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: HI EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

I AM MATTHEW FREEMAN FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> A RED LAKE WOMAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH FELONY CHILD NEGLECT AND TORTURE FOLLOWING AN AMBER ALERT ISSUED LAST WEEK.

THE TODD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THAT AT ABOUT 9:24 P.M. FRIDAY, A TODD COUNTY RESIDENT SAW THE VEHICLE LISTED IN THE AMBER ALERT, WHERE IT WAS SOUTH OF LONG PRAIRIE.

THE CITIZEN FOLLOWED THE VEHICLE WHILE LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS EN ROUTE.

OFFICERS STOPPED THE VEHICLE, AND THE DRIVER WAS ARRESTED.

A BOY WAS PLACED IN PROTECTIVE CUSTODY.

THE PERSON CHARGED IS 35-YEAR-OLD JENNIFER STATELY.

ACCORDING TO THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, LAW ENFORCEMENT SAW THE CHILD HAD SCABS COVERING HIS BODY, WITH OPEN SORES ON 95 PERCENT OF HIS FACE.

A MEDICAL EXAMINATION FOUND THE CHILD COULDN'T EAT DUE TO ROTTEN TEETH AND PAIN IN HIS MOUTH, AND THAT HE WAS VERY ANEMIC.

HOSPITAL STAFF THOUGHT HIS WOUNDS WEREN'T ALL FROM A SKIN CONDITION AND THAT THEY COULD BE FROM A CHEMICAL BURN OR HEAT SOURCE.

STATELY HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF THIRD-DEGREE ASSAULT OF A VICTIM UNDER 4 YEARS OLD, ONE COUNT OF CHILD TORTURE, ONE COUNT OF MALICIOUS PUNISHMENT OF A CHILD, AND ONE COUNT OF CHILD NEGLECT.

HER FIRST COURT APPEARANCE IS SET FOR APRIL 1ST.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY HAS RESPONDED TO AN INCIDENT THAT TOOK PLACE ON-CAMPUS ON FRIDAY.

PRESIDENT OF BSU JOHN HOFFMAN SENT A LETTER TO STUDENTS AND FACULTY YESTERDAY, SAYING UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS BECAME AWARE OF A RACIST MESSAGE, WHICH INCLUDED THE N-WORD, THAT WAS WRITTEN ON A BULLETIN BOARD IN OAK HALL.

HOFFMAN WROTE THAT WHOEVER VANDALIZED THE BULLETIN BOARD WAS INTENTIONALLY TRYING TO HARM THE RESIDENTS AND THAT THE BEHAVIOR WAS UNACCEPTABLE.

ONCE PUBLIC STAFF BECAME AWARE OF THE MESSAGE, IT WAS SOON REMOVED.

HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL STAFF ARE HOLDING A MANDATORY MEETING FOR ALL RESIDENTS ON THE FLOOR WHERE THE RACIST MESSAGE WAS FOUND, ALSO MEETING WITH ANY STUDENTS WHO WERE IMPACTED BY THE INCIDENT.

PRESIDENT HOFFMAN CLOSED THE LETTER BY REPEATING THAT RACIST MESSAGES ANYWHERE ON CAMPUS ARE UNACCEPTABLE, AND THAT WE MUST ALL DO BETTER TO ENSURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE FOR ALL OF THE STUDENTS.

>>> THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, SAINT PAUL DISTRICT, AND THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE, MINNESOTA, WILL PARTNER ON A GROUNDWATER STUDY FOR THE TRIBE'S BUG-O-NAY-GE-SHIG SCHOOL TO UNDERSTAND THE FLOW OF WATER IN THE VICINITY OF THE SCHOOL.

THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY IS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS AND SUBSTANCES DETECTED IN FOUR WELLS THAT PROVIDE DRINKING WATER TO THE TRIBAL K THROUGH 12 SCHOOL.

THE INFORMATION WILL BE USED BY THE TRIBE TO WORK WITH STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES TO IDENTIFY AND SECURE A NEW SOURCE OF CLEAN DRINKING WATER AT THE SCHOOL.

THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE STUDY IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE CORP'S “PLANNING ASSISTANCE TO STATES ” PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES AUTHORITY FOR THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO ASSIST STATES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND OTHER NON-FEDERAL ENTITIES IN THE PREPARATION OF COMPREHENSIVE PLANS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, USE, AND CONSERVATION OF WATER AND RELATED LAND RESOURCES.

THE SCOPE OF THE WORK INCLUDES 10 DATA COLLECTION TASKS AND REPORTING.

THAT WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 28TH WHICH WILL TAKE NO MORE THAN 2 YEARS TO COMPLETE.

>>> DUE TO THE WARMER WEATHER MINNESOTA IS FACING THIS YEAR, THE THOUSANDS OF LAKES THAT WOULD NORMALLY STILL BE FROZEN ARE ALREADY STARTING TO THAW.

THAT IS WHY IT'S IMPERATIVE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS TO BE PREPARED IN CASE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS TO THOSE WHO DECIDE TO GO OUT ON THE ICE.

WE GOT A CLOSER LOOK INTO HOW FIRST RESPONDERS TRAIN FOR THOSE SCENARIOS.

>> Reporter: OVER THE WEEKEND, THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE INVITED THOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WINDSOR ICE TRAINING EXERCISE.

>> AS YOU KNOW, THIS LAST YEAR WAS REALLY A CHALLENGE FOR ICE RESCUES.

IT WAS A GREAT YEAR TO DO THIS AND FRESHEN UP OUR SKILLS SO WE'RE READY TO GO.

>> Reporter: HOW EXACTLY DO THESE FIRST RESPONDERS TRAIN FOR ICE RESCUES?

>> WE DO A SELF RESCUE, A RESCUE WITH THE ICE PICKS, YOU RESCUE ANOTHER PERSON USING A HOOP, AND WE WILL USE THE YELLOW BOAT.

IT'S GOOD TO PRACTICE THIS BECAUSE THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER, I HAD TO RESCUE PEOPLE.

IT WILL HAPPEN SOME TIME IN YOUR CAREER.

>> Reporter: ICE RESCUE TRAINING DOESN'T JUST PERTAIN TO THE FIRST RESPONDERS EITHER.

>> THAT'S OUR R.O.V., A REMOTE OPERATED VEHICLE THAT GOES UNDER WATER.

IT HAS AN ARTICULATING ARM ON IT, SO A 185-POUND VICTIM IS THE MOST IT WILL PICK UP.

THAT'S GOOD.

>> THE BIGGEST THING IN THE SUMMERTIME AND WINTERTIME, WE CAN HAVE DROWNING VICTIMS.

WE WOULD USE THE SONAR TO LOCATE THE VICTIM AND THEN WE CAN GO DOWN AND ATTACH ON TO CLOTHING OR WHATEVER WE CAN GRAB A HOLD OF AND WE CAN GET OUR DIVE TEAM IN TO MAKE THE RECOVERY.

>> Reporter: ALL THIS TRAINING IS TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS AROUND THEM AND ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> WHERE WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF 10 THOUSAND LAKES, IT'S VITAL TO HAVE ALL THAT INFORMATION AND COME TOGETHER AS A GROUP AND NETWORK AND FIND OUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE USED, SUCCESSES, FAILURES, LEARN FROM THEM AND MAKE IT BETTER IN THE FUTURE.

>> THE EVENT WAS SPONSORED BY THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AS WELL AS CASS LAKE'S AND HACKENSACK'S FIRE DEPARTMENT.

>>> A LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE VEX WORLD COMPETITION FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW.

THE BEMIDJI MIDDLE SCHOOL VEX ROBOTICS PROGRAM, COACHED BY INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY TEACHER BRYAN ANDERSON, HAD A TEAM QUALIFY FOR THE EVENT.

STUDENTS DESIGN AND TEST THEIR OWN MACHINES, WHICH THEN MUST COMPLETE AUTONOMOUS TASKS AND PLACE OBJECTS IN GOALS TO GET THE HIGHEST SCORE.

MEMBERS OF THE PROGRAM ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE ON SUCH A BIG STAGE.

>> WE DO A LOT OF BUILDING AND DESIGNING.

WE HAVE A REALLY GREAT COACH OVER THERE WHO HAS TAUGHT US A LOT ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO AND JUST HOW OVERALL, WHAT WE CAN BUILD, WITH THE STORAGE AND STUFF.

WE WERE WATCHING SOME GAMES AND WE WERE SEEING SOME OF THE COMPETITIONS.

IT WILL BE FUN TO SEE HOW THINGS PLAY OUT AND WHO WE'RE GOING AGAINST AND TO MEET NEW PEOPLE.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES GOING THERE TOO.

JAPAN, CHINA, AFRICA, EUROPE, SOUTH AMERICA, ALL ACROSS THE WORLD.

IT'S THE BEST TEAMS THEY HAVE, SO IT'S NOT LIKE THE SIMPLER COMPETITIONS.

IT'S LIKE FIVE DAYS LONG, SO A LOT LONGER THAN THE OTHERS.

>> THE BEMIDJI MIDDLE SCHOOL VEX ROBOTICS TEAM WILL BE IN DALLAS, TEXAS FROM APRIL 27TH THROUGH THE 30TH.

>>> LOCALS IN CROW WING COUNTY WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO BECOME TRAINED STORM TRACKERS.

THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DULUTH WILL HOST TWO FREE SKYWARN WEATHER SPOTTER CLASSES.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: SINCE THE SKYWARN PROGRAM BEGAN IN THE 1970s, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS BEEN TRAINING VOLUNTEERS TO BECOME WEATHER SPOTTERS.

THESE VOLUNTEERS HELP THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DELIVER MORE ACCURATE INFORMATION.

>> THESE WEATHER SPOTTERS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN GETTING THE SEVERE WEATHER REPORTS TO OUR OFFICES TO CONFIRM WHETHER IT'S SEVERE WEATHER OR WIND OR HAIL, TO BETTER PROTECT COMMUNITIES DOWNSTREAM OF THE STORMS.

IT HELPS US ISSUE MORE ACCURATE WARNINGS.

>> Reporter: THE NWS HOLDS THESE CLASSES AROUND MARCH AND APRIL BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN THEY START TO SEE THUNDERSTORMS.

>> UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR AND WHAT THE NWS NEEDS AND WE REVIEW THE SAFETY INFORMATION.

WHAT TO DO IF A SEVERE TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED AND WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WATCH AND WARNING.

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OFF-DUTY MEMBERS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WEATHER.

>> Reporter: IT BENEFIT IT IS NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> IT'S EXTREMELY VITAL AS FAR AS HAVING THESE FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND BEING SURE THEY ARE EDUCATED AND TRAINED PROPERLY SO THAT THE INFORMATION THAT WE'RE RECEIVING FROM THEM, WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE AS ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE.

BY HAVING THAT ACCURATE INFORMATION, IT WILL CUT DOWN OUR RESPONSE TIMES AND WE CAN HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING BEFORE WE GET ON SCENE OF WHAT WE WILL BE COMING UP AGAINST.

>> Reporter: BOOTS ON THE GROUND IS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE MOST ACCURATE INFORMATION POSSIBLE.

THIS IS WHY SKYWARN VOLUNTEERS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

>> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE FANCY RADAR, WE USE SATELLITE, WE HAVE ALL THESE TOOLS, WEBCAMS, BUT ONLY SOMEONE ON THE GROUND CAN TELL US WHETHER A STORM RIPPED THE ROOF OFF A BUILDING OR CAUSING HAIL THAT IS DAMAGING VEHICLES.

IF WE DON'T GET THOSE REPORTS, THEN WE'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW.

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

>> THE CLASSES WILL TAKE PLACE ON MARCH 26TH AT THE CROW WING COUNTY LAND SERVICES BUILDING IN BRAINERD FROM 3:00 TO 5:00 P.M. AND 6:30 TO 8:30 P.M.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A CLASS OFFERED IN CASS COUNTY ON APRIL 23RD AT THE PINE RIVER SCHOOL AT 6:00 P.M. [♪♪♪] >> STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> WE'LL SEE SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, BUT CHANCES OF SNOW ARE BACK ON THURSDAY.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE 50th >> 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.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >>> CITIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY HELD ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADES OVER THE WEEKEND.

ONE OF THE LARGEST IN MINNESOTA WAS IN CROSSLAKE ON SATURDAY, WHERE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE GATHERED TO ENJOY THE FESTIVITIES.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY WAS IN ATTENDANCE AND HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THE 50th ANNUAL ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE IN CELEBRATION IN CROSS LAKE WAS A DAY TO REMEMBER.

FOR HALF A CENTURY, IT HAS BEEN AN EVENT THAT PEOPLE HAVE FIRMLY CIRCLED ON THEIR CALENDARS.

>> I HAVE BEEN HERE EVERY SINGLE YEAR AND IT'S THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR.

IT'S SO FUN.

>> THIS IS SUPER COOL.

>> Reporter: THE WIND WAS HOWLING AND THE TEMPERATURES WERE IN THE 30s, BUT THAT WAS CHILD'S PLAY COMPARED TO YEARS PAST.

NO MATTER THE WEATHER, PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER MINNESOTA WILL CONTINUE TO ATTEND.

>> IT HAS BEEN FROM 60 TO 20 DEGREES.

SOMETIMES IT'S SNOWING, IT DOESN'T REALLY CHANGE THE WHOLE PARTY.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO HIDE IN ONE OF THE LOCAL BARS FOR A WHILE AND GET WARM AND COME OUT WHEN THE PARADE COMES OUT, OTHERWISE THE WEATHER DOESN'T CHANGE IT.

WE'RE MINNESOTANS, WE ARE USE TO IT, YOU DRESS FOR IT, YOU GO.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU SEE HOWS OF PEOPLE SHOW UP FROM ALL OVER MINNESOTA, THE ONE THING YOU GET IS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY HERE IN CROSS LAKE.

>> I FEEL A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

THE HARD WATER IS DIFFICULT FOR ALL OF US ICE ANGLERS, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO CALL IT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM THE CITY COMES UP HERE.

IT'S A GREAT EVENT OVERALL.

>> HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

>> A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY WAS NOT ABLE TO GO ICE FISHING THIS YEAR, SO I THINK IT BRINGS A LARGE SENSE OF COMMUNITY UP HERE.

>> Reporter: MARCH IS USUALLY A TIME WHERE MANY MINNESOTANS ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO.

THIS IS WHY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE EAGER TO SPEND A DAY OUT OF THE HOUSE AND HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

>> IT'S AWESOME THAT EVERYBODY JUST WANTS TO COME OUT AND HAVE A GOOD TIME AND A TIME OF YEAR WHERE WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO, FOR A MOMENT.

EVERYBODY HANGS OUT, HAS A FUN DAY, AND YOU KNOW, CROSS LAKE IS AN AWESOME PLACE TO HANG OUT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN CROSS LAKE, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> OVER 100 AND 20 BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATED IN THE PARADE, WHICH IS THE MOST PARTICIPANTS IN PARADE HISTORY TO DATE.

>>> NOW WE HEAD OVER TO STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING SOME SUNSHINE TOMORROW, BUT CHANCES OF SNOW ARE BACK ON THURSDAY, AND WE HAVE A BETTER CHANCE AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE >> 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, IT WAS SUNNY BUT WINDY TODAY.

IN FACT, IT'S GOING TO STAY ON THE BREEZY SIDE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

HEADING INTO TOMORROW, STILL LOOKING AT THE SUNSHINE.

ON THURSDAY, THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SNOW SHOWERS IN MUCH OF THE AREA WITH ANOTHER SYSTEM SET TO IMPACT MINNESOTA AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

MORE ON YOUR FORECAST IN A SECOND.

HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS, 19 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT IN BED -- BEMIDJI.

IN BRAINERD, 28 AND A CLEAR SKY.

NORTH WINDS AT 18 MILES PER HOUR, WITH GUSTS UP TO 35.

ON THE RADAR, IT IS QUIET OUT THERE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE QUIET WEATHER AND STILL ON THE BREEZY SIDE.

WE COULD SEE WINDS 10 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, THE WINDS WILL DIE DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND WE SHOULD HAVE SUNNY SKIES OUT THERE.

IT IS GOING TO BE THE LAST DAY OF THE SUNSHINE, WE'LL START TO SEE MORE CLOUD COVER, AND THERE IS A CHANCE OF SNOW ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, BEAUTIFUL ORANGE COLOR IN THE SKY THIS MORNING AT SUNRISE IN MENAHGA.

THAT PICTURE IS FROM ARLENE.

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE FROM DEBRA.

WE HAVE SOME OPEN WATER IN THE BACKGROUND.

SAMROSE WITH THE PHOTO FROM LOWER RED LAKE, WE HAVE A LOT OF WIND OUT THERE SO QUITE A BIT OF WAVE ACTIVITY AND ANGELA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE SUNSET.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, DEBRA IN PINE RIVER, 32 AND VERY WINDY THIS MORNING.

SANDY AT BLACKDUCK REPORTING LOTS OF WIND WITH A HIGH OF 34.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN BUT WINDY TODAY, ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, WINDY CONDITIONS WITH A HIGH OF 35.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH OF 45, SO A LITTLE BIT ABOVE THE AVERAGE, 41 IS OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

THE LOW IS 28 AND BEMIDJI TODAY TOPPING OUT AT 34, A LITTLE BELOW THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

AGAIN, THE CURRENT TEMPERATURE IS OUR LOW, THAT'S 19.

WE HAD SUNRISE AT 7:23.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE, TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE CHILLY.

WE'RE LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE TEENS IN THE FOSSTON AREA AND NORTHERN MINNESOTA, RIGHT AROUND 20 DEGREES FOR THE REST OF THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

WARMER IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, MID TO UPPER 20s IN THIS REGION AND AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY, MANY OF US HAVE A CHANCE OF SOME SNOWFALL.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, VARIABLE CLOUDS FOR TONIGHT, LOWS DOWN TO 3, WITH NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 25.

FOR TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, HIGHS NEAR 21, AND NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR SOME SNOW SHOWERS IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA ON THURSDAY, LIGHT ACCUMULATION WITH THAT, HIGHS NEAR 26.

OVERALL, IT'S FAIRLY QUIET ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, HIGHS SHOULD REACH THE UPPER 20s.

THEN ON SUNDAY, THAT NEXT LARGE SPRING SYSTEM IS GOING TO MOVE IN.

WE HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SNOWFALL AND THAT WILL CONTINUE INTO MONDAY.

SO WE'LL BE WATCHING THAT SYSTEM AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK, HIGHS ON SUNDAY NEAR 28.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY.

NOW WE HAVE CHARLIE WITH US AND HE HAS BSU HOCKEY TO TALK ABOUT.

>> Charlie: THEY HAVE A BIG GAME THIS WEEKEND AND WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO THEM AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY AND SEE WHAT THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT COMING INTO THE MASON CUP CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AND EXCITED TO BE PLAYING AT HOME.

THAT'S COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪ >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, BRINGING NORTHERN MINNESOTA THE GIGAZONE.

INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGABITS PER SECONDS, BOTH UPLOAD AND DOWNLOAD.

IT'S THE GIGAZONE FROM PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS AND IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>> Charlie: BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY WILL BE PLAYING IN THE CCHA MASON CUP CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS.

THE LAST TIME THEY WERE THERE, THE BEAVERS HAD TO PLAY ON THE ROAD FOLLOWING 2-1 IN MINNESOTA STATE IN A WILD FINISH, DUBBED BY SOME AS THE MADNESS IN MAY -- MANKATO.

THEY HAVE WON THEIR LAST 7 STRAIGHT.

>> THERE IS NO QUESTION THERE IS A HOME ICE ADVANTAGE.

THERE IS THE ENTHUSIASM.

IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN BRING TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE SCHOOL.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

I'M EXCITED FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY AND WE'RE EXCITED FOR PUCK DROP ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF FUN.

AGAIN, I RATHER BE PLAYING AT HOME THAN THE ROAD.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE PLAYING IN THE GAME, YOU'RE HAPPY AND YOU'RE EXCITED.

IT'S A BONUS PLAYING AT HOME.

>> A GOAL FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, AND AS THE YEAR GOT GOING, WE HAD A REAL CHANCE OF WINNING THE CUP AND AFTER YOU WIN THAT, IT HAS TO COME THROUGH US.

IT'S UP TO US.

WE DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE THIS RINK THE REST OF THE YEAR UNTIL THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

PLAYING IN FRONT OF THE CROWD WOULD BE AWESOME.

FOR THEM TO SHOW UP LAST WEEKEND THE WAY THEY DID, IT WAS AWESOME.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> Charlie: THERE'S BEEN NO BETTER PLACE THAN HOME FOR BEMIDJI STATE, ONLY LOSING AT THE SANFORD CENTER SIX TIMES, ALTHOUGH ONE CAME AT THE HANDS OF MICHIGAN TECH.

IT WILL BE IN FRONT OF ANOTHER PACKED HOUSE.

THE SANFORD CENTER ANNOUNCED ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE THE GAME IS OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT.

IF YOU WAITED TO GET YOUR TICKETS, IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH FINDING THE TICKETS.

MAKE SURE YOU REACH OUT TO SOME PEOPLE AND HOPEFULLY SOMEBODY BOUGHT YOU ONE.

A COUPLE SCORES FOR YOU, MINNESOTA COMES OUT ON TOP, A COUPLE OF FREE THROWS WITH 5 SECONDS REMAINING.

THE MARCH MADNESS HAS STARTED.

RIGHT NOW THE TIMBERWOLVES HAVE TAKEN A SLIGHT LEAD OVER THE DENVER NUGGETS.

IT'S RIGHT DOWN TO THE WIRE.

EXCUSE ME, THE NUGGETS ARE AHEAD.

111-109, COMING DOWN TO THE WIRE.

IF THE WOLVES LOSE, THAT WOULD SNAP A THREE GAME STREAK FOR THEM AND THE WILD.

THEY WON 5 OF THEIR LAST 7 AND TONIGHT THEY ARE LEADING ANAHEIM IN THE SECOND PERIOD.

>>> PEQUOT LAKES BOYS BASKETBALL IS HEADED TO THE CLASS 2A STATE TOURNAMENT FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR AND 6th TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY.

THEY ARE RIDING AN 11 GAME WIN STREAK, ANCHORED BY A DEFENSE THAT ALLOWED 45 POINTS PER GAME DURING THAT STRETCH.

MILES WALKER TELLS US HOW THEY CONTINUE TO LEAN ON THEIR DEFENSE AS THEY PREP FOR THE TRIP TO THE TWIN CITIES.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR HAS BEEN ABOUT DISPELLING THE DOUBT.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DID NOT EXPECT US TO BE WHERE WE ARE CURRENTLY.

OUR FIRST GAME, WE PLAYED SOLID.

WE CAME UP SHORT AND WE KNEW IF THAT IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BUILD OFF OF, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

IT CAME TRUE.

WE'RE STILL GOING.

>> Reporter: WHAT PEQUOT LAKES LOST IN SCORING, THEY GAINED IN DEFENSE, HOLDING OPPONENTS TO 56 POINTS PER GAME THIS SEASON.

>> ALL THESE GUYS LOVE PLAYING DEFENSE, MAKING PEOPLE MAD IS FUN FOR US.

THE 40 POINTS, WE TRY TO KEEP IT AS LOW AS POSSIBLE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO SCORE AS MUCH.

IT TRANSLATES FROM DEFENSE TO OFFENSE.

WE START WITH DEFENSE ON THIS TEAM.

>> Reporter: AND THE PATRIOTS NEEDED EVERY BIT OF THAT PROWLESS IN THE 7-2A CHAMPIONSHIP AS THEY FACE ESKO THERE FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR, WHO ALSO HANDED THE BOYS ONE OF THE FOUR LOSSES THIS SEASON.

>> WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO LIMIT HOW MANY TOUCHES THEY GOT.

ESPECIALLY ON OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS, THEY KILLED US ON THAT.

WE LOST BY 10 POINTS.

WE KNEW THEY WERE BEATABLE AND WE HAD TO COME OUT HOT.

>> Reporter: EVEN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DILUTE, THE PEQUOT LAKES FAITHFULS SHOWED OUT.

>> WE HAVE AN AMAZING COMMUNITY, A LOT OF SUPPORT COMING FROM OUR WHOLE TOWN AND EVERYBODY JUST REALLY SUPPORTING WHO WE ARE AND OBVIOUSLY THAT RIVAL OF ESKO BRINGS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN.

IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS TO COME.

THAT WAS PROBABLY THE BEST.

IT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

>> Reporter: THE BOYS REWARDED THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT WITH A 55-42 VICTORY OVER ESKO, CLENCHING A STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED THIRD YEAR IN A ROW.

>> IT'S SPECIAL.

I MEAN THIS PROGRAM ONLY WENT SIX TIMES AND I GOT TO BE PART OF THREE OF THEM, JUST AS ALL THE OTHER SENIORS HAD A JERSEY FOR THE PAST THREE.

ALL YEARS OF MY CAREER I WILL BE GOING TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE BOYS AREN'T TAKING THEIR LATEST TRIP TO THE TWIN CITIES FOR GRANTED, THEY ARE HOPEFUL THIS WILL NET THE BEST RESULT.

>> BOTH YEARS WE LOST TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

WE'RE GOING TO WIN THE FIRST GAME.

WE'RE NOT GETTING FIFTH, WE'RE GOING TO AT LEAST GET FOURTH.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PEQUOT LAKES, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Charlie: THEY ENTER THE 2A TOURNAMENT AS THE 4 SEED.

THE GAME IS TOMORROW AT THE BARN, WILLIAMS ARENA WHERE THE GOPHERS PLAY AND TIP OFF IS AT 8:00 P.M. >> Matthew: 11 GAME WIN STREAK, THEY JUST HAVE TO KEEP DOING WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>> 2-1-8 SPORTS HELD THEIR FIRST-EVER PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT, "THE GIGAZONE CLASSIC" THIS PAST WEEKEND.

REPORTER ZY'RIAH SIMMONS HAD THE CHANCE TO SEE THE PICKLEBALL GAME IN ACTION FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: PICKLEBALL WAS A HIGHLY REQUESTED SPORT, SO THEY HAD A FULL HOUSE OF PLAYERS FROM ALL OVER THE MIDWEST.

IT'S CONSIDERED THE BIGGEST PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT BEMIDJI HAS EVER SEEN.

>> REALLY SINCE IT STARTED, THE COMMUNITY -- I ASKED FOR IDEAS AND EVERYBODY SAYS WE LOVE PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENTS, WE WOULD LOVE THAT.

EVER SINCE WE STARTED HERE, THE FEEDBACK HAS BEEN GREAT, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING A GREAT TIME.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE STATE AS FAR AWAY AS FARGO, THE TWIN CITIES, UP IN ELY.

>> Reporter: IT'S A PLACE TO HOLD ALL THE PARTICIPANTS, AS WELL AS THE FANS.

>> WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO WORK WITH THE BSU REC CENTER AND GET EIGHT COURTS GOING ON IN THE FACILITY HERE.

IT SEEMS LIKE THE PERFECT VENUE AND A PERFECT WAY TO SEND WINTER ON ITS WAY AND BRING IN SPRING.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE FIRST EVER BIG PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT IN BEMIDJI, BROUGHT OUT THE COMPETITIVE SIDE OF SOME OF THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE HEATED.

I'M VERY EXCITED.

THERE WILL BE SOME CLOSE GAMES AND MY BROTHER AND I WILL BE PLAYING SOME GOOD TEAMS SO I EXPECT REALLY GOOD GAMES.

IT'S FUN THAT IT'S COMING TO BEMIDJI SO I CAN PLAY WITH MY BROTHER TODAY IN THE MIXED DOUBLES, IN THE 4-POINT AND 5 DIVISION.

>> Reporter: IT WAS NOT JUST BENEFICIAL FOR 2-1-8 SPORTS, BUT FOR THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY.

>> WE HAVE 80 PARTICIPANTS, 25 OF THEM ARE FROM BEMIDJI.

WE HAVE A LOT OF VISITORS, WHICH IS GREAT, SO A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE COMING TO THE COMMUNITY, STAYING IN THE HOTELS, EATING IN THE RESTAURANTS.

THE MORE WE CAN DO THESE EVENTS, THE BETTER IT WILL BE FOR BEMIDJI AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

PICKLEBALL IS ONE OF THE EVENTS, BUT HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE MANY FOR A WHILE.

>> THE FACT THAT 2-1-8 SPORTS IS ABLE TO GET A PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT TO COME TO BEMIDJI IS FANTASTIC AND GREAT FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M ZY'RIAH SIMMONS, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Matthew: WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME LEFT SO WE'RE GOING TO HEAD TO STACY WITH MORE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: QUIET AND BREEZY TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, LOWS DOWN TO 3 WITH NORTHWEST WINDS AT 10 TO 25.

TOMORROW, THE SUNSHINE IS BACK, HIGHS WILL REACH ABOUT 21, NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 20, AND THEN AS WE LOOK AHEAD INTO THE WEEK, WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SOME SNOW, MAINLY IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA ON THURSDAY, THAT WILL BE MOVING THROUGH FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, NOT LOOKING TOO BAD BUT MORE SNOW LATE THIS WEEKEND.

>> Charlie: AND THE NUGGETS BEAT THE TIMBERWOLVES.

>> Matthew: WE HATE TO SEE IT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING AND WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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