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>> Announcer: LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10.

WE'RE 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.

THE CITY OF BEMIDJI HAS OFFICIALLY DENIED NORTHERN TOWNSHIP'S REQUEST TO CONNECT WASTEWATER SERVICES TO THE CITY'S FACILITY.

AFTER THE RULING ON THE CITY'S RECONSIDERATION REGARDING THE ANNEXATION OF A PART OF NORTHERN TOWNSHIP, A LETTER WAS SUBMITTED BY THE TOWNSHIP REQUESTING DISCUSSION FROM THE CITY ABOUT THE WASTEWATER CONNECTION.

AT THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL MEETING EARLIER TONIGHT, CITY OFFICIALS OFFICIALLY RESPONDED TO THE REQUESTS FROM THE TOWNSHIP IN THEIR LETTER, WHICH ASKED TO PERMANENTLY CONNECT NORTHERN TOWNSHIP'S SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM TO THE CITY'S SEWER MAIN IN EXCHANGE FOR PAYMENT TO THE CITY FOR SEWER TREATMENT.

>> WE LEARNED THAT A SEWAGE TREATMENT IS EXTENDED TO NORTHERN TOWNSHIP, CITY PROPERTIES IN THE EARLIER ANNEXATION OF PROPERTIES IN NORTHERN TOWNSHIP HAVE A LEGAL BASIS TO DETACH FROM THE CITY AND PAY FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT ONLY BY RETURNING TO NORTHERN TOWNSHIP TAX ROLLS.

>> I'M NOT INTERESTED AT THIS TIME IN EXTENDING OUR CITY SERVICES TO THOSE WHO AREN'T PART OF THE CITY UNTIL ALL OUR CITY RESIDENTS, ALL OR PROPERTY TAXPAYERS HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE CITY SERVICES.

ONCE WE PROVIDE THAT SERVICE TO OUR PROPERTY TAX PAIRS, THEN I'D BE INTERESTED IN ENTERTAINING THE IDEA OR HAVING THE CONVERSATION TO EXTENDING THE SERVICE OUTSIDE OF THE CITY, BUT NOT ONLY WE TAKE CARE OF THE PENAL PEOPLE THAT ARE CURRENTLY PAYING PROPERTY TAXES.

>> Dennis: BEFORE FOCUSING ON NORTHERN TOWNSHIP, THE COUNCIL REVIEWED THE CURRENT CITY POLICY REGARDING THE EXTENSION OF SERVICES.

THE POLICY STATES THAT CITY SERVICES WILL NOT BE EXTENDED TO ANY AREA OR TERRITORY WITHOUT ANNEXATION.

SOME OF THE REASONS LISTED AS TO WHY SERVICES STAY WITHIN CITY LIMITS WERE TO NOT INTERFERE WITH THE TAX BASE OR EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND TO AVOID LEGALITIES OR DELAYS IN ENFORCEMENT.

IN A 5-2 VOTE, THE COUNCIL AFFIRMED TO KEEP THE POLICY AS IS.

>> THE TOWNSHIP HAS DEMONSTRATED THEY CAN PROVIDE ENHANCED MUNICIPAL SERVICES SOON AFTER INCORPORATING AND THAT INCORPORATION WILL BENEFIT THE PROPERTIES ALONG LAKE BEMIDJI.

THAT WAS THE FINDING OF THE COURT.

A LOT OF TESTIMONY WAS PROVIDED AND NOW IS THE TIME TO STEP UP AND DELIVER THE THINGS THAT YOU AS YOUR TOWNSHIP PROMISED TO YOUR CITIZENS AND TO THE WHOLE WORLD WHILE YOU WERE DEPOSED.

I WISH THEM WELL AS THEY MOVE FORWARD IN PROTECTING THE LAKE.

I TRULY HOPE THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE AS THEY SAID.

>> Dennis: THE DECISION TO NOT CONNECT NORTHERN TOWNSHIP'S WASTEWATER SERVICES TO THE CITY OF BEMIDJI'S PASSED IN ANOTHER 5-2 VOTE WITH THE MAJORITY IN FAVOR OF KEEPING THE TWO SERVICES SEPARATE.

>> THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE RECENTLY CERTIFIED CANDIDATES FOR AN UPCOMING TRIBAL ELECTION.

A PRIMARY ELECTION FOR SECRETARY-TREASURER AND DISTRICT ONE AND DISTRICT TWO COMMITTEEPERSONS IS SET FOR MARCH 31st.

ONE PERSON NOT CERTIFIED WHO PLANNED TO SEEK THE SECRETARY-TREASURER POSITION IS FORMER LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COUNCILMAN ARCHIE LAROSE.

ARCHIE LAROSE IS A WELL-KNOWN NAME IN LEECH LAKE BAND POLITICS.

HE SEARCHED AS THE BAND'S TRIBAL SECRETARY TREASURY FROM 2002 UNTIL 2008 AND AGAIN FROM 2014 TILL 2022.

IN BETWEEN, HE SERVED AS THE BAND'S TRIBAL CHAIRMAN FROM 2008 UNTIL 2012.

BUT IN 2022, THE MINNESOTA CHIPPEWA TRIBE'S TRIBAL ELECTION COURT OF APPEALS RULED THAT LAROSE WAS INELIGIBLE TO RUN AS A CANDIDATE BECAUSE OF A 1992 CONVICTION FOR FELONY THIRD DEGREE ASSAULT.

BUT A COURT RULING LAST YEAR VACATED LAROSE'S GUILTY PLEA FOR THAT FELONY ASSAULT WITH THE MINNESOTA COURT OF APPEALS, CALLING HIS CONVICTION A MANIFEST INJUSTICE.

>> I WAS WRONGFULLY CONVICTED.

I CHALLENGED THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IN 2023.

I WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE APPELLATE COURT IN SAINT PAUL.

I BELIEVE MY HEARING WAS OCTOBER 16th, 2024.

NOVEMBER 21st OF 2024, I GOT THE FIVE-PAGE RULING FROM THE APPELLATE JUDGES.

THEY SAID MY PLEA BARGAIN WAS INVALID AND THEM ARE SOME POWERFUL WORDS.

THEY VIOLATED MY RIGHTS.

MY LAWYER LIED TO ME.

I MISREPRESENTED ME, SO WHAT'S HAPPENED IS THEY REMAPPEDED IT BACK TO CASS COUNTY AND CASS COUNTY TURNED AROUND ON DECEMBER 6th, VACATED MY CONVICTION, AND PAID ME BACK $337.50.

AND THEN THE WEEK LATER ON DECEMBER 13th, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DISMISSED EVERYTHING.

>> Dennis: LAROSE THOUGHT THAT CLEARED THE WAY FOR HIM TO RUN AGAIN FOR OFFICE AND THE LEECH LAKE BAND DID CERTIFY HIM.

>> MY LAWYER CALLED ME AN OUTLIER.

THAT'S WHERE IT'S EXTRAORDINARY.

NO ONE ELSE, NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS WHOLE WORLD FITS IN THAT BOAT AND I CAN LEGALLY TELL YOU I'VE NEVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY IN MY LIFE, UNDER STATE LAW AND UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

>> Dennis: BUT LAST MONTH, AFTER THREE OTHER CANDIDATES ALSO SEEKING THE POSITION APPEALED TO THE ELECTION APPEALS COURT, FOUR OF THE FIVE JUDGES THERE THEN VOTED TO DECERTIFY LAROSE AS A CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY TREASURER.

THE JUDGES SAY UNDER THE MCT ELECTION ORDINANCE, TRIBAL MEMBERS CANNOT RUN FOR OFFICE IF HE OR SHE HAS EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY OF ANY KIND.

>> SO THESE FOUR JUDGES WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND THEIR AUTHORITY AND ADOPTING THEIR OWN RULES.

BY THEM ADOPTING THEIR OWN RULES, THEY DIDN'T LOOK AT MY RESPONSE, THEY DIDN'T LOOK AT THE LEECH LAKE RECORD.

THEY ONLY LOOKED AT THE CHALLENGE.

AND THAT'S A BIG VIOLATION OF NOT ONLY THE MINNESOTA CHIPPEWA TRIBE CONSTITUTION, BUT THE ELECTION ORDINANCE AND MY DUE PROCESS RIGHTS UNDER ARTICLE 13, RIGHTS OF MEMBERS.

>> Dennis: LAROSE PETITIONED THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO REINSTATE HIS CANDIDACY, SAYING BECAUSE HIS CONVICTION WAS VACATED, HE WAS IN ESSENCE NEVER CONVICTED AT ALL, BUT THAT APPEAL WAS DENIED RECENTLY AS WELL.

>> I AM NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT THIS.

IT'S A GOOD FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE SAD THING IS, THIS CAN AFFECT ANY MINNESOTA CHIPPEWA TRIBE BAND MEMBER IN ALL SIX RESERVATIONS, YOU KNOW.

ANYONE CAN BE AFFECTED BY THIS NOW.

IT WAS WRONG, WHAT HAPPENED, AND IT WAS WRONG WHAT THEY DID AND, YOU KNOW, THEM BEING LAWYERS, JUDGES, PC MEMBERS, THEY HAVE AN ETHICS TO LIVE UP TO AND THEY NEVER DID, YOU KNOW.

AND I'M PRETTY UPSET ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW.

I'M DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW IT HAPPENED.

THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED.

I WAS WRONGFULLY CONVICTED AND I LEGALLY MOVED THAT IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Dennis: WE REACHED OUT TO MCT PRESIDENT MICHAEL LAROQUE FOR CLARIFICATION ON THE SITUATION, BUT HE DECLINED TO COMMENT.

LAROQUE DID SAY IN A LETTER TO LAROSE DENYING A SPECIAL-EMERGENCY TEC MEETING THAT UNDER THE UNIFORM MCT ELECTION ORDINANCE, THE ELECTION COURT OF APPEALS IS THE EXCLUSIVE AND FINAL ADJUDICATORY AUTHORITY FOR ALL CANDIDATE CERTIFICATION DISPUTES AND THAT THE APPELLATE COURT'S RULINGS ARE FINAL.

THE LETTER SAYS THE REQUEST FOR A SPECIAL MEETING MUST BE DENIED BECAUSE THERE IS NO LAWFUL ACTION THE TEC COULD TAKE REGARDING LAROSE'S CANDIDACY.

WITH THE PRIMARY ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 30th, LAROSE SAYS HE HAS NOW GIVEN UP HOPE OF BEING INCLUDED IN IT.

INSTEAD, HE SAYS HE PLANS ON EXPLORING OPTIONS IN FEDERAL COURT WITH HOPES OF RESUMING HIS POLITICAL CAREER SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE.

>>> IN OTHER NEWS TONIGHT, AN 81-YEAR-OLD WOMAN DIED IN A FIRE AT A HOME ON BREEZY POINT ON SATURDAY.

THE PEQUOT LKAES FIRE DISTRICT IDENTIFIED THE VICTIM AS NANCY ZIMMER.

PEQUOT LAKES AND BREEZY POINT FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED TO THE SCENE AT 7057 DOVE STREET IN BREEZY POINT AROUND 10 A.M.

WHEN THEY ARRIVED, THEY FOUND A FIRE INVOLVING A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME.

DURING FIRE SUPPRESSION AND SEARCH OPERATIONS, FIREFIGHTERS LOCATED ZIMMER DEAD INSIDE THE RESIDENCE.

FIREFIGHTERS FROM SEVERAL OTHER LOCAL DEPARTMENTS ALSO ASSISTED AT THE SCENE.

THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> A 53-YEAR-OLD MAN SUFFERED LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES IN A STABBING NEAR MOTLEY ON SUNDAY.

AUTHORITIES RESPONDED TO A HOME LOCATED OFF CHERRY LANE, ABOUT SIX MILES SOUTH OF MOTLEY AROUND 7:15 A.M.

THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS DOUGLAS DENIO SUFFERED SEVERAL STAB WOUNDS AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO LAKEWOOD HEALTH SYSTEMS IN STAPLES BY LAKEWOOD AMBULANCE AND WAS LATER TRANSPORTED TO ST.

CLOUD HOSPITAL.

A SUSPECT, 23-YEAR-OLD CHRISTIAN RAY DENIO OF MOTLEY, WAS ARRESTED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE MORRISON COUNTY JAIL WHERE HE IS AWAITING FORMAL CHARGES.

THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.

>>> A WOMAN SUSPECTED OF DRINKING ALCOHOL CRASHED INTO AN UNOCCUPIED SQUAD CAR AT A TRAFFIC STOP IN MORRISON COUNTY SATURDAY.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE PATROL REPORT, MULTIPLE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTIES WERE ON A TRAFFIC STOP IN THE LEFT LANE OF WESTBOUND HIGHWAY 10 JUST NORTH OF 83rd STREET WITH THEIR EMERGENCY LIGHTS ACTIVATED WHEN THE PICKUP REAR-ENDED AN UNOCCUPIED SQUAD CAR.

THE DRIVER OF THE PICKUP, 50-YEAR-OLD KRISTIE EICH OF LITTLE FALLS, SUFFERED NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO AN AREA HOSPITAL.

NO OTHER INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

>> Announcer: STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10: >> Stacy: ANOTHER QUIET AND COLD NIGHT FOR US TONIGHT.

AND THEN WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SNOW MOVING INTO THE AREA TEAM.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> Miles: AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, CORRAL AUTO REPAIR REOPENED ITS DOORS TO THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA PUBLIC AND BEYOND THIS MORNING.

>>> AND NOW, MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>> Dennis: THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL SELECTION ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT IS RECOMMENDING THREE CANDIDATES FOR CONSIDERATION TO FILL THE VACANCIES IN MINNESOTA'S NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT.

ONE VACANCY OCCURRED UPON THE ELEVATION OF THE HONORABLE ANNE M. RASMUSSON TO THE COURT OF APPEALS, AND THE OTHER WILL OCCUR LATER THIS YEAR UPON THE RETIREMENT OF THE HONORABLE JEFFERY R. REMICK.

THESE SEATS WILL BE CHAMBERED IN WARREN IN MARSHALL COUNTY AND CROOKSTON IN POLK COUNTY.

THE THREE CANDIDATES INCLUDE MAX SCHAFER-LACOURSIERE WHO IS AN ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER IN THE NINTH DISTRICT PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE IN THIEF RIVER FALLS, WHERE HE REPRESENTS CLIENTS THROUGHOUT NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

SYMON SCHINDLER-SYME IS AN ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY IN THE BELTRAMI COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WHERE HE HANDLES CRIMINAL AND APPELLATE CASES.

AND ELIZA SCOTT IS AN ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY IN THE ROSEAU COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WHERE SHE FOCUSES ON FELONY AND GROSS MISDEMEANOR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION AND CIVIL COMMITMENT MATTERS.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DNR HAS ANNOUNCED OPEN WATER FISHING REGULATIONS FOR 2026.

ANGLERS FISHING ON UPPER RED LAKE DURING THE OPEN-WATER SEASON THAT STARTS SATURDAY, MAY 9th WILL HAVE A FIVE-WALLEYE POSSESSION LIMIT, WITH ONLY ONE WALLEYE LONGER THAN 17 INCHES ALLOWED.

THIS IS THE SAME REGULATION THAT WAS IN PLACE FOR THE 2025 OPEN-WATER SEASON.

DNR OFFICIALS SAY UPPER RED LAKE WALLEYE HAVE BEEN MANAGED AT A LEVEL THAT, AMONG OTHER FACTORS, RESULTED IN A NUMBER OF RECENT STRONG YEAR CLASSES AND THAT THIS REGULATION IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANGLERS TO KEEP ABUNDANT YOUNG WALLEYE WHILE ALSO MAINTAINING SPAWNERS AT A LEVEL THAT CONTINUES TO PRODUCE SUCCESSFUL YEAR CLASSES.

WALLEYE MANAGEMENT ON UPPER RED LAKE IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN RED LAKE NATION AND THE MINNESOTA DNR, GOVERNED BY A JOINT HARVEST PLAN REVISED BY THE RED LAKES FISHERIES TECHNICAL COMMITTEE IN 2015 AND AGAIN IN 2025.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER.

STACY IS HERE.

BIG SNOWSTORM TO THE SOUTH, SOUTH OF BEMIDJI FOR SURE, AND IT CERTAINLY LEFT AN IMPACT DOWN THERE, BUT WE DIDN'T SEE MUCH IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

>> Stacy: NOT IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

CENTRAL MINNESOTA DID PICK UP SEVERAL INCHES OF SNOW, BUT NOTHING COMPARED TO OTHER LOCATIONS.

ALL IS QUIET TODAY.

IT WAS COLD OUT THERE.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE QUIET WEATHER TONIGHT WITH COLD TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN AND THEN WARMER AIR STARTS TO MOVE IN TOMORROW, BUT WE HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE OF SNOW >>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: WELL, IT WAS COOL AND A BIT BREEZY TODAY, BUT WE DID GET TO ENJOY SOME BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE AND WE HAD SOME MAINLY CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT.

OVERNIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES ACROSS THE VIEWING AREA AND WE START TO SEE THE CLOUDS INCREASE FROM WEST TO EAST AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE MORNING TOMORROW.

BY THE AFTERNOON, THERE'S A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT SNOW MOVING ACROSS THE AREA, PICK UP ANOTHER INCH OR TWO OF ACCUMULATION.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 4 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT WITH A NORTHWEST WIND AT 10 MILES PER HOUR.

THE DEWPOINT IS AT MINUS-4.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, 7 DEGREES, DO YOU WANT IS MINUS-10.

WE HAVE NORTH WINDS OF 9 MILES PER HOUR.

AT THE SATELLITE AND RADAR, IT HAS BEEN ALL CLEAR THIS EVENING AND IT IS GOING TO BE PRETTY QUIET OVERNIGHT WITH CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, WINDS DIMINISHING TO 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR ACROSS THE AREA.

WE SEE CLOUDS INCREASING AS WE HEAD TOWARD MORNING, ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA AND THEY WILL INCREASE FROM WEST TO EAST HEADING THROUGH THE MORNING.

BY THE AFTERNOON, WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE LIGHT SNOW MOVING INTO THE AREA WITH SOME POTENTIAL LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS POSSIBLE.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE FROM ARLENE IN MENAGHA.

THE DEER WERE ACTIVE OF PHOTOS OF THOSE.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, GARY IN DEERWOOD AND RALPH IN JENKINS WITH THOSE PHOTOS.

BEAUTIFUL RECENT SUNSETS OVER LOWER RED LAKE AND CHRISTY IF DEERWOOD AND WE HAVE STARS IN THE NIGHT SKY OVER CASS LAKE FROM ANGELA.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

ON OUR EAGLE EYES, ARLENE IN MENAGHA IN MINUS 5 AND BREEZY THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON WITH A HIGH OF 11 UNDER SUNNY SKIES.

RALPH IN JENKINS REPORTING A HIGH OF 15.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY AND BREEZY TODAY.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, ALSO SUNNY AND BREEZY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLEAR SKIES WITH A HIGH OF 13.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT TODAY AT 14.

JUST HOW COLD THAT IS, OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR TODAY IS 40.

MINUS-ONE WAS THE LOW THIS MORNING.

WE HAD SUNRISE AT 7:25.

A VERY COLD DAY IN BEMIDJI AS WELL.

12 WAS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE, 38 IS OUR AVERAGE.

WE DID HAVE A LOW OF MINUS-8 AND SUNRISE AT 7:30 THIS MORNING.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE WERE ALREADY SEEING THE CLOUDS MOVING INTO MAINLY WESTERN MINNESOTA BY 7:00 TOMORROW MORNING.

THE CLOUDS SPREAD ACROSS THE REST OF THE AREA AND THE AREAS OF SNOW MOVE IN AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON WITH SOME POTENTIAL FREEZING RAIN AS THE SYSTEM BEGINS TO MOVE THROUGH.

HIGH TEMPERATURES TOMORROW WILL BE IN THE MAINLY UPPER TEENS, MAYBE LOW 20s IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE VIEWING AREA.

HEADING INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, LOOK FOR HIGHS AGAIN IN THE UPPER TEENS, CLOSE TO 20 DEGREES IN WADENA.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST.

TONIGHT, WE'LL SEE CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

OUR LOWS WILL DROP TO ABOUT MINUS-35 WITH VAESH WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, SNOW IS LIKELY, ESPECIALLY HEADING SPOT AFTERNOON WITH ONE ON TWO INCHES OF ACCUMULATION AND HIGHS NEAR 18.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, ONCE THE SNOW MOVES THROUGH, WE'LL SEE WARM TEMPERATURES RETURN AND WE SHOULD HAVE HIGHS IN THE 40s, MAYBE EVEN 50s LATER THIS WEEK.

WE POTENTIALLY HAVE A CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

QUIET A SUNDAY, HIGHS NEAR 38.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT.

TIME FOR SPORTS.

CHARLIE IS HERE.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR US TONIGHT?

>> Charlie: WE HAVE A TEAM THAT NORMALLY HASN'T MADE IT IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT IN EIGHT YEARS.

MINNESOTA GOING TO THE TOURNAMENT THIS YEAR AND THEY'LL BE A BIG PART OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

WE HAVE MORE ON THAT COMING UP AFTER >>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>> Charlie: WELL, THE BRACKETS ARE SET, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2018, MINNESOTA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WILL BE A PART OF MARCH MADNESS AND IN A BIG WAY.

THE GOLDEN GOPHERS EARNED A 4-SEED IN THIS YEAR'S NCAA TOURNAMENT AND WILL HOST FIRST AND SECOND ROUND GAMES AT WILLIAMS ARENA ON FRIDAY AND SUNDAY RESPECTIVELY.

MINNESOTA WILL FACE 13-SEED WISCONSIN-GREEN BAY IN THE FIRST ROUND.

THE GOPHERS BEAT THE PHOENIX IN THE FIRST ROUND THE LAST TIME THEY WERE IN THE TOURNEY EIGHT YEARS AGO BEFORE FALLING TO HOST OREGON IN THE SECOND ROUND.

UM FINISHED THE SEASON FOURTH IN THE BIG TEN, HAVE WINS OVER THREE RANKED OPPONENTS, AND ARE 8-2 IN THEIR LAST 10 GAMES HEADING INTO THE TOURNAMENT.

TIPOFF FOR FRIDAY'S FIRST ROUND GAME IS SET FOR 5 P.M.

ON ESPN-U.

SHOULD THE GOPHERS WIN, THEY WILL PLAY EITHER 12-SEED GONZAGA OR 5-SEED OLE MISS.

>>> THE 2026 MILAN-CORTINA PARALYMPICS ENDED ON SUNDAY, AND 39-YEAR-OLD PARK RAPIDS NATIVE AARON PIKE WRAPPED UP HIS EIGHTH OLYMPIC CAMPAIGN OVER THE WEEKEND AS WELL.

HE CAME INTO HIS FOURTH WINTER GAMES STILL SEARCHING FOR HIS FIRST PARALYMPIC MEDAL DESPITE BEING A NINE-TIME MEDALIST AT BOTH WINTER AND SUMMER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

PIKE WOULD FINISH 5th IN THE PARA-BIATHLON MEN'S SPRINT PURSUIT, A 7-AND-A-HALF-KILOMETER RACE WITH TWO SHOOTING STOPS, BUT ON SUNDAY WOULD NOT COMPETE IN WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS FINAL AND PROBABLY STRONGEST EVENT OF THE GAMES, THE CROSS-COUNTRY 20-K.

COMING INTO THE WEEKEND, PIKE ALREADY FINISHED 4th IN THE INDIVIDUAL BIATHLON, HIS BEST EVER FINISH IN A SUMMER OR WINTER EVENT, WHILE ALSO POCKETING 6th AND 9th PLACE FINISHES FOR A TOTAL OF FOUR TOP NINE FINISHES IN MILAN-CORTINA.

>>> THE SEASON MIGHT HAVE ENDED ON FRIDAY FOR KATE THAYER AND THE NORTHOME-KELLIHER MUSTANGS, BUT ON SATURDAY, THE SENIOR GUARD WAS SELECTED TO THE CLASS-A ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM.

THAYER RECORDED A TRIPLE-DOUBLE IN THURSDAY'S LOSS TO CENTRAL MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN WITH 29 POINTS, 11 REBOUNDS, AND 12 STEALS.

THEN IN FRIDAY'S CONSOLATION SEMIFINAL AGAINST MAYER LUTHERAN, SHE HAD A DOUBLE-DOUBLE, DROPPING 24 POINTS WITH 11 STEALS.

A FITTING END TO A STELLAR HIGH SCHOOL CAREER FOR THAYER, WHO IN HER TIME WITH THE MUSTANGS SCORED OVER 3,000 POINTS AND HAD OVER A THOUSAND REBOUNDS AND STEALS, HOLDS THREE DIFFERENT STATE RECORDS IN STEALS, AND IS ONE OF ONLY THREE GIRLS PLAYERS IN MINNESOTA TO EVER HAVE A CAREER TRIPLE-QUADRUPLE.

THE OTHER TWO BEING TORI OEHRLEIN AND MADDYN GREENWAY.

PRETTY GOOD COMPANY.

>>> WELL, AFTER WINNING THE SECTION TITLE AND TAKING NORTHERN LAKES BOYS HOCKEY TO ITS THIRD EVER STATE TOURNAMENT, HEAD COACH TOM KLEIN WAS NAMED THE COACH OF THE YEAR.

HE TOOKD OVER FOR THE FAMED HEAD COACH MIKE RANDOLPH, HELPING THEM TO THEIR SECOND STATE APPEARANCE BY UPSETTING THE TOP SEED IN THE SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

NORTHERN LAKES WENT 6-1 IN SECTION PLAY AND FINISHED THE SEASON 17-12 OVERALL.

THEY HAD FIVE PLAYERS EARN SECOND TEAM ALL SECTION HONORS.

>>> AND BEMIDJI'S MEGAN BERG WAS HONORED BETWEEN PERIODS LAST FRIDAY FOR WINNING THIS YEAR'S CLASS 2-AN HERB BROOKS AWARD PRESENTED TO HER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

BERG EARN THE AWARD FOR DEMONSTRATING OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP, PASSION, AND PERFORMANCE.

JOINING HER THERE WAS CLASS A WINNER ELLA BONDS, BUT THEY GOT SOME TIME UP ON THE JUMBOTRON.

BEFORE THE GAME, THEY READ OFF THE LINEUPS IN THE LOCKER ROOM AND GOT SOME HIGH-FIVES OUT AS WELL.

PRETTY COOL FOR HER TO GO DOWN THERE AND DO THAT AND BE HONORED WITH THAT AWARD.

>> Dennis: A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

THANKS, CHARLIE.

>>> CORRAL AUTO REPAIR REOPENED ITS DOORS TO THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA PUBLIC AND BEYOND THIS MORNING FOLLOWING A TWO-MONTH-LONG CLOSURE DUE TO A FIRE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE DETAILS ON THE GRAND RE-OPENING FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS.

>> Miles: BACK IN MID JANUARY THIS YEAR, CORRAL AUTO REPAIR ENDURED A DECEMBER STRUCKTIVE -- DESTRUCTIVE VEHICLE FIRE.

HOWEVER, THE OWNER, ALONG WITH ALL THOSE IN THE BUSINESS, ARE IN HIGH SPIRITS AFTER MOVING PAST A CHALLENGING TIME THE PASS COUPLE MONTHS.

>> IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK OPEN.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME AND WE MISSED OUR CUSTOMERS.

IT WAS VERY NERVE WRACKING, BUT NOW IT'S COMING TOGETHER REALLY NICELY.

>> Miles: WHILE IT UNDERWENT A TEMPORARY HIATUS, REPAIRS DID NOT BRAINERD LAKES COMMUNITY DONATED OVER $1900, THE BUSINESS MANAGED TO KEEP ITS HEAD ABOVE WATER.

>> THEY WERE REALLY GOOD.

ALMOST EVERY SHOP IN TOWN CAME BY AND CALLED, ACKNOWLEDGED US, CUSTOMERS SENDING MONEY, CHECKS, MAKING APPOINTMENTS WHEN WE OPEN, MAKING SURE WE'RE DOING GOOD.

IT WAS GOOD TO SEE THE SUPPORT OF THIS COMMUNITY.

>> Miles: AND MOVING FORWARD, IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR CORRAL AUTO, GETTING ANY AND ALL CUSTOMERS SAFELY BACK ON THE ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE'VE HAD OUR OWN ISSUES WITH SHOPS THAT AREN'T QUITE HONEST.

WE WANT TO BE THERE FOR PEOPLE, HELPING PEOPLE A LITTLE BIT.

>> Miles: HIS LOVE FOR CARS STARTED OVER THREE DECADES AGO.

FAST FORWARD TO TODAYS A HE'S COMMITTED TO PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICE, WORKING ON ANY AND ALL MAKES AND MODELS IN BRAINERD.

>> IT'S REALLY GOOD.

WE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE CALLING AND JUST CONCERNED IF WE'RE GOING TO REOPEN AND SO MANY THAT WAITED FOR US.

IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK AND HAVE THEM COME BACK IN.

IT'S COOL SEEING EVERYBODY, SAYING HI, AND THE FACT THAT THEY WAITED FOR US IS PRETTY COOL.

>> Miles: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: THANKS, MILES.

JUST A REMINDER, IF YOU MISSED ANY PORTION OF LAKELAND NEWS AND YOU'D LIKE TO SEE THAT STORY AGAIN OR ANY OF THE STORIES WE AIR HERE ON LAKELAND NEWS, WE ALWAYS POST THEM ON OUR WEBSITE, LPTV.ORG, AND GO TO THE NEWS DEPARTMENT FROM THERE AND YOU CAN WATCH ALL THOSE VIDEOS THERE.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT, EVERYBODY.

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