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

MEMBER FDIC.

>> C.T.C.

; KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED WITH INTERNET, TV, MOBILE, AND HOME PHONE.

LEARN MORE AT AT GOCTC.COM.

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

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> 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.

>>> WE BEGIN WITH UPDATES FOR YOU ON THE FLANDERS FIRE NEAR CROSSLAKE.

THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

SAYS IT HAS LOCATED THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE AND THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED PEOPLE OF INTEREST AS WELL.

THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE IS NEAR THE NORTH SHORE OF FLANDERS LAKE.

THE FIRE HAS BURNED ABOUT 1600 ACRES AND CONTAINMENT EFFORTS ARE STILL ONGOING.

RESIDENTS AND OTHERS IN AND AROUND THE FLANDERS LAKE AREA, PARTICULARLY ON THE WESTERN SIDE ON STATE LAND ALONG COUNTY ROAD ELEVEN, AND HORSESHOE LAKE ROAD, WHO MIGHT HAVE TRAIL CAMERAS, RING DOORBELL CAMERAS, OR OTHER INFORMATION FROM BETWEEN FRIDAY, MAY 15 AND SUNDAY, MAY 17, ARE ASKED TO CONTACT D.N.R.

CONSERVATION OFFICER JORDAN ANDERSON.

>>> ALSO NEW TODAY, ALL EVACUATION ORDERS AND NOTICES IN THE REGION HAVE NOW BEEN LIFTED AS OF NOON TODAY, AND RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES AND PROPERTIES.

THE COUNTY'S EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH TEAMS WILL BE OUT IN THE COMING DAYS TO ASSESS AND TALK TO RESIDENTS WHO WERE EVACUATED TO ASSIST AND HELP WITH SPECIFIC NEEDS.

ANYONE WITH IMMEDIATE NEEDS CAN CONTACT CROW WING COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

>>> THE MINNESOTA INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM REPORTS THE FIRE IS NOW 95-PERCENT CONTAINED AS OF THIS EVENING.

CREWS ON SITE SAY RECOVERY EFFORTS HAVE GONE SMOOTHLY WITH COOLER TEMPERATURES, HIGHER HUMIDITY, AND CALMER WINDS AIDING THE MISSION.

THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS CREWS WILL CONTINUE FOCUSING ON HOT SPOTS AND STRENGTHENING CONTAINMENT LINES.

WHILE THE AREA DID RECEIVE SOME RAIN THE PAST COUPLE DAYS, IT HAS NOT BEEN SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO DRASTICALLY IMPACT THE FIRE'S CONDITIONS.

CREWS ARE ALSO ASSESSING ROADS AND BUILDINGS FOR DAMAGED AND HAZARDOUS TREES.

>> THEY'RE REALLY WORKING NOW ABOUT 100 TO 150 FEET IN FROM THE EDGE OF THE FIRE, BUILDING DEPTH SO THAT NO POCKETS OF HEAT OR FLAMES WOULD FLARE UP AND POTENTIALLY SPREAD THE FIRE BEYOND THE FIRE LINES.

THAT IS WHERE THE CONTAINMENT NUMBERS COME FROM.

IT'S DEFINITE OVER HALF OF THE FIRE PERIMETER IS WHERE IT'S CONTAINED.

>> THE MINNESOTA INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM SAYS THAT THE FLANDERS FIRE RECOVERY EFFORTS ARE CURRENTLY BEING RIGHT-SIZED WITH ACTUAL FIRE ACTIVITY NOW REDUCED.

>>> RESIDENTS WHO LIVE NEAR THE FLANDERS FIRE WERE TOLD SATURDAY TO EVACUATE THE AREA.

OTHERS WERE PUT ON ALERT TO BE READY TO LEAVE IF NECESSARY.

THE FIRE IS BURNING IN AN AREA THAT IS MOSTLY RURAL AND NOT HEAVILY POPULATED.

BUT IT'S DOTTED WITH HOMES AND CABINS.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE LIFTED THE EVACUATION POLICY AT 12:00 P.M.

AS COUNTY ROAD 11 REOPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM CROSS LAKE TO MINNESOTA STATE HIGHWAY 6.

EVEN THOUGH THE ROADS ARE OPEN, THE PUBLIC IS STILL ASKED TO AVOID THE AREA FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY AND ALLOW THE FIRE CREWS TO WORK.

>> THE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE LIFTING THE EVACUATION AREAS SO THOSE WILL BE LIFTED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

WE'RE ASKING THE PUBLIC FOR NO UNNECESSARY BURNING, FOLLOW THE BURNING RESTRICTIONS THAT THE STATE PUTS IN PLACE AND A -- ALLOW THEM TO WRAP THIS FIRE UP.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE EVACUATED AREA WAS ROBERT'S CATTLE RANCH, A LOCAL FARM THAT HAS BEEN OPEN FOR 35 YEARS.

THEY WERE HAVING A NORMAL SATURDAY WHEN THE FIRES FORCED THEM TO EVACUATE AND LEAVE THEIR HOME.

>> WE NEED TREES, SOME SIDING ON MY HOUSE.

IT WAS HERE WHEN IT FIRST STARTED COMING.

IT STARTED AT 12:30.

WE NOTICED IT A QUARTER UNTIL 1:00 AND IT SHOWED UP BIG TIME.

AT 1:00, YOU CAN HEAR THE SIRENS.

I WAS OUT BACK AND SUDDENLY I SEE SMOKE.

>> Reporter: THEIR CATTLE AND ANIMALS ARE SAFE, HOWEVER THE DAMAGE TO THE TREES AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS MAY NOT EVER FULLY RECOVER.

>> IT WILL TAKE A YEAR.

WE GOT TO GET RID OF THE TREES.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME.

I THANK THE FIREFIGHTERS.

WE ARE GOOD NEIGHBORS AND FIREFIGHTERS AND EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN CROSS LAKE, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THOSE WHO WISH TO HELP THE ROBERTS FARM CAN DONATE TO THEIR GOFUNDME, WHICH IS REBUILD THE ROBERTS FARM AFTER THE FLANDERS FIRE.

>>> THE MAN ACCUSED OF SHOOTING A MAN IN BEMIDJI LAST FRIDAY HAS FORMALLY BEEN CHARGED IN BELTRAMI COUNTY COURT.

RAY GENE TAHAHWAH IS CHARGED WITH FELONY FIRST DEGREE ASSAULT AND GROSS POSSESS PISTOL WITHOUT PERMIT-PUBLIC PLACE.

TAHAHWAH IS BEING HELD ON $750,000 BAIL OR BOND WITH NO CONDITIONS OR $500,000 WITH CONDITIONS.

HIS NEXT COURT APPEARANCE IS SET FOR JUNE 1st.

ACCORDING TO THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT TAHAHWAH AND THE VICTIM WERE BOTH AT THE BIKE PARK WHEN ACCORDING TO A VICTIM TAHAHWAH TOLD THE VICTIM "I GOT ENOUGH TO PUT ALL YOU OUT".

THE VICTIM AND HIS SIGNIFICANT OTHER THEN LEFT IMMEDIATELY AND ROAD THEIR BIKES BACK TO THE TRAILER PARK ON LITTLE NORWAY AVENUE.

TAHAHWAH AND ANOTHER PERSON IN A BLUE CAR PULLED UP BEHIND THEM AS THEY PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT AND TAHAHWAH SHOT THE VICTIM IN THE BACK.

TAHAHWAH FLED THE SCENE IN THE BLUE CAR BUT WAS APPREHENDED LATER THAT DAY BY RED LAKE POLICE.

ALL THAT INFORMATION WAS FROM THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT.

THE NAME OF THE VICTIM IS BEING WITHELD BUT BELTRAMI COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY HE IS IN STABLE CONDITION AS OF SUNDAY.

>>> MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TIM WALZ HAS APPOINTED JUSTICE THEODORA GAITAS TO SERVE AS CHIEF JUSTICE ON THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT.

GAITAS WILL FILL THE VACANCY THAT WILL OCCUR UPON THE RETIREMENT OF CHIEF JUSTICE NATALIE HUDSON IN SEPTEMBER.

SHE IS THE ONLY SITTING JUSTICE TO HAVE EXPERIENCE SERVING ON ALL THREE LEVELS OF THE MINNESOTA JUDICIAL BRANCH, AS SHE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS A JUDGE ON THE MINNESOTA COURT OF APPEALS AND AS A JUDGE IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT.

WALZ SAYS GAITAS BRINGS A RARE BREADTH OF EXPERIENCE AND THAT PERSPECTIVE WILL BE INVALUABLE.

>>> GOVERNOR WALZ ALSO ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDGE REYNALDO ALIGADA JUNIOR.

TO SERVE AS ASSOCIATE JUSTICE.

ALIGADA WILL FILL THE VACANCY THAT WILL OCCUR UPON JUSTICE GAÏTAS'S ELEVATION TO CHIEF JUSTICE.

JUDGE ALIGADA SERVES AS A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE IN RAMSEY COUNTY.

HE PREVIOUSLY WORKED IN THE OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL DEFENDER.

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

>> Stacy: WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOME VERY COLD TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND FROST ADVISORIES AND FREEZE WARNINGS ARE OUT FOR OUR VIEWING AREA.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, ELEMENTARY STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE BEMIDJI AREA GATHERED TO HAVE AN OUTDOOR LEARNING SESSION ABOUT RIVERS.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE BEMIDJI AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S 21ST ANNUAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE CELEBRATES BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY FOR THEIR SUCCESS.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, ATTENDED THE CEREMONY TODAY AND HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THE AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION HONORING THOSE WHO COMMUNITY BELIEVES GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR THOSE THEY SERVE.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY AMAZING THINGS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

ALL YOUR HARD WORK, YOUR LEADERSHIP, THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU PUT IN, YOUR GENEROSITY, TODAY IS JUST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF YOU THAT ARE DOING GREAT THINGS HERE AND DOING IT IN FRONT OF YOUR PEERS.

>> Reporter: BUSINESSES ARE NOMINATED BY THEIR PEERS IN FIVE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES, WITH HOW BUSINESSES HELPED THE COMMUNITY DURING THE JUNE 21ST WIND STORM BEING A BIG FACTOR ON WHO WON MANY OF THE AWARDS.

>> THERE WAS SO MUCH THAT THE UNITED WAY DID AFTER THE STORM.

I THOUGHT THERE IS NO WAY WE ARE GOING TO GET IT.

I WAS SHOCKED.

THE AWARDS SHOULD GO TO THE VOLUNTEERS BECAUSE THEY DO ALL OF THE WORK AT THE FOOD SHELF, SO I'M HONORED TO HAVE THEM ALL ONBOARD.

>> WE GO AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

WE TRY TO HELP PEOPLE WITH CLEAN OUTS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT BUSINESSES AND A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE OUT THERE DOING A LOT OF GREAT THINGS.

IT WAS SURPRISING.

I WAS NOT EXPECTING IT.

I'M HONORED.

>> Reporter: TWO BUSINESSES BECAME INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING WITH RECOVERY EFFORTS AFTER THE STORM.

SO MUCH SO THAT THEY FELT THAT THE TWO DESERVED TO WIN BUSINESSES OF THE YEAR.

>> IT'S GREAT TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THE EFFORT THAT WE PUT INTO THE RESTORATION AFTER LAST JUNE'S STORM.

BOTH RESTORING POWER TO OUR MEMBERS AND OTTER TAIL RESTORING POWER TO THE GREATER COMMUNITY.

THE CREWS WORKED REALLY HARD, WE JUST REALLY APPRECIATE BEING RECOGNIZED FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: THEY PRESENT THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD TO AN INDIVIDUAL WHO THE CHAMBER BELIEVES HAS MADE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT TO THE COMMUNITY.

THIS YEAR'S AWARD WAS PRESENTED TO THE FORMER C.E.O.

OF 36 YEARS GARY JOHNSON.

[APPLAUSE].

>> I WAS SHOCKED TO BE PART OF THAT.

THE AWARD IS REALLY ONE THAT WE HOLD UP VERY HIGH BECAUSE OF WHAT HE STOOD FOR, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF HIS LOVE AND SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY, BUT LOOKING AT ALL THE PAST RECIPIENTS, I THINK I HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO TO GAIN THAT LEVEL.

BOY AM I HONORED TO BE THOUGHT OF IN THAT WAY.

IT REALLY MEANS A LOT.

>> Reporter: 265 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE 21st ANNUAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE.

REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> OTHER BUSINESSES THAT WERE NOT SHOWN BUT WON AWARDS INCLUDE TRIPLE C EXCAVATIN, , WHICH WON NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, AND PINNACLE MARKETING GROUP, WHICH RECEIVED THE HEALTHY WORKPLACE AWARD.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

TOMORROW IS WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGES FOR THE BETTER, RIGHT?

>> Stacy: IT DOES START TO WARM UP DURING THE DAY.

TOMORROW MORNING, A DIFFERENT STORY.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE VERY COLD TEMPERATURES.

OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND AGAIN TO START THE DAY TOMORROW AND WE HAVE FREEZE WARNINGS AND FROST ADVISORIES IN THE AREA.

I'LL HAVE THE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, NOT ONLY WERE TEMPERATURES COLD BUT WE ENDURED A LOT OF CLOUD COVER ACROSS THE AREA TODAY.

I'M STARTING TO SEE SOME OF THE CLOUDS BREAKING UP A LITTLE BIT HERE AND THERE, AND WE SHOULD HAVE CLEARING SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT BUT VERY COLD TEMPERATURES ARE IN STORE FOR US WITH LOWS ANYWHERE FROM THE UPPER 20s TO MID-30s.

WE DO HAVE FREEZE WARNINGS AND FROST ADVISOIES IN THE AREA.

MORE ON THAT IN A COUPLE SECONDS, IT'S 42 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE NORTH AT 5 MILES PER HOUR, WITH A DEW POINT OF 33, AND SINCE LAST NIGHT AT THIS TIME, WE PICKED UP AN ADDITIONAL 0.17-INCH OF RAINFALL.

IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY, 46 DEGREES, OUR DEW POINT IS 34.

PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

NORTHERN MINNESOTA IS UNDER A FREEZE WARNING BEGINNING AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AND CONTINUING UNTIL 9:00 A.M.

ON WEDNESDAY.

SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES AS LOW AS 29 ARE EXPECTED IN THIS REGION AND A FROST ADVISORY IS OUT FOR MUCH OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA FROM 1:00 A.M.

TO 9:00 A.M.

FRIDAY, WITH TEMPERATURES AS LOW AS 32 RESULTING IN SOME FROST FORMATION.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING CLOUD COVER OUT THERE, A FEW SPRINKLES HERE AND THERE.

THAT CONTINUED INTO THE EVENING.

WE WILL SEE A BREAK IN THE CLOUDS, CLEARING SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, ALL THE CLOUDS WILL START TO BREAK UP AND LINGERING SPRINKLES SHOULD END BY MIDNIGHT, CONTINUING INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

THAT WILL ALLOW THOSE VERY COLD TEMPERATURES TO SETTLE IN WITH THE LOW TEMPS MAINLY IN THE UPPER 20s TO MID-30s ACROSS OUR AREA, BUT WITH THE SUNSHINE AND A RETURN TO A MORE SOUTHERLY AIR FLOW.

WE SHOULD BE SEEING WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO THE DAY.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

CHRISSY WITH THE FLOWERS IN BLOOM IN DEERWOOD AND THE BIRDS SEEING A LOT OF COLORFUL BIRDS IN THE AREA.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE AND GARY FROM DEERWOOD WITH THOSE PICTURES.

IF YOU LOOK IN THE DISTANCE, WE HAVE SEEN SOME CLEARING AROUND SUNSET.

WE HAVE PICTURES FROM ANGELA IN FEDERAL DAM, BILL AND JUDY FROM UPPER RED LAKE WITH THOSE PHOTOS.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 39 AND WINDY THIS MORNING.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, 0.75-INCH OF RAIN OVERNIGHT.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH ON AND OFF DRIZZLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING CLEAR SKIES THIS EVENING, HIGH OF 51.

ON OUR ALMANAC, WE TOPPED OUT AT 52.

OUR AVERAGE IS 69, 43 FOR THE LOW, 8:48 WAS OUR SUNSET.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 46, OUR AVERAGE IS 67, SO JUST VERY, VERY COLD OUT THERE TODAY, 37 FOR THE LOW, AND SUNRISE AT 5:38.

TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE START OUT WITH THE VERY COLD TEMPERATURES BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, A LOT OF SUNSHINE OUT THERE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND THAT WILL HELP US TO SEE SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES ALONG WITH A RETURN TO MORE SOUTHERLY AIR FLOW.

HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE LOW 60s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE'RE LOOKING AT LOW, POSSIBLY MID-60s FOR OUR HIGHS.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY, WIDESPREAD FROST, LOWS NEAR 31, VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, AREAS OF FROST IN THE MORNING, HIGHS SHOULD REACH 62.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, SUNNY AND 69 ON THURSDAY, WE DO HAVE A CHANCE OF SOME RAIN SHOWERS RETURNING TO THE AREA LATE THIS WEEK, BOTH FRIDAY, ESPECIALLY AFTERNOON AND OVERNIGHT INTO SATURDAY.

TEMPERATURES STILL IN THE 60s, BUT THEN ON SUNDAY, BACK UP INTO THE MID-70s FOR OUR HIGHS WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: OKAY, THAT WILL BE PRETTY NICE FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

CHARLIE IS HERE.

YOU ARE INTO PLAYOFF ACTION FOR SOFTBALL.

>> Charlie: UNFORTUNATELY THE WEATHER IS NOT HERE YET SO IT'S REALLY COLD FOR PLAYOFF SOFTBALL.

WE HAD UP IN THE NORTH, BEMIDJI, DOWN SOUTH, BRAINERD, WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM ALL THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> 2021 WAS THE LAST TIME BEMIDJI SOFTBALL WON A FIRST-ROUND SECTION PLAYOFF GAME WHEN THEY THROTTLED DETROIT LAKES 20-1.

ENTERING THIS YEAR'S 8-4A TOURNAMENT AS THE 2-SEED, THE LUMBERJACKS WERE HOPING TO FINALLY BREAK THROUGH AND GET ANOTHER FIRST ROUND WIN, THIS TIME AGAINST 7-SEED ELK RIVER.

THE JACKS BEAT THE ELKS 1-0 JUST LAST FRIDAY, SO THIS ONE FIGURED TO BE A LITTLE CLOSER THAN THE BLOWOUT 5-YEARS AGO, AND IT WAS.

BOTTOM SECOND, STILL NO SCORE, HAYDEN COMES UP WITH THE TWO OUT HIT, PUTS BEMIDJI ON THE BOARD, 1-0.

IN THE THIRD, CARLY TATTOOS THIS ONE TO CENTER, SEE YOU LATER FOR THE 11th HOMER OF THE SEASON.

THE TOP OF THE 5th, ELK RIVER WITH 2 OUT, MOLLY JOHNSON DELIVERS WITH A 2-OUT, 2 R.B.I., TWO BASER, AND THAT TIES THE GAME AT 2-2.

THEN EMMA WITH THE GO AHEAD HIT, THEY LEAD 3-2.

BOTTOM 7, FINAL THREE OUTS, LIV ALMOST TIES IT.

SHE KNEW HOW CLOSE IT WAS, BUT IT'S A TEAM SPORT AND KALI PICKS HER UP, DELIVERS THE R.B.I.

SINGLE AND SENDS IT TO EXTRAS.

BOTTOM OF THE 9th NOW, BASES LOADED, THE ONLY RUN THAT MATTERS IS ON THIRD.

CLARA AT THE DISH, LOST ONE TO CENTER, TAGGING IT AT THIRD, THE THROW OFF TARGET, LUMBERJACKS WALK IT OFF IN 9 INNINGS, SHERWOOD SACRIFICE THE FLAG AS BEMIDJI GETS THEIR FIRST NON-CONSOLATION SECTION GAME AND THEY WILL HOST SAINT MICHAEL ALBERTVILLE.

>>> ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE 8-4A BRACKET, TOP SEEDED BRAINERD HOSTING 8-SEED ALEXANDRIA, WARRIORS SWEPT THE CARDINALS IN A DOUBLE-HEADER ONE WEEK AGO.

BOTTOM FIRST, STILL SCORELESS, JAYCEE CARLSON, DOUBLE TO THE GAP SCORES RUTHIE OWEN FROM SECOND, AND JUST LIKE THAT 1-0 WARRIORS.

BOTTOM THIRD, TIED AT ONE, A LITTLE DEJA VU, CARLSON HIT, OWEN SCORES, AND BRAINERDS BACK ON TOP 2-1.

TOP FIFTH, 3-1 NOW, LAUREN GOETSCH HOMERS OUT TO LEFT, BRINGS THE CARDINALS TO WITHIN ONE.

THEN LATER IN THE INNING, MAYA HERGES, WITH A RUNNER ON DELIVERS AN R-B-I DOUBLE FOR THE CARDS TO KNOT THE GAME AT THREE.

BOTTOM SIXTH, STILL TIED, BASES FULL OF WARRIORS, KEIRA RADEMACHER COMES THROUGH IN CRUNCH TIME TO PUT BRAINERD BACK IN FRONT.

AND IT WOULD BE FOR GOOD, 5-3 THE FINAL OVER ALEXANDRIA.

THE WARRIORS ADVANCE TO THE QUARTERFINALS AND WILL HOST FIFTH SEEDED MOORHEAD ON THURSDAY.

>>> MORE SECTION SOFTBALL FOR YOU FROM TODAY, 8-3A.

SAUK RAPIDS RICE TOPPLES LITTLE FALLS.

IN 8-2A, ROSEAU GOT THE WIN OVER WARROAD.

WADENA DEER CREEK KNOCKED OFF GRAND RAPIDS.

AITKIN WON THEIR GAME AGAINST TWO HARBORS.

IN THE SECOND ROUND, AITKIN WILL UPSET PROCTOR.

PEQUOT LAKES IN THE SECOND ROUND FALLS TO ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL.

BROWERVILLE WINS, LONG PRAIRIE GREY EAGLE FALLS TO.

AND SACRED HEART TOPS MAHNOMEN-WAUBUN.

EAST POLK WILL UPSET AUTOBAHN, 7-2.

>>> IN BASEBALL, A LITTLE RIVALRY ACTION AS BRAINERD HOSTS BEMIDJI FOR A DOUBLE-HEADER, LUMBERJACKS TOOK GAME ONE, 2-1.

WE PICK UP IN THE SECOND GAME, TOP THIRD, JACKS UP A RUN, ONE MAN ON FOR LAWSON BERG, SMOKES ONE OUT TO CENTER, PLATES JAMES GARRISON, 3-1 BEMIDJI.

NEXT BATTER, HEATON BRODINA, PICKS UP WHERE BERG LEFT OFF, LUMBERJACKS HIT FOUR STRAIGHT R-B-I DOUBLES IN THE INNING TO TAKE A 5-1 LEAD.

TOP FOURTH, AFTER HITTING A BUNCH OF BALLS TO THE WALL, REECE DOKKEN FINALLY PUTS ONE OVER THE WALL FOR THE JACKS, SOLO SHOT MADE IT 7-1.

BRAINERD WOULD RALLY FOR 4 IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 7TH BUT FALL SHORT, 12-5 THE FINAL AS BEMIDJI SWEEPS THEIR RIVAL IN THE DOUBLE-HEADER.

>>> I GOT SOME MORE SCORES FOR YOU IN BASEBALL.

GRAND RAPIDS TOPS HERMANTOWN.

LITTLE FALLS GETS THE WIN OVER WILLMAR.

CROSBY-IRONTON PICKING UP WINS AS WELL.

NEVIS, A BIG WIN TODAY FOR THEM.

SEBEKA ARE 17-2.

THEY'RE HAVING A GOOD YEAR.

PILLAGER AND ROSEAU BOTH COLLECTING WINS IN BASEBALL.

ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL BEATS PEQUOT LAKES IN BASEBALL.

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY TOPS LAPORTE 15-7.

IN BOYS TENNIS, THE FIRST ROUND AND THE SECOND ROUND OF 8-2A ACTION, BEMIDJI BEAT MOORHEAD IN THE FIRST ROUND.

THEY FALL TO SARTELL 5-2.

GRAND RAPIDS BEATS BRAINERD 6-1.

IN LACROSSE, GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY GETS A WIN AND THAT WAS OVER BRAINERD 8-5.

IN GOLF, DETROIT LAKES WINS THE CLC CHAMPIONSHIP.

IN BOYS TRACK AND FIELD, BRAINERD WINS THE CLC CHAMPIONSHIP AND MUCH LIKE THE BOYS DID, THE GIRLS WIN AS WELL.

IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, THE ASTROS BEAT THE TWINS 2-1.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, FULL SPORTSCAST.

THANKS CHARLIE.

BEMIDJI AREA ELEMENTARY STUDENTS GATHERED ALONG THE BANK OF THE CLEARWATER RIVER JUST NORTHWEST OF BEMIDJI FOR THEIR ANNUAL TROUT RELEASE DAY.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE ABOUT WHAT THE STUDENTS LEARNED, FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS HAVE SPENT THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS RAISING TROUT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS AND THEN THEY STARTED THEIR DAY AT THE RIVER BY RELEASING THEM INTO THE WILD.

THEY SPENT THE REST OF THEIR TIME LEARNING ABOUT ASPECTS OF THE RIVER AND HOW THE ECOSYSTEM WORKS.

>> IT WAS REALLY FUN.

THEY GOT TO BE ABOUT THIS SIZE.

>> WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT WILDLIFE SPECIFICALLY WATER LIFE AND LIKE DIFFERENT NYMPHS AND STUFF.

I REALLY LIKE TO SEE ALL THE LITTLE GUYS IN THE WATER.

>> THEY'RE TESTING FOR VERTEBRATES, IT TELLS US IF THE WATER IS CLEAN FOR THE TROUT TO SURVIVE.

THEY'RE LEARNING ABOUT THE CURRENT AND HOW IT FLOWS DOWN THE RIVER.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE INSECTS THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND WITHIN THE RIVER ALREADY.

>> Reporter: WITH THE CLEAR RIVER WATER BEING HOME TO 270 NEW TROUT, THE STUDENTS RAN TESTS TO MAKE SURE THE WATER AND SURROUNDING VEGETATION CREATE A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE FISH TO SURVIVE.

>> SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW NOT TO POLLUTE THE WATER AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> IT'S LIKE 197-MILE RIVER, BUT ONLY 4 MILES ARE COLD ENOUGH FOR TROUT.

THEY HAVE HAD SOME CARRY OVER, SO THEY KNOW THESE TROUT HAVE GOTTEN BIG ENOUGH TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE WINTER AND BE HERE IN THE SPRING AND HOPEFULLY REPRODUCE.

>> Reporter: THE TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM MOVEMENT IS SPONSORED BY TROUT UNLIMITED, WHERE THE GOAL IS TO GET STUDENTS LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM JUST AS MUCH AS IT IS RAISING AND RELEASING THE TROUT.

>> TEACHING THEM ABOUT THE GREAT OUTDOORS IS ALMOST A LOST ART SO WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT KIDS ARE STILL UNDERSTANDING WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF MOTHER EARTH AND WHAT IT DOES FOR US.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF WILDLIFE OUT THERE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESPECTED SO THEY CAN LIVE.

>> WE NEED TO BE STEWARDS FOR OUR EARTH AND SO THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS TO START WITH THE YOUNG AND TO TEACH THEM THAT TROUT NEEDS THIS HABITAT.

THEY NEED THE COLD WATER.

THEY NEED PROTECTION.

THE ONLY WAY WE DO THAT IS PROTECTING OUR EARTH.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM PINE WOOD FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE HEADWATERS CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED THAT SPONSORS THE BEMIDJI RELEASES WAS THE FIRST PLACE THAT TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM TOOK PLACE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES, THE MOVEMENT HAS SPREAD NATIONWIDE TO INCLUDE MORE THAN 100,000 ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>>> OKAY, ONE QUICK LAST CHECK OF OUR WEATHER WITH STACY.

>> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO SEE COLD TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, PROBABLY DROPPING BELOW FREEZING ACROSS MUCH OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA WHERE A FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]