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>> 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.

>>> AN ITASCA COUNTY DEPUTY WAS INJURED IN AN OFFICER RELATED SHOOTING TODAY.

IT HAPPENED IN THE UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITY OF MAX, WHICH IS ABOUT 25 MILES NORTHWEST OF DEER RIVER.

THE ITASCA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THE DEPUTY SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED FOR MEDICAL CARE.

THE EXTENT OF THE INJURIES IS NOT BEING RELEASED AT THIS TIME.

AUTHORITIES SAY THE SUSPECT INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT IS IN CUSTODY AND THERE IS NO ONGOING THREAT TO THE PUBLIC.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE, PER STANDARD PROTOCOL, THE MINNESOTA B.C.A.

HBE CONDUCTING THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE SHOOTING.

THE SHERIFFS OFFICE SAYS THAT OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE INVESTIGATION, NO ADDITIONAL DETAILS ARE BEING RELEASED AT THIS TIME.

SHERIFFS OFFICE OFFICIALS ARE ASKING THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP THE DEPUTY, THEIR FAMILY, AND ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS INCIDENT IN THEIR THOUGHTS.

>>> BRAINERD POLICE OFFICIALS ARE INVESTIGATING A MOTOR VEHICLE VERSUS PEDESTRIAN CRASH THAT KILLED A PERSON LAST FRIDAY NIGHT.

THE CRASH HAPPENED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTH 10TH STREET AND INDUSTRIAL PARK ROAD AROUND 10:00 P.M.

THAT NIGHT.

ACCORDING TO THE PRESS RELEASE THE PEDESTRIAN WHO WAS HIT AND DIED HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 48-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL JOHN ALGER OF BAXTER.

THE VEHICLE INVOLVED WAS DRIVEN BY 18-YEAR-OLD ASHTIN BROTHERTON OF BRAINERD.

BRAINERD POLICE OFFICIALS SAY THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND ANYONE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING IT SHOULD CONTACT THE BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>>> A 18-YEAR-OLD MERRIFIELD MAN WAS SHOT DURING A DOMESTIC DISPUTE INVOLVING A FAMILY MEMBER LAST NIGHT.

DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO THE SCENE IN CENTER TOWNSHIP, EAST OF MERRIFIELD AROUND 9:15 P.M, AND FOUND THE VICTIM SUFFERING FROM A NON-LIFE-THREATENING GUNSHOT WOUND.

THE VICTIM WAS TREATED AT THE SCENE AND AIRLIFTED TO A TWIN CITIES HOSPITAL FOR FURTHER MEDICAL CARE.

THE SUSPECT REMAINED INSIDE THE HOME FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE CROW WING COUNTY TACTICAL TEAM AND TRAINED CRISIS NEGOTIATORS WERE DEPLOYED TO THE SCENE.

AFTER NEGOTIATIONS, THE SUSPECT SURRENDERED PEACEFULLY AND WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

THE SUSPECT, A 72-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM MERRIFIELD, IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE CROW WING COUNTY JAIL ON A CHARGE OF 1ST DEGREE ASSAULT.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE RELEASED AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

>>> ONE PERSON WAS INJURED WHEN A CAR STRUCK A BEAR ON HIGHWAY 10 NEAR CUSHING LAST NIGHT.

THE STATE PATROL SAYS THE CAR, DRIVEN BY 18-YEAR-OLD KAIJA PEINE OF RICE MINNESOTA, WENT INTO THE DITCH AFTER HITTING THE BEAR AROUND 11:00 P.M.

PINE WAS NOT INJURED BUT A PASSENGER, MIA HURD OF SARTELL, SUFFERED NON LIFE THREATENING INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO AN AREA HOSPITAL.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY'S REPLANT OUR ROOTS CAMPAIGN INVITED GRADUATES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO PURCHASE A TREE TO PLANT ON CAMPUS, TO REPLACE A PORTION OF THE TREES THAT WERE LOST DURING A MASSIVE WINDSTORM LAST SUMMER.

AND TODAY THOSE TREES WERE PLANTED.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE FROM.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 30 DONORS GOT THEIR HANDS DIRTY ON THE BEMIDJI STATE GROUNDS AS THEY PLANTED THEIR OWN TREES IN AN EFFORT TO BRING LIFE BACK TO CAMPUS AFTER LOSING HUNDREDS OF TREES LAST YEAR.

80-PLUS TREES WERE PLANTED BY DONORS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WOODCHUCK U.S.A.

>> HAVING TREES ON OUR CAMPUS CREATES SHADE, IT CREATES THAT NORTHERN WOODS FEEL AND I THINK IT'S AN INSTITUTION THAT IS INVESTIGATED IN SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO PUT THOSE TREES BACK IN THE GROUND AND CREATE THAT ECOSYSTEM.

>> Reporter: ON TOP OF PROVIDING THE NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THE CAMPUS THAT TREES NORMALLY PROVIDE, THEY WILL ALSO BE HELPING WITH THE IDENTITY OF THE UNIVERSITY, WHICH IS KNOWN AS THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PINES.

AFTER LOSING MORE THAN 200 TREES IN THE JUNE WIND STORM LAST YEAR, THEY ARE LOOKING TO REBUILD THE IDENTITY NOW.

>> WE HAD FOLKS CALLING SAYING WHAT CAN WE DO?

WE HAD DONOR FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND WORLD CONTRIBUTING GIFTS LARGE AND SMALL TO THE CAMPAIGN.

WITHOUT THEIR FUNDING AND THEM TAKING THE TIME TODAY TO COME BACK AND REPLANT, THIS WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN POSSIBLE.

>> EVERYBODY HAS A HISTORY HERE.

EVERYBODY HAS A HISTORY.

EVERYBODY HAS A STORY THAT ATTENDED HERE, WHETHER YOU GRADUATE IN 1959 OR 2020, WHETHER THE CAMPUS LOOKS THE SAME WHEN THEY GRAD W5I9 -- GRADUATED OR IT LOOKS DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: EVERY TREE HAS A PLAQUE ON IT THAT WILL GROW FOR DECADES TO COME.

>> THEIR STORIES WERE SO IMPACTFUL TO HEAR, WHETHER THEY WERE DIGGING HOLES FOR A TREE FOR A LOVED ONE OR A FRIEND THEY LOST, EVERYONE HAS A STORY WHY THEY WERE HERE AND WHY THEY PURCHASED A TREE.

IT WAS IMPACTFUL TO HEAR.

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

>> MORE TREE-PLANTING PROJECTS ARE IN THE WORKS FOR THE UNIVERSITY TO GET CLOSER TO THE NUMBER OF TREES THAT WERE ON CAMPUS BEFORE THE STORM, BUT MORE THAN EIGHTY ARE GROWING THEIR ROOTS AS OF NOW.

>>> A FALLEN AMERICAN HERO IS FINALLY HOME.

CAPTAIN WILLIBALD CHARLES BIANCHI WAS LAID TO REST IN MINNESOTA SATURDAY, MORE THAN 80 YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH IN WORLD WAR TWO.

BIANCHI HAD BEEN BURIED IN HAWAII ALONGSIDE FELLOW PRISONERS OF WAR, UNTIL HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO HIS HOMETOWN OF NEW ULM.

HE ENDURED SOME OF THE WAR'S MOST BRUTAL CONDITIONS INCLUDING THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH.

BIANCHI'S ACTIONS IN THE PACIFIC EARNED HIM THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE GATHERED TO HONOR HIS SERVICE AND SACRIFICE.

THE CEREMONY INCLUDED FULL MILITARY HONORS A 21-GUN SALUTE, CANNON FIRE, AND A LOW HELICOPTER FLYOVER.

>>> THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS ACCUSING THE STATE OF MINNESOTA OF OVERSTEPPING ITS AUTHORITY IN REGULATING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

THE COMPLAINT FILED MONDAY AIMS TO STOP THE STATE FROM TAKING ENERGY COMPANIES TO COURT OVER ALLEGED EXCESSIVE EMISSIONS.

THE D.O.J.

CALLS THE STATE'S ACTIONS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL EFFORT TO IMPEDE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATION.

MINNESOTA OFFICIALS HAVE NOT YET PUBLICLY RESPONDED TO THE COMPLAINT.

HE CALLED THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S ACTIONS MERITLESS.

>>> DISTRICT 8 D.F.L.ERS HAVE ENDORSED TRINA SWANSON TO FACE INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN PETE STAUBER IN THE 8TH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION THIS FALL.

SWANSON, A HERMANTOWN NATIVE PICKED UP MORE THAN 70-PERCENT OF THE DELEGATE VOTE AT THE D.F.L.

ENDORSING CONVENTION ON SATURDAY.

SHE SERVED FOR NEARLY 20YEARS PREVIOUSLY AS INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR OF U.S.

CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, BEFORE RESIGNING WHEN SHE SAID THE NEW ADMINISTRATION ASKED HER TO CARRY OUT DIRECTIVES SHE BELIEVED WERE UNETHICAL.

LUKE GULBRANSON IS ANOTHER CANDIDATE IN THE RACE ON THE D.F.L.

SIDE AND SAID HE PLANS TO MAKE HIS CASE TO VOTERS IN THE AUGUST 11TH PRIMARY.

ANOTHER CANDIDATE JEREMIAH LIEND, A TECHNICAL COORDINATOR OF THE PERFORMING ARTS AT BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY, WITHDREW HIS NAME FROM CONSIDERATION FOR THAT ENDORSEMENT CITING RECENT EVENTS THAT REQUIRE HIS FULL ATTENTION ELSEWHERE.

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

>> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO SEE COOL TEMPERATURES OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, WITH TEMPS DROPPING INTO THE 20s OVERNIGHT.

WE DO HAVE A FREEZE WATCH FOR A PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, WE'LL HAVE A LOOK AT ONE OF THE LAST BAIT AND TACKLE SHOPS IN [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS MINNESOTA JOINED TOGETHER THIS PAST WEEKEND FOR WOMEN EXPLORE FIRE DAY.

CROSSLAKES FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSTED A GROUP OF WOMEN FROM THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA, AS THEY TOOK PART IN A PROACTIVE EFFORT TO ADDRESS STAFFING CHALLENGES FACING DEPARTMENTS STATEWIDE.

>> Reporter: WOMEN EXPLORE FIRE DAY OFFERS WOMEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES OF FIRST RESPONDERS IN AN ENGAGING WAY.

THEY ROTATE THROUGH INTERACTIVE STATIONS LED BY FEMALE FIREFIGHTERS AND DEPARTMENT MEMBERS, GAINING INSIGHT INTO TRAINING, TIME WORK, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE OPERATIONS.

>> SOME OF OUR OPPORTUNITIES LOOK LIKE CLIMBING A LADDER TRUCK.

THERE IS A CONFINED SPACE TRAILER.

OFTENTIMES FIREFIGHTERS FIND THEMSELVES IN CONFINED SPACES.

THAT'S A NEW ONE THIS YEAR WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT ADDING.

THEY GET TO GET A FEEL OF WHAT THE EQUIPMENT FEELS LIKE AND THE WEIGHT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE PARTICIPANTS AN IDEA OF WHAT THEY MAY ENCOUNTER.

>> Reporter: IT AIMS TO BREAK DOWN MISCONCEPTIONS AND ELIMINATE BARRIERS.

>> IF YOU ARE WILLING TO WORK HARD AND WILLING TO BE PASSIONATE AND DEDICATE YOURSELF IN THE FIRE SERVICE, THERE ARE INFINITE AMOUNTS OF OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO YOU.

MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE FIRE SERVICE IS ALL THE PEOPLE I SERVE WITH.

I MET SOME OF THE GREATEST PEOPLE IN MY LIFE.

I MADE LIFELONG FRIENDS.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GIVE THE FIRE SERVICE A TRIAL, MEN AND WOMEN, BECAUSE IT CAN LEAD TO SOME PRETTY INCREDIBLE THINGS.

>> Reporter: ALL ACROSS MINNESOTA, THIS HANDS-ON EVENT IS HELPING WOMEN GET A LOOK INTO THE LIFE OF FIRE SERVICES.

FROM RESPONDING TO EMERGENCY SCENARIOS AND CLIMBING LADDERS, THIS IS ALL HELPING DEPARTMENTS BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION OF FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> I AM READY TO EXPLORE NEW OPTIONS AND I FELT THIS WOULD BE A GREAT WAY TO SEE IF FIRE FIGHTING IS SOMETHING I WANT TO PURSUE.

>> I HAD ADMIRATION FOR THESE MEN AND WOMEN BEFORE AND JUST EXPERIENCING EACH OF THESE STATIONS THAT THEY HAVE SET GIVES ME EVEN MORE ADMIRATION.

THEY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR US EVERY DAY.

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

>> THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE EVENT HAPPENED ACROSS ALL REGIONS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

CURRENTLY AROUND NINE PERCENT OF WOMEN MAKE UP THE FIREFIGHTER POPULATION NATIONWIDE.

BY SHOWCASING EVENTS LIKE WOMEN EXPLORE FIRE DAY.

DEPARTMENTS HOPE TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THAT NUMBER BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR.

>>> WELL, TIME FOR WEATHER.

FIRST WEEK OF MAY IS HERE STACY, IT FEELS LIKE MAYBE THE FIRST WEEK OF APRIL.

>> Stacy: IT IS CHILLY OUT THERE AND THE WIND IS NOT HELPING WITH THAT EITHER.

IT'S BREEZY ACROSS THE AREA TODAY.

WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING THAT CONTINUED COOL WEATHER IN PLACE THROUGH MIDWEEK AND WE COULD BE SEEING LOWS DROPPING INTO THE 20s OVERNIGHT IN MUCH OF THE VIEWING AREA AND PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA IS UNDER A PRIZE WATCH FOR TOMORROW NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, IT WAS A CHILLY AND WINDY DAY AS TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN FALLING PRETTY MUCH THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE COLD TEMPERATURES TONIGHT AND TOMORROW NIGHT WHEN WE HAVE A FREEZE WATCH FOR A PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

TEMPERATURES COULD FALL IN THE 20s ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA LATER TONIGHT AND INTO EVEN TOMORROW.

WE SEE A WARM UP LATE THIS WEEKEND AND SOME OF US COULD SEE HIGHS IN THE 60s BY THE WEEKEND.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 38 DEGREES.

AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE AT THE NORTH AT 11 MILES PER HOUR.

IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLOUDY, 44, A DEW POINT OF 23.

PRESSURE IS RIING AND WINDS ARE NORTHWEST.

LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING, WE'LL SEE TEMPERATURES DROPPING BELOW FREEZING, POSSIBLY AS COLD AS 28 IN THAT REGION.

WE ARE EXPECTING COLD TEMPERATURES ACROSS OUR ENTIRE VIEWING AREA BUT THE FREEZE WATCH RIGHT NOW IS IN EFFECT IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING QUITE A BIT OF CLOUD COVER, A FEW BREAKS IN THE CLOUDS ALLOWING FOR SUNSHINE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

WE DO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIPITATION OUT THERE.

MOSTLY IT'S BEEN IN THE FORM OF LIGHT SPRINKLES, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT AND TEMPERATURES FALL, WE HAVE A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SEEING SOME LIGHT SNOW IN PARTS OF THE AREA.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL SEE DRY WEATHER TOMORROW, LOOKING AT VARIABLE CLOUDS, BUT AGAIN TEMPERATURES WILL STAY CHILLY.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, A CLOUDY BUT PRETTY MORNING SKY IN MENAHGA FROM ARLENE AND RALPH CAPTURING THE SUNSHINE THROUGH THE CLOUDS IN JENKINS.

JOAN SPOTTING A BEAR IN LAPORTE.

GARY WITH SOME OF THE SPRINGTIME VIEWS IN DEERWOOD AND ANGELA WITH THE SUNSET BEHIND THE CLOUDS IN CASS LAKE TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 46 AND CLOUDY THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY AND WINDY WITH A HIGH OF 48.

RALPH IN JENKINS, 46 TODAY.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, LOW OF 42.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, GUSTY WINDS, A FEW SNOWFLAKES OUT THERE.

THE LOW IS OUR CURRENT AT 45 AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A FEW SPRINKLES AND A LOW OF 25.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 62 WAS OUR HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD BUT THAT WAS EARLY.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THE TEMPERATURES COOL.

OUR LOW IS 44 AND SUNSET AT 8:30.

SIMILAR STORY IN BEMIDJI, 63 WAS OUR HIGH EARLY THIS MORNING, BUT TEMPERATURES AGAIN FALLING 37 THE LOW, AND 5:58 WAS OUR SUNRISE.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, IT LOOKS LIKE WE START THE DAY WITH SOME SUNSHINE, A FEW CLOUDS HERE AND THERE.

WE WILL BE SEEING THAT MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

WHAT IS GOING TO STAY THE SAME, TEMPERATURES WILL BE COOL WITH HIGHS FROM ABOUT 40 TO POSSIBLY MID-40s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND WE WOULD EXPECT TO SEE THE HIGHS IN THE MID-40s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, A SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW OUT THERE, 27 FOR OUR LOW.

FOR TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, OVER ALL, PRETTY QUIET, NOT A LOT OF CHANCE FOR PRECIPITATION.

YOU SEE TEMPERATURES REALLY STAYING PRETTY COOL THROUGH MOST OF THE WEEK.

WE SHOULD SEE HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50s, SOME 60s AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES THROUGH SUNDAY, AND ON SUNDAY, HIGHS SHOULD BE NEAR 58.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: OKAY, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

SOME BEMIDJI HIGH ATHLETES HONORED.

>> Charlie: YES, A BOY AND GIRL, THE MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR AND THE HALL OF FAME BANQUET.

WE HAVE THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL HELD THEIR ANNUAL HALL OF FAME BANQUET TONIGHT, WHERE THE SENIOR ATHLETES WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS LUMBERJACKS.

AND THAT INCLUDED NAMING THE MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR.

TANNER JOHNSON WON THE MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR.

JOHNSON COMPETED AND WAS A STATE PARTICIPANT IN CROSS COUNTRY, SWIMMING, AND TRACK AND FIELD, AND WAS THE FIRST BEMIDJI ATHLETE TO WIN THE 2026 TRIPLE-A AWARD AT THE STATE LEVEL.

THE FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR WAS LIV THOMPSON, A 3-SPORT ATHLETE WHO WAS A TWO-TIME CAPTAIN IN EACH SOCCER, BASKETBALL, AND TRACK AND FIELD.

AND WAS A THREE-TIME STATE PARTICIPANT IN THE 1600-METER FOR TRACK.

>> IT WAS NEVER AN EXPECTATION BUT IT WAS A GOAL OF MINE.

WHEN I SAW THE OLDER GIRLS GETTING IT, IT'S BEEN SOMETHING I WANTED.

IT TAUGHT ME SO MANY LESSONS THAT I WILL CARRY WITH ME, THE MEMORIES I WILL HAVE WITH MY TEAMMATES, I WILL NEVER FORGET.

IT WILL BE HARD TO LEAVE THIS PLACE.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD BE THE ATHLETE OR THE PERSON THAT I AM TODAY AND IT'S JUST -- I HONESTLY CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

I MADE SO MANY FRIENDS AND I HAVE HAD SO MANY GREAT LEADERS THAT SHAPED ME INTO THE PERSON I AM TODAY.

THEY SHOWED ME WHAT IS POSSIBLE AND WHAT DEDICATION AND HARD WORK CAN DO WHEN YOU STICK WITH SOMETHING.

>>> ALSO HONORED TONIGHT WERE THE SIX FORMER STUDENT-ATHLETES BEING INDUCTED INTO THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME, GRADUATES SPANNING FROM 1973 ALL THE WAY TO AS RECENTLY AS 2013.

>>> BRYAN STOFFEL, THE HEAD COACH OF BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL, ANNOUNCED TODAY ON FACEBOOK THAT HE IS STEPPING DOWN, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, CITING PERSONAL ATTACKS AND LACK OF SUPPORT, AS REASONS.

STOFFEL TOOK OVER AS HEAD COACH OF THE LUMBERJACKS IN 2020, AND IN HIS SIX YEARS AT THE HELM WENT 29-27 WITH SECTION RUNNER-UP FINISHES IN 2021 AND 25.

HE JOINED THE PROGRAM AS AN ASSISTANT COACH IN 2009 BEFORE TAKING OVER AS THE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR FOR THE NEXT 10-YEARS.

IN THE FACEBOOK POST ANNOUNCING HIS DECISION STEP AWAY, STOFFEL SAID THE DECISION WAS DIFFICULT, AND THAT.

IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO COACH THIS PROGRAM AND WORK WITH SUCH DEDICATED STUDENT-ATHLETES.

HOWEVER, ONGOING PERSONAL ATTACKS, INCLUDING THOSE AFFECTING MY FAMILY, ALONG WITH A LACK OF SUPPORT, HAVE LED ME TO PRIORITIZE MY FAMILY AND STEP AWAY.

I AM GRATEFUL TO THE PLAYERS, COACHES, AND SUPPORTERS, AND I WISH THE PROGRAM CONTINUED SUCCESS.

>>> LESS THAN AN HOUR LATER, JACKIE STOFFEL, WHO IS MARRIED TO BRYAN STOFFEL, RESIGNED FROM HER POSITION AS THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL DISTRICT'S UNIFIED COORDINATOR.

I APPRECIATE STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND THE COMMUNITY FOR MAKING THIS PROGRAM WONDERFUL.

IT WAS AN HONOR TO BE A PART OF IT.

I WANT TO THANK THE UNIFIED BOARD FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SPENDING MORE TIME WITH MY FAMILY.

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID ON FACEBOOK.

SHE WAS INSTRUMENTAL FOR BUILDING THE PROGRAM WITH B.M.S.

BEING THEIR FIRST SCHOOL IMPLEMENTED NATIONWIDE.

SHE HAS TAUGHT PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN BEMIDJI FOR 14-YEARS AS WELL AS UNIFIED P.E.

AND D.A.P.E, AND WAS NAMED THE BEMIDJI EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS TEACHER OF THE YEAR IN 2023.

WE REACHED OUT TO BOTH BRYAN AND JACKIE STOFFEL, AS WELL AS THE ACTIVITES DEPARTMENT FOR COMMENT, BUT ALL PARTIES DECLINED.

>>> WELL, BEMIDJI BOYS GOLF HOSTING AN INVITE AT THE BTCC, UGLY DAY WITH A LOT OF WIND AND BIRDIES.

CAMDEN NEEDS TO GO UP AND DOWN TO SAVE PAR.

CHIPS LIKE THIS HELP YOU FINISH TIED 7th.

MAVERICK WITH HIS FOURTH SHOT, THE SENIOR FROM WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SINKS IT, AND HE TIED FOR 7th.

ONE MORE TYING FOR 7th, STAPLES MOTLEY JOHNSON WITH A SHORT PUTT.

THEN RYAN FROM ROSEAU, TOUGH APPROACH WITH THE BUNKER AND HILL RIGHT THERE, HE IS ON, AND HE FINISHES SECOND OVERALL, SHOOTING AN EVEN 72, LED THEM TO A FINISH.

JACKS ROUNDING OUT THE TOP 6.

HALF THE BOYS TEAM WAS AT THE TPC CLASSIC TODAY, THEY FINISHED 7th THERE.

BRAY DMERD -- BRAINERD BOYS, THEY FINISHED IN THEIR CLC.

TENNIS, GRAND RAPIDS BEATS BRAINERD.

IN THE NBA, TIED IN THE THIRD PERIOD IN GAME NUMBER 1, SAN ANTONIO AND THE TIMBERWOLVES.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

WITH THE 2026 MINNESOTA FISHING OPENER JUST DAYS AWAY, BAIT AND TACKLE SHOPS SHOULD SEE A LOT OF CUSTOMERS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, SPOKE WITH THE OWNER OF NORTHWOODS BAIT AND TACKLE SHOP IN BEMIDJI, ONE OF THE LAST BAIT SHOPS IN THE CITY, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR SUCCESS.

>> Reporter: NORTHWOODS BAIT AND TACKLE IN BEMIDJI WAS FOUNDED IN 2018 BY AARON, AN AVID.

>> I WORKED WHEN TAVERS WAS IN TOWN.

>> Reporter: HE SAW AN OPPORTUNITY AND TOOK ADVANTAGE.

>> THEY CLOSED THEIR DOORS AND IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

THE NEED WAS THERE FOR A BAIT SHOP IN THE AREA.

THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS IN THE WORKS.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS DISCUSSED WITH FRIENDS AND STUFF, MANY, MANY YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: SCHMIDT FIRST OPENED THE DOORS BACK IN 2018 AND THE 1,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING ACROSS FROM LAKE BEMIDJI.

>> I RENTED A SMALL PLACE COINCIDENTLY, IT USE TO BE AL'S MINNOWS.

>> Reporter: A YEAR LATER IN 2023, AN EXPANSION OF THE SHOP BECAME POSSIBLE WHEN THE OWNERS SOLD THEIR BUILDING OFF HIGHWAY 71.

>> THE BIGGEST AND BEST THING ABOUT IT IS JUST HAVING THE RETAIL SPACE.

THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE LIKE OH MY GOD, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE GIVING AWAY THAT SPOT ON THE ACCESS TO THE LAKE.

MOVING TO HIGHWAY 71, WHERE WE ARE CURRENTLY, GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO HIT AND GET PEOPLE TO STOP BEFORE HEADING TO THE LAKE OF THE WOODS, HEADING UP TO RED LAKE.

>> Reporter: THE MOVE WAS INITIALLY A SCARY THOUGHT, IT ALLOWED THEM TO EXPAND INTO A WHOLE NEW MARKET.

>> I MEAN WE JAMMED A LOT OF STUFF INTO A VERY SMALL BUILDING UP ON THE NORTH END OF THE LAKE.

SO MOVING HERE, WE ALMOST -- I THINK IT WAS FIVE TIMES THE SQUARE FOOT AND SIX TIMES THE SQUARE FOOTAGE.

WE BROUGHT IN ARCHERY AND A LITTLE BIT OF HUNTING STUFF.

THAT HAS REALLY TAKEN OFF.

SO IT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE ON THAT.

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

>> Dennis: AND OF COURSE THE FISHING OPENER IS THIS SATURDAY, MAY 9th.

>>> ONE MORE CHECK OF OUR WEATHER.

WE GO BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO SEE COOL TEMPERATURES AND COLD OVERNIGHT LOWS.

TEMPS COULD DROP INTO THE 20s.

WE HAVE A FREEZE WARNING FOR LATE TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING.

FOR TONIGHT, WE WILL SEE LOWS NEAR 27, COULD SEE A FEW SNOWFLAKES.

>> Dennis: OKAY, HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'RE BACK TOMORROW.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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