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C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

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>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH WITH PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST.

SANFORD HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CARE CLOSE TO HOME.

LEARN MORE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED IN PART BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS, SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, PROVIDING ALL FIBEROPTIC INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGS WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

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

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU WITH LOCAL NEWS FROM BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER AND CHARLIE YAEGER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

>> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> BELTRAMI COUNTY AUTHORITIES HAVE IDENTIFIED THE MAN WHO DIED ON FRIDAY WHEN THE VEHICLE HE WAS DRIVING WENT INTO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER JUST EAST OF BEMIDJI.

SHERIFF JASON RIGGS SAYS 60-YEAR-OLD DALE CLARK SUTHER WAS OPERATING A PICKUP TRUCK TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON SUNNYSIDE ROAD WHEN IT WENT THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL YARD AND THEN INTO THE RIVER.

SUTHERS BODY WAS LATER PULLED FROM THE VEHICLE AFTER IT SUNK INTO THE WATER AND BECAME SUBMERGED.

THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE LEAVING THE ROADWAY IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> A RED LAKE WOMAN HAS DIED IN A ONE VEHICLE CRASH NORTH OF BEMIDJI.

THE STATE PATROL SAYS 35-YEAR-OLD FLORIS RUBY ROSE STRONG WAS DRIVING WEST ON GREAT DIVIDE ROAD NORTHWEST WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT ACROSS HIGHWAY 89 AND ROLLED INTO SOME TREES.

THE INCIDENT REPORT SAYS STRONG WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE ROLLOVER.

AN ALCOHOL TEST IS LISTED A -- AS PENDING.

THE CRASH HAPPENED ABOUT FOUR MILES WEST OF PUPOSKY AND ABOUT 19 MILES NORTHWEST OF BEMIDJI.

>>> BELTRAMI COUNTY IS SEEKING HELP FROM THE PUBLIC TO PUT TOGETHER A COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY ACTION PLAN TO IMPROVE SAFE ROADWAYS IN THE AREA OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE MORE THAN 750 MILES OF ROAD WITHIN BELTRAMI COUNTY, WHICH JOINED A PROGRAM THROUGH THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE AND ULTIMATELY ELIMINATE SERIOUS INJURIES AND FATALITIES ON LOCAL ROADWAYS BY CREATING SAFER ROAD CROSSINGS, BETTER SPEEDS, AND ADDRESSING OTHER POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARDS ON THE ROAD.

>> WHEN WE THINK OF SAFETY AND ROADWAYS, IT'S MULTIFACETED.

WE HAVE ENFORCEMENT, WE HAVE EDUCATION, WE ALSO HAVE ENGINEERING.

WE ARE GOOD AT EVERY ONE OF THOSE BUT WE NEED THE PUBLIC'S INPUT TO MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND TAKE THEIR IDEAS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE THE ROADS SAFER, THERE IS A SURVEY WHERE RESIDENTS CAN TAKE AND REPORT ANYTHING THEY FEEL IS UNSAFE ON THEIR LOCAL ROADS.

AN INTERACTIVE MAP IS AVAILABLE TO SHOW WHERE THESE SAFETY CONCERNS ARE AND IN AN EFFORT TO GET ALL THE IDEAS TOGETHER IN ONE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

>> PEOPLE KNOW OTHER DRIVERS' BEHAVIORS AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE WANT TO HONE IN ON, WHERE PEOPLE ARE PASSING ON THE RIGHT, WHERE PEOPLE AREN'T SLOWING DOWN, WHERE WE HAVE DANGEROUS CROSSWALKS.

BELTRAMI COUNTY HAS PROACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN EVENTS LIKE TOWARDS 0 DEATHS.

AS THE DEADLINE TO INPUT INFORMATION IS THE END OF THE MONTH, NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 31ST.

>>> AFTER BEING BRAINERD'S DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, TONY RUNDE HAS BEEN SELECTED TO BE THE NEXT BRAINERD POLICE CHIEF.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY MONDAY, MARCH 16th TO PROMOTE RUNDE AFTER JOHN DAVIS ANNOUNCED HE WILL RETIRE AT THE END OF APRIL AFTER MORE THAN 30 YEARS IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, I HAD SOME MEDICAL CONDITIONS ARISE THAT LED ME TO RE-EVALUATE MY ROLE HERE IN THE DEPARTMENT, HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FAMILY, A LOT OF PRAYER, AND CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT, AND THE BEST INTEREST OF MY HEALTH WOULD BE TO RETIRE A YEAR EARLY.

>> Reporter: DAVIS HAS SAID HE APPRECIATES ALL THE SUPPORT THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS GIVEN HIM AND HOPES THE CITY OF BRAINERD WILL DO THE SAME FOR RUNDE.

>> THERE ARE TIMES IN THIS PROFESSION WHERE SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LACK OF SUPPORT, MAYBE THERE IS SOME NEGATIVITY DIRECTED TOWARDS LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WHEN WE RECEIVE THAT SUPPORT AND IT'S VERBALIZED TO US, SHOWN TO US IN ACTS OF KINDNESS, IT'S VERY SPECIAL.

>> Reporter: RUNDE STARTED AS A PATROL OFFICER AND HELD MULTIPLE JOBS IN THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE WORKING HIS WAY UP THE RANKS TO INVESTIGATOR, THEN DEPUTY CHIEF, AND NOW SOON-TO-BE CHIEF.

>> LAST ALMOST THREE YEARS OF DEPUTY CHIEF HAS GIVEN ME A LOT OF INSIGHT ON THE JOB THAT THE CHIEF DOES.

OBVIOUSLY WHEN HE IS GONE, I HAVE TO ACT IN HIS CAPACITY.

THAT HELPED PREPARE ME FOR WHAT'S COMING UP HERE.

>> Reporter: HE IS EXCITED, BUT ALSO AT THE SAME TIME ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG CHALLENGE.

HE ALSO SAID THAT HE IS GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DEPARTMENT RUNS SMOOTHLY WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, PROVIDE GREAT PUBLIC SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> I THINK THE PREVIOUS LEADERSHIP HERE HAS BEEN FANTASTIC.

I THINK DAVE REALLY RIGHTED THE SHIP OR GOT THE SHIP GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND MOVING FORWARD, IT MAKES IT A LOT EASIER FOR ME TO STEER THE SHIP.

>> Reporter: AFTER TALKING WITH BOTH OFFICERS, I WAS SHOWN THROUGH A PATROL CAR AND WE WENT FOR A RIDE AROUND THE COMMUNITY WHERE DEPUTY RUNDE FEELS IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A CONNECTION TO.

>> IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN A LOT OF OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS, THE THINGS WE DO AS A COMMUNITY.

IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

THAT'S ONE OF OUR MAIN FOCUSES MOVING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE PROMOTION WILL TAKE EFFECT ON MAY 1, 2026, AND THE COUNCIL HAS STARTED THE SEARCH TO FILL THE POSITION OF DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF.

>>> THERE COULD BE AN UPCOMING PRIMARY BATTLE TO DECIDE THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR MINNESOTA SENATE DISTRICT FIVE.

ON SATURDAY G.O.P.

DELEGATES ENDORSED CURRENT 5-B REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE MIKE WIENER FOR THAT SENATE SEAT OVER CURRENT DISTRICT FIVE SENATOR PAUL UTKE.

WIENER PICKED UP 80-PERCENT OF THE VOTE AND WILL BE THE ENDORSED REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE.

REPORTS SAY UTKE IS CONSIDERING RUNNING IN THE PRIMARY AS THE UNENDORSED CANDIDATE.

>>> IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENTS ARRIVED AT MORE THAN A DOZEN U.S.

AIRPORTS MONDAY, THIS, AS TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICER CALLOUTS ESCALATE AMID THE ONGOING DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SHUTDOWN, AND CHECKPOINT WAIT TIMES BALLOON.

KARIN CAIFA HAS THE LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYS IT WAS HIS IDEA TO SEND IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOM ENFORCEMENT AGENTS INTO SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S BUSIEST AIRPORTS.

>> THIS WAS MY IDEA.

I CALLED TOM HOHOMAN.

>> Reporter: THEY WERE DEPLOYED TO A DOZEN U.S.

AIRPORTS ON MONDAY.

THERE IS A STALEMATE OVER HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING THAT LEFT THEM WITHOUT PAY SINCE MID-FEBRUARY.

>> I HAVE NEVER SEEN LINES LIKE THAT BEFORE AND THOSE POSE SECURITY ISSUES FOR ALL OF THOSE FOLKS INVOLVED AND THAT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED RIGHT AWAY.

>> Reporter: HE SAID AGENTS WOULD HELP T.S.A.

IN AREAS THAT DON'T NEED SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE LIKE SCREENING THROUGH X-RAY MACHINES.

>> THERE IS A VERY IMPORTANT MISSION ON ITS OWN AND TO BE TAKING THEM OFF THEIR REGULAR JOBS FOR WHICH THEY ARE SPECIFICALLY TRAINED, MAKES VERY LITTLE SENSE TO ME.

>> Reporter: TRAVELERS HAVE FACED UNPREDICTABLE WAIT TIMES AT BUSY AIRPORTS LIKE CHICAGO O'HARE.

>> I THINK IN ORDER TO CATCH MY FLIGHT, I HAVE TO GET HERE AT LEAST 3 HOURS BEFOREHAND.

>> Reporter: AT HART FIELD JACKSON, PASSENGERS WERE ASKED TO ARRIVE FOUR HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE TIME ON MONDAY.

>> I KNEW IT WOULD BE BAD.

I CAME PREPARED.

>> Reporter: AT HOUSTON'S BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL, PASSENGERS WERE WARNED THAT WAIT TIMES COULD STRETCH PASS FOUR HOURS.

CONGRESS WILL HAVE A RECESS AT THE END OF THE WEEK, POTENTIALLY LEAVING THE D.H.S.

SHUT DOWN UNRESOLVED UNTIL MID-APRIL.

I'M KARIN CAIFA.

>> THE ICE AGENTS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE AT 14 AIRPORTS BUT AS OF TONIGHT NOT THE MINNEAPOLIS-ST.PAUL AIRPORT.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE'LL SEE QUIET WEATHER TOMORROW BUT CHANCES OF RAIN OR SNOW RETURN MIDWEEK.

VIL THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, THIS FORMER HOTEL BEMIDJI HOPES TO RESHAPE THEIR IMAGE AFTER MASSIVE REN [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> RIPPLESIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH IN AITKIN.

THROUGH THE I MATTER, YOU MATTER, WE MATTER CAMPAIGN, THE KIDS ARE FULFILLING A MISSION TO HELP PEOPLE REALIZE THEIR WORTH AND PUSH THROUGH THE ROUGH PATCHES IN LIFE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: THE RIPPLESIDE ELEMENTARY STUDENT COUNCIL IS PUSHING BACK ON NEGATIVITY, WHILE SHOWING ANYONE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> THE I MATTER, YOU MATTER, WE MATTER CAMPAIGN IS TALKING ABOUT HOW IN THE MORE RECENT YEARS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA, IT'S EASIER TO TARGET SOMEONE ONLINE OR PHYSICALLY STILL, SO WE REALLY WANT TO TAKE THE NEGATIVITY AWAY AND MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT.

>> Reporter: RIPPLESIDE ELEMENTARY STUDENT COUNCIL ADVISER AND COACH JOSHUA SMITH BIRTH THE I MATTER, YOU MATTER, WE MATTER MOVEMENT.

AND NOW FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS ARE HELPING SPREAD THE WORD THROUGH POSTERS AND SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> EVERY SINGLE PERSON NEEDS TO KNOW THAT.

THEY NEED TO KNOW THEY MATTER REGARDLESS, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH, BUT THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT THEY MATTER.

THEY MATTER TO SOMEBODY.

THEY MATTER TO EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: AND THE MODEL'S IMPACT HAS EXTENDED BEYOND RIPPLESIDE IN AITKIN WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD, POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND MULTIPLE SPORTS TEAMS WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL EACH THROWING THEIR HANDS IN.

>> I MATTER, YOU MATTER, SO EVERYBODY AROUND YOU MATTERS AND YOU CAN BE KIND TO EVERYBODY, AND WE MATTER, AS ALL AROUND THE SCHOOL, THE COMMUNITY, WE ALL MATTER.

>> I MATTER.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> YOU MATTER.

>> WE MATTER.

>> RIGHT WHEN I SAW THE VIDEO THAT JOSH WAS SHOWING ME, HOW MANY VIEWS I GOT, IT WAS CRAZY.

IT'S MORE THAN THE POPULATION OF AITKIN.

IT'S GOING ALL ACROSS MINNESOTA.

>> Reporter: THE I MATTER, YOU MATTER, WE MATTER CAMPAIGN IS A WAY FOR THE STUDENTS TO BOTH LEARN AND UNDERSTAND WHAT OTHERS HAVE ENDURED, ARE CURRENTLY ENDURING, AND THE UNCERTAINTIES THAT MAY TROUBLE THEM IN THE FUTURE AS EMPATHY IS THE KEY TO HELPING PEOPLE SEE THAT THEY HAVE A PLACE IN THIS WORLD.

>> JUST SHOWING THAT YOU CARE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE AND EVEN IF YOU HAVE SO MUCH GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE, YOU CAN STILL SHOW EMPATHY TO OTHER PEOPLE AND BE LIKE HEY, IT'S NOT SO GREAT RIGHT NOW BUT IT CAN ALWAYS GET BETTER.

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

>> THE RIPPLESIDE STUDENT COUNCIL ALSO ORGANIZES FOOD DRIVES, AN END-OF-THE-YEAR BARBECUE, AS WELL AS TIME TO HELP WELCOME VETERANS ON VETERANS' DAY.

>>> BUSY CREW STACY, AND WEATHER-WISE NOW WE HAD A BIT OF A WARM UP AND THEN A LITTLE BIT OF A COOL DOWN, UP AND DOWN LATELY.

>> Stacy: AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THAT.

WE WILL BE SEEING SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES YET TOMORROW, BUT WE ARE EXPECTING A COOL DOWN BY THE END OF THE WORKWEEK BEFORE WARMER TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND AND WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR RAIN OR SNOW AROUND [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE HAVE SEEN CLOUDS INCREASE THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT PRECIPITATION MOVING ACROSS THE AREA THIS EVENING.

THAT WILL BE EXITING VERY SOON.

WE SHOULD HAVE QUIET WEATHER OVERNIGHT AND TOMORROW.

TEMPERATURES TOMORROW WILL RANGE FROM THE 30s IN THE NORTH TO THE 50s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE DO HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN OR SNOW AS WE HEAD INTO MIDWEEK, BOTH WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, A LITTLE BIT OF A COOL DOWN TO END THE WORKWEEK BUT TEMPS RECOVER INTO THE WEEKEND.

IT'S 37 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE CALM, DEW POINT IS 22, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 55%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, 39 DEGREES, 21 IS OUR DEW POINT, WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTH AT 12 MILES PER HOUR, GUSTS UP TO 21.

LOOKING AT THE SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE DID HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT PRECIPITATION.

WE DIDN'T SEE A LOT OF THIS REACH THE GROUND, BUT A LITTLE BIT HERE AND THERE, SOME SNOW SHOWERS, FLURRIES, AND DRIZZLE.

THIS WILL BE EXITING TO THE EAST VERY QUICKLY AND WE SHOULD HAVE A RETURN TO QUIETER WEATHER OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE THE CLOUDS BREAKING UP TOMORROW AND HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL RANGE FROM THE 30s TO THE MID-50s ACROSS THE VIEWING AREA.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, ARLENE CAPTURING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS SPOTTED OVER MENAHGA THIS MORNING AND A GORGEOUS SUNRISE FROM ANGELA AT CASS LAKE.

CHRISSY WITH THIS PICTURE, SOME OF THE CLOUDS RETURNING IN DEERWOOD TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 17 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, PARTLY SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 40.

RALPH IN JENKINS, 15 THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN AND CLOUDS TODAY, TOPPING OUT AT 43.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, SUNSHINE AND THEN PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, A LITTLE BIT WINDY TOO.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT, A HIGH OF 43.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, ISOLATED EVENING SHOWERS, EVEN A FEW SNOW SHOWERS WITH HIGHS NEAR 44.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, 44 WAS THE HIGH TEMPERATURE IN BRAINERD TODAY AND THAT ACTUALLY IS VERY SEASONAL.

WE'RE 1 DEGREE ABOVE AVERAGE.

16 FOR THE LOW, SUNSET AT 7:34.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 44, AND 3 DEGREES ABOVE THAT AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, VERY CLOSE TO THOSE AVERAGES, 16 FOR THE LOW, AND SUNRISE AT 7:16.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE AT LEAST SOME CLOUDS IN THE AREA AS WE START THE DAY AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, WE'LL START TO SEE THOSE CLOUDS CLEARING OUT.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, THE COOLER TEMPERATURES CONTINUE IN FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA, UPPER 30s IN BOTH WARROAD AND INTERNATIONAL FALLS, BUT MOST OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA SHOULD SEE HIGHS IN THE UPPER 40s.

AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, IT DOES GET A LITTLE BIT WARMER WITH SOME LOW TO POSSIBLY EVEN A FEW MID-50s.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, 23 FOR THE LOW, VARIABLE WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY TOMORROW, HIGHS NEAR 47, WITH EAST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

HERE IS A LOOK AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, WE START TO SEE SOME RAIN OR SNOW STARTING IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA WEDNESDAY DURING THE DAY AND SPREADING SOUTHWARD WEDNESDAY NIGHT, AND THEN EXITING TO THE EASTERN AND CENTRAL PARTS OF THE STATE ON THURSDAY.

WE WILL ALSO BE SEEING A COOL DOWN, 54 ON WEDNESDAY, BUT 30s AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WORKWEEK.

TEMPERATURES START TO RECOVER AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND WITH PLENTY OF SUNSHINE.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS.

YOU MENTIONED LAST WEEK HOW BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS WILL HAVE A NEW HEAD COACH NEXT YEAR.

>> Charlie: YES, MIKE JOHNSON DECIDED THIS WAS IT.

HIS WIFE SAID YOU ARE GOING TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

HE SAID HE WAS 90% SURE.

HE ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT TODAY.

I WILL GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT HE TOLD US WHY HE CHOSE TO HANG UP THE SKATES COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> FOR EIGHT YEARS MIKE JOHNSON STEERED THE SHIP THAT IS BEMIDJI GIRLS' HOCKEY, GUIDED THE TEAM THROUGH BOTH THE ROUGH AND CALM WATERS.

ON FRIDAY HE ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT AND TODAY WE GOT TO HEAR WHAT LED TO THE SKIPPERS DECISION.

>> I JUST FIRST WANT TO SAY IT WAS WITH GREAT HUMILITY AND HONOR THAT I ACCEPTED THE POSITION EIGHT YEARS AGO.

IT'S WE EQUALLY HUMILITY AND HONOR THAT I STEP AWAY NOW.

I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF I COULD HELP OUT AND CONTRIBUTE WHATEVER I CAN TO THE COMMUNITY I LOVE SO MUCH AND THE SCHOOL I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL IN AND THE PROGRAM I GREW UP WITH.

I FEEL LIKE MY WORK HERE IS NOT NECESSARILY DONE, BUT I FEEL GOOD AT THE STATE WE'RE AT.

I THINK IT'S NICE FOR NEW FOLKS TO TAKE OVER A PROGRAM, INSTEAD OF TYPICALLY YOU TAKE OVER WHEN IT'S BOTTOMED OUT AND IT'S REBUILDING, LIKE WHAT WE STARTED WITH 8 YEARS AGO.

IT'S THE OPPOSITE NOW.

WE'RE KIND OF AT THE TOP.

>> Charlie: THE 2020-21 SEASON WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT OF HIS TENURE TO NAVIGATE, WHEN THE JACKS ONLY WON ONE GAME.

FIVE YEARS LATER, JOHNSON STEPS AWAY AFTER LEADING THE LUMBERJACKS TO THEIR FIRST SECTION TITLE AND STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE SINCE 2007, AND THEIR THIRD OVERALL.

BUT IT ISN'T THE WINS AND LOSSES HE'LL MISS MOST WHEN NEXT SEASON ROLLS AROUND.

>> IT'S THE WORK THAT THESE KIDS PUT IN AND THE ENERGY THEY BRING EVERY DAY.

IT KEEPS US YOUNG TO BE IN THERE, MEETING WITH THEM IN THE COACH'S ROOM AND ON THE ICE, THEY ASK QUESTIONS AND WE MAKE JOKES AND HAVE FUN.

WE ENJOY THE BUS RIDES.

THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT I WILL MISS MOST.

YOU CAN'T REPLACE THAT SO THERE WILL BE SECOND GUESSING.

I PLAN TO BE HERE AT THE GAMES NEXT YEAR AND YEAH, DO SOME CHEERING.

I'M NOT A SUPER LOUD FAN IN THE STANDS, BUT INTERNALLY, I AM CERTAINLY CHEERING FOR THESE KIDS AND I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO MISS THAT AND THE RELATIONSHIPS YOU BUILD ALONG THE WAY.

>> HE'S ALSO BUILT QUITE THE CULTURE THERE AS WELL, JOHNSON SAID HE'S PROUD THEY WENT FROM A TEAM THAT STEPPED ON THE ICE EXPECTING TO LOSE, TO A PROGRAM THAT BELIEVES THEY CAN WIN A STATE TITLE, EVERY SEASONS RECORD A RECEIPT TO PROVE IT.

WELL CHELSEA WILL NOT BE BACK TO COACH NEXT SEASON.

SHE RESIGNED AFTER 11 YEARS AT THE HELM.

SHE WILL WORK AT THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT AS THE SENIOR WOMEN'S ADMINISTRATOR AND SERVING AS THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ADVISER.

THEY POSTED THE POSITION AND BEGUN A NATIONAL SEARCH TO FIND A REPLACEMENT AND WE'LL HAVE MORE UPDATES ON THAT AS THEY HAPPEN.

>>> WE DO HAVE A COUPLE SCORE FROM THE WEEKEND.

BEMIDJI STATE SPLITS IN WOMEN'S TENNIS.

THEY GET A WIN ON SATURDAY.

ALSO ON SATURDAY, BEMIDJI STATE HAD TO GO ON THE ROAD AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO OPEN AT HOME THIS WEEKEND.

THEY FALL TO WAYNE STATE IN BOTH THOSE GAMES.

THE MEN, THEY GET SWEPT IN A FOUR GAME SERIES AT WINONA STATE.

THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO OPEN NEXT TUESDAY AT HOME.

>>> ON SUNDAY, BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY HOSTED THEIR ANNUAL BANQUET TO HONOR THE PREVIOUS SEASONS RACERS AND GIVE UPDATES FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON.

LAPORTE'S DUSTIN PUFFE, WHO DRIVES THE 21-X, WON THE 2025 WISSOTA PURE STOCK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND WAS HONORED AT THE DINNER.

ALSO WINNING A NATIONAL TITLE IN STREET STOCK WAS KOLTON BRAUER FROM EYOTA.

WHILE BEMIDJI'S DAWSON OELRICH GRABBED NATIONAL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR HONORS FOR MOD FOURS.

THESE ARE THE TRACK POINTS CHAMPIONS FROM THE 2025 SEASON WHO WERE RECOGNIZED AS WELL, A LOT OF FOLKS FROM THE VIEWING AREA.

THE 2026 SEASON BEGINS SUNDAY AND MONDAY OF MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND WITH THE JACK SPARBY-CHICKEN SHACK NATIONALS.

>> Dennis: YEAH, IT'S NOT THAT FAR OFF.

>> Charlie: IT'S NOT, IT'S CLOSE.

I KNOW THE WEATHER DOESN'T MAKE IT FEEL LIKE IT.

HOPEFULLY THE SNOW MELTS SOONER THAN LATER AND THE TRACK IS NICE.

>> Dennis: WE'RE GETTING THERE.

THANKS CHARLIE.

AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF RENOVATIONS, THE FORMER HOTEL BEMIDJI NOW OPERATES UNDER A NEW NAME AND OWNERSHIP.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, SPOKE WITH THE NEW OWNER ABOUT THE RENOVATIONS TO WHAT IS NOW CALLED CITY EXPRESS BY MARRIOTT, AND HOW HE HOPES THE NEW LOOK WILL CHANGE THE REPUTATION OF THE HOTEL.

>> Reporter: WHEN PATEL FIRST PURCHASED THE HOTEL BEMIDJI IN JANUARY 2024, HE WALKED HIMSELF INTO A MASSIVE RENOVATION PROJECT.

>> PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING WAS ORIGINAL FROM 1994, I WOULD SAY.

THE CARPETS WERE ORIGINAL, WALLPAPER WAS ORIGINAL, TVs WERE MIX AND MATCH.

ONE WOULD BE LG, ONE WOULD BE PHILLIPS, DEFINITELY NEGLECTED.

NOT ENOUGH EQUITY PUT BACK INTO THE HOTEL FROM THE PROFITS THAT THE HOTEL WOULD HAVE CREATED OVER THE YEARS.

>> Reporter: PATEL SAW POTENTIAL IN THE BUILDING AND A NEED IN THE BEMIDJI AREA FOR MORE HOTEL SPACE AND AFFORDABLE COST.

HE SPENT $1.5 MILLION OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS RENOVATING THE 70-ROOM HOTEL.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE A HOSPITALITY LODGING MARK, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER.

>> Reporter: ONE IS JOINING MARRIOTT'S LOYALTY PROGRAM.

HE SPOKE WITH A VARIETY OF HOTEL COMPANIES AND BELIEVE THE CITY EXPRESS BY MARRIOTT MODEL WAS THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE.

>> WE DIDN'T WANT TO DO MUCH EXTENSIVE RENOVATIONS, WHERE NOW WE ARE INTO CONSTRUCTION PART OF IT.

THAT KIND OF FIT THE CITY EXPRESS BRAND.

>> Reporter: RENOVATIONS WERE MOVING AT A GOOD PACE AND ON BUDGET, BUT THEN ON THE JUNE 21ST WIND STORM THROUGH A WRENCH INTO THE PROJECT.

WIND SPEEDS AT 100 MILES PER HOUR LIFTED THE ROOF AT THIS END OF THE BUILDING WHICH CAUSED DELAYS WITH THE RENOVATIONS.

>> THE WATER GUSHED INTO THE WALLS, ALL OF THOSE ROOMS, AND EVERYTHING GOT WET.

THAT KIND OF DELAYED OUR PROJECT BECAUSE THAT IS WHEN WE WERE STARTING OUR RENOVATIONS.

RIGHT AFTER THAT, WE GOT REALLY BUSY THAT MONTH, JUNE AND JULY BECAUSE ALL OF THE FLY BY TREE GUYS, THEY ALL STARTED BOOKING ROOMS, AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO START AND IT DELAYED OUR PROJECT BY TWO MONTHS.

>> Reporter: PATEL HOPES THE RENOVATIONS CAN CHANGE THE REPUTATION THAT THE FORMER HOTEL HAD.

>> WE THOUGHT WHEN WE RENOVATE THIS COMPLETELY, WE CAN CHANGE THE PRICE POINT.

ONCE THE PRICE POINT CHANGES, IT CHANGES THE CUSTOMER'S MENTALITY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AS OF EARLY 2025, THERE ARE AROUND 150 CITY EXPRESS BY MARRIOTT HOTELS IN OPERATION, PRIMARILY IN MEXICO, CHILE, COLOMBIA, AND COSTA RICA, BUT HAVE OVER 100 PROPERTIES SIGNED OR IN DEVELOPMENT IN THE U.S.

AND CANADA.

>>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO BACK TO STACY FOR ONE LAST LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING QUIET WEATHER OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, WE WILL BE SEEING LOWS DROPPING TO 23 OVERNIGHT, WITH VARIABLE WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, HIGHS WILL BE BACK AROUND 47, WITH EAST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

>> Dennis: WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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