>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Matthew: HEY EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> A 52-YEAR-OLD GRYGLA MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY CRASHED INTENTIONALLY INTO A BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT SQUAD CAR FOLLOWING A PURSUIT.

ACCORDING TO THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE, AT A LITTLE PAST 1:00 A.M. ON SATURDAY, A BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPUTY AND A BLACKDUCK POLICE OFFICER NOTICED A VEHICLE, DRIVEN BY JASON MOE, STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, REMAINING STATIONARY DESPITE NO OPPOSING TRAFFIC.

AFTER SIGNALING FOR A TURN THEN FAILING TO DO SO, A TRAFFIC STOP WAS ATTEMPTED, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND PROCEEDED SOUTH ON HIGHWAY 71.

THE PURSUIT REACHED 100 MILES PER HOUR AS THE SUSPECT APPROACHED HINES.

BEMIDJI POLICE OFFICERS WERE AT FARLEY DRIVE AND HIGHWAY 71 WHEN THE SUSPECT VEHICLE INTENTIONALLY ATTEMPTED TO HIT ONE OF THE SQUAD CARS.

THE OFFICER MANEUVERED TO AVOID A HEAD-ON COLLISION, BUT WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S REAR SIDE OF THE CAR.

THE SUSPECT VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED AT A TREE LINE.

DEPUTIES AND OFFICERS ATTEMPTED TO APPREHEND THE SUSPECT, BUT HE RESISTED SO PEPPER SPRAY WAS USED TO GAIN COMPLIANCE.

MOE WAS ARRESTED FOR FLEEING IN A MOTOR VEHICLE, FIRST DEGREE ASSAULT USE OF A DEADLY FORCE ON A PEACE OFFICER, SECOND DEGREE DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED AND OBSTRUCTION WITH FORCE.

MOE WAS TRANSPORTED TO BEMIDJI MEDICAL CENTER AND WAS LATER MEDICALLY CLEARED, THEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.

>>> AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING A FIRE WITH TWO REPORTED DEATH IN RED LAKE NATION.

A RELEASE FROM THE RED LAKE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SAYS THAT ON FRIDAY, THE RED LAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE A.T.F., AND THE F.B.I.

RESPONDED TO A STRUCTURE FIRE ON THE RESERVATION.

IT SAYS THAT WHILE DETAILS ARE STILL BEING INVESTIGATED, TWO FATALITIES WERE REPORTED.

OFFICIALS SAY THE INVESTIGATION IS STILL ONGOING, BUT THAT THERE IS NO ONGOING THREAT TO THE PUBLIC.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION CAN CONTACT F.B.I.

MINNEAPOLIS AT 763-569-8000, OR CALL THE RED LAKE D.P.S.

TIP LINE AT 218-679-1912.

>>> A GIRL WAS INJURED AFTER FALLING OFF THE BACK OF A PICKUP TRUCK.

CROSSING TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ON SATURDAY AROUND 3:30 P.M., POLICE AND FIRST RESPONDERS WERE DISPATCHED TO THE PARADE AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT A YOUNG GIRL FELL OFF THE BACK OF A PICKUP TRUCK.

THE VICTIM, A 10-YEAR-OLD FROM PINE RIVER, SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM THE FALL AND FROM BEING PINNED BETWEEN THE TRAILER AND THE ASPHALT.

SHE WAS NOT RUN OVER BY THE TIRES.

SHE WAS TREATED ON SCENE BY FIRST RESPONDERS AND FLOWN BY HELICOPTER TO NORTH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN MINNEAPOLIS.

AS OF THIS MORNING, THE GIRL HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL AND IS RECOVERING FROM MINOR INJURIES.

>>> A PAIR OF RUBY SLIPPERS WORN BY JUDY GARLAND IN “THE WIZARD OF OZ ” WERE RETURNED TO THEIR OWNER, NEARLY 20 YEARS AFTER THE ICONIC SHOES WERE STOLEN FROM A MUSEUM IN THE LATE ACTOR'S HOMETOWN BUT “NO PLACE LIKE HOME?

” NOT EXACTLY.

THE MEMORABILIA COLLECTOR WHO OWNS THE ICONIC FOOTWEAR IMMEDIATELY TURNED THEM OVER TO AN AUCTION COMPANY, WHICH PLANS TO TAKE THEM ON AN INTERNATIONAL TOUR BEFORE OFFERING THEM AT AUCTION IN DECEMBER.

MEMORABILIA COLLECTOR MICHAEL SHAW LOANED THE SLIPPERS TO THE JUDY GARLAND MUSEUM IN GRAND RAPIDS.

THEY WERE STOLEN IN 2005 AND RECOVERED IN 2018.

ONE MAN PLEADED GUILTY IN OCTOBER.

AN INDICTMENT MADE PUBLIC SUNDAY SHOWED THAT A SECOND MAN IS NOW FACING CHARGES.

76-YEAR-OLD JERRY HAL SALITERMAN WAS CHARGED WITH THEFT OF MAJOR ARTWORK AND WITNESS TAMPERING AND MADE HIS FIRST COURT APPEARANCE FRIDAY.

>>> THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL MET TODAY TO DISCUSS A MAJOR EVENT COMING TO BEMIDJI THIS SUMMER CALLED UNICON, THE INTERNATIONAL UNI-CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIP AND CONVENTION.

THIS WILL BE THE 21ST ITERATION OF UNICON, AND THE SECOND TIME THE EVENT HAS BEEN IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE 2002, WHEN IT WAS HELD IN NORTH BEND, WASHINGTON.

THE LAST UNICON WAS HELD IN GRENOBLE, FRANCE IN 2022.

THE COMPETITION WILL FEATURE A NUMBER OF EVENTS INCLUDING DIFFERENT TYPES OF RACES, ARTISTIC SKILL CHALLENGES AND EVEN TEAM SPORTS LIKE BASKETBALL AND HOCKEY.

BUT THE MAIN QUESTION EVERYONE IS ASKING, IS WHY COME TO BEMIDJI?

>> WE REALLY WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE COMMUNITY OF BEMIDJI AND THE NORTHWOODS.

WE THIS IT IS AN EXPERIENCE THAT OUR COMPETITORS WILL BE EXCITED TO EXPERIENCE.

>> WE'RE EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT THE AREA AND OUR PEOPLE ARE EXCITED TO COME HERE.

>> UNICON 21 WILL TAKE PLACE FROM JULY 14TH TO THE 26TH.

BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL, BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY, AND THE SANFORD CENTER WILL HOST THE EVENTS.

>>> AFTER BREAKING GROUND THIS PAST FALL, WALKER PUBLIC LIBRARY IS GETTING CLOSER TO ITS FIRST DAY OF OPENING.

REPORTER ZY'RIAH SIMMONS HAD THE CHANCE TO SEE THE PROGRESS OF THE NEW LIBRARY AND JUST HOW CLOSE THE OPENING DATE IS.

>> Reporter: AFTER FINALIZING THE LOCATION FOR THE NEW LIBRARY, ONE OF THE KEY THINGS THAT THE LIBRARY NEEDED ACCORDING TO THE BRANCH MANAGER CAROL.

>> ONE THING THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW IN THE TEMPORARY PHASE IS THAT WE'RE CROWDED WITH OUR COLLECTION.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO EXPAND THE COLLECTION OF BOOKS AND COMPUTER STATIONS AND THEN ALSO PROVIDE US WITH ENOUGH SPACE TO DO MORE PROGRAMING THAT WE CAN OFFER ALL DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: A COUPLE OF SMALL CHANGES COMING TO THE LIBRARY WILL SURELY CATCH THE COMMUNITY'S ATTENTION.

>> THESE FOLKS HAVE ASKED ME THAT.

I AM GLAD YOU ASKED.

THE LIBRARY IS FACING TO THE SOUTH RATHER TO THE NORTH BECAUSE OF THE WINTERS WE HAVE HERE IN WALKER, WHERE THE WINTER WIND, SNOW, ICE AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS YOU GET WITH WINTER WILL MAKE HAVING A NORTH FACING DOOR PROBLEMATIC SO WE DECIDED TO HAVE THE BUILDING FACE SOUTH.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A MUCH MORE VISIBLE LOCATION.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE KIND OF OUTSIDE OF TOWN UNDERNEATH THE MAIN BUILDING HERE.

WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BE NOW IS RIGHT BESIDE THE SCHOOL, RIGHT BY THE COMMUNITY CENTER, ON TOP OF THE HILL WITH A NICE VIEW OF THE LAKE TO ENJOY.

>> Reporter: THE NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL NOT ONLY BE USED FOR LIBRARY DUTIES, BUT, AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY'S.

>> OUTSIDE ARE LIBRARY SERVICES IN A NEW SPACE, A BIGGER SPACE, WE WILL HAVE A DEDICATED COUNCIL CHAMBER IN THE BASEMENT.

IT WILL DOUBLE AS A COMMUNITY ROOM THAT CAN BE USED BY THE PUBLIC.

>> ANOTHER PART ABOUT THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS DOWNSTAIRS IS THAT WE CAN HAVE A POLLING PLACE THERE.

IT WILL BE A NEW BETTER TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED SPACE AND IT WILL ALSO BE RIGHT HERE AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY SO PEOPLE CAN HIT TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN WALKER, I'M SIR -- ZY'RIAH SIMMONS, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> ACCORDING TO THE BRANCH MANAGER CAROL CHRISTENSEN, THE COMPLETION DATE FOR THE WALKER PUBLIC LIBRARY IS SET FOR THIS UPCOMING FALL.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL HAVE WINDY CONDITIONS WITH CHANCES OF SNOW RETURNING LATER THIS WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE WADENA COMMUNITY CELEBRATED 50 YEARS OF HOCKEY LAST WEEKEND.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE WADENA COMMUNITY HAD PLENTY TO CELEBRATE THIS PAST WEEKEND.

IN ADDITION TO COMMEMORATING 50 YEARS OF HOCKEY IN THE TOWN, THE 2004 WADENA DEER-CREEK BOYS HOCKEY TEAM GATHERED FOR THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR STATE TOURNAMENT RUN.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: FOR THE WADENA HOCKEY CLUB, NEARBY TOWNS, AND THE ENTIRE STATE OF MINNESOTA, HOCKEY IS THE NUMBER ONE PASTIME.

>> IT'S THE LAND OF 10,000 LAKES, BESIDE THIS WINTER, WE'RE THE MINNESOTA STATE OF HOCKEY.

IN OUR SMALL TOWN, IT'S A BIG DEAL FOR THE SURROUNDING TOWNS TO HAVE THIS STAGE TO PLAY HOCKEY.

>> Reporter: WADENA HOCKEY HAS ENDURED HARDSHIP, FROM LOW TURNOUT IN THEIR JUNIOR VARIOUSTY TEAM TO A TORNADO WIPING OUT THEIR HOCKEY RINK, IT MADE 2024 ALL THE MORE SWEETER.

>> IT WAS AMAZING TO HAVE SUCH UNDERDOGS MAKE IT TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IT GAVE US A LOT OF PRIDE, ESPECIALLY IN OUR HOCKEY PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: FOR A TEAM TO ONLY LOSE ONE GAME IN THEIR SEASON OUTSIDE OF THE TOURNAMENT, EVERYTHING HAS TO GO YOUR WAY.

>> WE HAD A LOT OF ADVERSITY AND IT WAS SUCH A GOOD EXPERIENCE.

THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF HEADACHES AND WE PLAYED WELL AS A TEAM.

WE COMPETED AND AGAIN THAT COMPETITION BROUGHT OUT THE BEST IN THEM.

WE HAD GUYS ON THE THIRD LINE THAT WERE GOOD ENOUGH TO BE ON THE FIRST LINE MOST YEARS.

IT WAS A GREAT OVERALL EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: ON TOP OF 50 YEARS OF HOCKEY, THE COMMUNITY SHOWED UP TO CELEBRATE THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOYS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT RUN.

THEY RAN A COUPLE OF GAMES ON THE RINK BUT THEIR FAVORITE PART WAS TO GET THE BAND TOGETHER TO ENJOY SOME AFTERNOON HOCKEY.

>> IT'S NOT SO MUCH ON THE ICE, AND WE TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME THROUGH THE YEARS.

SO MUCH OF WHAT GUYS REMEMBER IS THE LOCKER ROOM, IT'S NOT THE WINS AND LOSSES ALWAYS.

TO ME, IT'S GREAT TO SEE A LOT OF THESE GUYS AND I KEPT IN TOUCH WITH A LOT OF THEM.

FOR ME TO GET OUT THERE, JOKE AROUND, HAVE SOME FUN, WE'RE ALL GETTING UP THERE.

I'M GOING TO GIVE IT A GO AND PLAY AGAIN TOO.

I THINK JUST BEING AROUND EACH OTHER AND HAVING FUN REMINISCING.

IT'S A GREAT TIME.

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

>> AMIDST THE FESTIVITIES, THE WADENA HOCKEY CLUB ALSO HELD A FUNDRAISER TO REPLACE ITS ZAMBONI.

THEY'VE RAISED $8,700 AS OF THIS MORNING.

>>> WELL, WE HAD A COLD WEEKEND THIS ST. PATRICK'S DAY AND HOPEFULLY STACY IS HERE TO TELL US THE WEEK WILL WARM UP.

>> Stacy: IT WILL SEEM MORE WINTER-LIKE AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK, WINDY CONDITIONS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW, COLDER TEMPERATURES MIDWEEK AND CHANCES OF SNOW ARE BACK THURSDAY AND A BIGGER SYSTEM COULD IMPACT TH >> 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 SOME MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE TODAY, WINDS HAVE BEEN PICKING UP THIS EVENING AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE STRONG WINDS AGAIN TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

WE ARE EXPECTING A COOL DOWN AS WE HEAD INTO THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WEEK AND THERE IS A CHANCE OF SNOW MOVING BACK LATER ON THIS WEEK AND LATE THIS WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, 33 AT THE AIRPORT, AT THE STUDIO WE HAVE A SOUTHWEST WIND AT 5 MILES PER HOUR, GUSTING UP TO 11.

11 IS OUR DEW POINT AND HUMIDITY IS AT 41%.

IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, 32 DEGREES, 10 IS OUR DEW POINT AND PRESSURE IS FALLING AND WINDS ARE FROM THE SOUTHWEST AT 10 MILES PER HOUR.

ON THE RADAR, IT IS PRETTY QUIET ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA THIS EVENING.

WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT AND THERE IS A CHANCE OF FLURRIES IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA AFTER MIDNIGHT AND LINGERING IN PARTS OF WESTERN MINNESOTA INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

WE'LL SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS TOMORROW, IT WILL BE WINDY ONCE AGAIN, AND WE WILL BE SEEING WINDS BECOMING MORE NORTHWEST, ANYWHERE FROM 15 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR.

SO IT'S VERY WINDY TOMORROW.

WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SOME SNOW MOVING INTO THE AREA AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY.

TAKING A LOOK AT SOME OF THE WEATHER SHOTS SENT TO US FROM OUR EAGLE EYES TODAY.

ANGELA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE SUNRISE AT CASS LAKE.

WE HAVE OPEN WATER AND THAT PICTURE FROM DEBRA.

LINDA WITH A PICTURE OF SOME VERY INTERESTING ICE FORMATIONS ON THE SHORES OF MILLE LACS LAKE.

SANDY SENDING US PICTURES OF THE BEAUTIFUL SUNSET OUT THERE.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, DEBRA IN PINE RIVER, 17 WITH A GRAY SKY.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, 37 WAS THE HIGH.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE, CLOUDS, AND BREEZY TODAY.

DEAN AT RED LAKE, 31 WITH A COLD SOUTH WIND THIS EVENING.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 33.

SANDY IN BLACKDUCK REPORTING PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES WITH A TEMPERATURE OF 31 THIS EVENING.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH OF 37 TODAY.

WE'RE SHY OF THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

17 WAS OUR LOW AND SUNSET AT 7:28.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 34, SO 4 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE.

9 DEGREES, A LITTLE COOL THIS MORNING AND SUNRISE AT 7:25.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE'LL SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS AND MAYBE A FEW FLURRIES LINGERING IN WESTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING.

26 IN WARROAD RIGHT AROUND 30 FOR MUCH OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA, UP TO 36 OR 35 AROUND PARK RAPIDS AND GRAND RAPIDS.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, IT'S WARMER.

UPPER 30s TO 40, VARIABLE CLOUDS AND IN THE WADENA AREA, THERE IS A CHANCE OF FLURRIES IN THE MORNING.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT WITH A CHANCE OF FLURRIES IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, BREEZY WEST WINDS, LOW TEMPERATURES IN THE MID-20s, AND VARIABLE CLOUDS TOMORROW WITH A CHANCE OF FLURRIES IN WESTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, 32 FOR THE HIGH AND NORTHWEST WINDS AT 10 TO 30.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, IT'S QUIET BUT COLDER ON WEDNESDAY, COULD START OUT WITH A LOW OF 4.

WE DO HAVE A CHANCE OF SOME SNOW ON THURSDAY, MAYBE A FEW INCHES OF SNOW IN WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, THINGS WILL BECOME ACTIVE, ESPECIALLY SUNDAY AND EARLY NEXT WEEK.

THERE IS A LARGE SYSTEM, A LOT UP IN THE AIR WITH THAT ONE BUT HEAVY SNOW IS POSSIBLE ON SUNDAY, HIGHS NEAR 32.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY.

NOW CHARLIE HAS A WHOLE LOT OF HOCKEY FOR US.

>> Charlie: HOCKEY SEASON IS WINDING DOWN BUT BSU MEN ARE STILL PLAYING BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THE MASON CUP SEMIFINALS ON SATURDAY.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THEY DID AGAINST LAKE SUPERIOR STATE.

WHAT A GREAT GAME IT WAS, GREAT CROWD, ALL THAT STUFF.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THE TEAM AFTER THE GAME AND SOME HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY INFORMATION FOR YOU 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.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY CONTINUED THEIR QUEST FOR MASON CUP THIS PAST SATURDAY IN A WIN-OR-GO-HOME SEMIFINAL MATCHUP WITH LAKE SUPERIOR STATE.

THE BEAVERS HAD BEEN ROUGHED UP BY THE LAKERS THIS YEAR, GOING 1-3 AGAINST THE MEN FROM SAULT SAINT MARIE, BUT THOSE FOUR GAMES ALL CAME BEFORE MID-DECEMBER WHEN THE BEAVS WERE JUST 6-10.

SINCE THEN, BSU HAD GONE 13-5-2 AND WERE UNBEATEN IN THEIR LAST TEN HEADING INTO SATURDAY'S CONTEST.

>>> IT WAS A FULL HOUSE AT THE SANFORD CENTER FOR THE MASON CUP SEMIFINAL AFTER THE GAME LAKE SUPERIOR STATE HEAD COACH DAMON WHITTEN SAID BEMIDJI STATE PLAYED LIKE THEY WERE "ON A MISSION" AND THE BEAVERS CERTAINLY LOOKED LIKE IT.

THEY STRIKE FIRST JUST A MINUTE AND 48 SECONDS IN.

ERIC POHLKAMP, HIS FOURTH GOAL IN THREE GAMES, EARNED HIM CCHA DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK HONORS FOR THE THIRD TIME.

IN THE SECOND PERIOD JAKE MCLANE FINDS THE BACK OF THE NET FOR HIS SECOND GOAL IN AS MANY GAMES, 6 TOTAL THIS SEASON.

BEAVS LEAD 2-0.

JUST 58 SECONDS LATER, KIRKLAN IREY FLIPS IT OVER THE PADS OF ETHAN LANGENEGGER, HIS 8TH GOAL OF THE YEAR GIVES THE BEMIDJI STATE A 3-0 LEAD.

LATER LAKERS NOT READY TO GO QUIETLY.

LUKE LEVANDWOSKI FINDS A STREAKING BRANDON PIKU TO CUT THE LEAD BACK TO TWO.

THEN IN THE THIRD, SAVE OF THE NIGHT BY MATTEUS SHOLE, LAYS OUT TO KEEP JARED WESTCOTT FROM MAKING IT A ONE GOAL GAME.

IT'S STILL 3-1.

LATE IN THE GAME TRAILING BY TWO, LAKERS PULL THEIR GOALIE.

GAME BEAVERS, JERE VAISANIN WITH THE EMPHATIC EMPTY NETTER.

BEMIDJI STATE WINS 4-1 OVER LAKE SUPERIOR STATE.

THE BEAVERS HAVE WON 9 STRAIGHT GAMES, TIED WITH BOSTON COLLEGE FOR THE LONGEST WIN STREAK IN THE COUNTRY, AFTER THE GAME THE TEAM TALKED ABOUT MOVING ON TO THE MASON CUP FINALS AND HOW THE ELECTRIC HOME CROWD PLAYED A ROLE IN THE VICTORY.

>> YOU WIN FOR THE FANS.

YOU WIN FOR THE ALUMNI.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT, IT'S NOT ABOUT THE COACHES, IT'S NOT ABOUT THE PLAYERS.

THAT'S GRAVY, BUT IT'S ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE.

THE EXCITEMENT LEVEL YOU'RE GENERATING, WE RECOGNIZE THAT AND THEY'RE HAVING AS MUCH FUN AS WE ARE.

>> WE FEED OFF THAT FOR SURE.

YOU HEAR EVERYONE CHEERING OR YOU SCORE A GOAL AND YOU HEAR EVERYONE CHEERING, YOU DON'T HAVE TO CREATE YOUR OWN ENERGY, IT'S THERE AND IT'S BUZZING AND YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PUCK DROP WE FED OFF THAT.

IT WAS SUPER FUN TO PLAY IN FRONT OF THEM.

>> IT'S AMAZING.

IT WAS GREAT SEEING EVERYONE COME OUT TONIGHT, KNOWING WE WERE GOING TO PLAY FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP NEXT WEEKEND.

WE DID ALL THE THINGS RIGHT TONIGHT.

WE'RE LOOKING TO PUSH THAT WAY IN THE NEXT WEEKEND.

>> BEMIDJI STATE WILL BE PLAYING FOR A MASON CUP CHAMPIONSHIP FOR FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS.

THEY'LL BE AT HOME FACING MICHIGAN TECH.

BSU WILL ENTER THE GAME RANKED FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON.

THEY ARE CURRENTLY 20TH IN THE NATION IN THE U.S.A. TODAY HOCKEY RANKINGS.

>>> ALSO GIRLS BASKETBALL, THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

CROSBY-IRONTON FELL TO MINNEHAHA.

IN THE CLASS A STATE CONCILIATION, HACKENSACK FELL.

>>> AND NOW HALF GAME, BACK OF THE THUNDER, EDWARDS, HIS 27th 30 POINT GAME OF THE SEASON AND HE HAD PASSED THE SINGLE SEASON FRANCHISE RECORD FOR MOST 30 POINT GAMES IN A SEASON.

>>> SOME NEWS REGARDING BEMIDJI STATE WOMEN'S HOCKEY.

KATY COMSTOCK, THE JUNIOR DEFENSIVE CAPTAIN OUT OF WARROAD ANNOUNCED VIA INSTAGRAM HER COMMITMENT TO PLAY FOR THE BEAVERS STARTING IN THE FALL OF 2025, HELPED LEAD THE WARRIORS TO THEIR THIRD STRAIGHT STATE TITLE THIS SEASON BEHIND 6 GOALS AND 26 ASSISTS, WHILE ANCHORING A DEFENSE THAT ONLY ALLOWED 1.7 GOALS PER GAME.

COMSTOCK WILL BECOME THE FOURTH PLAYER FROM WARROAD GIRLS HOCKEY TO PLAY THE BEAVERS.

THE OTHER THREE CURRENTLY PLAY THERE, TWO OF WHICH SHE WON TWO STATE TITLES WITH KATE JOHNSON AND TALYA HENDRICKSON.

>>> WELL, MORE HOCKEY NEW FROM THE WEEKEND, THE MINNESOTA ASSOCIATED PRESS RELEASED THE 2023-2024 ALL STATE HOCKEY TEAM AND TWO AREA BOYS MADE THE LIST.

CARSON GARNERED FIRST TEAM HONORS.

HE FINISHED THE SEASON WITH 70 POINTS AND A THIRD PLACE FINISH AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

HE IS COMMITTED TO PLAY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA NEXT YEAR.

ALSO NOAH EARNEST OF ROSEAU MADE ALL STATE AS A FORWARD.

HE FINISHED THE SEASON WITH 81 POINTS AND HERE IS THE FULL LIST OF ALL STATE FIRST TEAM BOYS HOCKEY PLAYERS.

THERE IS CARSON FROM WARROAD AND ON THE SECOND TEAM, NOAH, THE LONE AREA BOY MAKING THAT TEAM AS WELL.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF THEM.

WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT.

>> Matthew: TWO LOCAL GUYS MAKING IT TO THE ALL STATE TEAM.

>> Charlie: YOU WILL NOTICE IT'S A LOT OF MINNEAPOLIS GUYS THAT ARE ON THAT TEAM AND A COUPLE OF OUT STATE GUYS.

IT'S GREAT TO SEE THEM MAKING THE TEAM.

>> Matthew: THAT'S WHAT WE LIKE TO HEAR.

THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>>> A DREAM THAT SOME BUSINESS OWNERS MAY HAVE, IS TO ONE DAY PASS THE FAMILY BUSINESS TO YOUR CHILDREN TO CONTINUE THE FAMILY LEGACY.

WELL IN THE CASE OF 1ST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI, THEY HAVE DONE JUST THAT FOR 4 GENERATIONS NOW.

WE GOT A CHANCE TO STOP BY 1ST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI AND TALK WITH THE 4TH GENERATION PRESIDENT, FOR THIS WEEK'S IN BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: 1st NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI HAS SEEN SOME CHANGES OVER THE COURSE OF THEIR HISTORY, FROM CHANGING THE NAME IN 1931 TO 1985 WHEN THE EMPLOYEES INVESTED IN THE BANK, MAKING IT AN EMPLOYEE-OWNED BANK.

AND NOW THEY HAVE BEEN LEADING THE CHARGE SINCE RYAN, WHOSE FATHER TOM SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT FOR 30 YEARS WILL TAKE OVER AFTER 12 YEARS WITH THE BANK.

>> IT'S AN HONOR.

IT'S A COMMITMENT.

FOR ME, IT'S BEEN A LONG JOURNEY BEING A FOURTH GENERATION, THIS PLACE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BIG PART OF MY LIFE.

IT'S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT IN SOME SENSE OF IMAGINATION.

>> Reporter: JUST BECAUSE RYAN IS PRESIDENT, DOESN'T MEAN THAT HE CAN SIT BACK AND COLLECT CHECKS ALL DAY.

>> WE HAVE DONE THINGS DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER BANKS.

WE DON'T HAVE A PRESIDENT THAT DOES PRESIDENTIAL WORK.

I'M THE PRESIDENT IN TITLE BUT THE MAJORITY OF MY TIME IS SPENT WORKING AS A FINANCIAL ADVISOR AND OVERSEEING THE BANK'S SECURITY PORTFOLIO, HELPING OUT WITH THE COMMERCIAL LOANS AND LOAN OFFICERS.

>> Reporter: RYAN IS NOT THE ONLY FOURTH GENERATION FAMILY MEMBER THAT WORKS AT 1st NATIONAL.

>> WE PROMOTED AMY AND GEORGIA, AND MY COUSIN IS STILL AROUND ACTING AS C.E.O.

FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND HE HAS CLOSE TO 35 YEARS OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

SO A TON OF HISTORY IN THERE AND WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE SEVERAL LONG STANDING EMPLOYEES.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE WOULDN'T BE WHERE HE IS TODAY WITHOUT EVERYONE AROUND HIM.

>> I'M DEPENDENT ON EVERYONE IN THIS ORGANIZATION.

IT'S BEEN MUCH MORE OF A TEAM ATMOSPHERE OUT HERE.

IT'S NOT ANY SINGLE PERSON BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION.

THAT'S THE CASE AND I NEED THEM A HECK OF A LOT MORE THAN THEY NEED ME.

>> Reporter: JUST BECAUSE YOU MAKE IT TO THE TOP DOESN'T MEAN THE FOCUS SHOULD CHANGE.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE PRESIDENT'S ROLE FOR MY DAD AND MY COUSIN BEFORE ME IS JUST THAT, IT'S A TITLE.

WE COME IN AND WE CONTINUE TO DO THE SAME THING, WHICH IS FOCUS ON THE CUSTOMERS AND PUTTING OUR ENERGY ON THAT AND OUR FOCUS ON THAT AND THE PRESIDENT PIECE OF IT IS JUST A SIDE BAR MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

>> A 5TH GENERATION OF THE WELLE FAMILY IS ALSO WORKING AT THE BANK, TOM'S GRANDSON CARSON LIAPIS SERVES AS THE PROJECT SPECIALIST FOR 1ST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI.

>>> WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME LEFT SO WE WILL HEAD TO STACY WITH THE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING WINDY CONDITIONS OVERNIGHT AND CONTINUING INTO TOMORROW.

PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, FLURRIES IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 26 WITH THE WEST WINDS AT 10 TO 25.

WE COULD SEE WINDS UP TO 30 MILES PER HOUR IN PARTS OF THE AREA TOMORROW.

>> Matthew: THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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