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

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>> 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, PROVIDING ALL FIBEROPTIC INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGS WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> 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 WINTER STORM HAS FORCED SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES TO CLOSE IN THE REGION AND TRAVEL IS BECOMING TREACHEROUS ON AREA ROADS.

THE ENTIRE LAKELAND VIEWING AREA IS UNDER WINTER WEATHER ALERT OF SOME TYPE.

AND WE BRING IN WEATHERCASTER STACY CHRISTENSON A LITTLE EARLY TONIGHT TO UPDATE US ON THE LATEST.

STACY WHAT CAN YOU TELLS US?

>> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE THE ADVISORIES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT UNTIL THE EARLY MORNING HOURS TOMORROW.

THIS AREA IN PINK IS UNDER A WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 3:00 A.M.

FOR WESTERN MINNESOTA UNTIL 6:00 A.M., AND THEN IN PURPLE, THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ITASCA COUNTY, NORTHWEST MINNESOTA UNTIL 6:00 A.M.

WE COULD SEE 1 OR 2 INCHES OF ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATION OVERNIGHT.

WE COULD SEE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

TON RADAR, THERE ARE STILL MANY AREAS OF SNOWFALL ACROSS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA TONIGHT.

THERE IS GOING TO BE A SMALLER CHANCE OF SEEING THE SNOW OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES POSSIBLE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

SO FAR, WE HAVE SEEN SOME SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL REPORTS, BUT THESE ARE SENT INTO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EARLIER TONIGHT.

SO BY THE TIME THESE SNOWFALL TOTALS COME IN FROM THE SYSTEM, WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO SEE HIGHER AMOUNTS.

THE HIGHEST TOTAL SO FAR WAS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, THAT WAS AT 7.5 INCHES OF SNOW.

MOTLEY WAS 7 INCHES OF SNOW.

HACKENSACK WAS 5.5.

BRAINERD HAS 5 INCHES OF SNOW.

WE COULD SEE MORE SNOW OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

WE WILL CHECK BACK IN WITH YOU IN A LITTLE BIT.

A COUPLE SCHOOLS HAVE CALLED IN WITH 2-HOUR LATE NOTICES FOR TOMORROW -- ACTUALLY THREE SCHOOLS.

BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND RED LAKE.

YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO MAKE SURE OF THE PLANS.

>>> BRAINERD SAFETY OFFICIALS WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS SAFE WHILE TRAVELLING IN THE HEAVY SNOW.

ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, OVER 1,300 DEATHS AND OVER 100,000 INJURIES OCCUR ANNUALLY DUE TO SNOWY OR ICY ROADS.

TO HELP PREVENT ACCIDENTS, PEOPLE ARE ASKED TO UTILIZE THE THREE P'S WHEN DRIVING IN THE SHOW.

THAT'S PREPARE, PROTECT, AND PREVENT.

>> WELL, THE BIGGEST THING WITH WEATHER WE'VE BEEN HAVING AND THE SNOW AND ICY ROADS IS TO SLOW DOWN.

PEOPLE GO TOO FAST.

PEOPLE HAVE 4-WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND YOU THINK YOU CAN GO FAST.

YOU CAN'T STOP AS FAST.

SLOW DOWN.

MAKE SURE YOUR CAR IS FULL OF GAS BEFORE YOU GO SOMEWHERE, CHECK YOUR TIRES, MAKE SURE YOUR CELL PHONE IS CHARGED UP, AND ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT.

>> THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA HAS ALREADY SEEN OVER 13 INCHES OF SNOW IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

>>> THE NEW DAY CENTER HAS BEEN A HOMELESS SHELTER FOR THE BEMIDJI AREA FOR SEVERAL YEARS, BUT BEFORE IT BECAME A SHELTER, THE BUILDING WAS ONCE THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI MENTAL HEALTH CENTER.

THE CENTER WAS FOUNDED BY A PSYCHIATRIST NAMED DR.

HOWARD REID, AND WAS OPEN FROM 1959 TO 2017 BEFORE SANFORD HEALTH TOOK OVER.

BUT A REID ROOM REMAINED IN THE BUILDING, AND REMAINS TO THIS DAY IN THE DAY CENTER.

HOWARD REID'S SON, DR.

WILLIAM REID, HEARD ABOUT THE ROOM AND CREATED A PLAQUE TO GO UP ON THE WALL TO MEMORIALIZE THE WORK THAT HIS FATHER DID, AND THE DIFFERENCE THAT HE MADE TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE IN THE BEMIDJI AREA.

>> IN THOSE DAYS, THEY HAD RULE 29, WHERE THEY WOULD HAVE A PSYCHIATRIST, A PSYCHOLOGIST, AND A SOCIAL WORKER.

THAT WAS THE BASIS TO OPEN UP A MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC.

DR.

REID WAS DOING THE PRESCRIBING.

MY FATHER WOULD BE DOING THE EVALUATIONS, TESTING, AND ALSO SOME TREATMENT AS WELL.

HOWARD STARTED THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM HERE IN BEMIDJI.

HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.

MENTAL HEALTH, AS EVERYBODY KNOWS, IS REALLY PRETTY IMPORTANT IN THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY.

>> THE BUILDING AS A WHOLE MAY LOOK A LOT DIFFERENT NOW THAN IT DID IN THE LATE 1960S WHEN THE MENTAL HEALTH CENTER WAS BUILT, BUT THE REID ROOM STILL HAS ALL THE ORIGINAL WALL PANELING AND LOOKS THE SAME AS IT DID WHEN DR.

REID HIMSELF WORKED THERE.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INVITES THE PUBLIC TO SUBMIT CREATIVE SNOWPLOW NAMES FOR THE AGENCY'S SIXTH ANNUAL NAME A SNOWPLOW CONTEST.

PAST WINNERS HAVE INCLUDED PLOWY MCPLOWFACE, WE'RE OFF TO SEE THE BLIZZARD AND DON'TCHA SNOW.

MINN-DOT ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO SUBMIT WITTY, UNIQUE AND MINNESOTA OR WINTER-THEMED SNOWPLOW NAME IDEAS THROUGH THE AGENCY'S WEBSITE.

SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH NOON ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19TH.

MINNDOT STAFF WILL REVIEW ALL SUBMISSIONS, SELECT SOME OF THE BEST IDEAS, AND INVITE THE PUBLIC TO VOTE ON THEIR FAVORITES IN JANUARY 2026.

THE EIGHT NAMES THAT GET THE MOST VOTES WILL MAKE THEIR WAY ONTO A SNOWPLOW, ONE FOR EACH MnDOT DISTRICT ACROSS THE STATE.

>>> FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, BEMIDJI STATE HAS HELD A BI-ANNUAL DESTRESS WITH PETS EVENT DURING FINALS TIME TO GIVE THEIR STUDENT A FEW HOURS TO WIND DOWN AND VISIT WITH SUPPORT DOGS AND CATS, AND THIS WINTER'S EVENT TOOK PLACE EARLIER TODAY.

KITTENS FROM GREAT RIVER RESCUE AS WELL AS SUPPORT DOGS FROM THE PAUL BUNYAN DOG TRAINING ASSOCIATION FILLED THE BEAUX ARTS BALLROOM AT BSU TO GIVE HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS PEACE OF MIND AND A BREAK FROM STUDYING.

THE EVENT IS PUT ON BY THE IT'S ON US ORGANIZATION THAT HAS AN EMPHASIS ON STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH ON CAMPUS.

SEVERAL OTHER MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS WERE ALSO SET UP AMONG THE ANIMALS TO OFFER STUDENTS ONGOING RESOURCES AFTER THE DE-STRESS WITH PETS FINISHED.

>> IF YOU HAVE UNCONTROLLED STRESS, IT CAN LEAD TO MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS OVERTIME, UNLESS TREATED.

SO DE-STRESS WITH PETS IS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THE DATA WE COLLECTED IDENTIFIED THAT ON AVERAGE, IT REDUCES A STUDENT'S STRESS BY ABOUT 2 POINTS OUT OF A 1 TO 10 SCALE.

IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW LONG THEY ARE AROUND THE ANIMALS, HOW MUCH TIME THEY SPEND HERE, IT'S JUST BEING WITH THE ANIMALS REDUCES THE STRESS LEVEL.

>> DOGS ARE ALWAYS PRESENT AT THE EVENT, BUT HAVING CATS THERE DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY YEAR.

THIS YEAR, FOUR KITTENS FROM BEMIDJI'S GREAT RIVER RESCUE MADE AN APPEARANCE.

AND THEY ARE ALL AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION, NOT ONLY GIVING STUDENTS AN HOUR OF FUN, BUT POTENTIALLY SEVERAL YEARS WORTH.

>>> IF YOU'VE BEEN IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW CAR BUT THOUGHT PRICES WERE ALREADY TOO HIGH, EXPERTS WARN TO PREPARE FOR STICKER SHOCK AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ HAS THE LATEST OUTLOOK ON THE AUTO INDUSTRY FOR 2026 AND WHAT BUYERS SHOULD KNOW.

>> Reporter: TARIFFS CHANGES AND FUEL EFFICIENCY AND FALLING INTEREST RATES ARE ALL PLAYING A ROLE IN PUSHING CAR COSTS UP.

DESPITE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S VIEWS TO THE CONTRARY, ACCORDING TO INDUSTRY EXPERTS.

THE INCREASED PRICE TAG OF CARS IS PART OF A LARGER AFFORDABILITY CRISIS.

>> FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, YOU HAVE TO UNLEARN EVERYTHING FROM YOUR CAR PURCHASE LAST TIME BECAUSE EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T PURCHASED A CAR IN THE LAST 6 TO 7 YEARS WILL LIKELY BE MET WITH STICKER SHOCK.

>> YOU BOUGHT PRE-COVID.

YOU WERE LOOKING AT VEHICLE PRICES CLOSE TO $38,000 TO $39,000, NOW THAT $50,000 IS STICKER SHOCK.

IT'S VERY JARRING.

>> Reporter: CAR BUYERS OFTEN SHOP ON THEIR ANTICIPATED MONTHLY PAYMENT, WITH ROUGHLY 80% OF NEW CAR SALES FINANCED.

A FIFTH OF NEW CARS HAVE MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $1,000 OR MORE EXPEERIAN SAYS.

THE INCREASE IN CAR PRICES AND HIGHER INTEREST RATES SINCE OCTOBER 2019.

TO END THE YEAR, THEY EXPECT AVERAGE PRICES TO RISE AGAIN BECAUSE OF LUXURY CAR SALES.

>> EXPECT A HIGHER NUMBER, OVER 50K.

I CAN SEE THAT HAPPEN.

JANUARY, THINGS SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

THEY ARE TRYING TO SELL OLD INVENTORY.

WE'LL PROBABLY SEE 25%, MAYBE 20% OF THE VEHICLES SOLD IN JANUARY BEING 2025 MODEL YEAR.

>> Reporter: I'M IVAN RODRIGUEZ REPORTING.

>> THE AVERAGE TRANSACTION PRICE FOR A NEW VEHICLE WAS NEARLY $50,000 IN OCTOBER.

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

>> Stacy: WE HAVE A CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES TO CONTINUE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND WE REMAIN UNDER WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, WE WILL GIVE YOU A LOOK AT A DRIVE THRU CHR [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE STAGE NORTH THEATER COMPANY IN BRAINERD IS GETTING READY FOR THEIR FINAL SHOW OF THE YEAR, A MODERN RETELLING OF THE NUTCRACKER.

THE SHOW, ENTITLED A NUTCRACKER CHRISTMAS IS AN ORIGINAL STORY BASED ON THE CLASSIC CHRISTMAS BALLET.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS WITH THE SHOW THIS ORIGINAL VERSION WILL FEATURE THE STORY PEOPLE KNOW AND LOVE, BUT WITH ADDED DIALOUGUE TO HELP PROGRESS THE STORY.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN SAY CHRISTMAS WITHOUT SAYING NUTCRACKER IN THE SAME BREATH.

THEY SORT OF SYNONYMOUS.

WE HAVE COMBINED THE BEST OF THE BOOK AND THE BEST OF THE BALLET.

THERE ARE SOME SONGS, THERE ARE SOME DANCES, AND THERE IS A LOT OF ACTING.

IT'S NOT THE BALLET.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND, IT'S NOT JUST THE BALLET.

>> THE SHOW'S RUN STARTS TOMORROW DECEMBER 10 AND RUNS THROUGH THE 14TH.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE AT STAGENORTHTHEATER.COM.

>>> WELL, STACY RE-JOINS US NOW WITH ANOTHER LOOK AT THE WINTER WEATHER THAT IS IN THE AREA.

>> Stacy: YES, IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT INTO THE EARLY MORNING HOURS TOMORROW, AND THEN WE WILL START TO SEE THESE ADVISOIES TAPERING OFF AND COMING TO AN END.

WE COULD SEE LINGERING SNOW TOMORROW AND A FEW MORE CHANCES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK, BUT ANOTHER BIG CHANGE IS ON THE WAY AS WE'RE GOING TO SEE BITTERLY C [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE SEEN SOME HEAVY SNOW THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE CHANCES OF SNOW OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE REMAIN UNDER THE WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES FOR THE WINTER STORM SYSTEM INTO THE EARLY MORNING HOURS TOMORROW.

SOME SNOW COULD LINGER EARLY TOMORROW, BUT WE SHOULD SEE IT TAPERING OFF AND WE MAY ACTUALLY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE IN PARTS OF THE AREA TOMORROW.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 18 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WE HAVE EAST WINDS AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

THE DEW POINT IS 17, AND SO FAR WE RECEIVED 4 INCHES OF SNOW.

IN BRAINERD, SOME LIGHT SNOW AND FOG THIS EVENING, IT'S 19.

THE DEW POINT IS 17.

WE HAVE A RISING BAROMETRIC PRESSURE WITH WINDS NORTHEAST AT 9 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW AS FAR AS EAGLE EYE PICTURES, AGAIN WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW TODAY, STILL SEEING THAT SNOW THIS EVENING, AND IT'S MAKING FOR SOME BEAUTIFUL SCENES OUT THERE.

WE HAVE PHOTOS FROM ARLENE, RALPH, AND ANGELA, SAMROSE, CHRISSY, ALL WITH PICTURES OF THE NEW SNOWFALL TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, SONYA AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE, SNOWY AND BREEZY TODAY.

BOB IN BLUFFTON REPORTING 6 INCHES OF SNOW, BUT IT WAS STILL SNOWING WHEN HE MADE HIS REPORT.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, 4 INCHES OF SNOW, STILL SNOWING THERE.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, 5 INCHES OF SNOWFALL.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, SNOWY CONDITIONS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND PICKING UP JUST UNDER 5.5 INCHES -- JUST OVER -- JUST UNDER 5 INCHES OF SNOW.

EXCUSE ME.

FOR OUR ALMANAC IN BRAINERD, WE TOPPED OUT AT 22.

WE HAD A LOW OF 17.

WE HAD SEEN PRETTY CONSTANT TEMPERATURES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

OUR SUNSET TONIGHT AT 4:30.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 19.

SO, AGAIN FALLING A LITTLE BIT BELOW THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE HAD 13 FOR OUR LOW AND SUNRISE THIS MORNING AT 7:56.

NOW AS WE LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, AS I MENTIONED, WE COULD STILL SEE AREAS OF SNOW IN THE MORNING, BETTER CHANCE IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, BUT WE COULD STILL SEE SOME FLURRIES IN THE EAST.

AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE MORNING, WE WILL SEE THOSE TAPERING OFF AND COMING TO AN END.

WE MAY SEE SOME CLEARING AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING IN EASTERN MINNESOTA.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, A BIT COOLER.

WE ARE LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE TEENS, LOW TO MID-TEENS ACROSS THE VIEWING AREA.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, CLOUDY SKIES, A CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES, AND ADDITIONAL 1 TO 2 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION, WITH LOWS NEAR 9.

WE COULD SEE THE GUSTY WINDS OUT THERE.

VARIABLE CLOUDS FOR US TOMORROW, WITH THE CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES MAINLY IN THE MORNING.

HIGHS NEAR 14 AND NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

AS WE LOOK AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, WE HAVE A FEW MORE CHANCES OF SNOW LATE THIS WEEK ACROSS THE AREA ON THURSDAY AND ON FRIDAY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, IT IS GOING TO GET BITTERLY COLD AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE LOWS DROPPING TO ABOUT -20 SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AND IN FACT, HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE ONLY NEAR -9 ON SATURDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

WINTER IS JUST GETTING STARTED.

>> Charlie: I'M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO BRUTALLY COLD.

IF YOU HEAD TOWARDS THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE, GRAND RAPIDS IS GETTING INTO DULUTH, MOST OF THE GAMES WERE NOT CANCELED.

WE HAVE SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT AND WE ALSO HAD A CHANCE TO STOP BY PRACTICES, THOSE WERE STILL HAPPENING AND BRAINERD BOYS BASKETBALL WAS PRACTICING, SO WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT HOW THEY'RE DOING SO FAR THIS SEASON AND WHERE THEY PLAN TO GO.

THAT'S COMIN [♪♪♪] AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: THE GRAND RAPIDS TEAM HAS PLAYED FOUR OF THEIR FIVE GAMES IN FOREIGN BARNS.

THEY SIT AT 2-2-1 BUT THEIR LONE HOME GAME WAS AGAINST PROCTOR.

A BIG GAME TONIGHT AS THEY HOST CLASS A SECOND RANKED HIBBING-CHISHOLM.

THEY OPEN THE SCORING, THE SECOND OF THE SEASON, MAKING IT 1-0.

THE FINAL MINUTES OF THE FIRST, NATHAN BURIES THE ONE TIMER FOR HIS SECOND GOAL OF THE SEASON.

THEY LED 2-0 AT THE BREAK.

IN THE SECOND PERIOD, BLUE JACKS SCORE TWO QUICK GOALS EARLY TO TIE IT.

HIBBING COMES AWAY WITH A GREASY GOAL HERE TO TAKE THE LEAD.

THEY SCORE 4 IN THE PERIOD AND GO ON TO WIN 5-2, THE STARTLE FIRST OF GAMES, THEY WILL PLAY IN EDEN PRAIRIE NEXT WEEK.

>>> WE DO HAVE A COUPLE SCORES FROM THE FEW GAMES THAT WERE PLAYED TONIGHT.

GIRLS HOCKEY, WARROAD, THEY JUST BECAME THE NEWLY NUMBER ONE RANKED TEAM IN CLASS A. GREEN WAY, THEY GET THE WIN OVER CHISHOLM IN BOYS BASKETBALL.

GIRLS BASKETBALL, WARROAD AND GREEN WAY BOTH COLLECTING WINS TONIGHT.

>>> EVEN WITH ONLY TWO SENIORS ON THEIR ROSTER, BRAINERD BOYS BASKETBALL IS OFF TO A STRONG START, WINNING THEIR FIRST TWO GAMES OF THE SEASON.

SPORTS REPORTER MILES WALKER STOPPED BY PRACTICE AND FOUND OUT HOW A YOUNG WARRIORS CORE SHOWING PROMISE TODAY, COULD BE AN INDICATION OF A FRUITFUL TOMORROW.

OOSHGSZ.

>> Reporter: AFTER GRADUATING 7 SENIORS FROM LAST YEAR'S ROSTER, THE HEAD COACH KNEW HE WOULD NEED TO SEE MORE FROM THE YOUNG GUNS THIS YEAR.

>> WE DO FOUR DAYS A WEEK IN THE MORNING, WEIGHT TRAINING AND BASKETBALL SESSIONS.

ALL OF THE GUYS, THEY ARE PUTTING IN WORK OUTSIDE IN THE GYM, AND WE REALLY WANT TO WIN BASKETBALL GAMES THIS YEAR.

THAT'S WHAT IT WILL TAKE.

>> Reporter: IT'S ALSO THE JUNIOR CLASS THAT HAS BEEN TURNING HEADS THIS SUMMER, WHERE PRESTON AND AIDEN ARE LEADING THE CHARGE.

THEY HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP WELL OVER DOUBLE DIGITS A GAME THROUGH THE TEAM'S FIRST TWO CONTESTS.

>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE YEARS WHERE WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE A LEADING 20-POINT SCORER, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE DIFFERENT GUYS CREEP UP IN THE SCORE SHEET EVERY GAME.

AS LONG AS WE KEEP PLAYING WHERE WE ARE, LETTING THE BALL FIND THE OPEN MAN, WE HAVE GUYS CAPABLE OF KNOCKING DOWN THE OPEN SHOT.

>> Reporter: AND THE COACH HAS SEEN IMPROVEMENT IN SENIOR GRANT JOHNSON.

HE SHOT OVER 30% FROM THREE LAST YEAR, AND IS SHOWING GROWTH IN HIS REBOUNDING, SLASHING ABILITY, AND LEADERSHIP.

>> JUST GETTING BETTER EVERY DAY, PLAYING SUMMER BASKETBALL, STUFF LIKE THAT.

THE COACH IS GETTING ON TO ME FOR IT.

>> HIS REPUTATION WAS A CATCH AND SHOOT GUY.

HE WAS EFFECTIVE DOING THAT.

LAST YEAR, HE ADDED THE INSIDE GAME AND NOW OFF THE DRIBBLE, HE CAN MAKE SOME THINGS HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: CHANGING THE APPROACH REGARDING THE TEAM'S TEMPO.

HE WANTS TO SET A FASTER PACE.

>> I WANT TO PLAY FAST OFFENSIVELY, WE'RE HOPING TO GAIN POSSESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE GAME.

WE ARE LOOKING TO TAKE MORE RISKS THAN PRIOR YEARS.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE OUR BREAD AND BUTTER THIS YEAR.

OUR CONDITIONING WILL PLAY A BIG ROLE.

WE MAY NOT WIN THE FIRST HALF OR FIRST THREE-QUARTERS, BUT IF WE CAN STAY STRONG FOURTH QUARTER, THAT'S WHEN WE'RE GOING TO RUN AWAY WITH THE GAMES.

>> Reporter: MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> WARRIORS WILL BE ON THE ROAD AGAINST SAINT CLOUD APOLLO FRIDAY.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

IT'S OFFICIALLY THAT TIME OF THE YEAR TO DRIVE AROUND TOWN TO SEE VARIOUS CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

OVER IN GRAND RAPIDS, THE ITASCA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION HAS PUT TOGETHER A DRIVETHRU HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAY AT THE FAIRGROUNDS.

FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN GIVES US AN INSIDE LOOK AT WHAT'S CALLED ‘LIGHTS IN THE PINES'.

>> Reporter: THE ITASCA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION LIGHTS UP THE 7-ACRES OF THE FAIRGROUNDS FOR THE LIGHTS IN THE PINES EVENT, INCLUDING A MASSIVE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DISPLAY.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF BRAINSTORMING.

WE HAVE A RESIDENT ARTIST, PEGGY JONES.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE WOMAN SLEEPS BECAUSE JUST THE CREATIVITY SHE HAS.

>> Reporter: HOLIDAY CHEER DOESN'T STOP THERE.

ONCE THE DRIVE IS DONE, FAMILIES CAN ENJOY A WALK IN NORTH POLE JUNCTION INSIDE THE COMMERCIAL BUILDING FOR THE SCAVENGER HUNT FOR THE YOUNG AND THE YOUNG AT HEART.

>> EACH YEAR HAS A DIFFERENT THEME IN THE BUILDING.

THIS YEAR IT'S BOOKS.

IT LEADS PEOPLE TO EACH GROUP, EACH BOOK.

>> Reporter: ORGANIZERS WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL THE MONEY RAISED STAYS LOCAL SO NON-PROFITS FROM THE AREA VOLUNTEER DURING CERTAIN DAYS AND TAKES A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS TO GO BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE WELCOME A NON-PROFIT TO COME IN AND BE THE VOLUNTEERS.

WE CANNOT DO IT ALL ON OUR OWN.

SO THE VOLUNTEER GROUP TONIGHT HAPPENS TO BE THE LION'S CLUB.

THAT GROUP THEN GETS A PORTION OF THE MONEY THAT COMES IN.

THOSE NON-PROFITS USE IT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO ALL THE MONEY STAYS HERE.

>> IT'S A GREAT WAY TO RAISE FUNDS, TO IMPROVE OUR FAIRGROUNDS.

>> Reporter: FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, MONEY RAISED FROM LIGHTS IN THE PINES HAS GONE THROUGH A LIVESTOCK COVERING IN THE FAIRGROUNDS.

THAT WILL BE COMPLETED NEXT SPRING, -- LEAVING THE LEADERS TO FIND A DIFFERENT PROJECT THIS YEAR.

>> WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO NEXT?

I ASKED THE GROUP AND THEY SAID I ALWAYS WANTED A HORSE ARENA.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

THAT'S A BIG THING.

THEY WANT IT BUILT AND AN ENCLOSED ONE SO THEY CAN USE IT YEAR-ROUND, HAVE HORSE EVENTS HERE, AND HAVE MORE OF THE HORSE EVENTS THEY CAN SEE COMING EVERY WEEKEND IT WOULD BE BUSY.

>> Reporter: SHE HOPES THE COMMUNITY CAN RAISE ENOUGH FUNDS FOR THE HORSE ARENA IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

REPORTING IN GRAND RAPIDS FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THIS COMING WEEKEND, THE 12TH AND 13TH, AS WELL AS NEXT FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, THE 19TH THROUGH THE 21ST, ARE THE LAST REMAINING NIGHTS YOU CAN SEE THE DRIVETHRU DISPLAY.

IT'S $10 PER PASSENGER CAR, AND $25 FOR BUSES OR VANS.

>>> BACK TO STACY FOR ONE MORE LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE WILL SEE THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES AND THE WINTER STORM WARNINGS CONTINUING OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

ALL WILL EXPIRE BY 6:00 A.M.

TOMORROW.

WE STILL COULD SEE AN INCH OR TWO OF ACCUMULATION, ALONG WITH GUSTY WINDS THAT COULD CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

>> Dennis: THAT'S IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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