OF 83, CLOSE TO OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

THE LOW TEMPERATURE IS CLOSE TO THE AVERAGE LOW AS WELL.

SUNSET TONIGHT AT 9:10.

BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 80 DEGREES, SO 1 DEGREE ABOVE THE AVERAGE, 66 WAS THE LOW THIS MORNING WITH SUNRISE AT 5:32.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, EXPECT TO SEE PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, BUT THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, A FEW IN THE MORNING, MORE LIKELY TO SEE THOSE DEVELOPING IN THE AFTERNOON.

HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA WITH LOW 80s ACROSS THE NORTH.

HEADING INTO THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, LOW 80s FOR THE HIGHS AND EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE BUT THERE MAY BE SOME SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT IN THE AFTERNOON.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

THERE IS A POSSIBILITY FOR PATCHY FOG WITH LOWS NEAR 57.

THEN LOOKING AT TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, A CHANCE FOR SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, HIGHS NEAR 81, AND VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 5.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, REALLY MORE OF THE SAME AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK WITH A LOT OF SUNSHINE.

SOME CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS HERE AND THERE.

YOU CAN SEE TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO WARM.

WE ARE LOOKING AT UPPER 80s AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND AND LOW 90s, HIGHS COULD BE NEAR 90 FOR MUCH OF THE AREA ON SUNDAY.

AGAIN, SUNSHINE WILL BE THERE, HUMIDITY WILL BE THERE AND A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

>> Charlie: YES, WE WERE AT THE BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY.

WE HAVE ALL THE RACES, ALL THE WINNERS, AND A COUPLE LOCAL AREA TEAMS AND HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA UPDATES 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.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >>> WELL IT WAS A LONG WEEKEND FILLED WITH FIREWORKS AND FESTIVITIES AND THAT CERTAINLY CARRIED OVER TO THE BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY FOR SUNDAY'S RACES.

IT WAS THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND SALUTE TO SERVICE NIGHT WITH ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT, E.M.S., FIRE, MILITARY, AND VETS GETTING IN FOR FREE, WITH SOME EVEN WORKING THE EVENT.

>>> STARTING OFF WITH THE BEMIDJI MINI STOCK FEATURE, NICK MCCANN IN THE 50 SPENT THE WHOLE RACE DOOR TO DOOR WITH JUSTIN HONER IN THE 22H BUT HONER HELD OFF MCCANN TO THE END FOR HIS FIRST EVER VICTORY.

>>> THE WISSOTA SUPER STOCKS RETURNED AFTER A WEEK OFF.

MAXWELL DONDELINGER IN THE 44 AND BRANDON BAHR IN THE 29X SHARED THE POLE POSITION BUT DONDELINGER FROM GRAND RAPIDS LED FLAG TO FLAG TO SNAG HIS FIRST FEATURE WIN OF THE SEASON.

THE WISSOTA MOD-FOURS FEATURE SAW THE NUMBER 18E.

LUKE ERLANDSON FROM BRAINERD ON THE POLE AND DESPITE SEVERAL CAUTIONS.

HE WOULD WIN HIS FIRST FEATURE OF THE SEASON AT BEMIDJI.

THE FINAL FEATURE OF THE EVENING, THE WISSOTA MODIFIEDS HAD LOTS OF BUMPING AND A FEW CAUTIONS BUT RICK JACOBSON FROM BEMIDJI IN THE 7J AVOIDED IT ALL TO TAKE HIS FIRST CHECKERED FLAG THIS YEAR.

A FEW OTHERS THAT MADE THE WINNERS CIRCLE INCLUDE KADE LEEPER IN THE NUMBER 3 IN WISSOTA PURE STOCK, IN THE WISSOTA HORNETS, NUMBER 13 TRAVIS OLAFSON GOT THE CHECKERED FLAG, AND RYAN SCHOW IN THE 28S TOOK TOP PRIZE IN THE WISSOTA MIDWEST MODIFIEDS.

>>> HERE'S A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE.

IT'S UNIFIED SPECIAL OLYMPICS NIGHT FEATURING THE MICHAEL FULLERTON 500 RACE.

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME.

ALL UNIFIED ATHLETES GET IN FOR FREE AND WILL BE INTRODUCED AT INTERMISSION.

ALL SEVEN CLASSES ARE PLANNED TO RACE SUNDAY AS WELL.

HEATS START AT 5:00 P.M. >>> RIGHT NOW IN THE TOP OF THE 11th, THE MINNESOTA TWINS LEADING THE WHITE SOX 8-6.

>>> NOW WE KNOW WHO WILL BE PLAYING IN HOCKEY DAY.

TWO AREA TEAMS HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FESTIVITIES.

BEMIDJI STATE WOMEN'S HOCKEY WILL FACE OFF AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AS ONE OF THE GAMES SLATED ON SATURDAY.

IT WILL MARK THE THIRD TIME THE BSU WOMEN WILL COMPETE THERE WHEN THEY PLAYED ST.

CLOUD STATE.

BRAINERD LITTLE FALLS GIRLS HOCKEY WILL ALSO BE APPEARING AS PART OF THE FESTIVITIES, THE FIRST APPEARANCE BY ANY TEAM FROM BRAINERD.

THEY WILL BE TAKING ON HOST ON THURSDAY.

BOTH GAMES WILL BE PLAYED AT THE OUTDOOR ARENA.

>>> WELL, IF YOU'RE FROM PARK RAPIDS THEN YOU ALREADY KNOW THE FOURTH OF JULY COINCIDES WITH THE HEADWATERS PRCA PRO-RODEO AND EXTREME BULLS AND DESPITE SCATTERED SHOWERS OVER THE LONG WEEKEND, THE CROWDS SHOW UP.

IN ITS 46TH EDITION, THE RODEO WAS EXPANDED FROM THREE DAYS TO FOUR, MEANING MORE FANS GOT ONE MORE DAY OF BRONCO BUSTING, ROPING, AND BULL RIDING.

OVER 100 COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS COMPETED AT THIS YEAR'S RODEO FOR A BUCKLE AND SOME OF THE OVER $29,000 PURSE.

BUT THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAY OF THE WEEKEND FOR JOKELA'S, THE FAMILY WHO RUNS THE RODEO.

IT IS THE TIME THEY AND OTHERS GET TO SPEND WITH THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> IT'S AMERICA'S FIRST SPORT AND I GOT MY 9-MONTH-OLD AT HOME NOW AND EVER SINCE I WAS GROWING UP, THE 4TH OF JULY WAS THIS RODEO AND I WANT TO BRING THAT INTO HIS LIFE AS WELL.

IT'S MY OWN FAMILY PUTTING THIS ON, IT'S LIKE A FAMILY REUNION FOR ME.

ALL MY COUSINS COME AROUND AND I GET TO SEE ALL THE FAMILY I DON'T USUALLY GET TO SEE DURING THE YEAR.

I FEEL LIKE IT'S THE SAME FOR EVERYONE ELSE HERE TOO.

PEOPLE COME FROM DOWN SOUTH AND SEE THE RODEO AND HANG OUT AT THE LAKES DURING THE DAY AND COME TO THE RODEO AT NIGHT WITH THEIR FAMILY.

THEY DO IT AGAIN THE NEXT NIGHT.

>> Charlie: A FEW OF THE COW FOLKS GOT TO WALK AWAY WITH A COUPLE GRAND IN THEIR POCKET, THIS STRESS BULL THEY WERE GIVING OUT AND IT'S BEEN HELPING ME AROUND THE OFFICE.

>> Dennis: I'M GLAD YOU GOT THAT TO TAKE HOME.

ALMOST 50 YEARS FOR THAT.

>> Charlie: ALMOST, THEY HAVE 4 MORE YEARS AND THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> IF YOU SPEND ANY TIME AT THE BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY THIS SUMMER, YOU MAY NOTICE SOMETHING NEW INSIDE THE GATES, A SHACK THAT SELLS CHICKEN.

SURPRISINGLY ENOUGH IT IS NAMED THE CHICKEN SHACK.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK VISITED THE SHACK TO SEE WHAT'S NEW AT THE SPEEDWAY FOR THIS WEEK'S IN BUSINESS REPORT.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH WEEKLY RACES AND OTHER FUN, THE SPEEDWAY ALSO BOASTS FOOD.

ONE IS THE CHICKEN SHACK.

NORMALLY OPEN ON SUNDAYS, THEY ARE NOW CHANGING THEIR SCHEDULE.

>> WE STARTED A NEW FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, 11:00 TO 8:00.

WE DO HAMBURGERS, FISH SPECIAL, AND THEN A REGULAR MENU TOO.

>> Reporter: BURGERS HAS QUICKLY BECOME A NEW FAVORITE.

>> THE NEW MENU JUST STARTED A MONTH AGO.

SO, IT'S BEEN GOING PRETTY GOOD.

>> EVERYBODY IS GETTING USE TO OUR FAMOUS BIG SEXY BURGER.

IT'S A BURGER WITH CHEESE CURDS AND SPECIAL SAUCE.

>> Reporter: IT IS OWNED BY RANDY AND HIS SISTER WHO STARTED THE BUSINESS.

SHE WAS A DRIVER BUT ONCE SHE STOPPED RACES, THEY DECIDED THEY WANTED TO STAY CLOSE TO THE TRACK.

22 YEARS, THEY ARE STILL EXPERIENCING SUCCESS.

THE PAST FEW WEEKS HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT LOTS OF NEW BUSINESS, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE NEW FOOD BUT THE NEW SCHEDULE AS WELL.

INSTEAD OF JUST SUNDAYS, THE CHICKEN SHACK IS OPEN ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS AS WELL.

>> WE AVERAGE ABOUT 40 PEOPLE A NIGHT.

SO, IT JUST STARTED.

WE WANT TO GET IT OUT THERE AND GET MORE PEOPLE.

WE HAVE TO GO ORDERS, IF PEOPLE WANT TO TAKE IT TO GO.

YOU CAN EAT HERE.

WE HAVE A BEVERAGE CART.

>> Reporter: DESPITE ALL OF THESE NEW CHANGES, THE CHICKEN SHACK STILL SELLS WHAT THEY ARE KNOWN FOR, CHICKEN.

>> I AVERAGE LET'S SAY ABOUT 300 POUNDS.

THEY COME IN 10-POUND BOXES, I USUALLY GET 15 TO 30 A NIGHT.

THAT'S A LOT OF CHICKEN.

I DON'T EAT CHICKEN DURING THE WEEK.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: THANKS SYDNEY, NOW WE GO TO STACY FOR MORE ON OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: IT WILL BE HOT AND HUMID THIS WEEK.

WE COULD SEE PATCHY FOG TONIGHT.

FOR TOMORROW, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, A CHANCE FOR SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

HIGHS WILL BE NEAR 80 WITH VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 5.

>> Charlie: A LOT OF STORIES COME OUT OF THE BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY AND TOMORROW WE HAVE A GREAT ONE ABOUT A FAMILY THAT HAD THEIR FOURTH GENERATION OF DRIVERS JOIN AND START RACING AS WELL.

>> Dennis: SOUNDS GOOD.

THANKS FOR WATCHING EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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