>> 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.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> Josh: GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, I'M JOSH PETERSON IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>>> MULTIPLE BRAINERD RESIDENTS REACHED OUT TO THE CITY HALLS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, REPORTING VACANT, ABANDONED BUILDINGS.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE LATEST AS THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL MULLS OVER POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS.

>> Reporter: BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL AND BRAINERD HOMEOWNERS NOTICED A CONCERNING UPTICK IN ABANDONED BUILDINGS THE PAST FEW YEARS, SOME WHICH HAVE CONSIDERABLE FIRE DAMAGE.

>> THE BUILDING WILL TURN TOWARDS DISARRAY OR DECAY.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO IS PROTECT THE PROPERTY OWNERS ADJACENT TO THE PROPERTIES BY MAKING SURE THAT IF WE HAVE BUILDINGS OF THAT NATURE, THERE IS A PROCESS FOR KEEPING THEM, AT LEAST TO A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.

>> Reporter: OTHER ABANDONED BUILDINGS COULD POTENTIALLY BE RESTORED.

>> THESE VACANT BUILDINGS CAN BE RECK -- REDONE BY CONTRACTORS.

THOSE THAT ARE COMPLETE LOSSES WILL BE A SEPARATE CATEGORY.

THESE ARE BUILDINGS THAT ARE REPAIRABLE AND THE CITY COUNCIL WANTED TO SEE SOMETHING DONE TO MAKE THEM HABITABLE AGAIN.

>> Reporter: THEY BELIEVE IT CANNOT BE CLEARED FOR THE BUILDINGS WITH LESS DAMAGE, AS MANY ARE FAR TOO OLD AND DAMAGED.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF 80 TO 100-YEAR-OLD HOMES, WHICH COULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE HOMEOWNER TO FIX A PROBLEM LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY IS CONSIDERING A REGISTRY, REQUIRING OWNERS TO REGISTER FOR A $7,000 FEE, AN IDEA ABOUT HOW MINNEAPOLIS HANDLES VACANT BUILDINGS.

>> IT WON'T SOLVE ALL THE ISSUES BUT IT'S SOLVING SOME OF THE ISSUES.

WE GOT GOOD FEEDBACK FROM THEM SO WE MODELED OUR ORDINANCE WITH WHAT MINNEAPOLIS IS DOING TO COMBAT THEIR PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL HOLD THE FIRST READING FOR THE PROPOSED VACANT BUILDING ORDINANCE THIS UPCOMING MONDAY DURING THEIR MEETING.

>>> AFTER A MAJOR STORM, SCAM ARTISTS AND IDENTITY THIEVES OFTEN TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE CLEANING UP AND NEEDING REPAIRS.

SINCE THE WEDNESDAY JUNE 12TH STORM, HOME REPAIR CONTRACTORS ARE OUT IN THE CROW WING COUNTY AREA.

LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS URGE RESIDENTS TO WATCH FOR AND REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY.

EXPERTS ADVISE TO NOT GIVE ANY SORT OF DOWN PAYMENT, ESPECIALLY IF ITS IN CASH, OR SIGN ANYTHING RIGHT AWAY, AND TO ASK TO SEE STATE LICENSE.

DO RESEARCH ON THE COMPANY AND UTILIZE LOCAL SERVICES OR A REPUTABLE COMPANY.

ALSO, DONT LET ANY WORK BEGIN UNTIL A CONTRACT IS OFFICIALLY SIGNED.

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A SCAM, PLEASE CONTACT THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AT 218-829-4749.

>>> THE 10TH ANNUAL LOOP THE LAKE FESTIVAL IS HAPPENING TOMORROW MORNING.

THE 17-MILE BIKE RIDE AROUND LAKE BEMIDJI WILL BE FULL OF ACTIVITIES FOR ALL TO ENJOY.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE WITH THE LOOP THE LAKE COMMITTEE ABOUT THE FESTIVITIES.

>> Reporter: LOOP THE LAKE IS A NON-COMPETITIVE DAY OF FUN INCLUDING FREE FOOD AND DRINKS, REST STOP AND ACTIVITIES AND LIVE MUSIC AND MORE.

THE WHOLE EVENT MEANS A LOT TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> THEY LIKE FAMILY ACTIVITIES AND IT ALSO MEANS THAT WE HAVE GREAT SPONSORS AND GREAT VOLUNTEERS.

>> OUR ROUTE HAS REST STOPS ALONG THE WAY AND TWO MAJOR ONES OUT ON THE ROUTE AND THAT IS AT RUTGERS AND LAKE BEMIDJI STATE PARK WHERE THERE IS LIVE MUSIC AND FRESH FOOD.

>> Reporter: THE FESTIVAL IS RUN SOLELY BY VOLUNTEERS.

OVER 80% OF THE VOLUNTEERS THIS YEAR HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE EVENT IN THE PAST.

>> I THINK COME BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR BECAUSE THEY WORK OUT OF A PARTICULAR REST STOP AND THEN THEY GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE THERE AND THEY ALL HAVE FUN AND SO THEY LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THAT DAY TOGETHER.

>> LIKE SOME PEOPLE WHO VOLUNTEER, THEN THEY FEEL LIKE OH, I'M A PART OF THIS.

YOU KNOW, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE NOT RIDING, THEY'RE PART OF THE EVENT.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE THE PURPOSE OF LOOP THE LAKE IS TO SHOWCASE THE BEAUTIFUL BIKE TRAILS AROUND LAKE BEMIDJI AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET FRESH AIR AND EXERCISE IN NATURE, THEY TRY TO BE AS WASTE-FREE AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE TRY TO BE VERY SUSTAINABLE WITH OUR USAGE OF PAPER AND WE REALLY WANT PARTICIPANTS TO COME WITH A WATER BOTTLE.

WE WILL PROVIDE THE WATER IN COOLERS, BUT WE WILL NOT PROVIDE PAPER CUPS BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING WE WANT TO TRY TO GET BEYOND.

>> Reporter: THE FESTIVAL IS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A BIKE RIDE, IT IS A WHOLE FAMILY EVENT.

>> THERE IS REALLY SOME FUN THINGS FOR KIDS.

SO FOR INSTANCE, WE HAVE THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME OUR OWN START ART AND FINISH ART.

THEY ARE BRIGHT BLUE AND GREEN.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE BUCKY THE BEAVER AT THE START AND WE ALSO WILL HAVE SMOKEY THE BEAR AT LAKE BEMIDJI STATE PARK.

IT'S REALLY BEEN JUST AN ALL INCLUSIVE EVENT.

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

>> A REMINDER THE ROUTE SHARES THE ROAD FROM BIRCHMONT DRIVE UP TO BEMIDJI AVENUE AND THEN ALONG COUNTY ROAD 20 WHERE A DETOUR WILL BE IN PLACE UNTIL THE LAKE BEMIDJI STATE PARK ENTRANCE.

>>> THOSE WHO TRAVEL OVERNIGHT ON HIGHWAY 169 ALONG WEST MILLE LACS LAKE, SOUTH OF GARRISON, CAN EXPECT DELAYS AND PERIODIC STOPS BEGINNING NEXT WEEK.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAYS FROM JUNE 17TH THROUGH THE 28TH.

WORK WILL OCCUR NIGHTLY MONDAY EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING BETWEEN CROW WING COUNTY ROAD 26 AND OJIBWE DRIVE AS CREWS MILL AND PAVE A NEW LAYER OF ASPHALT.

FLAGGERS WILL ALLOW ALTERNATE ONE-WAY TRAFFIC WITH THE USE OF A PILOT CAR THROUGH THE WORK ZONE.

EXPECT THE WORK ZONE TO CHANGE AS CREWS MOVE THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.

SAFETY OFFICIALS SAY YOU SHOULD WATCH FOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND WORKERS.

THE WORK ALSO CONTINUES DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS WITH SHORT SEGMENTS OF ALTERNATE ONE LANE, ONE-WAY TRAFFIC WITH FLAGGERS THROUGH MID-JULY.

OVERALL, ALL DAY AND NIGHT WORK WILL OCCUR MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY SO ALL LANES OF HIGHWAY 169 WILL BE OPEN ON WEEKENDS.

>>> THE RALPH GRACIE AMERICAN LEGION POST 14 IN CONJUNCTION WITH BEMIDJI ELKS LODGE 1052 HELD A SPECIAL CEREMONY FOR NATIONAL FLAG DAY, DISPLAYING THE COLORFUL HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FLAG THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN WAS AT THE CEREMONY TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS DAY IS SIGNIFICANT TO U.S. VETERANS.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> Reporter: FLAG DAY WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED AS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN 1914 BY WOODROW WILSON, WITH TRUMAN SIGNING IT INTO LAW IN 1949.

EVER SINCE, ELK LODGES HOLD CEREMONIES FOR THE HOLIDAY ON JUNE 14TH EVERY YEAR.

>> IT MAKES FOR A WONDERFUL CEREMONY OF CELEBRATING THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FLAG, RIGHT FROM THE INCEPTION OF OUR COUNTRY, TO MODERN TIMES.

IT'S AN ELOQUENT, IT'S PATRIOTIC, COLORFUL, HISTORIC.

THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY WANT THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY TO RALLY BEHIND THIS, TO PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR VETERANS, TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG ON WHAT IT STANDS FOR AND WHO IT STANDS FOR AND THE INDIVIDUALS THAT BUILT OUR GREAT COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: THE U.S.

FLAG CAN HAVE A VARIETY OF INTERPRETATIONS BUT MANY VIEW IT AS A SYMBOL OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.

>> WHEN I THINK OF THE FLAG, I KNOW IT MEANS MANY DIFFERENT THINGS TO MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

FUNDAMENTALLY, IT'S ABOUT OUR COUNTRY.

IT REPRESENTS THE IDEALS THAT WE WANT FOR OURSELVES, FOR OUR NEIGHBORS, FOR OUR FAMILY, FOR OUR NATION.

I HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED THAT MANY PEOPLE KNOW I CAME TO THE COUNTRY, I DIDN'T EVEN SPEAK THE LANGUAGE.

HERE I AM 52 YEARS LATER, SO TO SPEAK.

I'M THE MAYOR OF THE COMMUNITY.

WHAT A BLESSING, WHAT AN HONOR, THAT'S WHAT THE AMERICAN DREAM IS.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR'S CEREMONY WAS HELD AT RALPH GRACIE MEMORIAL PARK NAMED AFTER A VETERAN.

>> HE WAS FLYING FOR THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT AND HE WAS SHOT DOWN, KILLED IN ACTION OVER THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.

SO HE WAS THE FIRST BEMIDJI BORN AMERICAN SERVICEMAN TO LOSE HIS LIFE IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

HE IS BURIED IN GREENWOOD CEMETERY.

THE GRAVESITE IS VERY MODEST, BUT OUR COMMUNITY HAS HONORED HIM WITH A PARK NEXT TO THE UNIVERSITY.

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

>> AT THE CEREMONY, KATE WORNE OF THE BEMIDJI SCOUTS SPOKE OF HER AMERICAN FLAG RETIREMENT DROP OFF BOXES.

IF YOU HAVE A FLAG THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO RETIRE, YOU CAN SIMPLY DROP IT OFF IN ONE OF THE MANY BOXES LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF BEMIDJI.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE SEVERAL PERIODS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE CHARLES A.

WAREHOUSE MUSEUM HONORS A >> 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 48TH ANNUAL MIDSOMMAR FESTIVAL IN BEMIDJI IS TAKING PLACE ON SUNDAY.

THE EVENT WILL CONTAIN LIVE MUSIC AND DANCING, FLOWER CROWNS, DIFFERENT SCANDINAVIAN FOODS, AND ALL-NIGHT-LONG BONFIRES.

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT AND NATURE IS HOSTED BY THE BEMIDJI AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE EACH YEAR.

MIDSOMMAR MARKS THE RETURN OF SUMMER AND THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR.

THE HOLIDAY HAS SCANDINAVIAN ORIGINS, AND IS CELEBRATED IN BEMIDJI DUE TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH SWEDISH AND NORWEGIAN ANCESTRY.

>> A MID SOMMAR IS KNOWN IN THE SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES BECAUSE THE DAYLIGHT LASTS SO LONG.

WE WILL HAVE SINGING AND DANCING.

THE BAND WILL BE SCHOOL MUSIC FROM BRAINERD.

WE WILL HAVE FLOWER CROWNS FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO MAKE IT.

MIDSOMMAR IS TRADITIONALLY A RURAL FESTIVAL, BUT MANY CITIES IN SCANDINAVIA ARE CELEBRATING IT.

>> THIS YEAR'S MIDSOMMAR FESTIVAL WILL BE CELEBRATED THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 16TH, AT 12:30 P.M.

IN BEMIDJI'S LIBRARY PARK.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN VISIT THE BEMIDJI AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTES FACEBOOK PAGE.

>>> 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 TONIGHTS 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.

>>> IT WASN'T A BAD DAY OUT THERE TODAY STACY.

THE SUN WAS OUT.

IT FELT LIKE SUMMER, BUT THE HEATWAVE POTENTIALLY AND RAIN AND EVERYTHING IS COMING.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING NUMEROUS CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

WE WILL SEE MORE HEAT AND HUMIDITY.

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL WE COULD SEE SEVERE WEATHER ONCE AGAIN, >> 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 HAD JUST A BEAUTIFUL MID-JUNE DAY TODAY OUT THERE WITH A LOT OF SUNSHINE, VERY SEASONAL TEMPERATURES AND FOR A CHANGE, NOT A LOT OF WIND.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE CHANGE IN THAT WEATHER AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT WITH SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS BEGINNING TO MOVE INTO WESTERN MINNESOTA LATER ON TONIGHT WITH SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERS AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK AND THE POTENTIAL FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS AS WE HEAD INTO MONDAY.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 71 AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT SOUTHEAST WIND AT THE STUDIO WITH A DEW POINT OF 53.

IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY, 71.

55 IS OUR DEW POINT, WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTHEAST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW IT HAS BEEN QUIET SO FAR TODAY BUT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING CLOUDS INCREASE IN WESTERN MINNESOTA AND THIS IS IN ADVANCE OF THE NEXT WEATHER SYSTEM WHICH WILL BE BRINGING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS INTO WESTERN MINNESOTA LATER TONIGHT AND THROUGHOUT THE AREA AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW.

WITH THESE STORMS, ESPECIALLY OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AS WE CAN SEE SOME HEAVY RAINFALL ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE, THE GREEN AREAS, THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, THE RED HATCHED AREA, THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY RAINFALL.

AGAIN, WE WILL BE SEEING MORE CHANCES OF THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AS WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY AND MONDAY AND IN FACT THE THREAT FOR SEVERE WEATHER LOOKS LIKE THE HIGHEST FOR US ON MONDAY.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, IT WAS A GORGEOUS SUNRISE FROM BRANDON AT THE RED LAKE NATION.

DEBRA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF A CALM AND SUNNY MORNING AT LAKE ADA.

JOAN WITH A BUTTERFLY SPOTTED IN LAPORTE.

WE ALSO HAVE PHOTOS FROM KEVIN IN MERRIFIELD OF THE FLOWERS.

AND IT WAS A GREAT DAY TO BE ON THE LAKE AND ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SUNSET IN CASS LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, DEBRA IN PINE RIVER REPORTING 53 THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUN WITH A LIGHT WEST WIND.

WE ALSO HEARD FROM JOAN IN LAPORTE WITH MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES AND A HIGH OF 80.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN AND 81.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, A FEW SCATTERED CLOUDS TONIGHT AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES WITH A HIGH OF 77.

REAL QUICK LOOK AT OUR ALMANAC, 80 DEGREES IS THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD, A FEW DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 78, SO 4 DEGREES ABOVE AVERAGE, SO OUR LOW WAS AT 48.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, CLOUD COVER, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA, AND HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 70s.

IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, WE ARE LOOKING AT MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES WITH THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID-70s.

SO OUR FORECAST, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT WITH A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 59.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS, HIGHS IN THE MID-70s WITH A LITTLE BIT OF A BREEZY SOUTH WIND.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF THE WEEKEND FORECAST AND EARLY NEXT WEEK, NUMEROUS CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, A BIG CHANCE ON MONDAY WHERE WE COULD SEE STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS IN THE MIX WITH MORE SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY, KEEP AN EYE ON THOSE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

BACK TO YOU JOSH.

>> Josh: THANK YOU VERY MUCH STACY.

SPORTS AND LAST NIGHT WE TALKED ABOUT DEJA VU.

>> Charlie: YES, IT'S GRAND RAPIDS, IT'S BECOME AN OCCURRENCE THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

WE HAVE >> 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.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >>> FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, GRAND RAPIDS AND MAHTOMEDI HAVE TRADED BLOWS IN THE CLASS 3A STATE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT.

THEIR FIRST MEETING CAME IN THE 2021 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WITH THE ZEPHYRS COMING AWAY WITH THE STATE TITLE BUT THE NEXT YEAR IN THE QUARTERFINALS THE THUNDERHAWKS GOT THEIR REVENGE.

LAST SEASON THE TWO TEAMS SQUARED OFF IN THE SEMIFINALS WITH THE ZEPHS KNOCKING OFF THE T-HAWKS.

AND THIS YEAR, GRAND RAPIDS AND MAHTOMEDI FACE OFF ONCE AGAIN IN THE CLASS 3A SEMIFINAL, A BERTH IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE LINE.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST, ZEPHYRS ALREADY UP 1-0.

JACK ERICKSON WITH AN R.B.I.

SINGLE, PART OF A 3-RUN INNING, MAHTOMEDI WOULD LEAD 4-0 AFTER TWO.

TOP OF THE THIRD, RUNNER ON FOR DOMINIC BROBERG.

GAPPER GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FENCE.

KYLER MILLER COMES ALL THE WAY AROUND TO SCORE.

RAPIDS ON THE BOARD.

IT'S 4-1.

TOP OF THE FOURTH, SAME SCORE.

CALEB GUNDERSON POKES ONE DOWN THE LINE.

NOLAN SVATOS SCORES FROM SECOND.

T-HAWKS MAKE IT 4-2.

SAME INNING, BASES LOADED, ONE OUT FOR BROBERG BUT THE ZEPHYRS ABLE TO ESCAPE WITH THE DOUBLE PLAY.

T-HAWKS LEFT 11 ON BASE WHEN ALL WAS SAID AND DONE.

TOP OF THE SEVENTH, TRAILING 5-2 NOW.

BASES LOADED FOR EASTON SJOSTRAND AND HE GETS THE STADIUM TO HOLD ITS COLLECTIVE BREATH BUT THE CATCH IS MADE AT THE WARNING TRACK, A RUN SCORES.

BUT GRAND RAPIDS COULD NOT MUSTER ANYMORE AS THEY FALL 5-3 TO MAHTOMEDI.

AFTER THE GAME COACH KINNUNEN GAVE HIS THOUGHTS ON THE GAME AND ALSO THIS SENIOR CLASS THAT HAS PLAYED IN FOUR STRAIGHT STATE SEMIFINAL GAMES.

>> THEY MADE BIG PITCHES AND WE DIDN'T GET THE BIG HIT WHEN WE NEEDED IT.

WE HAD PLENTY OF CHANCES TO DO IT.

THAT'S WHO WINS THESE BIG GAMES, WHEN YOU GET TO THIS LEVEL AND YOU PLAY THESE QUALITY PROGRAMS, WHEN YOU DON'T MAKE HITS, YOU WILL GET BEAT.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF GRIT AND THEY DON'T QUIT.

THEY KEPT GOING, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE DOWN AND WE HAD A CHANCE TO WIN AT THE END AND THAT'S ALL YOU CAN ASK FOR.

THEY PLAYED HARD, AN OUTSTANDING GROUP OF BASEBALL PLAYERS AND THEY HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR CAREERS.

>> Charlie: THEY COME AWAY WITH HARDWARE.

THEY TAKE HOME THE THIRD PLACE CLASS 3A TROPHY.

>>> IN THE WNBA, THE MINNESOTA LYNX BEAT THE SPARKS 81-76 AND THE TWINS BEAT THE OAKLAND ATHLETICS 6-5.

>>> WELL BUCKY THE BEAVER TOOK OVER THE BEMIDJI STATE SOFTBALL FIELD WITH A NEW ANNUAL EVENT, BUCKY'S CELEBRITY SOFTBALL GAME.

THE GAME FEATURED SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN TOWN, ALONG WITH PROMINENT BSU ALUMNI, COACHES, AND FACULTY.

SPLIT INTO TWO TEAMS, THE GREEN SOX AND THE WHITE CAPS AND OF COURSE BUCKY BEAVER WAS THERE TO GIVE AWAY PRIZES AND DISTRACT THE PLAYERS DURING THE GAME AND WHILE THEY DID KEEP SCORE.

THE BIGGEST VICTORY OF THE DAY WAS THE EVENTS SUCCESS.

>> IT ENGAGED OUR 6,600 ALUMS.

THAT'S IMPORTANT TO US NOT ONLY AT THE FOUNDATION BUT AT BSU TO GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR ALUMS TO HAVE THEM HAVE A GOOD TIME AND GIVE BACK IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MONETARY BUT THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF OUR EVENTS.

>> HERE IS THE FINAL SCORE OF THE GAME.

THE GREEN SOX WON THANKS TO A LATE INNING HOME RUN BY DAN SCHMIDT BUT THERE WAS ONE CELEBRITY THERE THAT I KNOW EVERYONE AT HOME WOULD LOVE TO SEE HIGHLIGHTS OF.

OUR VERY OWN DENNIS WEIMMAN WAS PLAYING IN THE EVENT, HOLDING DOWN LEFT FIELD FOR THE WHITE CAPS AND FLASHING SOME LEATHER.

LOVE TO SEE THE ATHLETICISM IS STILL THERE.

ON THE OFFENSIVE SIDE, HIS FIRST AT BAT HE SENDS ONE INTO THE STRATOSPHERE.

THOSE CAN BE TRICKY.

WE'LL GIVE HIM THE HIT AND A FEW EXTRA BASES.

HE'S 1-FOR-1.

SECOND AT BAT, SWINGING FOR THE FENCES BUT THE WIND WAS DASTARDLY.

BALL JUST DIES AND DENNIS ENDS UP WITH THE OLE LITTLE LEAGUE TRIPLE.

2-FOR-2.

IN HIS THIRD AT BAT, WHITE CAPS DOWN TO THEIR FINAL OUT.

DENNIS IS UNFAZED AND KEEPS THE GAME ALIVE WITH LINE DRIVE.

HE'D FINISH 3 FOR 3.

I'LL TELL YOU, HE HASN'T PLAYED SINCE 1992.

THAT'S PRETTY GOOD.

>> Josh: I WAS DOING THE MATH IN MY HEAD.

HE IS SHOWING SOME SKILLS.

>> Charlie: FUN TO WATCH.

>> Josh: ABSOLUTELY.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THIS SATURDAY, THE CHARLES A. WEYERHAEUSER MEMORIAL MUSEUM IN LITTLE FALLS WILL BE DEDICATING A PLAQUE IN HONOR OF THE SMOODA FAMILY.

OUR REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY STOPPED BY THE MUSEUM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS THE SMOODA FAMILY MADE TO THE MUSEUM FOR THIS WEEKS IN FOCUS.

>> Reporter: OVER 50 YEARS AGO WHEN THE MORRISON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY WAS SEARCHING FOR A NEW LOCATION FOR THE MEMORIAL MUSEUM, THEY HAD A LOCATION IN MIND NEAR THE ZOO IN LITTLE FALLS.

THEY WERE HAVING SOME ISSUES.

THEY WERE APPROACHED BY THE SMOODA FAMILY WHO OWNED THE ZOO WHO OFFERED THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOUR ACRES OF LAND FOR $1.

NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT WAS AN OFFER THAT WAS JUMPED ON QUICKLY.

>> WE TOOK THE OFFER AND THEN THE PLANS CAME TOGETHER REALLY NICELY AND THE BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED THAT WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW.

IT OPENED IN 1975, SO YES, WE ARE 49 YEARS OLD NOW.

SO WERE IT NOT FOR THE GENEROSITY OF THE SMOODA FAMILY, WE WOULDN'T BE STANDING HERE RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: AFTER BASICALLY DONATING THE LAND WITH THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT THE SMOODAS PUT INTO THE MUSEUM, IT WAS TIME TO RECOGNIZE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS.

>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S IMPORTANT TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.

ESPECIALLY SINCE WE WORKED SO CLOSELY WITH THE SMOODAS AND THE NUMEROUS ASPECTS, IT WAS TIME WE ACKNOWLEDGE THEM IN SOME WAY.

NOT ONLY DID THEY WORK FOR US, THEY VOLUNTEERED, THEY CONTRIBUTED A LOT OF ARTIFACTS, KNOWLEDGE, AND THEIR IMPACT WAS TOO IMPORTANT TO IGNORE.

>> Reporter: THE MUSEUM WOULDN'T BE STANDING IN THE LOCATION IT IS WITHOUT THE SMOODA FAMILY, WHICH IS WHY THE MUSEUM FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE THE LEGACY OF THE SMOODA FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> NOT ONLY IS IT INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE LOCATED HERE BECAUSE IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE WEIRD BUTTERFLY EFFECT THINGS, WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE IF WE WERE ACROSS FROM THE ZOO?

WE GOT THIS LAND RIGHT ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER.

WE ARE WORKING SO HARD TO RESTORE THE RIVER BANK AND PROTECT THIS GIFT THAT WAS GIVEN TO US, SO PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE CAN ADMIRE ITS BEAUTY, LOOK THROUGH THE MUSEUM AND IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF THE SMOODAS.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN LITTLE FALLS WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Josh: ALL RIGHT, A QUICK LOOK AT THE WEEKEND WEATHER.

>> Stacy: SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING IN TONIGHT, OTHERWISE MOSTLY CLOUDY AND LOWS NEAR 59, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVE THROUGHOUT THE AREA TOMORROW, OTHERWISE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, HIGHS NEAR 76, A BREEZY SOUTH WIND.

>> Josh: THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY.

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND EVERYONE, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE DADS OUT THERE.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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