>> 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 BRAINERD WOMAN DIED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AFTER A GRASS FIRE BROKE OUT AND SHE COULD NOT ESCAPE IT.

THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTED THAT A FIELD WAS ON FIRE JUST AFTER 12:00-NOON NEAR A HOME ON WETHERBEE ROAD IN CROW WING TOWNSHIP, ABOUT 8 MILES SOUTH OF BRAINERD.

EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DEPUTIES LOCATED AND IDENTIFIED THE HOMEOWNER WHO DIED AS A 65-YEAR-OLD WOMAN.

HER NAMES HAS YET TO BE RELEASED.

THE FIRE IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, ALONG WITH OTHER STATE ENTITIES.

>> IT LOOKED LIKE SHE WAS ON A LAWNMOWER AND RIDING OUT IN HER YARD.

SHE WAS STRUGGLING WITH MOBILITY ISSUES AND COULDN'T GET AWAY FROM THE TRACTOR, SO UNFORTUNATELY A VERY SAD TRAGIC STORY.

>> Dennis: NO STRUCTURES WERE BURNED IN THE FIRE.

THE NAME OF THE VICTIM WILL BE RELEASED AFTER FAMILY MEMBERS ARE NOTIFIED OF THE DEATH.

>>> A BEMIDJI BUSINESS SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE FROM A FIRE EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

FIRE CREWS RESPONDED TO THE LOCATION OF LATITUDE 218 OUTFITTERS ON THE 6600 BLOCK OF BEMIDJI AVENUE JUST BEFORE 4:00 A.M.

WHEN THEY ARRIVED, THEY FOUND THE TWO-STORY STRUCTURE WITH A HOME WITH HEAVY SMOKE SHOWING FROM THE UPSTAIRS OCCUPANCY.

RESIDENTS WERE OUTSIDE THE HOME AND NO FLAMES WERE VISIBLE FROM THE EXTERIOR.

AN OCCUPANT OF THE HOME INFORMED THE CREW THE FIRE WAS IN THE LOWER PART OF THE BUILDING.

THE FIRE WAS LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT AND 21 FIREFIGHTERS IN ALL AND EIGHT PIECES OF EQUIPMENT WERE ON THE SCENE FOR ABOUT 7 HOURS.

THE BUSINESS, HOME AND CONTENTS SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION BUT BEMIDJI FIRE CHIEF JUSTIN SHERWOOD SAY IT APPEARS TO BE ACCIDENTAL.

>>> BELTRAMI COUNTY ATTORNEY DAVID HANSON SAYS PROSECUTORS ARE EXAMINING THEIR NEXT STEPS AFTER A BEMIDJI MAN HAD HIS CONVICTION FOR CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT OVERTURNED BY THE MINNESOTA COURT OF APPEALS.

45-YEAR-OLD JEREMY SCOTT JENKINS HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF FIRST DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT.

THE VICTIM ALLEGED JENKINS ABUSED HER IN HER FAMILY'S HOME WHEN SHE WAS 13 TO 14 YEARS OLD.

LAST WEEK THE COURT OF APPEALS REVERSED THAT CONVICTION.

IN ITS PUBLISHED OPINION, THE COURT OF APPEALS SAID THE DISTRICT COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY ADMITTING A 75-MINUTE RECORDED FORENSIC INTERVIEW WITH THE ACCUSER.

THE INTERVIEW WAS RULED INADMISSIBLE BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED HEARSAY EVIDENCE.

HEARSAY IS AN OUT OF COURT STATEMENT OFFERED TO PROVE THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER ASSERTED AND IS GENERALLY NOT ADMISSIBLE AT TRIAL.

THE COURT CONCLUDED THE ERROR WAS NOT HARMLESS, THAT THERE WAS A REASONABLE POSSIBILITY THE INTERVIEW SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED THE VERDICT AND REVERSED JENKINS CONVICTION OF CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT.

PROSECUTORS NOW HAVE TWO OPTIONS THEY ARE STUDYING.

>> WE FEEL STRONGLY THAT OUR CONVICTION WAS A SOUND CONVICTION.

HE DID MAKE AN APPEAL ON A TECHNICAL RULING AT THE LOWER COURT.

HE SAID THAT A JUDGE ALLOWED IN SOME EVIDENCE THAT WAS HERE SAY.

WE DISAGREE THAT IT WAS HERE -- HEARSAY AND WE DISAGREE WITH THE COURT OF APPEALS' DECISION, BUT WE ARE BOUND BY IT.

WE CAN CHOOSE TO APPEAL TO THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT.

WE HAVE A 30-DAY WINDOW TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

WE'RE ANALYZING IF IT'S WORTH IT TO DO THAT OR WE CAN RETRY THE CASE.

ULTIMATELY, WE WILL MAKE A DECISION HERE WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BUT YOU KNOW, WE FEEL CONFIDENT IN THE STRENGTH OF OUR CASE AND WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE A CONVICTION ONCE BEFORE.

I'M HOPEFUL WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO AGAIN.

>> JENKINS WAS ORIGINALLY CONVICTED OF FIRST DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT ON FEBRUARY 28TH OF 2023.

>>> THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO A MINNESOTA COUNTY ATTORNEY'S POLICY INVOLVING PLEA DEALS.

THE D.O.J.

'S INVESTIGATION OF THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS BASED ON ITS POLICY CHANGE THAT A DEFENDANT'S RACIAL IDENTITY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN DEALS.

HOWEVER, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WOULD ALSO REVIEW ALL THE OFFICE'S POLICIES AND PRACTICES.

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAYS THEY'RE AWARE OF THE INVESTIGATION AND WILL COOPERATE FULLY, BUT IT ALSO SAYS THEY'RE CONFIDENT THEIR POLICY COMPLIES WITH THE LAW.

THE D.O.J.

'S INVESTIGATION COMES AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TAKES A DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT APPROACH TO RACE AND CIVIL RIGHTS CASES.

THE GOVERNMENT'S CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION IS NOW EXPECTED TO BE USED TO DISMANTLE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES.

>>> MINNESOTA IS NO STRANGER TO SMALL TOWNS AND THOSE CAN CREATE GENEROUS COMMUNITIES.

THE DEBORD FAMILY IN VEGAS HAS BEEN MET WITH ONE OF THOSE COMMUNITIES, AS THEY HAVE RECEIVED HELP AND SUPPORT FROM HUNDREDS, AS THEIR 15-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER HAS BEEN BATTLING STAGE FOUR CANCER FOR NEARLY A YEAR.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WAS AT A BENEFIT DINNER AND AUCTION THAT LOCALS HELD LAST WEEK WHERE ALL PROFITS WENT DIRECTLY TO THE FAMILY.

>> Reporter: VERTICAL GAS, MINNESOTA MAY HAVE A POPULATION OF 350, BUT MORE THAN THAT SHOWED UP TO SUPPORT ONE HIGH SCHOOL GIRL IN HER TIME OF NEED.

>> I FEEL REALLY GRATEFUL THAT I HAVE A COMMUNITY LIKE THIS.

I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HALF OF THESE PEOPLE BEFORE ALL OF THIS HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: ALL OF THIS BEING STAGE FOUR CANCER.

>> ADDY TEXTED OUR GROUP CHAT AND SAID I'M IN THE HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW.

I IMMEDIATELY STARTED CRYING.

I THOUGHT I COULDN'T LOSE HER.

>> ARE YOU FEELING LIKE YOUR ARM IS BEING RIPPED OUT OF YOUR SOCKET AND OFF YOUR BODY?

NO.

OKAY, THEM WE'RE NOT DONE FIGHTING.

SO, WE'RE GOING TO BUCKLE UP BUTTERCUP BECAUSE WE'RE DONE.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP FIGHTING AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

>> Reporter: IN THE PAST YEAR, SHE HAS BEEN THROUGH CHEMO, IMMUNOTHERAPY, MAJOR SURGERIES, AND SHE AND HER FAMILY HAVE SEEN HUGE COMMUNITY SUPPORT THE WHOLE WAY THROUGH, ESPECIALLY WITH THE BENEFIT.

IT LASTED FOR FOUR HOURS AND THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT CAME OUT TO SUPPORT.

>> PEOPLE WE DON'T KNOW, FOUNDATIONS WE DON'T KNOW, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE REACHING OUT AND WANTING TO HELP.

IT'S AMAZING.

>> I FIND IT AWESOME THAT A GIRL THEY NEVER MET ARE COMING TOGETHER TO HELP.

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT YOU NEVER THOUGHT WOULD ASK YOU WHAT'S GOING ON AND HOW THEY'RE DOING.

>> Reporter: FROM A 15 HOUR SURGERY AND NEARLY LOSING A KIDNEY, TO HAVING TO SPEND TIME WITHOUT HER BROTHERS, NOW SHE IS ON HER WAY TO RECOVERY.

>> IN JULY, I WAS PRACTICALLY DEAD AND NOW SEEING WHERE I AM NOW WITH A WHOLE LOT OF ENERGY AND FEELING LIKE MY NORMAL SELF AGAIN, I THINK I COME REALLY, REALLY FAR.

>> SHE'S JUST A MIRACLE, TRULY, SORRY.

>> SHO -- SO I SHOULD BE CANCER-FREEBIE AUGUST.

>> Reporter: SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE BENEFIT LAST WEEK RAISED A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE FAMILY BUT THEY ARE STILL LOOKING FOR ALL THE HELP THAT THEY CAN GET TO PAY THE CONTINUING MEDICAL BILLS.

THEIR LEND A HAND UP AND GOFUNDME LINK CAN BE FOUND ON THE LAKELAND PBS WEBSITE.

>>> STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS AT CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE WERE RECOGNIZED TODAY FOR THEIR CREATIVE ABILITIES.

BENT PINE IS A COLLECTION OF WORK CREATED BY STUDENTS AND FACULTY THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO GET THEIR CREATIVE WORKS PUBLISHED.

THE WORKS INCLUDE EVERYTHING FROM POEMS, TO PHOTOGRAPHY, TO GRAPHIC DESIGN.

SIX STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS WERE AWARDED $100 AND WILL HAVE THEIR WORK FEATURED IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE BENT PINE JOURNAL.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF BECAUSE IT SHOWS THE C.L.C.

AND FACULTY STUDENTS, EVERYBODY'S ART, SO THEY CAN EXPRESS IT IN SOME WAY AND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, IT'S THEIR FIRST PUBLICATION, SO IT'S EXCITING FOR THEM.

>> THREE STUDENTS WERE ALSO SELECTED SPECIFICALLY FOR THEIR WRITING TO BE FEATURED IN THE LAKES AREA WRITER'S ALLIANCE ANTHOLOGY BOOK THAT THEY RELEASE EVERY YEAR.

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

>> Stacy: IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO ENJOY SUNSHINE FOR MUCH OF THE WEEK AND IT WILL BE A LITTLE BIT COOLER FOR SOME OF US TOMORROW.

OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF WARM TEMPERATURES ON THE WAY.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, THE SECOND ANNUAL AMATEUR BARBECUE COMPETITION.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE HAS RECEIVED A GRANT FROM AGE-FRIENDLY MINNESOTA TO SUPPORT TWO KEY INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO ENGAGE AND CONNECT OLDER ADULTS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES REGION.

THE GRANT AWARD IS FOR JUST OVER $52,000 AND WILL FUND A SERIES OF FOUR COMMUNITY BASED LISTENING SESSIONS FOR ADULTS AGED 55 AND OLDER, AS WELL AS THE EXPANSION OF CHATTY HOUR, A STRUCTURED SOCIAL PROGRAM THAT REDUCES ISOLATION AND STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY TIES.

>> PART OF OUR ENGAGEMENT OF THE OLDER POPULATION IS TO MAKE SURE THE OLDER POPULATION HAS OPPORTUNITIES TO MINGLE WITH OTHER GENERATIONS TOO AND TO ALSO MAKE SURE THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ENTERTAINMENT, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE'RE REPRESENTING EVERYONE THROUGH THE PROGRAM WE'RE CHOOSING, WE'RE REPRESENTING EVERYONE.

>> BOTH INITIATIVES WILL LAUNCH THIS SPRING AND CONTINUE THROUGH THE 2025-26 ACADEMIC YEAR.

>>> THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A WEDDING IN 2024 WAS NEARLY $36,000 ACCORDING TO THEKNOT.COM.

COUPLES ARE TASKED WITH FINDING A VENUE, FOOD, AND ENTERTAINMENT TO HELP BUILD THE WEDDING OF THEIR DREAMS, BUT IF YOU ARE TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO AVOID SOME OF THESE COSTS WHILE TYING THE KNOT, BIG AL'S BAR AND GRILL MAY HAVE THE ANSWER.

THE VENUE WILL BE HOSTING COMEDIAN DAVE LANDEAU MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND WITH SHOWS ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT, BUT ON SUNDAY, FOUR COUPLES WILL BE CHOSEN TO GET MARRIED BY LANDEAU WHO IS AN ORDAINED MINISTER.

COUPLES WILL PAY $65 PER PERSON AND COUPLES ARE REQUIRED TO BRING TEN GUESTS TO ENJOY THEIR BIG DAY.

>> IT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE MY BAR MANAGER WANTED TO GET MARRIED AND TIMES ARE TOUGH.

I ASKED DAVE IF HE WOULD MARRY HIM BECAUSE HE IS AN ORDAINED MINISTER.

DAVE AGREED, GRACIOUSLY.

>> YOU CAN GO TO BIGALSTICKET.COM FOR MORE ON TICKET INFORMATION.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US.

A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL DAY YESTERDAY AND TODAY.

>> YEAH, IT'S NICE TO SEE THOSE WARM TEMPERATURES AND OVERALL, MOST OF US WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE WARM TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK.

WE DO HAVE A FRONT BOUNDARY THAT WILL BE MOVING INTO THE AREA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW, SO IT WILL BE COOLER IN THE NORTH, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE SUNNY SKIES AND OVERALL, WARMER TEMPERATURES FOR MUCH OF THE >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED 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.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE ENJOYED A COUPLE OF SUNNY AND VERY WARM DAYS TO START THE WEEK AND WHILE THE SUNSHINE WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE AREA TOMORROW, A LITTLE BOUNDARY WILL MOVE IN AND THAT WILL KEEP TEMPERATURES A LITTLE BIT COOLER IN THE NORTH.

AS WE LOOK AHEAD, THOSE WARMER TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE BACK ACROSS THE ENTIRE VIEWING AREA.

OVERALL, IT LOOKS DRY AND A SMALL CHANCE OF RAIN LATER ON THIS WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 71 AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS OUT OF OUR STUDIO FROM THE SOUTHEAST AT 5 MILES PER HOUR, WITH A DEW POINT OF 38.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, 68 DEGREES, A DEW POINT OF 38, WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTHEAST AT 13 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, PRETTY CLEAR ACROSS ALL OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE DO HAVE THE LITTLE WEAK BOUNDARY THAT WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA.

IT'S GOING TO KEEP TEMPERATURES A LITTLE BIT COOLER IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, STILL VERY WARM IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS SO EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, BEAUTIFUL WEATHER THIS MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND DEBRA AT LAKE ADA.

LINDA AT MILLE LACS LAKE WITH A COUPLE OF TURTLES SPOTTED IN THE AREA TODAY.

ANGELA WITH A PICTURE OF A SQUIRREL LOOKING FOR A MEAL THIS MORNING IN CASS LAKE AND BEAUTIFUL BLUE SKIES.

AND SONYA HAS BLUE SKIES OVER PINE RIVER.

AND GORGEOUS SUNSET SHOTS OVER THE LAKE IN THE AREA.

BILL AND JUDY AT UPPER RED LAKE, PENNY ON THE WHITE FISH CHAIN.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

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

DEBRA AT PINE RIVER, 45 THIS MORNING.

SONYA AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE REPORTING 75 AND BREEZY TODAY.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN AND 79.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY TODAY WITH A SOUTH WIND.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES AND 80.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 80 WAS THE HIGH IN BRAINERD.

WE'RE SEEING VERY WARM TEMPERATURES, 64 IS OUR AVERAGE, 43 FOR THE LOW, 8:31 WAS OUR SUNSET.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 82, 22 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE AND IT'S GETTING CLOSE TO THAT RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE WITH A LOW TEMP IN THE MID-40s.

SO AS WE LOOK AT TOMORROW, WE'LL SEE SOME PASSING CLOUDS IN THE AREA, MAYBE SOME UPPER LEVEL MOISTURE, BUT EXPECT TO SEE MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ACROSS THE AREA AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

AGAIN, JUST SOME PASSING CLOUDS OUT THERE, A LOT OF SUNSHINE FOR US, AND AS FAR AS TEMPERATURES GO, THAT LITTLE BOUNDARY WILL KEEP THINGS COLDER IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, SO HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 60s TO NEAR 70 IN PARK RAPIDS, AND HEADING INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE HAVE THE WARMTH WITH HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s TO AROUND 80.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES, LOWS NEAR 48.

MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, 70 DEGREES FOR OUR HIGH, AND WE'LL BE SEEING THE NORTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

A LOT OF SUNSHINE WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AND TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO WARM WITH A HIGH OF 71 ON THURSDAY.

BY FRIDAY, THERE IS A CHANCE FOR RAIN SHOWERS MOVING THROUGH THE AREA.

OTHERWISE, DRY WEATHER CONTINUES THROUGH THE WEEKEND, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 70s SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR SPORTS.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR US TONIGHT?

>> Charlie: WE HAVE GOLF OUT OF THE BTCC.

IT WAS NICE WEATHER AND AN ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL DAY.

THE GREENS WERE GREEN AND THE SKIES WERE BLUE AND THEY WERE HITTING THEM FAR AND STRAIGHT.

WE HAVE THE BEMIDJI MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETE ANNOUNCEMENT TONIGHT AS WELL.

THAT'S COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORT WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> AFTER A COUPLE WEEKS OF SLAPPING THE DIMPLED BALL AROUND IN THE COLD, CLOUDY, AND SOMETIMES RAINY CONDITIONS HERE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, THE GOLF GODS FELT BEMIDJI DESERVED A LITTLE RELIEF AND IT WAS JUST IN TIME FOR THE LUMBERJACK BOYS TO HOST AN INVITATIONAL.

THE VIEW FROM THE 10TH TEE BOX AT BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY WAS ESPECIALLY NICE.

LOTS OF AREA SCHOOLS COMPETING INCLUDING STAPLES-MOTLEY WHO WAS LED BY CARTER WHITE, SET HIMSELF UP NICELY FOR THIS BIRDIE PUTT ON 17, FINISHED TIED FOR 1ST OVERALL WITH A 73.

OVER ON NINE, COLTON STUPAR FOR GRAND RAPIDS WITH THE LONG BIRDIE PUTT, JUST MISSES LEFT, TAKES THE PAR, FINISHED TIED FOR 6TH WITH A 76.

AHEAD TO 10, PEQUOT LAKES' WAYLON KATTERHAGEN FROM THE BEACH TO WITHIN A FOOT.

HE'D BIRDIE THE HOLE, CARDED A 79 TO FINISH 15TH.

ALSO AT 10, BEMIDJI'S AXEL BURLINGAME FROM THE FRINGE FOR BIRDIE, THE 8TH GRADER FINDS THE CUP, PLACED 9TH OVERALL WITH A 77 BUT HE WAS ONLY 3RD BEST FOR THE LUMBERJACKS, THAT'S CUZ WESTON SEITZ BURIED THIS BIRDIE ON 16, FOLLOWED IT WITH ANOTHER ON 17, SHOT A 74 TO FINISH 4TH AND JUST ONE STROKE BACK OF HIS TEAMMATE BECKETT GRAND, WHO LED THE JACKS ON THE DAY.

HERE AT NINE, JUST SHORT ON THE EAGLE PUTT.

HE'D GET ONE ON TEN THOUGH.

HE TOOK A 73 IN THE CLUBHOUSE TO TIE FOR 1ST OVERALL, HELPING LEAD BEMIDJI TO A 1ST PLACE TEAM FINISH.

IT WAS ALL AREA TEAMS FINISHING IN THE TOP 5 TODAY.

LOTS OF GOOD GOLF ALL AROUND.

>>> ALSO BRAINERD WAS AT THE CLC AND THEY FINISHED FIFTH TODAY.

OTHER SCORES IN BASEBALL, CROSBY-IRONTON BEATS MILLE LACS.

ROSEAU AND AITKIN COLLECTING WINS TODAY.

PEQUOT LAKES FALLS TO FOLEY.

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY GET A WIN.

WARROAD FALL TO TRF.

ON THE SOFTBALL SIDE, BRAINERD EDGED IN A 1-0 GAME.

ESKO BEATS AITKIN.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS BEATS LAKE OF THE WOODS.

ALSO IN GIRLS SOFTBALL, LAPORTE BEATS CLEAR BROOK GONVICK.

STAPLES MOTLEY WAS THE AWAY TEAM, THEY WON 23-3, SO THEY WON BOTH THOSE.

IN BOYS TENNIS, BRAINERD GETS A WIN.

THEY BEAT AITKIN.

>>> WELL IT WAS ONCE AGAIN TIME FOR THE ANNUAL BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF FAME BANQUET TONIGHT AND 5 NEW MEMBERS WERE INDUCTED INTO THE BHS HALL OF FAME.

THEY WERE CODY RUTLEDGE, LEE FAWBUSH, BETTY FULTON-NOVOTNEY, BAILEY DREWES-SMITH, AND MIKE FOGELSON.

THE BHS MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETE'S OF THE YEAR WERE ALSO ANNOUNCED.

ALEC NEWBY WON THE AWARD FOR MALE ATHLETE.

HE WAS A 3-SPORT ATHLETE IN FOOTBALL, WRESTLING, AND TRACK.

NEWBY IS A 2-TIME STATE WRESTLING INDIVIDUAL ENTRANT AND THIS SEASON, CAPTAINED THE LUMBERJACKS TO THE STATE TEAM TOURNAMENT.

MARGIE ANDERSON WON FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, ALSO A 3-SPORT ATHLETE IN VOLLEYBALL, BASKETBALL, AND GOLF.

ANDERSON IS THE SCHOOL RECORD HOLDER IN ASSISTS FOR GIRLS VOLLEYBALL AND IS A 4-YEAR LETTER WINNER IN GOLF.

>> IT FEELS GOOD.

IT FEELS LIKE ALL MY HARD WORK HAS PAID OFF.

IT'S JUST A GRIND, COUNTLESS HOURS.

I MEAN JUST HARD WORK AND IT FEELS AMAZING TO FINALLY HAVE IT, TO SEE RESULTS.

HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS, JUST GOING TO ALL THE SPORTING EVENTS, IT'S REALLY FUN.

I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO MISS IT.

IT'S BEEN A HUGE PART OF MY LIFE SO FAR.

>> IT'S EXCITING AND THERE ARE SO MANY ATHLETES THAT ARE DESERVING AS WELL.

IT'S COOL AND SUCH AN OPPORTUNITY AND SUCH A BLESSING THAT I WAS IT.

I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO REMEMBER THE COMMUNITY.

I MADE SO MANY AMAZING FRIENDS AND LIFELONG CONNECTIONS, LIKE SO MANY GREAT RELATIONSHIPS AND A HUGE BOND OVER ATHLETICS.

>> IT WAS COOL TO SEE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW BUT ALEX'S BROTHER SETH WON THAT AWARD TWO YEARS AGO.

MARJORIE IS STILL SHOWING UP WITH THE TEAM TO ROOT ON HER TEAMMATES.

JUST REALLY COOL THINGS FROM TWO SPECIAL ATHLETES.

>> Dennis: VERY GOOD, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> ACE HARDWARE IN BEMIDJI HELD THEIR SECOND ANNUAL AMATEUR BARBEQUE COMPETITION OVER THE WEEKEND.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN ATTENDED THE EVENT TO SEE WHAT THE COMPETITION HAD TO OFFER, PLUS TO SEE HOW THE EVENT AFFECTS THE BUSINESSES INVOLVED, FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS REPORT.

>> Reporter: WITH THE WARMER WEATHER IN MINNESOTA, THEY DECIDED TO KICK OFF THE SPRING SEASON WITH THEIR AMATEUR BARBECUE EVENT, FEATURING 18 TEAMS, COOKING PORK BUTT, CHICKEN, AND RIBS.

>> THE IDEA CAME BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY WAS MISSING AN EVENT LIKE THIS.

WE WANTED TO SHOWCASE WHAT WE HAVE AND WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE WILL BE GRILLING AND BARBECUE.

>> TODAY IN THE COMPETITION, YOU GO TO YOUR STAND, YOU TAKE WHATEVER MEAT IS AVAILABLE, YOU EAT IT, SHOOT IT, AND THEN ONCE YOU HAD A TASTE OF EVERYTHING, YOU CAN CAST YOUR VOTE FOR EACH CATEGORY.

THERE IS ONE WINNER FOR EACH AND THEN THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE.

>> WHAT WE WANT TO PROVIDE IS THAT EXPERIENCE TO THE HOMEOWNER BECAUSE BARBECUING IS NOT JUST ABOUT THROWING SOME HOT DOGS OR BURGERS ON YOUR GRILL AT HOME.

IT'S A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

>> WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT AS A DUO TOGETHER, THE TWO OF US.

WE HAVE DONE IT FOR FAMILY AND WE SEEN IT ADVERTISED AND WE THOUGHT HEY, WE NEED TO JOIN.

THIS IS OUR AMATEUR BARBECUE COMPETITION.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE SAYING BARBECUING IS BECOMING A COMMON PLACE IN BEMIDJI.

>> WE'RE SEEING TRENDS THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING EVERY STYLE OF GRILL AT HOME ON THEIR DECK, FROM A PELLET GRILL, TO A GAS WEBER GRILL, TO A CHARCOAL GRILL.

>> Reporter: SO THIS CAN BENEFIT ACE ON THE LAKE, SELLING THE BARBECUE SAUCES.

>> EVERYBODY HAS BEEN GIVING US GREAT FEEDBACK AND IT GIVES PEOPLE A TASTE.

ONCE YOU CAN GET IT IN THEIR MOUTH, THE PRODUCT SELLS ITSELF.

>> BEING ABLE TO SHOWCASE OUR PRODUCT, OUR STORE, OUR EMPLOYEES, AND OUR STAFF, THE SERVICE, QUALITY, AND CONVENIENCE IS WHAT MEANS THE MOST.

WE WANTED TO SHOWCASE THAT AND INTRODUCE EVERYONE IN BEMIDJI WHAT WE CAN OFFER.

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

>> ACE ON THE LAKE STARTED A NEW ANNUAL TRADITION FOR THE WINNER OF THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD, WHICH WENT TO CHRIS DELISANDRO FOR THE PIG BUTT THAT HE AND HIS WIFE MADE.

THEIR NAMES WILL NOW BE FOREVER CEMENTED ON ACE ON THE LAKE'S WALL OF FLAME, WHICH WILL BE DISPLAYED INSIDE THE STORE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>>> OKAY, TIME TO GET ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER WITH STACY.

A GREAT WEEKEND OUT THERE FOR SOME BARBECUING AND GRILLING.

>> Stacy: CERTAINLY LOOKS LIKE IT.

WE'LL GET THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK AND SEE MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES, LOWS DROPPING TO 48 AND TOMORROW MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, IT WILL BE COOLER IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, HIGHS IN THE 60s, LOOKING AT 80 IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE WITH NORTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

A LITTLE BIT COOLER ON WEDNESDAY, BUT TEMPS WARM UP AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE AND TEMPERATURES COULD BE 80 ON FRIDAY.

>> Charlie: THE TIMBERWOLVES HAVE MANAGED A HOME PLAYOFF SERIES.

THEY WILL BE PLAYING THE WARRIORS AND THEY DIDN'T END ON THE BEST OF TERMS IN MINNESOTA.

THAT WILL BE SOMETHING TO WATCH, INTERESTING.

>> Dennis: YEAH, IT SHOULD BE AN INTERESTING SERIES.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME EVERYBODY, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM