>> 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.

>>> WE START OFF TONIGHT WITH THE BREAKING NEWS OF AN AMBER ALERT THAT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR ENTIRE REGION.

THE RED LAKE TRIBAL POLICE DEPARTMENT IS SEARCHING FOR ABDUCTED 3-YEAR-OLD ETHAN STATELY.

ETHAN IS NATIVE AMERICAN, WITH BROWN HAIR AND BROWN EYES.

POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR 36-YEAR-OLD JENNIFER MARIE STATELY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS ABDUCTION.

JENNIFER IS A NATIVE AMERICAN FEMALE WHO IS APPROXIMATELY 5'7" WITH BROWN HAIR AND BROWN EYES AND WEIGHS 125 POUNDS.

STATELY WAS LAST SEEN DRIVING A 2012 BLACK CHEVROLET EQUINOX WITH A RED LAKE TRIBAL LICENSE NUMBER 3-3-5-0-9.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING ETHAN OR JENNIFER STATELY YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL THE RED LAKE TRIBAL POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 218-679-3313 OR CALL 9-1-1.

ANYONE WHO SEES THE SUSPECT SHOULD TAKE NO ACTION OTHER THAN CONTACT POLICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REIMBURSES LOCAL SHERIFFS FOR OPEN-WATER RESCUES, BUT ICE RESCUES HAVE NO REIMBURSEMENT MECHANISM IN PLACE.

COMMUNITY LEADERS WANT TO CHANGE THAT.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE ON HOW THAT CHANGE CAN HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: WE HEAR ABOUT ICE RESCUES PRETTY REGULARLY IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS TO FOOT THE BILL FOR THOSE RESCUES?

>> THIS ALL STARTED WITH A REQUEST WE HAD FOR MUTUAL AID FROM ANOTHER COUNTY.

A REQUEST WAS ASKING FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT AFTER WE WENT UP THERE, I ASKED THE D.N.R.

ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR ICE RECOVERY.

I LEARNED THAT IT WAS ONLY FOR OPEN WATER, NOT ICE RESCUES.

>> Reporter: THE SHERIFF WENT TO BEN DAVIS WHO TOOK IT TO STATE SENATOR JUSTIN EYE -- EICHORN WHO COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT HE WAS HEARING.

>> PEOPLE JUST ASSUMED THEY WERE COVERED UNTIL THIS YEAR WHEN THE SHERIFF CAME TO US AND ASKED COULD YOU FIX THIS PROBLEM?

WHEN WE DO WATER RESCUES, WE'RE REIMBURSED BUT WHEN WE DO A RESCUE ON ICE, WE'RE NOT REIMBURSED.

CAN WE MAKE THAT CHANGE?

I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT SO WE PUT A BILL TOGETHER WITH BEN DAVIS AND WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE A GOOD COMMITTEE HEARING IN THE SENATE RECENTLY.

>> Reporter: PERFORMING RESCUES ON FROZEN WATER IS NOT CHEAP EITHER.

>> I HAVE SEEN IT UP TO $18,000 TO $20,000 AS THE ICE CONDITIONS HAVE DETERIORATED.

IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE THIS YEAR, WE HAD THREE OR FOUR THAT WE HAVE BEEN CALLED OUT ON.

>> MOST OF OUR MINNESOTA SHERIFFS DON'T HAVE EXTRA BUDGET FOR THIS AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN PLAN FOR.

YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU WILL HAVE ZERO RESCUES OR TEN RESCUES A YEAR.

>> Reporter: PERFORMING THESE RESCUES ON FROZEN WATER CAN BE DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE WARM WINTER SEASON.

>> THE THING WITH ICE RESCUES IS THAT THE ICE ISN'T SAFE.

THAT'S THE CHALLENGE, YOU HAVE TO GET SPECIALTY EQUIPMENT OUT THERE, EXPERIMENT -- SPECIALTY DIVERS AND RECOVERING THE VEHICLE OR THE PERSON MAY TAKE SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT.

>> Reporter: LUCKILY FOR SHERIFF'S OFFICES THAT BILL WON'T BE A CHALLENGE TO PASS.

>> THE ONLY STOP IT NEEDS TO GO THROUGH IS THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.

I THINK WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE.

THE CHAIR WAS EXCITED ABOUT IT, THE VICE CHAIR WAS EXCITED ABOUT IT, REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS IS WORKING HARD OVER THERE.

HE SPOKEN WITH THE CHAIR AND THEY ARE INTERESTED IN DOING THE BILL AND PUTTING MORE MONEY TOWARDS IT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THAT POT OF MONEY FILLED FOR A LONGER AMOUNT OF TIME.

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

>> IF THE BILL IS PASSED, REIMBURSEMENTS MAY BE MADE BY THE COMMISSIONER OF NATURAL RESOURCES WITH AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS, OR WITH OTHER AVAILABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL FUNDS.

>>> THE TOLL OF OUR WARM SNOWLESS WINTER CONTINUES TO RAISE CONCERNS WHEN IT COMES TO THE POTENTIAL OF WILDFIRES.

BEGINNING ON MARCH 18TH, THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WILL BEGIN RESTRICTING THE OPEN BURNING OF VEGETATIVE DEBRIS DUE TO THE INCREASED RISK.

THE BURNING RESTRICTIONS INCLUDE 38 MINNESOTA COUNTIES, INCLUDING MANY IN THE LAKELAND VIEWING AREA.

THE D.N.R.

WILL NOT ISSUE PERMITS FOR OPEN BURNING OF BRUSH OR YARD WASTE IN THESE COUNTIES UNTIL RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED.

THE D.N.R.

SAYS PEOPLE CAUSE OVER 90 PERCENT OF WILDFIRES IN MINNESOTA AND WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT DUE TO THE HIGH WILD FIRE POTENTIAL, PEOPLE SHOULD BE CAREFUL WITH ANYTHING THAT CAN CAUSE A SPARK, ESPECIALLY ON DRY WINDY DAYS.

>>> THE HAMPTON INN IN BEMIDJI HAD A FULL HOUSE YESTERDAY.

TEACHERS OF THE BEMIDJI EDUCATION ASSOCIATION HOSTED AN ART BUILD FOR THE RALLY THAT THEY HOSTED TODAY IN FRONT OF THE PAUL BUNYAN & BABE THE BLUE OX STATUE.

REPORTER ZY'RIAH SIMMONS HAD THE CHANCE TO GET THE LOOK ON SUPPORT.

>> ONCE THE BEMIDJI TEACHERS PUT THEIR MINDS TO SOMETHING, THEY WON'T STOP UNTIL THEY GET IT.

>> WE HOPE TO GIVE THE DISTRICT THE IDEA THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BACK DOWN AND WE'RE NOT GOING AWAY.

WE ARE ONE, WE ARE UNITED, AND WE DESERVE TO BE PAID FOR THE WORK WE'RE DOING.

IT'S THAT IDEA OF THE NOT NOW, WHEN.

THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY COMING INTO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AND I FEEL LIKE MANY YEARS NOW, TEACHERS HAVE TAKEN A BACKSEAT TO THE PROGRAMS WE WANT TO BRING INTO THE DISTRICTS AND THE FUNDING TO BRING THOSE, AND THE BUSING WE PAY FOR IN BEMIDJI.

IT'S THIS IDEA THAT WITH THIS EXTRA FUNDING THAT'S COMING IN, IT'S OUR TURN.

WE SUPPORTED THIS DISTRICT AND WE HAVE TAKEN THE BACKSEAT FOR LONG ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: THE MAIN CONCERN FOR THE B.E.A.

WAS LETTING THE COMMUNITY KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

>> RALLYING TOGETHER AS TEACHERS AND GET THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED AND MAKE SURE THEY KNOW.

I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT DON'T KNOW THIS IS HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES.

YOU HAVE TEACHERS WORKING FOR 260-PLUS DAYS WITHOUT A CONTRACT.

SO JUST TO RAISE COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND SUPPORT BEHIND OUR TEACHERS AND THAT WE'RE HOPING TO COME TO THE TABLE NEXT WEEK AND REACH AN AGREEMENT, BUT THAT WE'RE READY TO STAND TOGETHER IF THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

>> IT'S REASSURING THAT WE HAVE A TURN OUT HERE AND I THINK THAT IS CAUSING US TO BE HOPEFUL.

WHAT WE REALLY WANT IS A FAIR CONTRACT.

SO, AS MUCH WORK AS WE NEED TO PUT IN TO DO THAT, WE WILL DO IT, BUT WE'RE HOPING TO REACH SOME SORT OF AGREEMENT SOON.

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

>> THE B.E.A.

WILL BE ATTENDING THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING THIS UPCOMING MONDAY, HOPING FOR A CHANGE IN CONTRACT.

>>> THE BACKPACK PROGRAM IN MENAHGA AND SEBEKA RECEIVED A SPECIAL DONATION TO HELP FEED STUDENTS IN NEED ON WEEKENDS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.

C.H.I.

ST. JOSEPH'S HEALTH ANNOUNCED EARLIER TODAY THAT A LOCAL COUPLE MADE A $1,000 DONATION TO THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM.

BACKPACKS ARE FILLED WITH NUTRITIOUS FOODS THAT STUDENTS CAN TAKE HOME ON THE WEEKENDS.

MORE THAN 200 STUDENTS ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM, WHICH IS A RECORD NUMBER COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS.

THE BAGS ARE ASSEMBLED BY STUDENTS ON THURSDAYS AND THEN DISTRIBUTED TO THE ENROLLED STUDENTS ON FRIDAY TO HAVE FOR THE WEEKEND.

>>> THE DEATH TOLL COULD RISE AS EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCIES ASSESS DAMAGE AND SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS FOLLOWING A WAVE OF TORNADOES ACROSS THE CENTRAL U.S. THURSDAY.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ SHOWS US WHAT MANY STORM VICTIMS ARE FACING AFTER THEIR LIVES WERE CHANGED IN SECONDS.

>> THIS IS JUST SOME OF THE DEVASTATION WE'RE SEEING IN LOGAN COUNTY, OHIO.

THIS USE TO BE A FIRE DEPARTMENT.

NOW YOU CAN SEE MOST OF THAT BUILDING AND STRUCTURES ARE COMPLETELY GONE.

THIS IS SIMILAR IMAGES IN TERMS OF PEOPLE'S HOMES AND ALSO OTHER BUSINESSES, ALL OF THIS AS THE CLEAN UP PROCESS IS BEGINNING.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ONE OF SEVERAL TORNADOS REPORTED TO HAVE RIPPED ACROSS THE MIDWEST OVERNIGHT.

PART OF A DEVASTATING STORM SYSTEM THAT STRETCHED FROM TEXAS TO PENNSYLVANIA, HITTING STATES LIKE OHIO, INDIANA, AND KENTUCKY THE HARDEST.

>> I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS A BOMB GOING OFF.

>> Reporter: INCREDIBLE DESTRUCTION IN OHIO'S LOGAN COUNTY, WHERE MULTIPLE DEATHS WERE CONFIRMED, ALONG WITH DOZENS OF INJURIES.

AERIAL SURVEYS FRIDAY REVEALING THE AFTERMATH.

>> UNBELIEVABLE DAMAGE.

I JUST CAN'T DESCRIBE IT ANYMORE THAN AN EXPLOSION.

>> THERE IS ONE COMING RIGHT AT US.

>> Reporter: IN INDIANA, ADDITIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS ARRIVED FRIDAY MORNING, SEARCHING COLLAPSED STRUCTURES THAT MULTIPLE TWISTERS LEFT BEHIND, LOOKING FOR SURVIVORS AND PREPARED TO RECOVER ANY VICTIMS.

>> THE WRATH BEGINS TODAY WHEN PEOPLE REALIZE THE MAGNITUDE OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THEIR HOMES, THEIR LIVELIHOODS.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH TORPID -- TORNADOS, RAIN IN SOME AREAS.

>> I COULD FEEL THE GLASS HITTING ME.

>> Reporter: MANY COULDN'T ESCAPE THE ICE.

>> I WAS COVERING MY DAUGHTER WITH ONE OF HER JACKETS.

>> Reporter: THE THREAT OF HAIL AND HEAVY RAINFALL IS MOVING EAST, TARGETING THE SOUTHEASTERN AND GULF REGIONS THROUGH SATURDAY.

A PRELIMINARY REPORT BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS THE TORNADO THAT TOUCHED DOWN HERE IN LOGAN COUNTY WAS AN EF-3 TORNADO.

THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO BEGUN TO MOBILIZE RESOURCES HERE TO HELP OUT WITH THE CLEANING OF ALL THIS DEVASTATION.

IN LOGAN COUNTY, OHIO, I'M IVAN RODRIGUEZ.

>> HERE IN MINNESOTA WHILE SEVERE WEATHER CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME, THE ONLY TWO MONTHS WE HAVE NEVER HAD A TORNADO IS JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE WINDY CONDITIONS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW AS COLDER AIR RETURNS TO THE AREA.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE OIL AND WATER EXHIBITION AT THE CROSSING ARTS ALLIANCE IN BRAINERD.

[♪♪♪] >> 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 LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> LIKE MANY PLACES AROUND THE GLOBE, BEMIDJI WILL GO GREEN THIS SUNDAY WHEN THE CITY WILL HOLD ITS HONORED TRADITION OF HOSTING THE WORLDS SHORTEST ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE.

THE PARADE ROUTE TAKES 78 PACES AND SPANS THE DISTANCE ACROSS BELTRAMI AVENUE IN DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI FROM BRIGID'S PUB TO KEG N CORK ACROSS THE STREET.

GREEN REVELERS AND THEIR PETS WILL ENJOY THE PAGEANTRY OF ST. PATRICK'S DAY AND INDULGE THEMSELVES IN AUTHENTIC FOODS LIKE CORN BEEF AND CABBAGE AND OF COURSE GREEN BEER.

THE PARADE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO DRAW HUNDREDS OF SPECTATORS TO DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BE PART OF THE RECORD BREAKING PARADE, ENTRIES AND FLOATS ARE STILL BEING ACCEPTED.

ANYONE INTERESTED CAN CALL AT 218-444-7600.

>>> STACY JOINS US NOW.

IT WILL BE QUICKER THAN 78 PACES >> IT MIGHT BE.

IT'S VERY WINDY CONDITIONS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW AS THE COLDER AIR IS BEGINNING TO SPILL BACK INTO THE STATE.

WE SHOULD BE SEEING QUIETER WEATHER AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK, BUT AGAIN THOSE TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO STAY COLD AND COLDER THAN AVERAGE FOR A CHANGE.

I' >> 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 HAVE BEEN SEEING THE WINDS PICK UP THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.

WE HAVE SEEN A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN SHOWER ACTIVITY MOVING THROUGH THE AREA AS WELL.

STILL COULD SEE SOME RAIN AND SNOW, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA AND EASTERN MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

THAT WILL CHANGE OVER TO ALL SNOW BY THE TIME WE HIT TOMORROW MORNING.

WINDY CONDITIONS ARE GOING TO BE PRESENT ACROSS OUR ENTIRE VIEWING AREA.

THAT IS GOING TO STICK AROUND THROUGH AT LEAST TOMORROW.

BEMIDJI, IT'S 49 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE FROM THE WEST AT 16 MILES PER HOUR, BUT WE HAVE GUSTS UP TO 33 AND OUR DEW POINT IS 26.

IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLOUDY, 48 DEGREES, WITH A DEW POINT OF 23.

WE HAVE SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 17 MILES PER HOUR, WITH GUSTS UP TO 32.

ON THE RADAR, WE CAN SEE SOME OF THE WEATHER ACTIVITY AS IT HAS BEEN MOVING ACROSS MINNESOTA TODAY, MAINLY IN THE FORM OF RAIN SHOWERS SO FAR TONIGHT, BUT AS TEMPERATURES START TO FALL OVERNIGHT TONIGHT WHERE WE STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A CHANCE OF SOME RAIN SHOWERS IN THE EASTERN HALF OF THE VIEWING AREA, WE COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT CHANGING OVER TO SNOW.

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME LIGHT SNOW, MAINLY IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING.

OTHER THAN THAT, MOSTLY CLOUDY, STILL VERY WINDY THROUGH TOMORROW AND WE WILL SEE SOME COLDER AIR RETURNING AND TEMPERATURES WILL STAY A LITTLE BIT COOLER AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE FIRST PART OF NEXT WEEK.

LOOKING AT SOME PICTURES SENT TO US FROM OUR EAGLE EYES TONIGHT.

DEBRA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SUNRISE TODAY.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA WITH SOME SUNSHINE AND CLOUDS THIS AFTERNOON.

LINDA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF MILLE LACS LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTING 42 AND SUNSHINE AND CLOUDS THIS AFTERNOON.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDS BUT WINDY.

THE HIGH WAS 48.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDS WITH SOME SUNSHINE, ALSO WINDY CONDITIONS, AND A HIGH OF 46.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 48 DEGREES.

WE ARE STILL ABOVE AVERAGE.

OUR LOW TODAY IS 32 AND SUNSET IS AT 7:23.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 49, SO WE ARE MORE THAN 10 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE, STILL MILD TEMPERATURE-WISE.

30 DEGREES FOR THE LOW AND 7:26 WAS OUR SUNSET.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

CLOUDY SKIES, SOME LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS CONTINUING IN PARTS OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, MAINLY IN THE MORNING.

TEMPERATURES AGAIN WILL START TO BE COLDER, 29 IN WARROAD, A LOT OF 30s OUT THERE, BUT WINDY CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOMORROW.

AGAIN, A LOT OF CLOUD COVER THROUGHOUT OUR VIEWING AREA, HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID TO UPPER 30s.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY AND WINDY WITH THE CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

LOWS ARE NEAR 29.

THEN TOMORROW, STILL MOSTLY CLOUDY, STILL WINDY AND AGAIN THERE MAY BE SOME SNOW SHOWERS LINGERING IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, 34 FOR THE HIGH AND WE'RE LOOKING AT NORTHWEST WINDS ANYWHERE FROM 15 TO 35 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY AND ONLY 24 ON SUNDAY.

BACK INTO THE 30s ON MONDAY WITH VARIABLE CLOUDS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE THROUGH MIDWEEK AND IT LOOKS LIKE HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE TO REACH ABOUT THE LOW TO MID-30s.

BACK TO YOU JOSH.

>> Josh: THANK YOU VERY MUCH STACY.

THE WINDS ARE JUST GOING TO BLOW A VICTORY TO SOME TEAMS AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND.

>> Charlie: YES, THERE ARE A FEW TEAMS THAT GOT STATE TOURNAMENTS AND A FEW MORE TODAY.

WE GO OUT TO THE WILLIAMS ARENA IN THE SEMIFINALS MATCH, TAKING ON PROVIDENCE ACADEMY.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THAT AND SECTION TITLES FOR THE BOYS TEAM.

THAT'S COMING UP AFTER THE BR >> 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.

>>> TO BE THE BEST YOU HAVE TO BEAT THE BEST AND FOR CROSBY-IRONTON GIRLS BASKETBALL, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY MUST DO TO ADVANCE TO THE CLASS 2A STATE TITLE GAME BECAUSE FIRMLY PLANTED IN FRONT OF THEM, NUMBER ONE RANKED PROVIDENCE ACADEMY, THE REIGNING BACK-TO-BACK STATE CHAMPIONS WHO BEAT THE LADY RANGERS IN MID-JANUARY.

SO TONIGHT IN THE CLASS 2A SEMIFINALS, CROSBY-IRONTON AND PROVIDENCE ACADEMY SQUARING OFF.

BOTH TEAMS SPORTING 3,000 POINTS SCORERS.

YOU DON'T OFTEN SEE THAT.

ONE OF THEM, THE RANGERS'S TORI OEHRLEIN, SHE HAD THE HOT HAND EARLY, GIVES C.I.

THEIR FIRST LEAD OF THE GAME.

7-5.

LATER LIONS LEAD BY ONE.

BECKETT GREENWAY, SHE'S JUST A SEVENTH GRADER, PUTS PROVIDENCE UP 21-15.

ENSUING POSSESSION, OEHRLEIN JUST RIDICULOUS.

SHE HAD 20 OF THE RANGERS 27 FIRST HALF POINTS, 35 IN TOTAL TONIGHT.

THE LIONS DEFENSE WOULD CLAMP DOWN THOUGH.

THEY FORCED 25 TURNOVERS.

THIS STEAL BY ARRIANA PETERSON LEADS TO A MADDYN GREENWAY BUCKET.

SHES THE OTHER 3,000 POINT SCORER FINISHED WITH 30 TONIGHT AS CROSBY-IRONTON FALLS TO PROVIDENCE ACADEMY 92-54.

C.I.

'S TOURNEY IS NOT DONE YET THOUGH.

THEY WILL PLAY THIRD PLACE AGAINST MINNEHAHA ACADEMY TOMORROW AT NOON.

>>> OVER IN THE CLASS A CONSOLATION BRACKET, FOSSTON AND WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY, WINNER EXTENDS THEIR SEASON JUST ONE MORE DAY.

THE WOLVES HAD AN EIGHT-LEAD POINT AT THE HALF BUT FOSSTON CLOSING THE GAP.

LEXI MAHLEN WITH THREE OF HER 21 HERE.

GREYHOUNDS TRAIL 33-29.

LATER BRYNLEA MAHLEN TO GIVE THE HOUNDS THE LEAD, TICKLES THE TWINE.

SHE FINISHED WITH 21 AS WELL.

FOSSTON UP 36-35.

GAME WOULD EVENTUALLY GO TO OVERTIME.

AVA WELK, SHE HAD A DOUBLE-DOUBLE, 15 REBOUNDS, 17 POINTS, TIES IT AT 48 IN THE EXTRA FRAME.

THEN NEXT POSSESSION AUBREY MORRISON, SHE WAS 4-9 FROM DOWNTOWN AND LED ALL SCORERS WITH 27 POINTS, PUTS THE WOLVES UP FOR GOOD.

FINAL SCORE, WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY 58, FOSSTON 52.

SPECTACULAR YEAR FOR THE SECTION 8-A CHAMPION GREYHOUNDS AS THEY FINISH THE SEASON 29-4 OVERALL.

A LOT TO BE PROUD OF.

THE WOLVES, THEY HAVE ONE MORE GAME TOMORROW AGAINST MAYER LUTHERAN IN THE CONSOLATION FINAL AT 2:00 P.M. >>> THE BOYS BASKETBALL SECTION TOURNAMENTS CONTINUED TONIGHT WITH A SLEW OF CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES AND FOUR AREA TEAMS HAVE WITH A CHANCE TO PUNCH THEIR TICKETS INCLUDING PEQUOT LAKES.

THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE THEIR THIRD STRAIGHT STATE APPEARANCE BUT TO DO SO THEY'LL HAVE TO KNOCK OFF TOP SEED ESKO, WHO BEAT THE PATRIOTS 50 TO 40 JUST OVER A MONTH AGO.

PEQUOT LAKES TAKING ON ESKO IN THE SECTION 7-2A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AT UMD'S ROMANO GYM.

PATRIOTS BEAT ESKO THE PAST TWO YEARS IN THE SECTION TITLE GAME.

IN THE FIRST HALF, PATS ARE UP.

OWENS NAILS THE THREE THERE, CUTS THE LEAD IN HALF.

PEQUOT LAKES LOOKING COMFORTABLE.

IT'S HARRISON WITH THE TRADE AND THEY'RE BACK UP BY 7.

ESKO ANSWERS RIGHT BACK.

SAM DRIVES THE LANE, GETS THE DEUCE.

IN THE SECOND HALF, PATRIOTS TAKE CONTROL, CONNOR SINKS THE CORNER THREE.

PEQUOT LAKES HOLDS ON TO BECOME THE SECTION 7-2A CHAMPIONS.

THEY BEAT ESKO.

PATRIOTS ARE HEADED TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT FOR THE SIXTH TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY.

>>> OVER TO MOORHEAD, PARK RAPIDS AND PELICAN RAPIDS IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

VIKINGS PUSHED IT FROM THE GET GO.

FAST BREAK, PELICAN NEVER LET OFF THE GAS.

THEY GO UP BY 32.

PARK RAPIDS IS JUST NOT ABLE TO STICK WITH THE PELICAN RAPIDS TONIGHT.

PANTHERS WILL HAVE TO WAIT ONE MORE YEAR.

>>> IN DEEP RIVER FALLS, RED LAKE TIPPING OFF WITH BELTRAMI.

WARRIORS LAST SECTION TITLE CAME IN 2017.

THEY START THE SCORING, JACK BROWN HIT FROM BEYOND THE ARK.

NOTHING BUT THE BOTTOM OF THE NET.

THEY'RE UP 3-0.

FALCONS WOULD TAKE A 4-POINT LEAD MIDWAY THROUGH THE FIRST.

HE BRINGS THE WARRIORS WITHIN 1.

NOW THEY WERE DROPPING BOMBS, AND THE TRADE IS GOOD, THE FALCONS WILL PULL AWAY FROM THERE.

RED LAKE SUFFERS THEIR EIGHTH LOSS OF THE SEASON.

WHAT A RUN THEY HAD, ESPECIALLY THAT COME FROM BEHIND VICTORY ON WEDNESDAY AFTER TRAILING BY 17.

THEN, NEVIS FOR THE FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR, THEY PUNCHED THEIR TICKET TO THE BIG DANCE DOWN IN MINNEAPOLIS.

THEY BEAT EAST-CENTRAL 70-45.

WHAT A RUN THEY HAVE BEEN ON.

>> Josh: IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THE LOCAL TEAMS GOING.

YOU SAID THE THIRD TIME PEQUOT IS HEADING TO THE STATE?

>> Charlie: OVERALL, THE THIRD TIME IN A ROW.

>> Josh: THAT'S EXCITING.

>> Charlie: 22, 23, AND NOW 24.

>> Josh: THANK YOU VERY MUCH CHARLIE.

>>> THE CROSSING ARTS ALLIANCE IN BRAINERD'S LATEST EXHIBITION FEATURED TWO MINNESOTA ARTISTS.

THE EXHIBITION, OIL AND WATER, EXPLORES THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RICH AND TEXTURED OIL PAINTINGS AND DELICATE WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: OIL AND WATER DO NOT MIX, BUT THE CROSSING ARTS ALLIANCE FOUND A WAY TO.

THE LATEST EXHIBITION FEATURE IT IS WORK OF TWO MINNESOTA ARTISTS IN TWO DIFFERENT MEDIUMS, BOTH OIL AND WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS CAN BE APPRECIATED AND ACQUIRE DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES TO GET RIGHT.

>> TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN OIL PAINTING AND A WATERCOLOR AND THE DEPTH AND TEXTURE AND COLORATIONS YOU CAN GET WITH EACH FORMAT.

WE THOUGHT THAT WOULD LOOK WELL TOGETHER.

THAT'S HOW THIS SHOW CAME ABOUT.

OIL AND WATER, THEY MIX, THEY DON'T MIX.

WE THOUGHT THAT WAS A FUN TITLE TO WORK WITH.

>> Reporter: THE MOST GLARING DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OIL AND WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS IS THE TIME AN ARTIST HAS TO WORK ON THEM.

YOU CAN TAKE YOUR TIME WITH AN OIL PAINTING BUT WITH WATERCOLORS, IT'S ESSENTIAL TO HAVE YOUR IDEA PLANNED OUT.

>> WITH OIL, YOU CAN START WITH A BASE AND PUT THE COLOR DOWN AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU CAN LET IT DRY FOR A WHILE AND DO IT OVER.

A WATERCOLOR IS A ONE SHOT.

YOU PUT THE WATER ON THE PAPER, YOU DECIDE WHAT COLORS YOU ARE GOING TO USE.

YOU PUT THE PIGMENT DOWN ON THE PAPER AND WATERCOLORS BUILT UP BILAYER.

>> Reporter: DAVID WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND THE OPENING RECEPTION BUT LAPORTE ARTIST DARCY WAS ABLE TO GIVE A TRAINED EYE'S PERSPECTIVE ON THE WORK.

>> HE'S GOT A LOT OF STRUCTURE IN HIS WORK.

HE HAS A LOT OF TEXTURE.

YOU CAN SEE IF THERE IS A SHORELINE OR A TREE LINE OR SOMETHING.

HE HAS TEXTURE AND COLOR IN THAT SO YOU KNOW THAT IT'S EITHER FAR AWAY OR IT'S IN FRONT.

HE IS VERY GOOD AT DOING THAT.

I LIKE HIS WATERCOLORS.

I THINK HE DOES A VERY GOOD JOB.

>> Reporter: SHE DESCRIBES HERSELF AS A LANDSCAPE ARTIST AND GETS INSPIRATION BY TAKING A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE NATURE THAT INSPIRES HER PAINTINGS.

>> WHEN I'M IN A BOAT FISHING OR IF WE WERE OUT IN THE WOODS FOR A WALK OR SOMETHING, I AM PAYING ATTENTION TO THE LIGHT OF THE DAY, THE COLORS OF THE TREES.

IT STICKS IN MY HEAD.

SO THAT'S WHAT MOTIVATES ME.

IT'S ALL THAT COMING TOGETHER AND LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T SEE THAT.

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

>> THE OIL AND WATER EXHIBITION WILL BE ON DISPLAY UNTIL APRIL 6TH.

BOTH ARTISTS WILL HOST WORKSHOPS AT CROSSING ARTS.

>>> STACY JOIN US FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: THE WEATHER STORY WILL BE THE WIND.

WE WILL SEE WINDY CONDITIONS.

IT'S ALREADY STARTING TONIGHT, PARTLY CLOUDY AND WINDY, SOME RAIN OR SNOW SHOWERS IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA WITH LOWS NEAR 29.

>> Josh: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Charlie: TOMORROW BIG GAME FOR BEMIDJI STATE, MEN'S HOCKEY, TAKING ON SUPERIOR STATE.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THE GUYS.

>> Josh: WEAR ALL KINDS OF GREEN THIS WEEKEND AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY NIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT ST. PATRICK'S DAY EVERYONE.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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