>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> HEY EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

MY NAME IS MATTHEW FREEMAN, FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN, WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> GOVERNOR TIM WALZ HAS OFFICIALLY CALLED FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR FORMER STATE SENATOR JUSTIN EICHORN'S DISTRICT 6 SEAT FOLLOWING HIS ARREST FOR ATTEMPTING TO SOLICIT SEX FROM A MINOR.

THE SPECIAL ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 29TH, AFTER A SPECIAL PRIMARY VOTE ON APRIL 15TH.

DISTRICT SIX'S VOTERS, WHICH INCLUDES MOST OF CROW WING COUNTY AS WELL AS PARTS OF CASS AND ITASCA COUNTIES, WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION ON APRIL 15TH AND THE GENERAL ELECTION ON APRIL 29TH.

DUE TO THE SHORT TIMELINE, VOTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE THE ABSENTEE OR EARLY VOTING ROUTE TAKING PLACE FROM APRIL 9TH THROUGH THE 14TH FOR THE PRIMARY AND APRIL 23RD THROUGH THE 28TH FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION.

SOME POLLING PLACES IN CROW WING COUNTY WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE WITH SOME LOCATIONS CHANGING FROM THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS.

>> WE ALSO HAVE A WARD IN BRAINERD THAT DOES NOT HAVE AVAILABILITY AND THAT'S THE ST. ANDREWS CHURCH.

WE WILL BE MOVING THAT PRECINCT ON LAUREL STREET ALSO, FACILITIES WE UTILIZE THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITIES ALREADY HAD THINGS BOOKED OR HAD PROJECTS UNDERWAY.

WE HAD TO MAKE THE QUICK PIVOT AND MAKE SURE WE'RE STILL PROVIDING GOOD ACCESSIBLE VOTING FOR EVERYBODY THAT WISHES TO VOTE.

>> ANYONE IN DISTRICT SIX LOOKING TO VOTE CAN FIND THEIR RESPECTIVE POLLING LOCATION AT MNVOTES.GOV.

SOMEONE ELSE IS THROWING THEIR NAME INTO THE EVER-GROWING LIST OF POSSIBLE CANDIDATES.

NICKY HARDY OF PEQUOT LAKES, WILL NOW BE ONE OF TWO DFL CANDIDATES TO CHALLENGE FOR THE EMPTY SEAT.

THOSE WHO WISH TO HAVE THEIR NAME ON THE BALLOT HAVE UNTIL 5:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 1ST TO FILE FOR CANDIDACY.

>>> PROTESTS OVER DECISIONS MADE BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CONTINUED IN BRAINERD TODAY, THIS TIME OVER CUTS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

RESIDENTS GATHERED ON THE CORNER OF 6TH AND WASHINGTON IN BRAINERD TO PROTEST PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO DISMANTLE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ACCORDING TO NBC NEWS.

THE DISMANTLING OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WOULD HINDER BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM BEING DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT IMPOVERISHED OR DISABLED STUDENTS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED THE EXECUTIVE ORDER LAST THURSDAY BUT WILL NEED SUPPORT FROM CONGRESS TO ACTUALLY SHUT DOWN THE DEPARTMENT.

>>> A CONVICTED LEVEL 3 PREDATORY OFFENDER WILL BE MOVING TO A RESIDENCE IN THE CITY OF BRAINERD.

THE BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NOTIFYING THE PUBLIC THAT 52-YEAR-OLD, JIMMIE DALE PEAKE, IS ANTICIPATED TO BE RELEASED FROM PRISON ON APRIL 14TH AND IS INTENDING TO RESIDE IN THE VICINITY OF GILLIS AVENUE IN THE CITY OF BRAINERD.

PEAKE IS A WHITE MAN WITH BROWN HAIR AND BLUE EYES.

HE'S 5 FEET, 6 INCHES-TALL AND WEIGHS ABOUT 158 POUNDS.

ACCORDING TO THE BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT, PEAKE HAS A HISTORY OF ENGAGING IN SEXUAL CONTACT AGAINST KNOWN FEMALE CHILDREN, WHICH INCLUDED PENETRATION.

IN ALL INCIDENTS, PEAKE USED AN ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP OF TRUST WITH THE VICTIMS TO ATTAIN AND EXPLOIT UNMONITORED ACCESS.

THE BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT WANTS TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT PEAKE IS NOT CURRENTLY WANTED AND THAT THE NOTIFICATION IS NOT INTENDED TO INCREASE FEAR IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED.

>>> THE AITKIN-ITASCA-MILLE LACS VIOLENT CRIMES ENFORCEMENT TEAM RECENTLY SEIZED NEARLY $100,000 WORTH OF DRUGS IN THE ARREST OF A MAN FROM ITASCA COUNTY.

ACCORDING TO A RELEASE FROM THE ENFORCEMENT TEAM.

THEY HAD BEEN CONDUCTING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE INVESTIGATION INVOLVING 47-YEAR-OLD, RAYMOND KENNETH CALHOUN OF BOVEY.

ON MARCH 17TH, AUTHORITIES CONDUCTED A VEHICLE STOP IN RURAL HIBBING BASED ON PROBABLE CAUSE AND WERE ABLE TO APPLY FOR A SEARCH WARRANT FOR CALHOUN, HIS VEHICLE AND HIS RESIDENCE.

AS A RESULT, AGENTS WERE ABLE TO SEIZE 7 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA, 6 JARS OF MARIJUANA WAX, 1.5 POUNDS OF CONCENTRATED T.H.C.

EDIBLES, 2 POUNDS OF PSILOCYBIN MUSHROOMS, 1 POUND OF METHAMPHETAMINE, AND NEARLY 11 POUNDS OF PSILOCYBIN MUSHROOM EDIBLES.

THE TOTAL ESTIMATED STREET VALUE IS $95,500.

CALHOUN IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SAINT LOUIS COUNTY JAIL ON TWO CHARGES OF DRUG POSSESSION, WITH A BAIL OF $500,000.

THE ENFORCEMENT TEAM SAYS THESE SUBSTANCES POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK DUE TO THE UNKNOWN MANUFACTURING METHODS AND POTENCY.

>>> THE CITY OF BRAINERD AND BRAINERD PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION HELD A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY'S PLAN FOR THE CITY'S MAIN LIFT STATION RECONSTRUCTION DURING TODAY'S B.P.U.

MEETING.

THE B.P.U.

'S WASTEWATER FACILITY HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 1978, BUT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANS FOR UPDATES STARTED IN 2020 INVOLVING BOTH THE RIVER CROSSING AND PUMP STATION.

THE B.P.U.

IS CURRENTLY FOCUSING ON THE PUMP STATION'S MECHANICS, PROGRAMMING, NETWORKING, AND EQUIPMENT RELIABILITY, WHILE ALSO AIMING TO MINIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

>> BEING AHEAD OF THE GAME OF FAILURE AND HAVING THAT INFORMATION AT OUR FINGERTIPS AND TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY ISSUES THAT MAY HAPPEN AND HOPEFULLY AVOID THEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OR WATER CONTAMINATION AND SO ON.

>> GAMMON SAY'S THE B.P.U.

HOPES TO HAVE THE PROJECT UNDERWAY WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

TWO OF THE PUMPS AT THE STATION ARE IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

THEY HOPE TO MAKE REPAIRS WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR.

>>> HOUSE DEMOCRATS DEMANDED THE RELEASE OF MAHMOUD KHALIL, A COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY GRADUATE AND PRO-PALESTINIAN ACTIVIST WHO WAS ARRESTED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND WHO FACES DEPORTATION.

THIS AS A CORNELL GRADUATE STUDENT ACTIVIST APPEARED IN FEDERAL COURT AS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ARE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE HIM FROM THE UNITED STATES.

SHERRELL HUBBARD HAS MORE ON THE WARNING THAT HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE SENDING.

>> Reporter: HOUSE DEMOCRATS IN WASHINGTON HAVE A MESSAGE TO SPREAD, PROTECT THE 1ST AMENDMENT AMID WHAT THEY CALL AN ATTACK ON FREE SPEECH.

>> THE ADMIN TARGETING PEOPLE FOR DETENTION BASED ON THEIR POLITICAL VIEWS SHOULD SEND A CHILL DOWN THE SPINE OF EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN.

>> Reporter: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DIRECTED IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS TO ARREST A COLOMBIA GRADUATE AND PALESTINIAN ACTIVIST ON MARCH 8th.

HE PLAYED AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN PROTESTS AGAINST THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR ON THE CAMPUS LAST YEAR.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ACCUSES HIM OF SUPPORTING HAMAS, BUT HASN'T PROVIDED ANY EVIDENCE.

HE IS CURRENTLY IN I.C.E.

CUSTODY.

>> HE IS A RESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENT, AND AS SUCH, HE IS PROTECTED BY OUR CONSTITUTION.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATS WARN THAT ALL AMERICANS SHOULD BE CONCERNED.

>> LET'S BE CLEAR, HIS RIGHTS ARE OUR RIGHTS.

>> Reporter: SUPPORTERS OF CORNELL DOCTORAL STUDENT ECHOED A SIMILAR SENTIMENTS OUTSIDE A COURTROOM WHERE HE APPEARED ON TUESDAY.

THEY REVOKED HIS STUDENT VISA AND A JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS ATTEMPTING TO MOVE HIM FROM THE U.S.

HE WAS INVOLVE IN THE PROTEST AGAINST THE ISRAEL AND HAMAS WAR LAST YEAR.

>> THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE RESTRICTIONS ON THE GOVERNMENT FROM ARRESTING YOU AND PUTTING YOU AWAY IN A BOX BECAUSE YOU SAID SOMETHING THAT THEY DO NOT LIKE.

>> Reporter: I'M SHERRELL HUBBARD REPORTING.

>> Matthew: THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT LEADER SAID THEY'RE INVESTIGATING IN THEIR ROLES IN THE DEMONSTRATIONS.

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

>> Stacy: WE MAY SEE A FEW SPRINKLES OR FLURRIES OR MAYBE SOME PATCHY FREEZING RAIN IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE OTHERWISE PRETTY QUIET WEATHER IN STORE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL TRAP SHOOTING TEAM HELD THEIR ANNUAL FUNDRAISER.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> BRAINERD RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION FOR THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE AS WASHINGTON STREET IS GETTING A MAJOR OVERHAUL.

TODAY THE PUBLIC GOT A TASTE AS TO WHAT THOSE CHANGES WILL LOOK LIKE.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HELD AN OPEN HOUSE TODAY TO GIVE BRAINERD RESIDENTS A TASTE OF WHAT'S TO COME WITH THEIR RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT OF WASHINGTON DRIVE.

THE PROJECT WILL BRING NEW SIDEWALKS, LANES, AND EVEN A NEW WATER MAIN TO THE CITY OF BRAINERD.

PROJECT MANAGER LUKE WESSLER SAYS RESIDENTS SHOULD EXPECT CONSTRUCTION IN THE AREA FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

>> WE'RE FOCUSING ON GETTING THE PROJECT DONE IN TWO YEARS.

THE FIRST STAGE IS GOING FROM EAST TO WEST ON THE EAST END.

SO, FOCUSING ON THE MALL AREA, GOING TO THE RAILROAD AREA, AND TRYING TO GET TO KING WOOD, AND THEN STARTING UP '27, WE'RE STARTING AT THE BRIDGE AREA AND GOING EAST, AND THEN MEETING AT THE KING WOOD AREA TO FINALIZE THE PROJECT IN '27.

>> Matthew: CONSTRUCTION FOR THE PROJECT IS SET TO BEGIN IN EARLY 2026.

>>> FOR THE LAST 28 YEARS, CURLERS FROM ALL AROUND NORTHERN MINNESOTA GATHER AT THE BEMIDJI CURLING CLUB FOR THE ANNUAL LUMBERJACK BONSPIEL.

NOW THE EVENT ISN'T JUST ABOUT CURLING, IT'S ALSO ABOUT COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

EACH TEAM'S ENTRY FEE OF $100 OR ANY OTHER DONATIONS GO TOWARDS THE LUMBERJACK FOUNDATION FUND, A PART OF THE NORTHWEST MINNESOTA FOUNDATION.

THIS FUND SUPPORTS ACTIVITIES AT BEMIDJI MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>> WE'RE RAISING MONEY FOR THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE LUMBERJACK FOUNDATION.

WE HAD 24 TEAMS THIS YEAR AND 4 PEOPLE PER TEAM, SO THAT COMES OUT TO 96.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE THAT WE CAN STILL GET PEOPLE TO COME OUT FOR A GREAT CAUSE.

WE RAISED AROUND $25,000 EACH EVENT.

>> Matthew: WE HAVE STACY WITH US HERE NOW AND TODAY WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY.

HOPEFULLY YOU WILL TELL US THE REST OF THE WEEK WILL LOOK THE SAME.

>> Stacy: THERE MAY BE MORE CLOUD COVER TOMORROW AND A FEW SPRINKLES AND FLURRIES AND PATCHY FREEZING RAIN IN PARTS OF THE AREA THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING, BUT OVERALL, IT LOOKS PRETTY QUIET UNTIL WE HIT THE END OF THE WEEK, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND INTO SUNDAY AS WELL WHEN THAT SPRING STORM COULD BE BRINGING US SOME RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, O >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, DEAF, DEAF/BLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING STATE SERVICES DIVISION.

>> 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, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, ONCE AGAIN WE ENJOYED A LOT OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA TODAY.

CLOUDS HAVE BEEN INCREASING A LITTLE BIT NOW AS WE MOVED INTO THE EVENING, AT LEAST IN SOME LOCATIONS.

WE MAY SEE A FEW SPRINKLES OR FLURRIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, POSSIBLY EVEN SOME LIGHT FREEZING RAIN IN PARTS OF THE NORTHEAST.

SOME OF THAT COULD CONTINUE INTO TOMORROW MORNING, BUT OTHERWISE IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING AGAIN SOME SUNSHINE TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS OR PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY TOMORROW, SUNSHINE IS BACK ON THURSDAY, AND THEN AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE WATCHING AS THE SPRING STORM BEGINS TO MOVE IN OUR DIRECTION.

AGAIN, WE COULD BE SEEING A LOT OF MIXED PRECIPITATION ALL THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 35 AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT SOUTHWEST WIND WITH A DEW POINT OF 26 AND HUMIDITY AT 68%.

IN BRAINERD WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, 37 DEGREES, WITH A DEW POINT OF 19, PRESSURE IS ON THE RISE, AND WINDS ARE CALM.

NOW IF YOU LOOK AT THE RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF CLEAR SKIES AND WE DO HAVE SOME CLOUDS MOVING INTO THE AREA, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

WE MAY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF SPRINKLES OR FLURRY ACTIVITY WITH THAT CLOUD COVER.

WE STILL COULD SEE SPRINKLES OR FLURRIES ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR FREEZING RAIN IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, JUST A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THAT, AND SOME OF THAT COULD LINGER INTO TOMORROW MORNING BEFORE THAT CLEARS OUT.

WE WILL HAVE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TOMORROW BUT EXPECT SOME SUNSHINE BACK IN THE FORECAST FOR THURSDAY.

A LOT OF EAGLE EYE PICTURES TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE BEAUTIFUL MORNING SKY WITH THE MOON OUT THERE IN MENAHGA.

YOLANDA WITH A PICTURE OF THE FOGGY MORNING TODAY, SAMROSE WITH THE FOG OVER LOWER RED LAKE THIS MORNING.

A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF LONG LAKE THERE AND JOAN SPOTTING A FEW VISITORS TO THE YARD TODAY IN LAPORTE.

SONYA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE BLUE SKIES THROUGH THE TREES.

WE HAVE A NICE SUNSET THROUGH THE TREES.

A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET AS WELL FROM ANGELA IN CASS LAKE AND JERRY SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE EVENING SKIES IN BRAINERD.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, KAREN IN BEMIDJI, 22 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY, TOPPING OUT AT 45.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE WITH A HIGH OF 49.

RALPH IN JENKINS REPORTING A HIGH OF 50.

51 FROM STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, A FEW PATCHY CLOUDS THIS EVENING, AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES TODAY WITH A HIGH OF 46.

BRAINERD TOPPING OUT TODAY AT 51.

WE'RE SEEING MILD TEMPERATURES IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA, 20 FOR THE LOW TEMP, AND SUNRISE AT 7:07.

BEMIDJI TODAY REACHING A HIGH OF 46, SO 5 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE.

20 DEGREES FOR OUR LOW AND SUNRISE AT 7:10.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE DO START OUT THE DAY WITH A LOT OF CLOUD COVER ACROSS THE AREA AND AGAIN THERE MAY BE A FEW FLURRIES OR EVEN A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME PATCHY FREEZING RAIN IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA BUT OVERALL, IT LOOKS FAIRLY QUIET.

WE WILL PUT THIS IN MOTION AND WE'LL HAVE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY THERE, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR THE NEXT SYSTEM TO BRUSH UP INTO WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT OVERALL, IT SEEMS LIKE A QUIET DAY WITH MORE SUNSHINE ON THURSDAY, AND THEN FOR TEMPERATURES, WE ARE LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE MID TO EVEN UPPER 40s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE VIEWING AREA AND AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, UPPER 40s, CLOSE TO 50 DEGREES IN LITTLE FALLS.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, A FEW SPRINKLES OR FLURRIES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, SOME ISOLATED FREEZING RAIN IN THE NORTHEAST.

25 IS OUR LOW TEMP AND THEN TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, BUT AGAIN, THERE COULD BE SOME FLURRIES OR FREEZING RAIN IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, HIGHS NEAR 47, AND WEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

SUNNY AND 46 ON THURSDAY, IT LOOKS LIKE A NICE DAY, AND THEN THE WEATHER PICTURE CHANGES ONCE AGAIN AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK AND THE WEEKEND AS THE SPRING STORM MOVES IN, BRINGING US SOME RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, OR SNOW THROUGH SATURDAY, BECOMING ALL SNOW ON SUNDAY, AS TEMPERATURES FALL, HIGHS NEAR 33 TO END THE WEEKEND.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY.

WE HAVE CHARLIE YAEGER WITH US AND WITH THE FELONYING -- FLUCTUATING TEMPERATURES, I'M SURE YOU WERE GLAD TO GO OUTSIDE.

>> Charlie: YES, THERE IS SNOW ON THE TRACK SO IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO RUN IN THE SNOW BUT IT WAS DRY INSIDE THE CENTER FOR THE RELAY.

WE HAVE SOME OF THE LOCAL AREA SCHOOLS AND HOW THEY DID IN THAT AND WE ALSO HEAR FROM A BEMIDJI >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE.

OFFERING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS FROM YOUR LOCAL BROADBAND COOPERATIVE.

>> NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE IS SPONSORED BY LVI SUPPLY.

MORE INFO AT 218-444-3930 OR LVISUPPLY.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: WELL, IT WAS SUCH A HIT LAST YEAR, THEY DECIDED TO DO IT AGAIN.

THE BEMIDJI STATE HALL OF FAME TRACK AND FIELD COACH, BSU HOSTING THE EVENT AT THE GILLETT WELLNESS CENTER, INVITING LOTS OF AREA HIGH SCHOOLS TO COMPETE INDOORS AND ESCAPE THE SNOW THAT'S STILL ON THE GROUND OUTSIDE.

WE START OFF WITH THE BOYS EVENT IN THE 1600 METER RUN.

BEMIDJI'S WILL AMES FINISHING SECOND IN 5-MINUTES 11-SECONDS.

BRENDEN SYLVESTER FROM GRAND RAPIDS TOPPED THE PODIUM IN 4-MINUTES 47-SECONDS.

IN THE 60-METER DASH, IT WAS PILLAGER'S ANDREW BROWN WHO WOULD BEAT THE FIELD IN 7.25-SECONDS.

LATER IN THE 4-BY-200, IT WAS LUMBERJACKS FOURSOME OF NOAH WILSON.

DAWSON DEGELDER, RHYS SNEIDE, AND TAYLEN SCHEMERHORN THAT WOULD COME OUT ON TOP IN 1-MINUTE, 37-SECONDS, AND FINALLY AUSTIN HEIM GOING SKY HIGH FOR THE JACK'S IN THE POLE VAULT.

THIS ONE GOOD AT 11-FEET 6-INCHES, SECURED HIM SECOND PLACE OVERALL.

HE'S SMILING ABOUT IT.

PROBABLY HAPPY BECAUSE BEMIDJI FINISHED FIRST OVERALL AS A TEAM, FOLLOWED BY GRAND RAPIDS AND PILLAGER.

>>> ON THE GIRLS SIDE OF THINGS, IN THE 1600, BEMIDJI'S ABIGAIL OLSON FINISHED THIRD IN 6-MINUTES 10-SECONDS AND GRAND RAPIDS' LAINIE JACKSON PACED THE PACK IN 5-MINUTES 56-SECONDS.

IN THE 60-METER DASH, THIS ONE WAS NO SURPRISE.

LAST YEAR'S CLASS A 100-METER DASH STATE CHAMP AVA PHRAKONKHAM FROM BAGLEY-FOSSTON BLOWING PAST EVERYONE IN 7.65-SECONDS.

APPARENTLY SHE'S ALSO A GOOD AT LONG JUMPING BECAUSE OVER AT THE SAND PIT SHE TOOK TOP PRIZE AS WELL, JUMPING 17-FEET.

THAT'S FURTHER THAN YOUR AVERAGE SIZED AMERICAN SEDAN IS LONG.

SHE HELPED BAGLEY-FOSSTON TO A 4TH PLACE TEAM FINISH.

BEMIDJI FINISHING FIRST AMONG AREA TEAMS, THIRD OVERALL WITH GRAND RAPIDS AND PILLAGER ROUNDING OUT THE TOP SIX.

>>> SOME OTHER SCORES AROUND THE AREA, MEN'S COLLEGE GOLF.

THEY FINISHED TIED FOR SECOND PLACE AT 2 UNDER BEHIND CONCORDIA ST. PAUL.

LOGAN FROM BSU FINISHED FOURTH OVERALL WITH A 4 UNDER.

THEN IN THE NHL, MINNESOTA DROP AS SECOND ONE TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW, 5-1 TO THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS.

THEY SCORED ONE GOAL OVER THE PAST TWO GAMES.

YIKES.

>>> FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR A TEAM OF BEMIDJI CURLERS IS HEADED TO THE JUNIOR U21 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS OF CURLING.

LAST YEAR, TWO GIRLS TEAMS FROM BEMIDJI QUALIFIED TO COMPETE AT THE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN O'CLAIRE, WISCONSIN, HOWEVER, ONE OF THE TEAMS WAS COMPRISED ENTIRELY OF HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS THAT HAVE ALL SINCE GRADUATED AND GONE THEIR SEPARATE WAYS.

BUT THE YOUNGER TEAM NAMED TEAM BERG AFTER THEIR SKIP NIA BERG, IS MADE UP OF HIGH SCHOOL UNDERCLASSMAN AND ONE 8TH GRADER AND THEY ARE MAKING A RETURN TRIP TO THE NATIONAL EVENT THAT WILL BE HELD IN BOWLING GREEN NEXT WEEK.

>> IT MEANS A LOT TO US AND I THINK THIS YEAR WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE OF GOING FAR IN IT.

WE GOTTEN A LOT STRONGER WITH OUR COMMUNICATION AND OUR SHOT CALLS.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A LOT OF FUN AND WE ALL GET ALONG VERY WELL.

>> IT'S COOL BECAUSE ONLY 8 TEAMS GET TO GO, SO IT'S GOOD THAT WE'RE ONE OF THE 8.

>> I THINK WE KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE DURING THE GAME, WE DON'T GET DOWN ON OURSELVES THAT MUCH AND JUST HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT WE ALL CAN MAKE OUR SHOTS AND DO GOOD.

>> TEAM BERG FINISHED 6TH OVERALL AT LAST YEAR'S CHAMPIONSHIPS AND ARE HOPING THEIR EXPERIENCE THERE WILL HELP GUIDE THEM THIS TIME AROUND WHEN THEY HIT THE SHEETS.

>> LAST YEAR THEY WERE WORRIED.

THEY ARE SO MUCH YOUNGER THAN EVERYBODY, BUT NOW THEY KNOW THEY CAN BEAT ANY TEAM.

THE CONFIDENCE IS AWESOME TO SEE HOW THESE GIRLS ENJOY EACH OTHER SO MUCH, THEY ARE PLAYING WELL, SO I THINK THEY'RE EXCITED TO TRY AGAIN.

>> WE KNOW A LOT MORE ABOUT HOW IT'S GOING TO END, HOW THE PLAY DOWN IS GOING TO WORK, AND HOW WE CAN DO BETTER THIS YEAR.

>> WE WERE TALKING ABOUT STRATEGY AND HOW WE MIGHT WANT TO PLAY AND THIS COMING WEEKEND.

SO WE HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF HOW MAYBE WE SHOULD BE THROWING OUR ROCKS AND HOW OUR STRATEGIES SHOULD GO THROUGHOUT OUR GAME.

>> HERE ARE THE FOUR MEMBERS OF TEAM BERG THAT WILL BE COMPETING NEXT WEEK IN BOWLING GREEN.

THEY WILL BE THE ONLY TEAM AT THIS YEARS JUNIOR U-21 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WHERE EVERY MEMBER OF THE TEAM IS FROM THE SAME TOWN.

THAT IS PRETTY COOL.

THEY'RE ALL FROM BEMIDJI, NOT EVERYBODY ON THE OTHER TEAMS ARE LIKE THAT.

THEY'RE FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> Matthew: THAT'S COOL, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> IT'S OFFICIALLY SPRING TIME AND THAT MEANS SPRING SPORTS SEASONS ARE STARTING.

FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK ISN'T LOOKING AT THE START OF BASEBALL OR LACROSSE, SHE'S LOOKING AT THE START OF TRAP SHOOTING SEASON.

>> Reporter: THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL TRAP TEAM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR LESS THAN TWO DECADES, BUT THE UNIQUE SPORT IS BECOMING LESS AND LESS NICHE.

>> THERE ARE OVER 12,000 KIDS SHOOTING IN MINNESOTA.

THERE ARE OVER 50,000 IN THE U.S.

IT'S ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING SPORTS AND IT NEVER SUSTAINED AN INJURY THE WHOLE TIME.

THERE IS NO OTHER SPORT THAT CAN MAKE THAT CLAIM.

>> Reporter: BUT IT DOESN'T COME CHEAP, ALTHOUGH THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR OF THEIR FUNDRAISER, THE COMMUNITY REALLY SHOWED UP WITH OVER 300 PEOPLE COMING TO SUPPORT THE TEAM.

>> IT MEANS THE WORLD, I MEAN JUST TO BE ABLE TO BE PART OF SOMETHING THAT IS IN THE COMMUNITY AND FUN FOR ALL INVOLVED, FROM THE NEWEST SHOOTER, TO THE MOST ADVANCED SHOOTER.

IT'S A WONDERFUL THING.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR'S FUNDRAISER BROUGHT IN $69,000 AND THIS YEAR THERE WERE OVER 50 SPONSORS AND 60 DONORS.

>> IT JUST MAKES MY HEART SO FULL TO SEE EACH AND EVERY ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS, AND EVERYBODY THAT HAS BEEN INVOLVED.

>> Reporter: THE BHS TRAP SHOOTING SEASON BEGAN ON SUNDAY WITH THEIR SHOOTER SAFETY COURSE AND OTHER INTRODUCTIONS, BRINGING IN THE NEW PEOPLE TO THE 78-PERSON TEAM.

>> WE JUST TRIED TO HELP OUT THE NEWER SHOOTERS AND TRAIN THEM IN SO THEY CAN GET USE TO THE ENVIRONMENT A LITTLE BIT.

I JUST LIKE HOW EVERYONE IS SUPPORTING EACH OTHER AND EVEN ON OUR OFF DAYS, WE STILL BRING EACH OTHER UP.

>> Reporter: SEVERAL TEAM MEMBERS NOTED THE POSITIVITY AROUND TRAP SHOOTING, BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE THE SPORT ANY LESS COMPETITIVE.

>> THE TOP TEN PEOPLE ONLY MISS ONE TARGET OR ZERO TARGETS, OUT OF 100.

YOU CAN'T MISS.

>> Reporter: TRAP SHOOTING IS BOTH AN INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM SPORT AND BRINGS TOGETHER ALL VARIETY OF KIDS FROM 6 THROUGH 12th GRADE.

>> WATCHING THE KIDS GROW AND DO REALLY, REALLY WELL.

THIS TEAM HAS REALLY GROWN AND IS DOING REALLY WELL.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> NOW THAT THE SEASON HAS STARTED, THE TRAP SHOOTING TEAM WILL HAVE COMPETITIONS EVERY SUNDAY FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS UNTIL IT IS TIME FOR THE STATE COMPETITION.

>>> THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW AT 10:00.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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