>> 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.

>>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, I'M SYDNEY DICK FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> A TWO-VEHICLE CRASH OCCURRED IN TWO RIVERS TOWNSHIP EARLIER THIS EVENING, APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES SOUTH OF BOWLUS.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

A 52-YEAR-OLD BOWLUS WOMAN, BRENDA CZECH, WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON 120TH AVENUE WHEN SHE SLOWED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ONTO 20TH STREET AND WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY 53-YEAR-OLD SAMUEL ZENK OF MONTICELLO.

CHECK WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO SAINT GABRIEL'S HOSPITAL IN LITTLE FALLS WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES.

ZENK, WHO WAS IN THE REAR CAR, WAS NOT INJURED IN THE CRASH.

THE CASE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> THERE'S BEEN A QUESTION MARK LOOMING OVER MIDDLE SCHOOL DRIVE AND HANNAH AVENUE IN BEMIDJI, AS THE CITY'S ‘TRUNK HIGHWAY 197 PROJECT' WAS PUT ON HOLD AFTER YEARS OF DISCUSSION AND PLANNING.

THE PROJECT WAS INITIALLY APPROVED LAST DECEMBER, BUT WAS SPLIT INTO SEPARATE PROJECTS BETWEEN THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE CITY OF BEMIDJI DUE TO A FEDERAL FUNDING FREEZE.

DURING LAST WEEK'S MEETING, THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A BID FROM REIERSON CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED AT JUST OVER $4.3 MILLION.

CITY ENGINEER, SAM ANDERSON, SAYS THE TOTAL PROJECT COST WILL BE JUST OVER $5.73 MILLION AND WILL BE PAID FOR THROUGH MULTIPLE SOURCES.

>> THE CITY'S COST IS THE 1.4 MILLION FOR THAT PIECE OF IT THIS TIME AROUND AND WE EXPECT WITH THE MONEY THAT IS LEFT OVER, DEPENDING ON WHERE WE SEE THE BIDS COME IN, WHEN THEY GO OUT FOR BID HERE IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO, WE DON'T EXPECT ADDITIONAL COSTS TO THE CITY FOR THAT.

SO ANYTHING THAT IS A LOCAL SHARE OF THAT PROJECT, WE THINK IT WILL BE RENT COVERED, SO IT WILL BE NICE TO SEE HOW MUCH THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT WILL GET US, IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH WE'RE LEVERAGING THE GRANTS AND THE FUNDS.

>> OTTERTAIL POWER IS GOING TO BE INSTALLING METAL LIGHT POLES AS A PART OF THE PROJECT.

IN THE PAST, THE CITY WOULD HAVE TO OWN AND MAINTAIN THE LIGHT POLES BUT CITY STAFF WERE MADE AWARE OF A PROGRAM THAT HAS OTTERTAIL POWER INSTEAD OWN, INSTALL, AND MAINTAIN THE LIGHT POLES FOR A MONTHLY FEE THAT THE CITY WILL PAY.

>> NOT ONLY IS OTTER TAIL POWER GOING TO BE PROVIDING LIGHTING FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, BUT THEY HAVE ALSO INCLUDED ADDING LIGHTING ON CONFER AVENUE AND LIFT PART OF THE FOUR BLOCK STRETCH ON HANNAH AVENUE, AND THE STREET RENEWAL, WE WILL HAVE LIGHT POLE ON THE HANNAH AVENUE.

>> CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT IS SET TO BEGIN ON JULY 7TH LATER THIS YEAR AND IS ANTICIPATED TO BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 2026.

>>> THE MINNESOTA PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY IS AWARDING $44.2 MILLION IN LOANS AND GRANTS FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THAT INCLUDES FUNDING FOR TWO CITIES IN THE VIEWING AREA.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK THAT THE CITY OF CROSBY.

HAS BEEN AWARDED MORE THAN $3.5 MILLION TO SUPPORT TWO MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WITHIN THE CITY.

THE FUNDING IS AIMED AT REPLACING AGING SEWER AND WATER SYSTEMS IN THE CITY'S DOWNTOWN AREA.

THE PROJECTS WILL REPLACE DETERIORATING SEWER AND WATER MAINS BETWEEN MAIN STREET AND SECOND STREET SOUTHWEST AND FROM THIRD AVENUE SOUTHWEST TO THIRD AVENUE SOUTHEAST.

14 OTHER WASTEWATER AND DRINKING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WERE AWARDED LOANS AND GRANTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THE CITY OF AITKIN WILL ALSO BE RECEIVING MORE THAN $2.3 MILLION FOR A NEW WATER TOWER.

>>> WHILE IT MAY BE A RELATIVELY QUIET AREA DURING THE DAY, DOWNTOWN BRAINERD HOSTS QUITE A BIT OF NIGHTLIFE, YOU CAN FIND BARS AND RESTAURANTS OPEN AS LATE AS ONE IN THE MORNING WHILE PEOPLE VISIT THESE BUSINESSES THEY MAY SEE PERFORMERS OR BUSKERS ENTERTAINING PASSERBYS.

STREET PERFORMERS WAS A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION AT THIS PAST COUNCIL MEETING, AFTER THE CITY RECEIVED AN INQUIRY AS TO POLICIES RELATING TO THE PERFORMERS.

THE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO EXISTING POLICIES REGARDING STREET PERFORMERS AND AGREED UNANIMOUSLY TO NOT REGULATE BUSKERS IN THE CITY.

>> THEN IT WOULD PERTAIN TO SOMEBODY WHO JUST WANTS TO PLAY AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR IN THE PARK OR WALKING DOWN THE SIDEWALK.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE PEOPLE GETTING ARRESTED FOR PLAYING A ON THE SIDEWALK.

>> THE COUNCIL AGREED TO NOT PURSUE ANY ACTION FOLLOWING DISCUSSION WITH COUNCILMAN KELLY BEVANS SAYING, “I FEEL LIKE WE ARE FIXING SOMETHING THAT'S NOT BROKEN."

>>> SUMMER IS NEARLY HERE AND THAT MEANS ITS ONCE AGAIN TIME TO ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOOR FESTIVALS THAT THE AREA HAS TO OFFER.

IN BRAINERD, FARMERS MARKETS LIKE THE ONE AT THE FRANKLIN ARTS CENTER ARE POPPING UP FASTER THAN THE PRODUCE THEY ARE SELLING.

THE FRANKLIN ARTS CENTER FARMERS MARKET FEATURED ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF PRODUCE, FROM BEEF TALLOW TO TOMATO PLANTS TO LOCALLY SOURCED HONEY, ALL OF WHICH IS HELPING SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS.

>> WELL, THIS IS OUR ANNUAL FARMER'S MARKET.

WE COME EVERY TUESDAY.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT VENDORS, AS YOU CAN SEE, AND THEY HAVE DIFFERENT PRODUCTS.

SOME OF THEM FROM PRODUCE AND MEAT, AND THERE ARE A COUPLE HONEY VENDORS.

>> Sydney: THE MARKET IS OPEN FROM 8:00 TO 12:30 EVERY TUESDAY DURING THE SUMMER.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE SOME POP-UP SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AGAIN TOMORROW BUT IT LOOKS LIKE SUNNY AND WARMER TEMPERATURES FOR THE END OF THE WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, STUDENTS PARTNERED WITH RESIDENTS TO CREATE A BOOK OF THEIR LIFE STORIES.

[♪♪♪] >> 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 LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE CENTRAL LAKES ROTARY CLUB HOSTED A GARAGE SALE THIS PAST WEEKEND IN CROSSLAKE WITH ALL PROCEEDS GOING TOWARDS LOCAL CHARITIES AND YOUTH WITH HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, GARDEN ITEMS, SPORTING GOODS, AND MORE ALL AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.

THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, CENTRAL LAKES ROTARY HAS DONATED TO KINSHIP PARTNERS, RELATIONSHIP SAFETY ALLIANCE, SALVATION ARMY, AND MANY MORE OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND WITH THE HELP OF THE EARNINGS FROM THE GARAGE SALE, THE ROTARIANS CAN CONTINUE DOING THEIR PART TO HELP CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS MAKING THE COMMUNITY AND WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

>> WE WANT TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.

WE WANT TO HELP THE STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND THAT'S OUR GOAL.

OUR MOTTO IS SERVICE ABOVE SELF.

ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO VOLUNTEER AND HELP, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WILLING TO DO.

WE LIVE HERE, WE WANT TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.

>> THE CENTRAL LAKES ROTARY CLUB RAISED OVER $3,500 FROM THE GARAGE SALE THIS PAST WEEKEND.

>>> STUDENTS FROM THE BRAINERD LEARNING CENTER HAVE BEEN WORKING ON AN ASSIGNMENT TO HELP BRING MEMORIES AND SMILES TO THE RESIDENTS OF EDGEWOOD VISTA HEALTH CARE IN BRAINERD.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS AT BRAINERD LEARNING CENTER ARE USE TO WRITING REPORTS ABOUT THE USUAL SUBJECTS LIKE SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES, AND ENGLISH, BUT THEIR LATEST ASSIGNMENT HAD THEM FOCUSING ON SOME HISTORY RIGHT IN THEIR BACKYARD.

>> THIS SEMESTER, WE HAVE BEEN COMING HERE EVERY WEEK, MEETING WITH OUR RESIDENT, ASKING HIM QUESTIONS.

I DEFINITELY LIKE SOME OF THE MORE PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS TO ASK.

AT THE END, WE THROUGH TOGETHER A NICE LITTLE SCRAPBOOK FOR OUR RESIDENT.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS AT EDGEWOOD VISTA HEALTH CARE IN BRAINERD CREATED A LIFE STORYBOOK ABOUT PEOPLE THAT LIVED THERE.

>> THEY DID THIS WITH A DIFFERENT SCHOOL AND HE WAS TELLING ME ABOUT IT AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY COOL.

MAYBE THAT'S SOMETHING I CAN START HERE IN BRAINERD.

IT'S SOMETHING I FELL IN LOVE WITH AND I THOUGHT THIS HAS VALUE AND I WANT TO BRING IT TO THE BRAINERD SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: IT ALLOWS THEM TO TAKE A WELCOME TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.

>> THEY ASKED QUESTIONS THAT MADE ME GO BACK TO MY CHILDHOOD AND COME UP WITH ANSWERS.

IT MADE IT REALLY INTERESTING.

IT JUST MADE ME RELIVE SOME THINGS THAT HAPPEN.

SOME WERE HAPPY AND SOME WEREN'T, BUT IT'S ALL PART OF LIFE.

>> Reporter: AND STUDENTS TOOK HOMELESS SONS BEYOND THOSE THEY LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> ONE THING HE SAID IS YOU CAN'T JUDGE A PERSON'S SUCCESS OFF OF THEIR MONEY OR STUFF LIKE THAT, BY HOW HAPPY THEY ARE AND EVERYTHING THEY DONE IN THEIR LIFETIME.

IT'S VERY NICE TO COME HERE AND SEE SOMEONE ELSE'S PERSPECTIVE.

ANOTHER SET OF EYES ALWAYS HELPS SOMEONE.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THEIR TEACHER, THE RELATIONSHIPS BUILT BY DOING THE ASSIGNMENT WILL LAST WAY PAST GRADUATION.

>> INITIALLY WHEN THE KIDS TAKE THIS CLASS, THEY'RE NERVOUS, THEY HAVE ANXIETY, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

BY THE END OF THE CLASS, THEY ASK ME LIKE, CAN I GO BACK AND VISIT THEM WITHOUT EVEN BEING PART OF THE CLASS?

SO, IT'S KIND OF THE FRIENDSHIP THAT THEY HAVE, THE BONDS THAT THEY CREATE, AND THE FRIENDSHIPS THEY MAKE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW THAT STUDENTS FROM THE BRAINERD LEARNING CENTER HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THIS ACTIVITY AND THEIR PROGRAM INTENDS TO RETURN FOR A THIRD YEAR WHEN NEXT YEAR'S SCHOOL YEAR KICKS OFF.

>>> NOW WE HAVE STACY JOINING US FOR SOME WEATHER.

STACY, I SAT OUTSIDE TODAY AND ENJOYED LUNCH.

ARE WE SEEING WARMER TEMPERATURES CONTINUING THIS WEEK?

>> Stacy: YES, WE WILL SEE A WARM UP.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE HIGHS IN THE 80s LATER THIS WEEK AND WE SHOULD BE ENJOYING A LOT OF SUNSHINE.

WE DID SEE SOME RAIN TODAY AND WE MAY SEE SOME POP-UP SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH TOMORROW.

A LOT OF SUNSHINE, PRETTY QUIET WEATHER, BUT 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 HAD SOME SUNSHINE TODAY, WE HAD CLOUD COVER, AND WE HAD RAINFALL, ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA TODAY.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE CHANCES OF SHOWERS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, MAINLY IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN MINNESOTA, AND THEN SOME POP-UP SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS STILL POSSIBLE TOMORROW.

OTHERWISE, IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMING UP AND HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE 80s, WITH A FEW 90s AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

IN BEMIDJI, IT WAS 62 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WE HAVE A LIGHT EAST WIND, HUMIDITY IS AT 48%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, 55 DEGREES, OUR DEW POINT IS 53, PRESSURE IS FALLING, AND WINDS ARE CALM.

ON THE RADAR AND SATELLITE PICTURE, A LOT OF CLOUD COVER THROUGHOUT THE AREA AND WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME AREAS OF SHOWER ACTIVITY OUT THERE, SOME OF IT IN THE NORTH, A LOT OF IT IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

OVERNIGHT, WE WILL SEE A LOT OF THAT TAPERING OFF, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WESTERN MINNESOTA, STILL COULD SEE SOME ISOLATED TO SCATTERED SHOWERS IN PARTS OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA ON THE OVERNIGHT, HEADING INTO TOMORROW, IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING THAT MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE WITH CHANCES OF SOME POP-UP SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, A GORGEOUS SUNRISE FROM DEBRA AT LAKE ADA, SONYA SPOTTING SOME YELLOW LADY SLIPPERS ON THE SHORE.

WE HAVE A PHOTO FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA WITH DEER SHE SPOTTED ON THE TRAIL THIS MORNING.

LAURIE WITH A GREAT BLUE HERRING AT LITTLE TURTLE LAKE.

ANGELA CAPTURING THE SUN, JUST BEHIND THE RAIN CLOUDS IN CASS LAKE TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, DEBRA IN PINE RIVER, 51 THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, A FEW RAIN DROPS AND 51 AND CALM.

SONYA REPORTING DRY CONDITIONS THIS EVENING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY AND HAZY WITH THE SOUTH WINDS.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, SOME SPRINKLES THIS MORNING, OTHERWISE PARTLY SUNNY.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING 0.3-INCH OF RAIN BUT IT WAS STILL RAINING WHEN SHE MADE HER REPORT.

THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD, FALLING SHY OF OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, 51 WAS OUR LOW AND SUNRISE AT 5:31.

BEMIDJI, WARMER, TOPPING OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE BY A FEW DEGREES, REACHING A HIGH OF 72, 51 WAS OUR LOW, AND SUNSET AT 9:04.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE ARE GOING TO START THE DAY WITH THAT MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE.

THEN AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY AGAIN, WE WILL BE SEEING THE CLOUDS MOVING IN AND OUT, SOME SUNSHINE IN BETWEEN THAT, AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, WE COULD BE SEEING SPOTTY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE LOW TO MAYBE SOME MID-70s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

THEN IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE ARE LOOKING AT HIGHS UPPER 60s TO LOW 70s.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS MAINLY IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

LOW TEMPERATURES DROPPING TO ABOUT 48, AND THEN TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

HIGHS NEAR 72, AND VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, SUNSHINE RETURNS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, AND WE SEE A PRETTY BIG WARM UP WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES NEAR 87 ON FRIDAY.

THERE IS A CHANCE, A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SEEING SOME RAIN SHOWER ACTIVITY MOVING THROUGH THE AREA ON SATURDAY, OTHERWISE EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE THROUGH THE WEEKEND, WITH HIGHS CONTINUING TO REACH THE 80s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY.

NOW WE HAVE CHARLIE YAEGER JOINING US FOR SOME SPORTS.

LOOKS LIKE YOU HAD SOME SUN RECENTLY.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> Charlie: THERE WAS SOME SUN OUT AND SOME CLOUDS TOO, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT?

RIGHT NOW, THE HEAT, BEMIDJI IS BRINGING IT.

THEY ARE RED HOT HEADING INTO THE PLAYOFFS.

TODAY THEY WERE TAKING ON ST.

CLOUD IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE SECTION 8-4A TOURNAMENT.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT AND OTHER GAMES IN THE AREA COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE, OFFERING THE LATEST IN TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS, FROM YOUR LOCAL BROADBAND COOPERATIVE.

>> NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY LVI SUPPLY.

PROVIDING THE BEMIDJI AREA WITH INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS AND EQUIPMENT SALES AND SERVICE.

MORE INFO AT 218-44-3930 OR LVISUPPLY.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

( [♪♪♪] >>> BEMIDJI BASEBALL IS RED HOT HEADING INTO THE PLAYOFFS, FINISHING THE REGULAR SEASON ON A 7-GAME WIN STREAK.

THE LUMBERJACKS FINISHED THE YEAR 14-4 OVERALL AND 6-1 IN SECTION PLAY, EARNING THEM THE 3-SEED AND A HOME PLAYOFF GAME.

TODAY IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE SECTION 8-4A TOURNAMENT, BEMIDJI TAKING ON SAINT CLOUD.

THE JACKS EDGED THE CRUSH 3-2 IN THE VERY FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON.

BOTTOM OF THE 2ND, LUMBERJACKS TRAILING 1-0, BASES YOLKED FOR KOBE BROWN, CRUSH LOOK LIKE THEY'VE GOT A DOUBLE-PLAY, INSTEAD THEY THROW IT AWAY.

MILES GISH ABLE TO SCORE AND TIE THE GAME AT ONE.

LATER IN THE 2ND, IT'S ANOTHER ERROR BY THE CRUSH, THIS TIME ON A JACK LUNDQUIST CHOPPER.

THEY HAD 4-ERRORS IN THE INNING THAT LED TO FOUR BEMIDJI RUNSAND IT WAS 4-1 AFTER TWO.

BUT IN THE TOP OF THE 5TH, THE JACKS LEAD HAS BEEN CUT TO ONE.

ELIJAH PRIESLER DRIVES ONE TO CENTER, SAINT CLOUD SENDING THE TYING RUN HOME, SNIPED, GISH WITH THE HOSE, PRESERVING THE 4-3 LEAD.

THAT WOULD TURN OUT TO BE HUGE AS BEMIDJI HOLDS OFF ST.

CLOUD IN THE FINAL TWO FRAMES TO WIN 4-3.

BECAUSE 7-SEED MOORHEAD UPSET SARTELL, THE LUMBERJACKS WILL GET ONE LAST HOME GAME THIS SEASON.

THEY WILL BE HOSTING THE SPUDS AT 5:30 P.M. ON THURSDAY.

WARRIORS HOST SAUK RAPIDS RICE ON THURSDAY IN AN ELIMINATION GAME.

>>> IN 8-3A, THE TWO-TIME DEFENDING SECTION CHAMP LITTLE FALLS, HOSTING 6-SEED WILLMAR.

BOTTOM ONE, FLYERS DOWN 1-0.

TWO ON FOR ALEX THOMA, CLEARED FOR TAKE OFF.

HAVE A NICE FLIGHT, THREE-RUN BLAST GIVES THEM THE LEAD.

THIRD INNING, SAME SCORE, RUNNER ON THIRD FOR JACOB DAHLBERG, ROCKETS ONE OUT TO RIGHT, DRIVES IN JOEY WELINSKI, AND ITS 4-1 FLYERS, BUT IN THE NEXT INNING.

WILLMAR'S CLOSED THE GAP TO ONE, AND OH NO, HUDSON SHOBERG HITS ONE SO FAR IT STILL HASN'T LANDED.

2-RUN SHOT, PUTS THE CARDINALS IN FRONT, AND WILMER WILL UPSET LITTLE FALLS 5-4.

THEY DROP THE ELIMINATION BRACKET WHERE THEY WILL HOST 7-SEED DETROIT LAKES ON THURSDAY.

>>> SOME MORE BASEBALL SCORES FOR YOU, LOTS OF THEM COMING UP.

ROSEAU BEATS PARK RAPIDS.

IN 8-2A, HOLLY BEATS MENAHGA.

IN THE 7-2A FIRST ROUND, PEQUOT LAKES GETS THE WIN OVER BARNUM.

AITKIN GETS A WIN AS WELL.

CROSBY-IRONTON BEATS MOOSE LAKE WILLOW RIVER.

THEN THE SECOND ROUND, THEY PLAYED THEIR SECOND ROUND GAMES TODAY, CROSBY LOSES TO ESKO.

THEY GO TO THE ELIMINATION BRACKET.

IN 6-2A, ROYALTON WINS.

PIERZ IN 6-2A BEATS PILLAGER, WADENA DEER CREEK WINS.

AND THEN THEY WOULD MOVE ON TO THE QUARTER FINALS WHERE WINNEMAC WINS, FOSSTON BEATS BAGLEY 8-2.

IN 7A, LITTLE FORK GETS THE WIN.

BRECKENRIDGE WINS.

IN 5A, MILLE LACS BEATS BERTHA HEWITT.

SEBEKA BEATS NEVIS.

>>> IN SECTION SOFTBALL, WE HAVE THE 5A, TOP OF THE THIRD, NO SCORE FOR KAIJA, SHE PULLS ONE DOWN THE LINE AND SCORES IMANI.

STORMS STRIKES FIRST, 1-0, THE BOTTOM OF THE INNING, ISABELLE WITH RUNNERS ON 1st AND 2nd, THEY PUSH ONE TO CUT THE LEAD IN HALF.

NOW STILL 2-1, THE STORM WILL BREAK THINGS OPEN.

BASES LOADED FOR JASMINE, IT'S A 2 R.B.I.

DOUBLE THAT FINDS THE WALL AND LEFT.

THEY SCORE 5 IN THE INNING AS THEY TAKE DOWN BLACKDUCK, 7-2, SENDING THEM TO THE ELIMINATION BRACKET WHERE THEY TOOK CARE OF BUSINESS LATER IN THE DAY.

SO THE TWO TEAMS WILL ACTUALLY MEET AGAIN IN THE FINALS ON THURSDAY.

THE STORM ONLY NEED TO WIN ONCE TO TAKE THAT SECTION.

THE DRAKES HAVE TO WIN TWICE.

SOME OTHER SCORES, THEY WILL HOST THE SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AGAINST EITHER SAINT MICHAEL ALBERTVILLE OR SARTELL, DEPENDING WHO WINS THAT GAME ON THURSDAY.

WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THAT FOR YOU IN 8-3A ELIMINATION.

GRAND RAPIDS IS OUT AFTER FALLING TO HERMANTOWN.

ROSEAU MOVES ON TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN THEIR SECTION.

SECTION 8-2A IN THE ELIMINATION GAME, WADENA DEER CREEK AND MENAHGA OUT.

AITKIN BEAT BY RUSH CITY AND ESKO.

THEY ARE DONE.

PIERZ BEATS HOLDINGFORD.

AND THEY ARE GOING TO PLAY BGMR IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ONCE AGAIN.

BROWERVILLE FALLS IN THEIR GAME.

IN 8-A, BOYS LACROSSE, BECKER BEATS BRAINERD, THEY EDGE THEM 16-14.

IN GIRLS LACROSSE, BRAINERD GETS THE WIN, 13-9.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, THE MINNESOTA TWINS BEATS THE TAMPA BAY RAYS.

A LOT OF SCORES AND IT'S ALL COMING TO A CLOSE SOON.

>> Sydney: LOOKS LIKE SOME EXCITING PLAYOFF STUFF GOING ON.

>> Charlie: VERY MUCH SO.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>> WITH THE SUMMER TOURISM SEASON RAMPING UP, VISITORS WILL BE LOOKING TO GET OUT TO MINNESOTA'S MANY STATE AND COUNTY PARKS.

REPORTER MILES WALKER STOPPED BY THE PAUL M. THIEDE FIRE TOWER PARK IN PEQUOT LAKES FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOOD'S EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: THE PEQUOT LAKES FIRE LOOKOUT TOWER HAS STOODAL FOR 90 YEARS, HOLDING A SPECIAL PLACE IN CROW WING COUNTY'S HISTORY.

>> THE TOWER WAS PUT UP TO HELP PREVENT WILDFIRES IN THE COUNTY.

THERE WERE NUMEROUS TOWERS BUILT AND THIS WAS STILL STANDS TODAY.

SO THEY DETERMINE WHERE THE SMOKE POINTS WERE AND THEY CENTER FIREFIGHTERS.

>> Reporter: ONCE THE SEASON TURNS, THOSE INTERESTED CAN ENJOY A 20-MILE VIEW FROM DAWN TO DUSK.

>> Reporter:.

>> ESPECIALLY IN THE FALL, IT'S ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO ENJOY THE COLORS.

YOU CAN ALSO GET A GOOD VIEW OF 371 AND THE CORRIDOR IF YOU ARE ON TOP OF THE TOWER.

YOU GET A FEEL OF WHAT THE PEOPLE THAT STAFF THE TOWER HAD TO VIEW.

>> Reporter: AND A NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC TOWERS, IT NOT ONLY REMAINS ONE OF THE ONLY USABLE TOWERS BUT SERVES AS A COMMEMORATION TO LATE D.N.R.

FORESTER.

>> HE SERVED THE AREA FOR 30 YEARS.

FOR THE FIRST 10 YEARS OF HIS CAREER, HE LIVED HERE AT THE FIRE TOWER AT A CABIN, AND HE SPENT MOST OF THE TIME IN THE FIRE TOWER, MANNING THE FIRE TOWER IN HIS 30-YEAR CAREER.

>> Reporter: IT GRACES THE SKY AT THE PARK, WHICH WAS ACQUIRED IN THE LATE 2010s, TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE VISITORS OF 100-ACRES FULL OF SCENERY, PROTECTING THEIR HISTORY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO ENJOY.

>> IT SERVES AS A PIECE OF HISTORY FOR THE AREA, PAUL FOUND THAT THE TOWER WAS SET TO BE DECOMMISSIONED LIKE MANY TOWERS IN THE COUNTY.

HE ACQUIRED THE TOWER FROM THE D.N.R., INCORPORATED WALKING TRAIL TO TALK ABOUT HISTORY OF MINNESOTA, THE FIRE HISTORY, TREE IDENTIFICATION, AND ECOLOGY AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PEQUOT LAKES WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Sydney: AND NOW WE'RE GOING BACK TO STACY FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE COULD BE SEEING SOME SHOWERS CONTINUING IN PARTS OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, OTHERWISE, LOWS FALLING TO 48.

AS WE LOOK AT TOMORROW, WE WILL ONCE AGAIN BE SEEING THE MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE, WE MAY SEE A FEW POP-UP SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY AND THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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