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

MEMBER FDIC.

>> SOURCEWELL; COOPERATIVE PURCHASING FOR GOVERNMENT NONPROFITS AND EDUCATION.

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.

>>> NATIONAL DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK IS CELEBRATED FROM SEPTEMBER 27TH THROUGH OCTOBER 6TH.

IN ORDER TO CELEBRATE, BELTRAMI ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE PARTNERING WITH OTTER-TAIL POWER HELD THEIR 6TH ANNUAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE CAR SHOW.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN WENT TO THE EVENT TO SEE THE VARIETY OF E.V.'S.

>> Reporter: NATIONAL DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK IS A NATIONWIDE WAY TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE BENEFITS OF ELECTRIC AND HYBRID VEHICLES.

THEY PARTNER WITH OTTER TAIL POWER TO HOLD THE E.V.

CAR SHOW TO ALLOW ATTENDEES TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH A VARIETY OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

>> I THINK JUST BY THE LOOKS OF IT, IT SEEMS TO BE GROWING IN POPULARITY EVERY YEAR.

A LOT OF PEOPLE TONIGHT, A LOT OF INTEREST IN THIS TECHNOLOGY.

>> Reporter: THEY INVITED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO OWN ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO DISPLAY THEIR E.Vs TO ALLOW ATTENDEES TO ASK QUESTIONS ON THE E.V.s.

>> THERE IS THE RANGE, HOW FAR CAN YOU GO ON A BATTERY CHARGE AND HOW MUCH DOES WINTER WEATHER IMPACT THE BATTERY.

THIS IS A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO GET FIRSTHAND ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE 20 VEHICLES IN TOTAL AT THE CAR SHOW, INCLUDING A MUSTANG, PICKUP TRUCK, AND UTILITY VEHICLES.

THE MOST POPULAR VEHICLES WERE THE CYBER TRUCKS AND THE BUSES.

>> PEOPLE ASKED HOW DO THEY WORK IN GENERAL?

WHAT IS THE RANGE?

ARE WE WORRIED OF LOSING THE RANGE IN THE WINTERTIME?

>> I HAD AN INTEREST IN THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY.

TRADITIONALLY I LIKE SPORTS CARS, BUT I'M ALWAYS INTERESTED IN NEW TECHNOLOGY.

I TOOK A LEAP IN 2017 AND TOOK OVER THE END OF A LEASE OF A BMW AND I JUST LOVED THE TORQUE.

I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING TESLA VERY CLOSELY.

>> Reporter: THEY GET A CHANCE TO DRIVE OR RIDE ALONG THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND LEARN MORE WHILE ON THE ROAD.

>> WHEN YOU THINK OF THE TECHNOLOGY, I THINK OF MY KIDS.

THEY USED TO DRIVE THOSE PLASTIC JEEP TRUCKS AROUND THAT WERE BATTERY POWERED, SO IT'S NOT A FOREIGN IDEA TO BE THINKING ABOUT THIS BATTERY POWERED VEHICLE AND THINGS LIKE THAT, FOR A CERTAIN AGE AND GENERATION.

NOW MY GENERATION, I'M STILL LEARNING ABOUT IT MYSELF BUT THESE ARE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT.

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

>> THE E.V.

CAR SHOW ALSO FEATURED A NUMBER OF ELECTRIC TOOLS LIKE LAWN-MOWERS, SNOW-PLOWS, AND EVEN CHAINSAWS IN ORDER TO SHOW THE MULTITUDE OF WAYS PRODUCTS CAN ADAPT TO BE POWERED BY ELECTRICITY.

>>> THE BAXTER CITY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE HIRING OF THE CITY'S NEXT POLICE CHIEF.

COUNCIL MEMBERS APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF MATT MAIER TO THE POSITION AT THEIR MEETING ON TUESDAY.

MAIER HAS BEEN ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF SINCE 2022, PRIOR TO THAT HE WAS A SERGEANT WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

HE'LL REPLACE LONG TIME CHIEF JIM EXITED WHO IS RETIRING IN DECEMBER.

>>> A MISSING 14-YEAR-GIRL FROM MORRISON COUNTY HAS BEEN FOUND AND IS SAFE.

THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS SOPHYA CHERNE HAS BEEN LOCATED AND THANKS THE PUBLIC AND ALL AGENCIES THAT HELPED IN THE SEARCH.

LEFT HER HOME NEAR BUCKMAN SATURDAY NIGHT AROUND 11:00 P.M. AND HAD NOT BEEN SEEN SINCE.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS MORE INFORMATION WILL BE RELEASED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>>> LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUED MORE THAN 1,000 SEAT BELT AND CHILD RESTRAINT CITATIONS DURING A RECENT ONE-WEEK “CLICK IT OR TICKET” CAMPAIGN.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY'S OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY COORDINATED THE STATEWIDE EXTRA ENFORCEMENT AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN FROM SEPTEMBER 15TH THROUGH THE 21ST.

DURING THAT TIME, OFFICERS, DEPUTIES AND TROOPERS FROM 257 AGENCIES HANDED OUT 1,003 SEAT BELT CITATIONS AND 48 CHILD RESTRAINT CITATIONS.

SO FAR THIS YEAR THERE HAVE BEEN 78 UNBELTED FATALITIES IN MINNESOTA.

>>> BEMIDJI MAYOR JORGE PRINCE HAS ANNOUNCED THE CITY HAS BEEN AWARDED A STATE GRANT OF NEARLY $590,000 FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE RAILROAD CORRIDOR OF BEMIDJI AS THE CITY CONTINUES ITS PARTNERSHIP EFFORTS TO BRING A YMCA TO BEMIDJI.

PRINCE SAID IN A FACEBOOK POST THAT THERE IS MUCH WORK YET TO BE DONE BEFORE THIS PROJECT IS A CERTAINTY, BUT CALLS THIS ANOTHER IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD.

THE GRANT COMES FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICIALS HOPE TO HAVE THE SITE, WHICH THE CITY BOUGHT FROM BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTE FE RAILROAD IN THE EARLY 2000S, READY TO START DEVELOPING BY NEXT SUMMER.

>>> SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FROM ALL OVER CENTRAL MINNESOTA GATHERED AT THE CRAGUN'S LEGACY CLUBHOUSE FOR THE CASS COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION'S ANNUAL MEETING RECENTLY.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON ALL THE HARD WORK THE CCEDC HAS TO CELEBRATE THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE CCEDC PROVIDES THEIR PARTNERS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO STEP BACK AND LOOK AT ALL THE PROGRESS MADE OVER THE YEAR.

>> WE PROVIDED OVER 1,052 HOURS OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

THAT WORK IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT THE CORE.

TO BE ABLE TO TAKE SOMEBODY WHO HAS AN IDEA AND SEE IT THROUGH TO FRUITION IS THE MOST REWARDING THING I DO.

INCLUDED IN THE TIME IS WORKING WITH ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES THAT WANT TO GROW.

>> Reporter: AND THE ANNUAL MEETING GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR HIGHLIGHT BUSINESSES AND BUSINESS OWNERS.

ONE IS THE LAKEVIEW IN WALKER.

>> IT'S BEEN REMARKABLE.

THE BUILDING IS UNDERGOING A FULL FACELIFT AND WE ARE REDOING THE PARKING LOT, THE ROOF, KITCHENETTES, AND WE'RE ADDING 12 APARTMENT UNITS FOR LONG-TERM TENANTS AND A COUPLE OF AirBNBs TOO.

>> Reporter: AND THEY TAKE TIME TO SHED LIGHT ON THE ORGANIZATIONS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA DEVOTED TO SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS THE NORTH-CENTRAL SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER.

>> WHAT REALLY REPRESENTS CASS COUNTY?

I THOUGHT OF THE BOSS, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN.

I THOUGHT OF BORN IN THE U.S.A. AND ALL THE GREAT BUSINESSES THAT START HERE AND BECOME NATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL BRANDS, OR JUST HOMETOWN FAVORITES AND HOW THAT REALLY IS THE VISION OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE CCEDC FOCUSES MAINLY ON SMALL BUSINESSES IN MINNESOTA, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL STOPPED BY TO OFFER SOME INSIGHTS.

>> THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THERE ARE OVER 500,000 SMALL BUSINESSES AS WE DEFINE THEM, AND THEY EMPLOY 1.3 MILLION INDIVIDUALS.

IN PARTICULAR IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, THEY OPERATE 85% OF ESTABLISHMENTS AND EMPLOY 53.4% OF WORKERS.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN EAST GULL LAKE, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE CCEDC ALSO TOOK THE TIME TO HONOR RETIRING DIRECTOR BILL PALMER, AS WELL AS GIFT HIM A CHARCUTERIE BOARD.

THEY HONORED HIM AS WELL.

>> Stacy: TEMPERATURES WILL FALL TO THE MID TO LOW 30s IN THE AREA TONIGHT AND FREEZE WARNINGS AND FROS >> 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.

>>> SANFORD HEALTH IN BEMIDJI HELD A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY THIS WEEK TO CELEBRATE THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE PINE PALS NEST AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WAS THERE TO SEE THE NEW INFANT AND CHILDCARE CENTER.

>> Reporter: WHO DOESN'T LOVE A GOOD RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY?

SANFORD HEALTH HELD THIS CEREMONY TO COMMEMORATE THE NEW BUILDING ON THEIR CAMPUS, PINE PALS NEST.

>> THE NEST IS A CHILD CARE CENTER SANFORD PARTNER WITH PINE PALACE TO OPEN A SECOND LOCATION ON OUR CAMPUS.

IT IS FOCUSED ON INFANT AND TODDLER CARE.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE ONE OTHER LOCATION AND HAS BEEN AROUND FOR FOUR YEARS.

>> THE OPPORTUNITY TO START PINE PALS FROM THE GROUND UP CAME INTO MY LAP AND I HAVE NOT LOOKED BACK AND AM REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE THAT DO THIS WORK.

>> Reporter: THE IDEA BEHIND CREATING THE NEST IS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR SANFORD EMPLOYEES TO COME BACK TO WORK AFTER THEIR MATERNITY LEAVE IS UP.

THIS WAS ALSO TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE DISPARITIES AND ACCESS TO CHILD CARE, SPECIFICALLY IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> I AM SO EXCITED THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE 35 IN OUR COMMUNITY, DEDICATED TO OUR STAFF WHO HAVE FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE.

HOPEFULLY WE CAN BE A PART OF A LARGER SOLUTION AND MAYBE THERE ARE OTHER EMPLOYERS THAT WANT TO TAKE PART OR PURSUE THIS OPTIONS AND WE CAN BE A MODEL FOR THEM ON HOW TO CREATE THE SOLUTION.

>> Reporter: SANFORD DECIDED TO OFFICIALLY PARTNER WITH PINE PALS IN DECEMBER OF 2023 DUE TO THEIR CARE.

>> 90% OF A CHILD'S BRAIN IS DEVELOPED BY AGE 5, SO WE TAKE THAT IMPACT WE HAVE ON CHILDREN VERY SERIOUSLY AND CREATING INTENTIONAL SPACES AND INTENTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN.

IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO US AND WE'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR WORK.

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

>> THE BUILDING IS OFFICIALLY FINISHED AND THEY WILL START TAKING IN KIDS AT THE END OF OCTOBER.

THE CURRENT FACILITY IS ABLE TO TAKE UP TO 14 TODDLERS AND 16 INFANTS.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

IT FELT COOLER TODAY, BUT PROBABLY CLOSER TO NORMAL, HUH?

>> Stacy: IT WAS.

IT WAS A LITTLE COOLER THAN NORMAL IN SOME PLACES, CLOSER, BUT DEFINITELY MORE FALL-LIKE THAN RECENT TEMPERATURES WE HAVE BEEN SEEING.

WE WILL SEE COLD TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE HAVE A FROST ADVISORY FOR OUR >> 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, WE DID SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE TODAY, BUT TEMPERATURES WERE A LITTLE BIT COOLER THAN WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING AS OF LATE.

WE ARE EXPECTING SOME VERY COLD TEMPERATURES AGAIN OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND TEMPERATURES SHOULD FALL TO THE LOW TO MID-30s ACROSS THE AREA.

WE HAVE FREEZE WARNINGS AND FROST ADVISORIES INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

WE SHOULD SEE A MODERATION IN TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 46 AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS ARE CALM.

THE DEW POINT IS 34 AND THE HUMIDITY IS AT 63%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, IT'S 44 DEGREES, WITH A DEW POINT OF 37.

PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 5.

A FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHERN AND PARTS OF NORTHEASTERN, EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AND THIS IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1:00 A.M. TO 9:00 A.M. ON FRIDAY.

WE'RE EXPECTING SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES WITHIN THIS AREA.

A FROST ADVISORY FOR THE REST OF LAKELAND COUNTRY, IN EFFECT FOR THE SAME TIME PERIOD, 1:00 A.M. TO 9:00 A.M. FRIDAY, WHERE TEMPERATURES COULD BE AS COLD AS 34 DEGREES AND THAT WILL RESULT IN SOME AREAS OF FROST.

ON THE RADAR, IT IS QUIET ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, NOT A LOT OF WIND OUT THERE, SO THAT DOES ALLOW FOR THE COLDER TEMPERATURES AND THE RESULTING AREAS OF FROST IN OUR AREA.

SOME OF THE FROST LINGERS INTO TOMORROW MORNING, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A SUNNY DAY IS IN STORE FOR US.

HIGH PRESSURE IS GOING TO KEEP WINDS FAIRLY CALM, BUT WE WILL START TO SEE SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN AND A LITTLE BIT OF MODERATION IN THOSE TEMPERATURES AS WE START THE WEEKEND.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, GORGEOUS SKIES TO WAKE UP TO THIS MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA, CARRIE IN WALKER, ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, AND SANDY AT RABIDEAU LAKE.

WE HAVE LAURIE WITH A PHOTO OF A BIRD AT THE FEEDER NEAR LITTLE TURTLE LAKE.

THE SUNSET TONIGHT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL FROM SAMROSE AND JUDY AND BILL.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, DEBRA AT PINE RIVER, 46 THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY TODAY WITH A HIGH OF 56.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES, 56 FOR THE HIGH.

SANDY IN BLACKDUCK, A HIGH OF 57.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDS AND SOME SUNSHINE TODAY, TOPPING OUT AT 60.

JUDY AND BILL REPORTING A WINDY AND SUNNY DAY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLEAR WITH A HIGH OF 59.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING 56.

SO WE ARE A LITTLE BIT CHILLY FOR THIS DATE.

THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE IS 62.

43 WAS OUR LOW THIS MORNING AND SUNSET AT 6:52.

IN BEMIDJI, WE REACHED A HIGH OF 58, PRETTY MUCH ON TARGET WITH OUR AVERAGE, 37 WAS OUR LOW THIS MORNING AND SUNRISE AT 7:22.

OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW BRIDGES -- BRINGS US A LOT OF SUNSHINE, BUT AREAS OF FROST IS STILL POSSIBLE.

HIGH TEMPERATURES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA SHOULD BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 60s.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, IT LOOKS LIKE MORE SUNSHINE AND OUR HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE IN THE MID TO UPPER 60s.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES WITH AREAS OF FROST, LOWS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 33.

IT WOULD BE COLDER IN PARTS OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

FOR TOMORROW, SUNNY SKIES, AREAS OF FROST IN THE MORNING, 67 FOR THE HIGH, AND SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN MAINLY IN NORTHERN AND EASTERN MINNESOTA, SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND NIGHT, MAYBE LINGERING IN THE NORTHEAST ON SUNDAY.

HIGHS ON SATURDAY IN THE MID-70s, BUT THEN AGAIN TEMPERATURES COOL OFF ON SUNDAY.

WE'RE BACK UP IN THE 60s ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY WITH PLENTY OF SUNSHINE.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR SPORTS.

INTRIGUING GIRLS VOLLEYBALL MATCH UP.

>> Charlie: YES, THE REIGNING CLASS 2A CHAMPIONS PEQUOT LAKES.

THEY COME INTO BEMIDJI.

LAST YEAR THEY BEAT BEMIDJI AND THIS YEAR BEMIDJI IS TRYING TO EXACT REVENGE.

I HAVE THE HIGHLIGHT FROM THAT AND WE WILL HEAR FROM BEMIDJI FOOTBALL AHEAD OF THEIR GAME TOMORROW AGAINST ALEXANDRIA.

ALL THAT COMING UP AFTER THE >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS; NORTHERN NORTHERN MINNESOTA THE GIGAZONE.

INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGABITS PER SECONDS, BOTH UPLOAD AND DOWNLOAD.

IT'S THE GIGAZONE FROM PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS AND IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> THE GOLDEN APPLE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY CROW WING POWER.

DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELIABLE ELECTRICITY AND A KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CARING STAFF TO ASSIST YOU WITH ENERGY-SAVING PROGRAMS AND TIPS MORE AT CWPOWER.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> BEMIDJI GIRLS VOLLEYBALL IS RIDING HIGH AFTER A WIN OVER ROCK RIDGE ON TUESDAY, EXTENDING THEIR WIN STREAK TO THREE AND PUSHING THEIR WIN TOTAL TO 10 ON THE YEAR.

PEQUOT LAKES, THE REIGNING CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONS ARE 13-6 AND ARE TRYING TO MAKE A STRONG PUSH AS THE REGULAR SEASON WINDS DOWN.

THE TWO TEAMS DOING BATTLE TONIGHT.

LUMBERJACKS HOSTING THE PATRIOTS.

LAST YEAR THE PATS BEAT THE JACKS IN 3-STRAIGHT SETS.

MIDWAY THROUGH THE FIRST SET, BEMIDJI UP 12-6.

ANNA FRENZEL SENDS IT INTO THE BLOCK AND OUT OF BOUNDS.

JACKS CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THEIR LEAD.

LATER IN THE SET, NORAH JACOBSON TRIES TO DO THE SAME THING BUT ALEXA PIETIG DENIES HER, RETURN TO SENDER.

PEQUOT LAKES BACK WITHIN FIVE BUT BEMDJI WOULD CONTINUE TO DOMINATE.

MOLLIE ROOP TRYING TO HELP THEM FINISH THE SET STRONG WITH A STRONG KILL AS THEY TAKE THE SET ONE.

IN THE SECOND SET, PATS KEEPING THINGS CLOSE.

JUNE RUDE WITH THE TOUCH.

CHEF'S KISS.

THEY WOULD TIE THINGS UP ON THE NEXT POINT, BUT AGAIN THE LUMBERJACKS PUSH BACK, SHOWING THEIR ABILITY TO SPREAD THE BALL AROUND.

AURORA FRANK THIS TIME WITH THE KILL.

BEMIDJI GOES ON TO WIN IN STRAIGHT SETS OVER PEQUOT LAKES, MAKES IT FOUR STRAIGHT WINS FOR THE JACKS.

PATS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO REBOUND AT HOME AGAINST MILACA NEXT TUESDAY.

SOME MORE SCORES FROM ACROSS HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS.

IN VOLLEYBALL, GRAND RAPIDS BEATS GREEN WAY.

AITKIN AND ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL BOTH GET WINS TONIGHT.

LAKE OF THE WOODS BEATS ROSEAU.

BERTHA HEWITT GETS THE WIN OVER MENAHGA.

NEVIS GETS THE WIN OVER WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY.

BLACKDUCK AND SEBEKA BOTH COLLECTING WINS.

FOSSTON BEATS BAGLEY IN THAT RIVALRY MATCH.

IN GIRLS SOCCER, BRAINERD 9-0 WIN.

LITTLE FALLS WITH A 1-0 WIN OVER MELROSE.

ON THE BOY'S SIDE OF THINGS, BRAINERD TIES.

MELROSE, THEY BEAT LITTLE FALLS 4-3.

IN GIRLS TENNIS, THE TEAM QUARTER FINALS BEING PLAYED TODAY OUT IN GRAND FORKS.

BEMIDJI BEATS ALEXANDRIA IN 4-3 AND BRAINERD GETS THE WIN OVER FERGUS FALLS.

THEY WILL MOVE TO THE SEMIFINALS IN SARTELL.

WE'LL EXPLAIN MORE ABOUT THAT LATER.

>>> WHEN IT COMES TO FOOTBALL, IT'S BEEN SAID THAT THE GAME AS THE OFFENSIVE LINE GOES.

IF THEY'RE HAVING A BAD DAY, THEN EVERYONE IS HAVING A BAD DAY.

LUCKILY FOR BEMIDJI FOOTBALL, THEY HAVEN'T HAD MANY BAD DAYS AND DESPITE MAYBE NOT RECEIVING AS MUCH CREDIT AS SOME OF THE HIGHER PROFILE POSITIONS, THEY HAVE BEEN VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THE TEAM'S SUCCESS.

>> THE OFFENSIVE LINEMEN GO BY MANY NAMES.

BIG UGLIES, HOG MOLLIES, AND EVEN FAT NASTY.

THERE IS SOMETHING YOU WILL NEVER HEAR THEM CALLED AT BEMIDJI, LAZY.

>> THEY'RE THE GROUP OF KIDS THAT I COULD SET MY WATCH TO ABOUT BEING IN THE WEIGHT ROOM AND READY TO GO.

THERE IS A CERTAIN ASPECT THAT COMES WITH PLAYING OFFENSIVE LINE THAT YOU REALLY HAVE TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE TYPE AND STYLE OF PLAY THAT WE DO AND THESE GUYS HAVE BOUGHT IN.

>> Reporter: FOR THE LUMBERJACKS, THE O-LINE HAS BEEN PLAYING LOW SO THE TEAM CAN STAND TALL.

THEY ACTED LIKE A WALL, IMPENETRABLE BY OPPOSING DEFENSES, LEADING THE CHARGE FOR THE JACKS' 4-1 START.

>> IT'S A BIG TEAM EFFORT BUT WE WORK HARD AND WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON HOW HARD WE WORK.

WE COME IN AS A BIG GROUP.

WE TRUST EACH OTHER AND WE KNOW EACH OTHER.

WE COME OUT KNOWING THAT WE'RE SOLID, WE'RE LOW OFF THE BALL, AND WE FEEL LIKE WE CAN BEAT UP ON ANYONE OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: BUT THEY DON'T JUST BEAT OTHERS UP, THEY ALSO LIFT OTHERS UP.

WHEN STARTING QUARTERBACK COBY BROWN WENT DOWN AGAINST MOORHEAD, THE O-LINE STEPPED UP TO CARRY THE LOAD FOR OWEN.

>> THEY PUT THE TEAM ON THEIR BACK, ESPECIALLY THE OFFENSE.

WE WERE ABLE TO WIN SOME GAMES WITH JUST HANDING THE FOOTBALL OFF AND LETTING THEM DO THE DIRTY WORK.

>> I AM MAKING MY READS AND THEY DID A GOOD JOB.

IT'S REALLY EASY WITH THEM IN FRONT OF ME.

>> Reporter: THAT GOES BEYOND THE DEMAND IN CENTER.

THE GUYS IN THE RUNNING BACK ROOM NOTICED AN INCREASE IN THEIR RUSHING YARDS.

>> IT'S NOT EASY TO RUN BUT THEY MAKE IT A LOT LESS HARD TO RUN THE BALL.

THEY'RE PUSHING US BACK 4 YARDS EVERY TIME.

YOU CAN GET 4 YARDS EVERY SINGLE PLAY GUARANTEED.

>> Reporter: THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT, NOR WHEN THE CURRENT SEASON STARTS.

IT BEGINS WHEN THE PREVIOUS SEASON ENDS.

>> THEY PAY THE PRICE IN THE OFF SEASON.

EACH ONE OF THOSE GUYS HAVE BEEN IN THE WEIGHT ROOM AND SACRIFICED AND PUT THEMSELVES IN A POSITION TO PHYSICALLY BE ABLE TO HANDLE WHAT WE'RE ASKING THEM TO DO ON FRIDAY NIGHTS.

>> Reporter: AND FRIDAY NIGHT IS WHEN O-LINEMEN GET TO DO WHAT THEY LOVE BEST.

>> HITTING PEOPLE.

THAT'S PROBABLY MY FAVORITE THING.

YOU GET TO HIT PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE PLAY, ESPECIALLY A DUDE THAT IS BIGGER THAN YOU, YOU DESTROY HIM, THAT'S THE BEST THING.

IT'S AN ECO BOOST.

>> WE CAN'T GIVE UP.

>> I WANT THEM TO THINK WE'RE THE BEST O-LINE IN THE STATE AND THE TOUGHEST THEY WILL EVER PLAY.

>> Charlie: THEY WILL GET A CHANCE TO HIT SOME PEOPLE TOMORROW NIGHT AND SEE IF THEY ARE THE TOUGHEST BECAUSE THEY ARE TAKING ON ALEXANDRIA AT HOME AND THAT GAME IS AT 7:00.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> WHEN THE AVERAGE PERSON HEARS THE WORD RAPTOR, THEIR MIND MAY TAKE THEM TO THE TIME OF THE DINOSAURS.

RAPTORS ARE STILL AROUND, YOU JUST MIGHT NOT KNOW WHAT IS CONSIDERED A RAPTOR.

STUDENTS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO SEVENTH GRADE AT PIERZ PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT MODERN DAY RAPTORS THANKS TO A PRESENTATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S RAPTOR CENTER.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

>> Reporter: SO WHAT ARE RAPTORS?

YES, SOME DINOSAURS WERE RAPTORS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF YEARS AGO, BUT RAPTORS ARE STILL AROUND TODAY.

MODERN DAY RAPTORS ARE BIRDS OF PREY AND AS THE STUDENTS LEARNED, THERE ARE THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR TO IDENTIFY A RAPTOR.

>> THEY HAVE STRONG SHARP TALONS, WHICH IS WHAT THEY ARE NAMED AFTER.

THEY HAVE A CURVED HOOK BEAK.

THEY HAVE TWO EYES THAT FACE THE FRONT OF THEIR FACE, IT GIVES THEM BINOCULAR VISION, WHICH GIVES THEM A SENSE OF DEPTH PERCEPTION.

>> Reporter: THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S RAPTOR CENTER HAS THREE BRANCHES, ONE IS EDUCATION, LIKE THE PRESENTATIONS DONE AT SCHOOLS, AND THE OTHER TWO ARE DONE AT THE RAPTOR CENTER'S CLINIC IN ST. PAUL, ONE OF WHICH IS CARING FOR INJURED RAPTORS.

>> WE SEE ABOUT 1,000 RAPTORS THAT COME THROUGH THE CLINIC A YEAR.

WE ARE ABLE TO DO SOME RESEARCH.

WE DID WORK WITH AVIAN FLU TO SEE HOW IT'S TRANSMITTING TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

>> Reporter: FOR THE PRESENTERS, WORKING WITH THE ANIMALS IS REWARDING ENOUGH, BUT SEEING THE REACTIONS AND THE INTENTIVENESS OF THE STUDENTS IS WHAT REALLY IS THE FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB.

>> TO COME OUT TO THESE SCHOOLS AND FOSTER THAT CURIOSITY.

THE PEOPLE COMING IN TO SEE THE PRESENTATION, THEY'RE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE IN CHARGE AND WHO ARE GOING TO BE MAKING THE DECISIONS AND HELP US CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

SO ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE THEM EXCITED, TO MAKE THEM CURIOUS IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A BENEFIT TO US AND EVERYONE.

>> Reporter: THE PRESENTATION IN PIERZ WAS POSSIBLE THANKS TO A GRANT FROM THE PROGRAM THROUGH THE MINNESOTA UNION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNCIL BIRD CLUB.

THE GRANT PROGRAM WAS START IN HONOR OF TERRY, A WELL-KNOWN RESPECTED MINNESOTA BIRDER WHO PASSED AWAY IN 1992.

FOR TERRY'S FAMILY, BEING ABLE TO PRESERVE HIS LEGACY BY INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BIRDERS A SOURCE OF PRIDE.

>> VERY PROUD.

IT'S VERY NICE TO SEE THIS.

AT ONE TIME HE SAID ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK UP OR LOOK AROUND AND YOU WILL SEE BIRDS.

THAT'S BASICALLY WHERE IT STARTS.

>> AND PEOPLE WOULD ASK WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVORITE BIRD?

THERE IS NO FAVORITE BIRD.

IT'S THE ONE YOU ARE LOOKING AT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PIERZ WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: THAT WILL DO IT TONIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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