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

MEMBER FDIC.

>> C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART 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.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE, THE ALL FIBEROPTIC NETWORK THAT HAS TRANSFORMED HOW WE LIVE AND WORK.

>> 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.

>>> THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION HAS AWARDED A $100,000 GRANT TO THE NORTHWEST MINNESOTA FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM RECOVERY FOLLOWING THE SEVERE STORM THAT HIT THE BEMIDJI REGION ON JUNE 21ST.

THE GRANT WILL SUPPORT LONG-TERM RECOVERY EFFORTS ACROSS NORMAN, MAHNOMEN, CLEARWATER, BELTRAMI AND HUBBARD COUNTIES, AS WELL AS THE WHITE EARTH NATION.

THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION'S SUPPORT WILL HELP FUND THE LAUNCH OF A LONG-TERM RECOVERY GROUP.

GRANTS TO FRONTLINE ORGANIZATIONS.

DISASTER CASE MANAGERS AND FLEXIBLE SUPPORT FOR THE RECOVERY AS COMMUNITY NEEDS EVOLVE.

THESE EFFORTS WILL REGIONALLY COORDINATE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND IDENTIFY UNMET NEEDS, SUCH AS ROOF REPAIRS, MEDICAL COSTS, INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLES AND ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, ESPECIALLY FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE.

>>> THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET FREE WOODCHIPS OUT OF THE BEMIDJI TARGET DEBRIS SITE WILL END SOON.

CURRENTLY THE TARGET SITE IS OPEN FOR PICK UP MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 3:00 TO 6:00 P.M. UNTIL AUGUST 8TH.

WOOD CHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR FREE AND THERE WILL BE AN OPERATOR ON SITE TO LOAD THE WOOD CHIPS, BUT ONLY INTO HEAVY DUTY TRAILERS AND TRUCKS.

OTHER VEHICLES ARE SELF-SERVE.

IF A PERSON WANTS OVER TWO DUMP TRUCK LOADS, PLEASE REACH OUT TO BELTRAMI COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.

PINE RIVER STATE BANK WRAPPED UP ITS ANNUAL SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE LAST WEEK, ONE THAT PROVIDES PINE RIVER-BACKUS, CROSSLAKE, CROSBY-IRONTON, AND MORE SCHOOLS ACROSS CENTRAL MINNESOTA WITH STANDARD NECESSITIES FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

DONATIONS INCLUDE MONEY, BACKPACKS, BASIC SUPPLIES, SUCH AS NOTEBOOKS AND FOLDERS, AS WELL AS CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, LIKE TISSUES, HAND SANITIZER, AND CLOROX WIPES.

FOR THE P.R.

STATE BANK, WHICH HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1918, HELPING STUDENTS IN NEED IS SIMPLY PART OF GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE ARE YOUR COMMUNITY PARTNER.

WE WANT TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES, FROM OUR INDIVIDUALS TO OUR BUSINESSES, BUT WE ALSO LIVE IN THESE COMMUNITIES AS WELL.

WE WANT TO HELP OUT OUR NEIGHBORS.

IT'S NOT JUST OUR CUSTOMERS, THEY ARE OUR FRIENDS AND OUR FAMILIES, SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE TO HONE INTO THE COMMUNITY PARTNER AND LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST.

>> PINE RIVER STATE BANK WILL HOST ITS COMMUNITY IMPACT MONTH THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER AND WILL BE HOLDING VARIOUS EVENTS INCLUDING A BLOOD DRIVE AND COMMUNITY SHRED DAY.

>>> TODAY AT FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL IN BAXTER, THE LAKES AREA MUSIC FESTIVAL WELCOMED 30 KIDS TO ITS EXPLORE MUSIC CAMP TO INTRODUCE THEM TO THE WORLD OF CLASSICAL MUSIC AND OPERA.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: AT HOGWARTS, STUDENTS LEARN THE BASICS OF MAGIC, BUT AT THE EXPLORE MUSIC CAMP IN BAXTER, STUDENTS ARE GETTING TO LEARN THE MAGIC OF MAKING MUSIC.

>> WE'VE BEEN DOING EXPLORE MUSIC FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.

IT'S A PROGRAM THAT IS GEARED TOWARDS KINDERGARTNERS TO FIFTH GRADERS THAT ACCOMPANIES OUR FESTIVALS HERE, THE LAKES AREA MUSIC FESTIVAL, AND THE STUDENTS LEARN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CLASSICAL REPERTORY THAT THEY WILL BE HEARING AT SOME OF THE CONCERTS AND LEARNING ABOUT THE INSTRUMENTS THEY ARE HEARING.

>> Reporter: WHILE KIDS ARE AT THE CAMP, THEY WON'T BE JUST SITTING AND LEARNING TO READ MUSIC, BUT THEY GET EVERYONE'S BODY MOVING.

>> THERE IS WORK WITH MUSIC ABOUT HAVING YOUR WHOLE BODY FEEL IT.

SO PARTICULARLY WITH RHYTHM, MAKING SURE THAT THEY CAN FEEL IT IN THEIR BODY BEFORE THEY EVER TRY TO GO TO AN INSTRUMENT.

WE LIKE TO DABBLE IN EVERYTHING TO GET THEM MOVING AND INTERACTING WITH MUSIC, FULL BODY.

>> Reporter: THE CAMP REINFORCES TOPICS THROUGH THE LAKES AREA MUSIC FESTIVAL.

THIS YEAR THEY'RE LEARNING ABOUT THE OPERA, WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF HANSEL AND GRETEL HAPPENING ON AUGUST 9TH.

>> USING OPERA THIS YEAR OPPOSED TO CLASSICAL MUSIC IS THE STORYTELLING ELEMENT, AND BEING CHARACTERS THEMSELVES, AND BE LARGER THAN LIFE, AND IT'S REALLY EXCITING TO SEE HOW THEY'RE GOING TO GRAB ON TO OPERA.

OPERA IS AN AMAZINGLY ACCESSIBLE ART FORM BECAUSE IT INCORPORATES SO MANY THINGS WITH VISUAL ART, WITH MUSIC, WITH COSTUMES, AND DANCE.

>> Reporter: THEY ONLY WANT ONE THING FOR THE CHILDREN, TO INSTALL THE LOVE OF MUSIC AND THE ARTS WITHIN THEM.

>> SERVE THEM IN A WAY TO PURSUE ANYTHING ARTISTIC, ANYTHING MUSICAL, BUT TO GIVE THEM THE IMPETUS OR THE EXCITEMENT AND JUST THE THRILL OF WHAT MUSIC AND ARTS CAN BRING, SO THEY CONTINUE IT AND WE CONTINUE TO BREED YOUNG ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS.

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

>> THE LAKES AREA MUSIC FESTIVAL IS CONTINUING ITS FESTIVITIES THIS WEEK WITH A BLOCK PARTY AT BRAINERD'S MISSISSIPPI LANDING AMPHITHEATER ON WEDNESDAY AT 6:00 P.M.

THE EXPLORE MUSIC CAMP WILL RUN THROUGH FRIDAY.

>>> THE SPAY AND NEUTER IMPACT PROGRAM OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA HOSTED A TWO-DAY-LONG FUNDRAISER AS PART OF PINE RIVER'S CITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE THIS PAST WEEKEND.

THE 501C3 ALL-VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION SOLD COLLARS, CLOTHING, BEDS, AND MORE, WITH ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO HELPING SUPPORT ANIMALS IN NEED.

SNIP PRIMARILY HELPS PEOPLE GET THEIR PETS SPAYED OR NEUTERED AT A LOWER COST FOLLOWING ITS MISSION TO HELP REDUCE PET OVERPOPULATION, AS ACCORDING TO THE SHELTER ANIMALS COUNT'S NATIONAL DATABASE, THERE ARE OVER 26.6 MILLION ANIMALS ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE U.S. >> SPAY AND NEUTERING THE FEMALE OR THE MALE, THEY END UP HAVING SIX KITTENS.

THEY ARE EITHER GIVING KITTENS AWAY OR THEY ARE ABANDONING KITTENS.

WE DEAL WITH THE OVERPOPULATION, SPAY AND NEUTER, AND WE CARE ENOUGH TO GIVE THEM THE SHELTER THEY NEED.

>> WHILE SNIP MAINLY FOCUSES ON CATS' HIGHER REPRODUCTIVE RATES, THE NONPROFIT WILL ALSO ATTEND TO A LIMITED NUMBER OF DOGS.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL HAVE SEVERAL CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

YES, TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMING INTO THE 80s.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, A SMASH BURGER JOINT IN BEMIDJI HAS PLANS OF GOING MOBILE.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE 19TH ANNUAL LAKE BEMIDJI DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL TOOK PLACE OVER THE WEEKEND, WHERE 35 ROWING TEAMS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD COMPETED IN A 400 METER RACE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP PADDLE.

HUNDREDS FROM AROUND THE AREA STOPPED BY LIBRARY PARK TO SEE WHO WOULD COME OUT ON TOP.

AFTER A FEW HOURS OF RACING, IT WAS THE HYDRA-HEADS WOULD FINISH IN FIRST PLACE WITH A COMMANDING LEAD, FINISHING ABOUT FOUR SECONDS AHEAD OF SECOND PLACE.

OUT OF THE 19 YEARS OF THE DRAGONBOAT FESTIVAL, THE HYDRA-HEADS HAVE NOW WON 11 TIMES.

THE TEAM EVEN WON THIS FESTIVAL WITH TWO FEWER PADDLERS THAN THE RECOMMENDED 20.

>> YOU KNOW, PART OF OUR KEY TO SUCCESS IS?

WE COMPETE AGAINST EACH OVER SO OFTEN AND IT'S REALLY FUN TO COMBINE ALL THOSE ENERGIES TOGETHER AND PUT IT TOGETHER IN THE BOAT.

OVER 13 OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ON THE BOAT EVERY SINGLE TIME.

SO SUPER CONSISTENCY, YOU KNOW, SO WE'RE NOT SWITCHING HANDS TOO OFTEN.

>> THE FASTEST RACE TIME OF THE DAY WOULD ALSO GO TO THE HYDRA-HEADS.

WHICH FINISHED WITH A TIME OF 2 MINUTES AND 1.65 SECONDS DURING THE CHALLENGE ROUND OF THE FESTIVAL TOWARDS THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY.

>>> SOMETIMES ANIMALS GET CAUGHT IN PREDICAMENTS JUST LIKE PEOPLE, CASE IN POINT.

THIS TWO-YEAR-OLD BEAR WAS WANDERING AROUND PARTS OF NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN WITH ITS HEAD STUCK IN A PLASTIC JAR.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

BUT REPORTS ABOUT THE BEAR FIRST CAME IN TO WILDLIFE OFFICIALS IN SAWYER COUNTY ON JULY 26TH.

PEOPLE IN SOME SURROUNDING COUNTIES ALSO SPOTTED THE BEAR.

WELL, OVER THE WEEKEND, WORKERS LOCATED THE BEAR AND SEDATED IT WITH A DART.

THEY MANAGED TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC JUG FROM THE BEAR'S HEAD AND INSPECTED THE ANIMAL TO SEE IF IT HAD ANY INJURIES.

WORKERS THEN MOVED THE BEAR TO A SAFE WOODED AREA WITH PLENTY OF FOOD AND WATER.

THEY ALSO TAGGED THE BEAR WITH IDENTIFICATION.

AS OF NOW, THE BEAR SEEMS OKAY AND IS ENJOYING ITS NEW FOUND FREEDOM.

>>> WELL, WE'RE INTO AUGUST SO WE'RE NEARING THE END STRETCH OF THE LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY.

THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER GETS A THREE-NIGHT STAY AT CRAGUNS RESORT NEAR BRAINERD.

EACH NEWSCAST WE DRAW FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS FOR THE GRAND DRAWING.

AND HERE THEY ARE FOR TONIGHT.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME, CALL THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN BEFORE THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AND YOU WILL BE IN THE GRAND DRAWING WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE LIVE ON OUR MONDAY, AUGUST 25TH NEWSCAST.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US HERE.

ANOTHER WARM UPCOMING.

>> Stacy: YES, TEMPERATURES ARE ON THE COOL SIDE TODAY BUT WE SHOULD HAVE HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s TOMORROW, SOME 80s, MAYBE UPPER 80s BEFORE THE END OF THE WEEK.

WE HAVE SEVERAL CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WHICH WILL MOVE THROU [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, IT'S BEEN COOL ACROSS THE AREA TODAY AND WE DID HAVE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER, EVEN A FEW HIT AND MISS SHOWERS OUT THERE.

WE WILL HAVE SMALL CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

IT LOOKS LIKE TOMORROW, TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMING BACK IN THE UPPER 70s.

WE'LL SEE THAT WARMING TREND CONTINUE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK, BUT IT IS A PRETTY UNSETTLED WEATHER PATTERN WITH MORE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TO COME.

MORE ON THE FORECAST IN A SECOND.

THE CURRENT CONDITIONS, IT'S 66 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT IN BEMIDJI, WINDS OUT OF THE STUDIO IS FROM THE SOUTHEAST AT 5 MILES PER HOUR, 59 IS THE DEW POINT, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 79%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, IT'S 69 DEGREES, A DEW POINT OF 60.

WE HAVE A STEADY BAROMETRIC PRESSURE AND WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE, WE HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT OF CLOUD COVER THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE A FEW SPOTTY SHOWERS OUT THERE.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THOSE CONTINUE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

THERE IS A CHANCE OF SEEING RAIN SHOWERS IN THE AREA, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, A SMALL CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TOMORROW, LATE IN THE DAY TOMORROW EVENING, TOMORROW NIGHT, INTO WEDNESDAY, WE'LL HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF SEEING SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, GARY SENDING US THIS PHOTO.

THIS IS NOT FROM CASS LAKE, BUT WE HAVE HAD SOME SMOKEY CONDITIONS IN THE AREA, SOME OF THE SUNRISES AND SUNSETS WITH THAT.

THE BUTTERFLIES WERE BUSY FROM JOAN IN LAPORTE AND ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE SUN RAYS BREAKING THROUGH THE CLOUDS AND WE HAVE A HAZY SUNSET OVER UPPER RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PICTURES TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 72 WITH WIND THIS AFTERNOON.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, CLOUDY WITH A TRACE OF RAIN.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY SKIES, DRIZZLE WITH A HIGH OF 73.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY AND 72.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, OVERCAST, A BIT OF RAIN TODAY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY SKIES, SOME MIST THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND RAIN DEVELOPING THIS EVENING, THE HIGH WAS 70.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 72 WAS OUR HIGH IN BRAINERD.

WE ARE NEARLY 10 DEGREES BELOW OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR TODAY, 63 WAS OUR LOW, SUNSET AT 8:41.

BEMIDJI TODAY, ONLY MANAGING 66, MORE THAN 10 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE.

CONSISTENT TEMPERATURES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

SUNRISE THIS MORNING AT 6:03.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE MAY BE SEEING A FEW SPOTTY SHOWERS OUT THERE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, WE COULD SEE MORE SUNSHINE IN PARTS OF THE AREA, BUT THERE ARE A FEW HIT AND MISS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, BETTER CHANCE OF SEEING THE SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW EVENING AND TOMORROW NIGHT.

HIGHS TOMORROW, CLOSER TO OUR AVERAGES, WE WILL BE SEEING HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA WITH UPPER 70s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS, MAYBE A FEW SCATTER SPRINKLES, AND THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF A FEW THUNDERSTORMS, LOWS NEAR 61, AND THEN TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA THROUGHOUT THE DAY, HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD REACH 78.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, AGAIN THAT MUCH BETTER CHANCE OF SEEING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LATE TOMORROW INTO WEDNESDAY.

TEMPERATURES, STILL IN THE UPPER 70s, WE ARE IN THE 80s LATE THIS WEEK, COULD SEE SOME UPPER 80s, BUT CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE RIGHT ON THROUGH SATURDAY.

A LITTLE QUIETER ON SUNDAY WITH A HIGH OF 77.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW, ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL BIRCHMONT TOURNAMENT IN THE BOOKS.

>> Charlie: SUCCESSFUL FOR TWO GOLFERS AND A COUPLE OF CHAMPIONS AS WELL, BUT DEFINITELY THE 101st BIRCHMONT DID NOT DISAPPOINT.

THIS WAS ALL FROM SATURDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP AND SOME OF THE MEN'S SEMIFINALS.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS AND WE GET TO HEAR FROM THE CHAM [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> RIVALRIES ARE PART OF WHAT MAKES SPORTS GREAT.

WELL, ONE COLLEGE RIVALRY SPILLED ONTO THE COURSE AT THE BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB ON SATURDAY, WHEN A UND AND NDSU GOLFER TOOK CENTER STAGE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND OF THE MEN'S MATCH PLAY AT THE 101ST BIRCHMONT.

BUT FIRST WE START WITH THE MEN'S SEMIFINALS WHERE NDSU TEAMMATES MAX WILSON AND RYLIN PETRY SQUARED OFF IN THE FIRST OF TWO MATCHES.

AT 15, WILSON TRAILS BY 2-HOLES, KNOCKS DOWN THIS BIRDIE PUTT TO PULL WITHIN ONE, THE PAIR WOULD HALVE 16.

THEN AT 17, PETRY WITH A BIRDIE PUTT OF HIS OWN TO WIN THE HOLE AND A SPOT IN THE FINAL, DROPS IT IN THE CUP, TAKING THE MATCH 2-1.

THE OTHER SEMIFINAL BETWEEN UND'S NATE PEARL AND UND COMMIT LANDON MILLER, PEARL, AFTER BEING 2-DOWN THRU 13 COMES INTO 18 1-UP, JUST NEEDING A TWO PUTT TO HALVE THE HOLE AND WIN THE MATCH, HE DOES JUST THAT, PUNCHING HIS TICKET TO THE FINAL.

SETTING UP A CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH BETWEEN AN NDSU AND A UND GOLFER, RYLIN PETRY ON THE LEFT, THE 2020 JUNIOR BIRCHMONT CHAMP, PEARL ON THE RIGHT, HIS FIRST YEAR PLAYING THE BIRCH.

IT WAS PEARL THAT TOOK THE EARLY LEAD IN THIS MATCH, 1-UP AFTER ONE, HERE AT TWO, MAKING IT LOOK EASY, PIN HIGH FROM 2-10, HE'S 2-UP AFTER TWO.

THEN AT THREE, BIRDIE PUTT TO GO 3-UP, YES SIR, HE WOULD SHOOT 5-UNDER ON THE FRONT NINE AND BE 4-UP ON PETRY AT THE TURN.

AT TEN NOW, NOT LETTING HIS FOOT OFF THE GAS, ANOTHER BIRDIE FOR THE FIGHTING HAWK AS HE GOES 5-UP.

BUT PETRY, HAD SOME COMEBACK MAGIC ON THE BACK NINE ON FRIDAY, HERE AT 12, STILL 5-DOWN, DECENT CHIP AND A TWO PUTT WINS HIM THE HOLE.

AT 14, THOUGHT HE MIGHT BRING IT TO 3-DOWN, BUT PEARL, MAGIC WITH THE PUTTER, ABLE TO HALVE THE HOLE WITH THIS 25-FOOTER.

IT NEVER GOT ANY CLOSER AS NATE PEARL, SECURES THE TITLE ON 15 WITH A HALVE.

SO IN HIS FIRST EVER BIRCHMONT, HE WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH 4-3 OVER RYLIN PETRY.

THE FIGHTING HAWK KNOCKING OFF THE BIZON FOR THE MEN'S 101ST BIRCHMONT CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> HE IS A GREAT PLAYER AND GREAT PERSON.

HE IS ALWAYS FUN TO PLAY WITH.

ALL OF THEM ARE GREAT AND THERE IS A FRIENDLY RIVALRY, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THEY WIN A LOT OF THESE SO IT FEELS GOOD TO GET A WIN.

>> IT'S A LOT OF GOLF BUT JUST SAVING YOUR ENERGY AND JUST TRYING TO HIT FAIR WAYS AND GREENS IS THE KEY.

>> I WOULD SAY THE PUTTER DEFINITELY FELT GOOD AT THE END OF THE WEEK AND JUST GETTING YOUR BALL IN PLAY AND HAVING A CHANCE AT THE PLAY IS IMPORTANT.

>>> ALSO ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, THE WOMEN HAD THEIR FINALS MATCH, A HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCH-UP BETWEEN 2023 CHAMPION MORGAN HETLETVED AND LONG-TIME PARTICIPANT AVA OLSON.

WE HEAD BACK OUT TO BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB WHERE IT'S EVEN THROUGH TWO.

HERE AT THREE, HETLETVED OUT OF THE BUNKER, BARELY, NICE ROLL THOUGH, SHE WINS THE HOLE, THEN BIRDIES FOUR TO GO 2-UP.

BUT AT FIVE, OLSON'S PUTTER STARTS TO GET HOT, CUTS THE LEAD IN HALF THERE.

THEN AT SEVEN, THE TEXAS WEDGE, THIS TO EVEN THE MATCH, GETS IT TO GO, AND WE ARE ALL SQUARE HEADING TO EIGHT.

THERE HETLETVED SHOWING OFF HER CHIPPING SKILLS, STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW, FINDS THE BOTTOM OF THE CUP TO GO 1-UP.

BUT OLSON WOULD ANSWER AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH A GREAT SECOND SHOT AT NINE, SETS HER UP FOR BIRDIE, EVENING THE MATCH AT THE TURN AND THEN SHE'D TAKE THE LEAD AT 10.

AT 12 NOW, HETLETVED WITH A 20-FOOTER, COULD EVEN THE MATCH AGAIN, OH YOU BETCHA.

THEY'D HALVE 13 BUT OLSON GO 1-UP AT 14.

NOW AT 15, OLSON IN A LITTLE TROUBLE, SHE'S CHIPPING FROM THE ROUGH UNDER THE TREES, STILL GETS IT ON THE GREEN.

HETLEVTED THOUGHM, IN WORSE TROUBLE.

SHE'S IN THE REALLY ROUGH STUFF, CAN'T GET IT OUT, SO SHE CONCEDES THE HOLE AND OLSON IS NOW 2-UP.

THEN AT 17, SEALS THE DEAL, WINS THAT HOLE AS WELL TO WIN THE WOMEN'S TITLE.

AT THE 101ST BIRCHMONT, AVA OLSON 3-1 OVER MORGAN HETLETVED.

AFTER THE MATCH, OLSON SHARED HOW IT FELT TO FINALLY WIN HER FIRST BIRCHMONT CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> OH, SO GOOD.

IT WAS A LONG WEEK OF HARD WORK, SO I'M VERY PROUD OF MYSELF.

>> I FEEL LIKE I GOT TO OWE A LOT TO MY CADDY, MY DAD, AND HE WAS MY BRAIN OUT THERE.

I PLAYED WITH MORGAN ALL WEEK FROM QUALIFYING UNTIL TODAY.

JUST PLAYING TOGETHER AND PUSHING EACH OTHER ALL WEEK.

I FEEL LIKE I DIDN'T JUST WIN FOR MYSELF, EVERYBODY HELPED ME GET HERE.

ALL I CAN DO IS THANK THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE THERE EVERY SINGLE DAY BEFORE I EVEN TEED OFF.

JUST A GREAT SUPPORT SYSTEM.

>> Charlie: HERE ARE SOME OF THE OTHER CHAMPIONS FROM THE OTHER GROUPS.

TROY WINS HIS SECOND TITLE.

KIRK HAD 3 SENIOR TITLES.

IN THE MEN'S MASTERS, HE HAD FOUR SENIOR TITLES, THAT IS HIS FIRST MASTERS.

COLBY FROM MOORHEAD, HE WINS HIS SECOND JUNIORS TITLE IN A ROW.

>>> WELL, BEN HAS BEEN NAMED AS THE BSU GOLF COACH.

HE SPENT THE PAST TWO SEASONS AS MILLER'S SECOND IN COMMAND.

HE GOLFED FOR THE BEAVERS FROM 2018 TO 2023, CAPTAINING BEMIDJI TO TITLE.

STILL WATER NATIVE, ALSO SERVED AS THE HEAD GOLF PRO IN GRAND RAPIDS.

>> Dennis: SOME CHANGES AT THE TOP.

THANK YOU CHARLIE, GOOD COVERAGE OF THE BIRCHMONT THERE.

>>> A LOCAL CORNER BURGER JOINT IN BEMIDJI HAS GROWN IN POPULARITY RECENTLY, SO MUCH SO THAT THEY ARE LOOKING TO GO MOBILE TO HOPEFULLY EXPAND THEIR REACH ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, SPOKE WITH THE OWNER OF CASPER'Z BURGER JOINT TO SEE HOW HE WILL MAKE THAT HAPPEN, FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: AFTER SPENDING SEVERAL YEARS WORKING IN THE FOOD AND RESTAURANT INDUSTRY IN BEMIDJI, CASPER FELT THAT HE WAS READY TO TRY IT OUT FOR HIMSELF, CREATING CASPER'S BURGER JOINT.

>> THIS IS MY DREAM RIGHT HERE.

I HAVE A BIG PASSION FOR IT AND I LOVE SEEING THE REACTION OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY EAT MY FOOD.

IT'S AN AMAZING THING.

>> Reporter: THE SMASH BURGER WAS POPULARIZED IN THE LATE 2000s.

CASPER FELT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT THE BEMIDJI AREA HAS BEEN MISSING OUT ON.

>> I TOOK IT FROM THE OKLAHOMA VERSION AND MADE IT MY OWN.

>> Reporter: USING INGREDIENTS THAT ARE LOCALLY SOURCED.

>> I GET IT MADE LOCALLY AND OUR BUNS AND CHEESES COME LOCALLY.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE BEEN SELLING SMASHBURGER'S ON THIS STAND SINCE 2023, BUT HAS THE DREAM OF MAKING HIS FOOD STAND MORE MOBILE.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT INTO THE TRAILER AND THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE A BIGGER MENU, ADD SOME THINGS, AND HOPEFULLY GET PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT THE SMASHBURGER'S BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO DEFINITELY KEEP THAT.

>> Reporter: EVEN WITHOUT THE EASIEST OF CAPABILITIES, HE WAS ABLE TO LUG THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT TO HACKENSACK TO PUT HIS FOOD TRUCK DREAM TO THE TEST.

>> WE WERE WORRIED HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO.

WE HAD TO BRING EVERYTHING FROM HERE TO THERE.

I WAS THERE TWICE AND IT WAS REALLY GREAT, REALLY GREAT.

IT WAS BETTER EACH TIME AND I'M HOPING THEY WILL WELCOME US BACK.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE HAPPY.

>> Reporter: CUSTOMERS ARE GREETED BY CASPER'S DAUGHTER, WHO ALWAYS HAS A SMILE ON HER FACE BECAUSE SHE IS HAPPY TO WORK ALONGSIDE HER DAD ALMOST EVERY DAY.

>> I TAKE ORDERS.

IT'S HARD WHEN YOU FIRST DO IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO LIKE KNOW HOW TO DO REALLY GOOD MATH.

I LOVE IT.

ESPECIALLY ME AND MY DAD, WE'RE LOVING IT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI FROM THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> CASPER SAYS HE CURRENTLY HAS A TRAILER BEING RIGGED TO HAUL HIS EQUIPMENT AND SHOULD BE READY TO VENTURE INTO THE MOBILE FOOD WORLD IN JUST A FEW MONTHS.

>>> NOW LET'S GO BACK TO STACY FOR MORE ON OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: A CHANCE FOR SEEING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT.

LOWS NEAR 61, HIGHS BACK IN THE UPPER 70s TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, BUT AGAIN THERE IS THE SMALL CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

>> Dennis: AND THAT IS IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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