>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> A 21-YEAR-OLD INTERNATIONAL FALLS MAN HAS DIED WHILE SKIING AT GIANTS RIDGE RECREATION AREA IN BIWABIK.

ACCORDING TO THE GILBERT POLICE DEPARTMENT, CHRISTIAN HUFNAGLE DIED ON SATURDAY AFTER BEING EXTRACTED FROM A HILLSIDE AT THE SKI AREA.

HUFNAGLE WAS TAKEN TO ESSENTIA HEALTH NORTHERN PINES IN AURORA AND DESPITE ATTEMPTING ALL LIFE SAVING MEASURES, HUFNAGLE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE MEDICAL FACILITY.

IT'S NOT CLEAR YET WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED TO HUFNAGLE.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT IS ONGOING.

>>> A SMALL PLANE TRAVELING FROM IOWA TO MINNESOTA CRASHED INTO A BROOKLYN PARK HOME ON SATURDAY.

AN EXECUTIVE AT U.S. BANK IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN PILOTING THE SINGLE ENGINE PLANE AND IS PRESUMED DEAD ACCORDING TO U.S. BANK OFFICIALS.

THE PLANE WAS REGISTERED TO TERRY DOLAN, U.S. BANK'S VICE CHAIR AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATION OFFICER.

THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM WHETHER HE WAS ON BOARD, BUT U.S. BANK OFFICIALS TOLD EMPLOYEES DOLAN HAD BEEN FLYING HIS PLANE HOME FROM NAPLES FLORIDA.

THE PLANE STOPPED IN DES MOINES ALONG THE WAY HOME.

DOLAN WAS 63.

THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD IS INVESTIGATING THE CRASH.

>>> A 42-YEAR-OLD RED LAKE MAN HAS BEEN INDICTED IN FEDERAL COURT FOR POSSESSING A FIREARM AS A FELON.

COURT DOCUMENTS SAY THAT ON SEPTEMBER 12TH OF 2024 DARRELL EMERY LOUD WAS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF A 20-GAUGE SHOTGUN.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, LOUD HAS PRIOR FELONY CONVICTIONS FOR D.W.I., DOMESTIC ASSAULT, AND FLEEING FROM A PEACE OFFICER AND IS PROHIBITED UNDER FEDERAL LAW FROM POSSESSING FIREARMS OR AMMUNITION AT ANYTIME.

LOUD IS CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM AS A FELON.

HIS ARRAIGNMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 1ST.

>>> AFTER SERVING HIS COMMUNITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS, LAKE SHORE POLICE CHIEF STEVE SUNDSTROM IS CLOCKING OUT ONE FINAL TIME.

SUNDSTROM HAS BEEN A PART OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY IN THE BRAINERD AREA SINCE 1990.

SUNDSTROM FIRST WORKED FOR THE PEQUOT LAKES POLICE DEPARTMENT BEFORE BECOMING LAKE SHORE'S CHIEF OF POLICE IN 2003.

DESPITE LEAVING THE FORCE, SUNDSTROM SAYS HE WILL REMAIN AN ACTIVE PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> EVEN THOUGH I'M RETIRED AS A POLICE OFFICER HERE, I AM STILL GOING TO LIVE IN LAKESHORE, I'M GOING TO BE INVOLVE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THAT LITTLE SPACE IN LIFE, BUT I WILL STILL BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY, FOR SURE.

>> SARGEANT MIKE HELDT WILL BE TAKING OVER THE ROLE OF CHIEF OF POLICE IN LAKE SHORE STARTING TOMORROW, APRIL 1ST.

>>> THE MINNESOTA D.F.L.

ELECTED A NEW LEADER OVER THE WEEKEND.

RICHARD CARLBOM, WHO CURRENTLY SERVES AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF TO GOVERNOR TIM WALZ, WAS OVERWHELMINGLY ELECTED AS THE NEW CHAIR OF THE MINNESOTA DEMOCRATIC-FARMER-LABOR PARTY.

CARLBOM HAS SERVED AS MAYOR OF ST. JOSEPH, MINNESOTA AND.

WAS A MINNESOTA D.F.L.

FIELD ORGANIZER DURING THE 2006 ELECTION CYCLE.

HE REPLACES KEN MARTIN WHO SERVED AS CHAIR FOR FOURTEEN YEARS AND STEPPED DOWN TO SERVE AS CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE.

>>> VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY NEXT WEEK.

ESTABLISHED ON APRIL 8TH OF 1975.

VOYAGEURS SPANS MORE THAN 218,000 ACRES OF LAKES, FORESTS AND STREAMS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

THE PRIMARILY WATER-BASED AND CERTIFIED DARK SKY PARK IS ONE OF THE STATE'S TOP NATURAL WONDERS AND HOME TO SOME OF THE DARKEST SKIES IN THE U.S. VOYAGEURS CONSERVANCY, THE OFFICIAL CHARITABLE PARTNER OF THE PARK, AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WILL COMMEMORATE THE MINNESOTA MILESTONE WITH SPECIAL EVENT, PHILANTHROPY, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, AND STORY TELLING THROUGHOUT 2025.

YOU CAN VISIT VOYAGEURS.COM/50TH FOR MORE INFORMATION.

>>> THE BEMIDJI VEX ROBOTICS PROGRAM HAS SENT TEAMS TO TEXAS TO COMPETE IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS AND THIS YEAR THEY ARE SENDING MORE TEAMS THAN EVER BEFORE.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE ON THIS YEAR'S TEAMS AND WHAT ROBOTICS MEANS TO THEM.

>> Reporter: 11 TEAMS STARTED THE SEASON, 3 REMAIN.

THE BEMIDJI VEX ROBOTICS TEAM FINISHED THEIR REGULAR SEASON AND ARE NOW MOVING ON TO THE WORLD COMPETITION WITH THE MOST TEAMS IN PROGRAM HISTORY.

DESPITE THEIR SUCCESSFUL SEASONS, WORLDS IS A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL.

>> IT BRINGS A NEW CHALLENGE BECAUSE THERE IS THE WHOLE LANGUAGE BARRIER THERE.

THERE ARE A LOT MORE PLANNING WE HAVE TO DO WITH THINGS LIKE GOOGLE TRANSLATE, TRYING TO GET WAYS TO TALK TO OUR TEAMMATES, AND STRATEGIZE BEFORE THE MATCHES.

THERE IS A WHOLE OTHER ELEMENT OTHER THAN IT BEING THE MOST COMPETITIVE ROBOTICS IN THE YEAR.

>> IN THIS GAME, THERE ARE A FEW TASKS.

THEY HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES OF WHAT THEY CAN USE.

THEY CAN HAVE 8 MOTORS AND 2 TANKS.

THERE ARE PICKING UP GOALS, GRABBING RINGS AND PLACING THEM ON GOALS, GRABBING RINGS AND PUTTING THEM ON THE SIDE, THE PERIMETER OF THE FIELD, AND AT THE END OF THE GAME, THEY TRY TO GET THEIR ROBOTS TO CLIMB THE CENTER TOWER.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH THE FOCUS IS ON THE ROBOTS THEMSELVES, THE FOCUS OF THE ROBOTICS SEASON AS A WHOLE IS ABOUT TEACHING KIDS VALUABLE LESSONS.

>> JUST TO SEE THESE KIDS GROW IN THEIR SELF AWARENESS AND THEIR CONFIDENCE, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR.

THE ROBOTIC IS HOW WE GET TO HAVE FUN BUT THERE ARE THINGS BEHIND IT THAT GOES ON.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN JOB, ROBOTICS STILL REQUIRES A TEAM.

>> HAVING SUPPORT AND JUST LEARNING TOO, LEARNING AND WINNING.

IT'S NICE TO LEARN HOW TO WORK WITH THE TEAM.

>> Reporter: AND TO BRING THAT TEAM TO A COMPETITION THAT GATHERS OVER 50 NATIONS TOGETHER IS NO EASY FEAT.

>> ON THE WEEKENDS, I USUALLY BRING IT HOME AND I WORK ON IT.

SOME OF MY TEAMMATES COME OVER AND THE OTHER TEAMS COME OVER AS WELL.

A LOT OF OUR WEEKENDS GO INTO ROBOTICS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE TAKING PLACE IN DALLAS, TEXAS, IN JUST A FEW WEEKS.

THE HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION WILL LAST FROM MAY 6TH THROUGH 8TH AND MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL BE THE 9TH THROUGH THE 11TH.

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

>> Stacy: WE ARE BRACING FOR ANOTHER WINTER STORM, WHICH WILL BE MOVING INTO THE AREA AROUND MIDWEEK, COULD BRING SEVERAL INCHES OF WET HEAVY SNOW TO THE AREA.

I WILL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> A LOCAL BARBECUE RESTAURANT THAT TRULY KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO SERVE.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> RED LAKE NATION HOSTED THE WARRIOR CHALLENGE, AN ALL-NATIVE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, FEATURING TEAMS FROM ALL ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN WENT TO RED LAKE HIGH SCHOOL, THE SETTING FOR THE WEEKEND TOURNAMENT, AND HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: WHAT SIGNAL IT IS START OF SPRING?

IS IT THE SNOW MELTING AWAY OR FLOWERS BLOOMING OR BEES BUZZING AROUND?

IF YOU ASK THE FOLKS AT RED LAKE, NOTHING SOUNDS MORE LIKE SPRING THAN A BUZZER BEATER AT THE WARRIOR CHALLENGE, A BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT HOSTED AT RED LAKE HIGH SCHOOL.

>> THERE ARE TOURNAMENTS GOING ON AND WE LIKE TO HOST THE BIG EVENT.

IT'S A 12-WEEK CIRCUIT GOING ON RIGHT NOW AND I THINK THIS MIGHT BE WEEK 3 OF THE TOURNAMENT.

>> Reporter: IT FEATURES TEAMS FROM NOT JUST ACROSS THE MIDWEST, BUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

>> OKLAHOMA, WASHINGTON, KANSAS, IT'S REALLY COOL TO SEE WHERE EVERYBODY COMES FROM.

>> WE USUALLY ARE DOING THE DIFFERENT ONES IN THE SPRINGTIME AND RED LAKE IS ONE THAT WE HIT IN MARCH BEFORE GOING TO THE APRIL TOURNAMENTS.

IT'S A LOT OF FUN.

IT'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT TALENTS.

YOU SEE GIRLS FROM THE DAKOTAS, MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN, IT'S A REALLY GOOD MIDDLE GROUND.

>> SOME PEOPLE LOOK FORWARD TO COMING TO RED LAKE TO PLAY BALL.

THEY KNOW THE CULTURE OF BASKETBALL.

>> Reporter: NATIVES OF RED LAKE COME BACK INCLUDING SOME RED LAKE BASKETBALL LEGENDS.

>> IT'S HEARTWARMING.

IT'S SEEING ALL THE NATIVE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER, PLAYING THE SPORT THAT EVERYONE LOVES AND IT'S MEDICINE TO EVERY NATIVE COMMUNITY.

SO IT'S REALLY COOL.

>> IT'S PRETTY FUN, IT'S GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.

SEEING GUYS THAT I HAVE BEEN PLAYING WITH OR AGAINST FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, FIVE YEARS, IT'S COOL TO SEE THEM COME TO MY RESERVATION AND PLAY BASKETBALL IN FRONT OF MY COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: CASH PRIZES ARE AWARDED TO THE TOP PLACING TEAMS BUT THEY USE THIS TOURNAMENT TO MEET OTHER TRIBAL MEMBERS, AS WELL AS CATCH UP WITH OLD FRIENDS.

>> WE'RE GETTING READY FOR BATTLE OF THE NATIONS NEXT WEEKEND.

SOME GUYS ARE OLDER THAN ME, BUT MORE THAN HALF THE GUYS I PLAYED WITH OR COACHED.

IT'S A GOOD FEELING.

>> EVERYONE IS FRIENDS AFTER THE GAME, FOR SURE.

IN BETWEEN THOSE LINES, WE'RE COMPETITORS.

YOU KNOW, IT'S STILL FUN.

WE'RE ALL FRIENDS AT THE END.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM RED LAKE, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE FAST BREAK WARRIORS AND THE LADY WARRIORS WON THEIR RESPECTIVE TOURNAMENTS, EACH TAKING HOME A $4,000 CASH PRIZE.

THE 2ND AND 3RD PLACE TEAMS ALSO LEFT THE TOURNAMENT WITH SOME REWARDS.

>>> WELL, WE WON'T BE GETTING MUCH OF A REWARD THIS WEEKEND AND STACY WILL BE HERE IN JUST A SECOND TO TELL US ABOUT -- I SHOULD SAY THIS WEEK ABOUT OUR WEATHER.

>>> THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

HAS SET 2025 OPEN WATER FISHING REGULATIONS FOR UPPER RED LAKE.

ANGLERS FISHING ON UPPER RED LAKE DURING THE 2025 OPEN-WATER SEASON THAT STARTS SATURDAY, MAY 10TH WILL HAVE A FIVE WALLEYE POSSESSION LIMIT, WITH ONLY ONE WALLEYE OVER 17 INCHES ALLOWED.

D.N.R.

OFFICIALS SAY THE REGULATION AIMS TO KEEP THE LAKE'S STOCK OF FEMALE SPAWNING WALLEYE IN AN IDEAL RANGE BY FOCUSING ANGLER HARVEST ON THE ABUNDANT IMMATURE FISH UNDER 17 INCHES.

THE REGULATION ALSO AIMS TO MAKE SURE OVERALL HARVEST DOES NOT EXCEED AGREED UPON LEVELS.

WALLEYE MANAGEMENT ON RED LAKE IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE RED LAKE NATION AND THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

GOVERNED BY A JOINT HARVEST PLAN REVISED BY THE RED LAKES FISHERIES TECHNICAL COMMITTEE IN 2015.

>>> NOW TALKING ABOUT THAT SNOW WE'RE GETTING STACY, NOT MUCH OF A REWARD FOR US BEGINNING TOMORROW, RIGHT?

THAT'S WHEN THIS IS SUPPOSED TO MOVE IN.

>> Stacy: WE'LL START TO SEE IT MOVING IN TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY IN THE AFTERNOON, IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL SEE IT MOVING THROUGH THE AREA.

IT WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY AND WE COULD SEE SEVERAL INCHES OF THE WET HEAVY SNOW, MANY LOCATIONS, POSSIBLY 6 INCHES, MAYBE 12 INCHES OR MORE AROUND THE BRAINERD AREA.

ALL OF THAT IS STILL TO BE DETERMINED BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG SNOW MAKER FOR THE AREA, >> 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: IT WAS A NICE QUIET DAY TODAY, A LOT OF SUNSHINE OUT THERE, BUT ALL OF THAT IS GOING TO BE CHANGING AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW.

THOSE CLOUDS INCREASE AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, WE'LL START TO SEE SOME PRECIPITATION, MAINLY IN THE FORM OF SNOW.

WE WILL BE SEEING HEAVY WET SNOW FALLING THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM MOVING IN TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND CONTINUING THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

WE HAVE A WINTER STORM WATCH FOR MOST OF THE AREA THROUGH THAT TIME PERIOD.

WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THAT IN A SECOND.

THE CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 28 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, A LIGHT NORTHEAST WIND, DEW POINT IS 5, HUMIDITY IS AT 37%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, 32 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 10, PRESSURE IS RISING, AND WINDS ARE NORTHEAST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW THAT WINTER STORM WATCH IS OUT FOR MOST OF THE VIEWING AREA BEGINNING ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND CONTINUES THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT, HEAVY SNOW IS POSSIBLE WITH SOME HEAVY MIXED PRECIPITATION IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE GENERAL TOTALS WILL BE 2 TO 11 INCHES OF SNOW, BUT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA COULD PICK UP 12 OR MORE INCHES OF THAT WET HEAVY SNOW, A LITTLE CLOSER LOOK AT SOME OF THE PROJECTED TOTALS.

THIS IS ONLY THROUGH 7:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY, SO THIS AGAIN, THE SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

SO THESE TOTALS COULD BE A LITTLE BIT ON THE SHY SIDE, BUT IT DOES LOOK LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING SOME SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL, AT LEAST 5 INCHES, MAYBE EVEN UP TO 8 INCHES, 8.5 INCHES IN WADENA BY WEDNESDAY EVENING.

SO AGAIN, WE WILL BE SEEING THE HEAVY WET SNOW AND SOME BLOWING SNOW IN WESTERN MINNESOTA AS THE WINDS PICK UP.

AS FAR AS THE RADAR AND SATELLITE FOR TONIGHT, IT IS PRETTY QUIET.

WE HAVE MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES.

WE WILL BE SEEING CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WITH CLOUDS INCREASING TOMORROW, AND THEN AGAIN WE WILL BE SEEING THE SNOW AND RAIN MOVING IN AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU, BEAUTIFUL SKIES THIS MORNING FROM DEBRA AT LAKE ADA AND ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND ANGELA CAPTURING THE GORGEOUS SUNSHINE AT CASS LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US.

DEBRA IN PINE RIVER REPORTING 30 THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY TODAY BUT A BIT ON THE BREEZY SIDE.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY AND 38.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT, A HIGH OF 47.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 43 TODAY, SO IT WAS A LITTLE BIT COOL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR, OUR AVERAGE IS 47, 30 DEGREES WAS OUR LOW, AND BEMIDJI REPORTING A COOLER THAN AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE TOPPED OUT AT 38, 21 FOR THE LOW, AND SUNRISE AT 2 MINUTES BEFORE 7:00.

SO AS WE LOOK AT TOMORROW, WE WILL BE SEEING THE CLOUDS IN THE MORNING, AND WE WILL START TO SEE SOME OF THE PRECIPITATION PUSHING INTO WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA BEGINNING IN THE MORNING HOURS, BUT MOST OF THE SYSTEM WILL BE AFFECTING THE AREA, MORE INTO THE AFTERNOON WITH THE HEAVY WET SNOW FALLING, THE POTENTIAL IS THERE FOR RAIN AS WELL AND WE COULD BE SEEING HEAVY SNOW AS THE SYSTEM MOVES THROUGH.

IT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE DAY AND INTO THE NIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, HIGH TEMPERATURES TOMORROW SHOULD BE IN THE UPPER 30s TO LOW 40s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA WITH MAINLY UPPER 30s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 18, EAST WINDS 5 TO 15.

THEN WE WILL START TO SEE THE SNOW DEVELOPING FROM WEST TO EAST TOMORROW, AND AGAIN THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SOME RAIN IN THERE, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, THE ONLY AREA THAT MAY ESCAPE THE SYSTEM, AND SOUTHEAST WINDS PICKING UP 10 TO 25.

SNOW WILL CONTINUE WITH SOME PERIODS OF RAIN, TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY AND AGAIN WE COULD BE SEEING THE SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL TOTALS, 36 FOR THE HIGH, QUIET ON THURSDAY, AND OVERALL IT LOOKS QUIET THROUGH THE WEEKEND, JUST A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME SNOW IN FAR NORTHWEST MINNESOTA ON FRIDAY, HIGHS IN THE 40s, 35 TO END THE WEEKEND.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: NEED TO PLAN ANOTHER TRIP TO FLORIDA HERE, FOR SURE.

TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: YEAH.

>> Dennis: YOU WERE OUTSIDE TODAY, RIGHT?

>> Charlie: WE WERE OUTSIDE, I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO BEMIDJI TENNIS TODAY.

YOU CAN SEE NO SNOW ON THE COURT, BUT THAT MAY ALL CHANGE COMING UP.

EITHER WAY, WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO SOME OF THE BOYS AND THE OUTLOOK ON THIS SEASON, REGARDLESS OF HOW THE WEATHER WILL LOOK LIKE.

THAT AND MORE >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> WITH ALL THE WARM WEATHER THE TENNIS COURTS AT BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL THAWED OFF AND THE BOYS ARE OUT PRACTICING FOR WHAT THEY HOPE WILL BE THEIR SEASON OPENER LATER THIS WEEK, MOTHER NATURE PENDING.

THE LUMBERJACKS HAVE QUITE A BIT OF EXPERIENCE RETURNING AFTER ONLY GRADUATING TWO REGULAR STARTERS FROM LAST YEAR'S SQUAD.

THEY RETURN SENIORS DOMINIC ARNDT, JACK MCNALLAN, MAX LOUVAR, AND BROOKS JOHNSON, AND JUNIOR PETER MATHEWS, ALL OF WHOM HAVE SIGNIFICANT PLAY TIME LAST SEASON IN BOTH DOUBLES AND SINGLES.

>> WELL, I WAS EXCITED TO GET BACK, PLAY SOME MATCHES WITH MY BOYS, GET SOME WINS, AND HOPEFULLY GO TO STATE.

JUST BETTER EXPERIENCE, BETTER MATCH PLAY, ALL THE YOUNG GUYS.

>> I'M JUST EXCITED TO PLAY SINGLES, DOUBLES, ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, WHEREVER THE COACH PUTS ME.

I LIKE THE SPORT, IT'S REALLY FUN AND I WOULD LIKE TO HELP THE TEAM HOWEVER I CAN.

>> POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT.

I LIKE THE CULTURE WE HAVE AT BEMIDJI TENNIS AND IT'S POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT.

>> THE JACKS HAVE EXPERIENCE FROM A NUMBER OF UNDERCLASSMEN AS WELL INCLUDING SOPHOMORE ETHAN FRANK AND FRESHMAN JOSH AREL AND OWEN LAPPINGA, WHO STARTED ON THE VARSITY AS 8TH GRADER'S LAST YEAR WITH LAPPINGA PALYING ON SINGLES COURT ONE QUITE REGULARLY.

>> THE MORE YOU PLAY, THE MORE RELAXED YOU GET, THE MORE YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AND STUFF LIKE THAT AND WHEREVER I PLAY, I AM GOING TO BE HAPPY.

THE EXPERIENCE FACTOR OF JUST PLAYING HELPS A LOT.

YEAH, I'M SUPER EXCITED TO PLAY SOME TENNIS.

>> SOME OF OUR YOUNGER PLAYERS ON THE ROSTER AND SOME OF OUR MORE EXPERIENCED PLAYERS COMPARED TO OTHERS, AND IN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS, YOU LOOK TO YOUR LEADERSHIP TO HELP YOU FEEL MORE CONFIDENT ON THE COURT OR ON THE FIELD, AND IT DOES HELP WHEN THAT COMES FROM DIFFERENT GRADES.

>> Charlie: AND THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO PLAY ON THURSDAY, THE BEMIDJI BOYS WERE HOSTING A TRIANGULAR NOW.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT MAY BE MOVING TO FRIDAY.

I GOT WORD, BUT THAT'S STILL TO BE DETERMINED.

WE CAN LET YOU KNOW LATER IN THE WEEK.

>>> ALSO A COUPLE SCORES FOR YOU THEY GOT A BASEBALL GAME IN WADENA.

THEY BEAT PILLAGER 6-5.

WELL, BSU SOFTBALL IS IN SIOUX FALLS FOR A DOUBLE HEADER, A COUPLE MAKE UP GAMES FROM THE WEEKEND.

THEY ARE DOWN 4-0 IN THE TOP OF THE THIRD, THAT'S WHEN THEY WOULD RALLY.

SHE WOULD CASH IN HER RUN PLUS ONE MORE.

LATER THAT SAME INNING, TWO OUTS AND THE BASES LOADED FOR KALI RICHARDS, OVER THE LEFT FEEL, BEMIDJI STATE IS AHEAD 5-4.

BEAVERS LEAD BY A RUN, THE COUGARS ARE BACK IN FRONT, AND BSU WOULD NOT RECOVER.

THEY LOSE GAME 2 AS WELL, 9-0 THERE.

BEAVERS ARE PLAYING ST.

CLOUD STATE TOMORROW, TRYING TO PICK UP THEIR SECOND WIN IN NSIC PLAY.

>>> WELL, THE WILD WERE IN NEW JERSEY TONIGHT, BACK TO BACK GAMES WITH THE DEVILS, THEY LOST 3 OF THEIR LAST 4, AND THE DEVILS ARE TRYING TO STAY IN THE WILDCARD SPOT.

WELL VINNY IN THE THIRD PERIOD ABLE TO TIE IT UP FOR THE WILD, HIS FIFTY OF -- FIST -- 5th OF THE SEASON AND THEY MAKE HIM PAY, PUTS IT IN THE BACKDOOR.

THEN WITH JUST OVER TWO MINUTES TO GO.

MATT WITH HIS 100th CAREER GOAL OFF THE TURNOVER BY NEW JERSEY, AND UNFORTUNATELY NEW JERSEY WOULD WIN IN THE SHOOTOUT.

THE MINNESOTA WILD PICK UP A MUCH NEEDED POINT THERE, THEY ARE ONE POINT AHEAD OF THE BLUES RIGHT NOW IN THAT LAST WILDCARD SPOT.

SO, HUGE FOR THEM.

>>> TODAY, MINNESOTA TWINS, THEY DID NOT FAIR GOOD AT ALL, CHICAGO WHITE SOX, 9-0.

THAT'S A ROUGH ONE FOR THEM.

>> Dennis: THAT IS.

OKAY.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> WELL, WHEN YOU THINK OF BARBECUE, YOU THINK OF A PLACE LIKE TEXAS, NORTH CAROLINA, OR KANSAS CITY, BUT A RESTAURANT IN AITKIN WILL TRY TO MAKE YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS REPORT.

>> Reporter: AS THE STAFF AT SMOKEY JAKE'S IS WRAPPING UP THEIR BUSINESS FOR THE DAY, THEY ARE GETTING READY FOR TOMORROW'S LUNCH RUSH, SMOKING FRESH MEATS OVERNIGHT, EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> WE HAVE TWO SMOKERS IN THE KITCHEN, SO WE ARE ALLOWED TO SMOKE YEAR ROUND, -20 TOMORROW, IT DOESN'T MATTER.

WE SMOKE FOR 14 HOURS EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, FRESH MEAT EVERY MORNING AND FRESH BARBECUE EVERY DAY, YOU GET A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE EVERY TIME YOU COME IN.

>> Reporter: SMOKEY JAKES IS RUN BY THE FAMILY THAT ORIGINALLY OPENED WITH A FOOD TRUCK BEFORE RELOCATING TO AITKIN.

NOW YOU CAN FIND THE FAMILY MANNING THE COUNTER, SMOKING MEATS, OR HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR PATRONS.

>> BEING CLOSER TO FOLKS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND PUTTING UP AMAZING FOOD THAT EVERYONE LOVES.

THERE IS NOTHING THAT BEATS IT.

>> Reporter: WORK TIME MEANS FAMILY TIME FOR THE FAMILY, TIME THEY FEEL MAKES UP FOR THE MANY DAYS THEY SPEND APART.

>> THERE WERE MANY YEARS I WAS DEPLOYED ON ACTIVE DUTY, SO THERE WERE YEARS WHERE WE DIDN'T SEE MUCH OF EACH OTHER AT ALL, AND NOW WE'RE MAKING UP FOR THOSE LOST HOURS AND YEARS.

>> Reporter: JACOB WAS AN ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBER, AND HE SPENT A LOT OF TIME DEPLOYED OVERSEAS, BUT THE MILITARY BASE IS WHERE THEY KNEW THEIR BUSINESS COULD BE SOMETHING MORE.

>> THE LAST YEAR WE WERE A FOOD TRUCK, WE WERE SELLING ON CAMP PENDLETON.

WE ARE KNOWN BY MARINES THAT WERE STATIONED THERE AT THE TIME AND WE SAID THAT WE WERE LEAVING SAN DIEGO TO COME HERE, I JUST -- MY INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK JUST BLEW UP.

>> Reporter: WITH JUST FOUR EMPLOYEES, SMOKEY JAKES IS TRULY A FAMILY OPERATION.

>> IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE THAT LOVE, IT'S NOT JUST COMING DOWN TO A PAYCHECK OR SOMETHING BUT WE TOLD THEM FROM THE GET GO, THIS CAN BE THEIR OPERATION.

WHEN WE'RE READY TO STEP DOWN, THIS IS THEIRS TO TAKE THE FLAG AND RUN WITH IT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN AITKIN FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: GOOD LOOKING BARBECUE THERE.

YOU HAVE TO FIGURE THEY DO SOME SMOKE TURKEY.

>> Charlie: I BET THEY DO.

>> Dennis: STACY, BIG NEWS WITH THE WEATHER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS.

>> Stacy: YES, WE WILL SEE THE SNOW MOVE IN TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE DAY ON WEDNESDAY.

WE HAVE A WINTER STORM WATCH BEGINNING TUESDAY AFTERNOON, CONTINUING THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT, AND IT ENCOMPASSES MOST OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE WILL SEE PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW, SOME HEAVY MIXED PRECIPITATION IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AND WE COULD PICK UP 2 TO 11 INCHES OF THAT HEAVY SNOW, IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA, THEY COULD SEE A FOOT OR MORE.

>> Charlie: BSU FOOTBALL IS HALFWAY THROUGH THEIR SPRING PRACTICE.

WE WILL LOOK AT THEIR OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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