>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> BEMIDJI AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS SEEN SEVERAL CASES OF THE ONGOING GRANDPARENTS SCAM LATELY.

LAST WEEK, MORE THAN $50,000 WAS TAKEN IN THE SCAM.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS TIPS ON HOW PEOPLE CAN KEEP THEIR MONEY AND THEMSELVES SAFE AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU RECEIVE ONE OF THESE CALLS.

>> WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 7 ATTEMPTS IN BELTRAMI COUNTY WITH 4 VICTIMS LOSING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY.

>> IT'S SUBSTANTIAL AND IT'S UNFORTUNATES -- UNFORTUNATE.

SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THEM.

>> Reporter: THESE CALLS WERE AIMED TOWARDS THE ELDERLY COMMUNITY, WHERE THE CALLER IS PRETENDING TO BE THE GRANDCHILD WHO GOTTEN THEMSELVES IN TROUBLE.

>> THEY SAY HELP AND HE GRANDMA.

IT SOUNDED LIKE MY NEPHEW.

HE SAID I -- I -- AND THEN STARTED CRYING.

>> SO WHEN THE NEED FOR HELP COMES IN, THEY FALL FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: NO MATTER HOW CONVINCING THE PERSON MAY SEEM.

>> WE DON'T ASK FOR MONEY OVER THE PHONE.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE OTHER RED FLAGS.

>> I NEED YOUR HELP BUT I NEED YOU TO PROMISE YOU WON'T TELL ANYBODY.

>> THE MOTIVATION IS FOR THEM NOT TO BE DISCOVERED FOR THE VICTIM NOT TO NOTIFY ANYBODY.

>> I SAID WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN HELP YOU TOO MUCH BUT TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON.

WHY DON'T YOU CALL YOUR DAD?

I CAN'T, YOU PROMISED YOU WOULDN'T TELL ANYBODY.

>> THEY ARE GOOD AT KEEPING YOU ON THE PHONE, NOT ALLOWING YOU TO MAKE PHONE CALLS.

THAT IS AN INDICATOR RIGHT THERE THAT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT.

>> I'M RETIRED AND I'M THINKING, I SHOULD KNOW THIS.

I REALLY, I REALLY WAS TAKEN.

>> Reporter: THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE MADE IT CLEAR THAT IF A LOVED ONE IS IN CUSTODY, THEY ARE SAFE AND THERE SHOULD NEVER BE SOMEONE RUSHING TO GET MONEY FROM YOU.

>> I WOULDN'T HAVE FALLEN FOR THIS SCAM BUT IT WAS MY GRANDDAUGHTER'S VOICE.

UNFORTUNATELY NOW, TECHNOLOGY HAS GOTTEN SO FAR THAT WE'RE BECOMING MORE FAMILIAR WITH AI OR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND UNFORTUNATELY PEOPLE ARE USING THAT FOR NEFARIOUS PURPOSES, ONE WAY TO COMBAT THAT, END THE CALL AND THEN YOU CONTACT THAT PERSON.

>> DO THE FOLLOW UP WITH THE EXTENDED FAMILY, DO THE FOLLOW UP WITH THE ENTITY THAT IS CLAIMING TO HAVE YOUR GRANDCHILD AND GO FROM THERE.

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

>> Dennis: ACCORDING TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE INVESTIGATION IS STILL ONGOING BUT THE CURRENT SUSPECTS HAVE LEFT THE AREA.

EVEN SO, IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY VIGILANT.

DOUBLE CHECK WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO AND BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT SENDING MONEY OVER THE PHONE OR ONLINE.

>>> THE AITKIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS A MAN WANTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER FOLLOWING A STABBING AT A HOME IN AITKIN THIS MORNING HAS BEEN APPREHENDED.

THE SUSPECT, MATTHEW LIIMATAINEN FLED THE SCENE AND AUTHORITIES ISSUED AN ALERT TO THE PUBLIC SAYING HE WAS CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS AND WAS DRIVING A BLACK FORD PICKUP.

HE WAS APPREHENDED AROUND 3:00 THIS AFTERNOON.

THE VICTIM SUFFERED LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES AND WAS AIR LIFTED TO HENNEPIN MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT.

THE MINNESOTA BCA IS ASSISTING IN THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION.

>>> A BRAINERD MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED IN FEDERAL COURT TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTING FENTANYL IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

28-YEAR-OLD DAZAUGHN WEST WAS SENTENCED ON FEBRUARY 6TH FOR POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE.

ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT EXECUTED A SEARCH WARRANT ON AUGUST 1ST OF 2023 AT A STORAGE UNIT IN BRAINERD THAT BELONGED TO WEST AND FOUND BETWEEN 13,000 AND 15,000 PRESSED FENTANYL PILLS THAT WEIGHED ABOUT 2.8 POUNDS.

AUTHORITIES ALSO FOUND ANOTHER 150 GRAMS OF FENTANYL PILLS AND DISTRIBUTABLE QUANTITIES OF COCAINE AT WEST'S HOME IN BRAINERD.

>>> A REMER MAN WHO WORKED AS A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER THERE IS FACING TWO COUNTS OF CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT.

AN 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO RODE THE BUS HE DROVE ACCUSES 40-YEAR-OLD CHRIS STOPPELMAN OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING HER WHEN SHE WORKED AS A BABYSITTER FOR HIM IN OCTOBER OF 2024.

THE GIRL DETAILED THE GRAPHIC NATURE OF THE SEXUAL ASSAULTS TO INVESTIGATORS ON FEBRUARY 3RD.

LAW ENFORCEMENT SPOKE TO STOPPLEMAN ON FEBRUARY 5TH AND HE SAID THE GIRL STAYED THE NIGHT ON A REGULAR BASIS ON THE WEEKENDS AND SAID THERE WERE TIMES THE TWO OF THEM WERE ALONE BUT CLAIMED THE ALLEGATIONS WERE FALSE AND BECAME VISIBLY UPSET.

STOPPLEMAN WAS CHARGED IN CASS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT ON FEBRUARY 7TH WITH TWO COUNTS OF FIRST DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT—PENETRATION OR CONTACT WITH A VICTIM UNDER THE AGE OF 14.

>>> A 60-YEAR-OLD BEMIDJI MAN WHO IS ACCUSED OF THREATENING TO KILL TWO CHILDREN IS FACING ONE CHARGE OF FELONY TERRORISTIC THREATS.

WILLIAM WINEGAR WAS CHARGED IN BELTRAMI COUNTY COURT ON MONDAY.

ACCORDING TO THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT, WINEGAR HAD NUMEROUS SWORDS ON HIM AND WHAT APPEARED TO BE A LONG BLACK GUN ACROSS HIS BACK WHEN HE TOLD THE TWO CHILDREN, WHO ARE BOTH BLACK, THAT HE WAS GOING TO KILL ALL THE BLACKS AND POUR SALT INTO THEIR WOUNDS TO MAKE THEM SUFFER.

THE INCIDENT REPORTEDLY HAPPENED AT SECLUDED ACRES IN BEMIDJI LAST SATURDAY.

LAW ENFORCEMENT EXECUTED A SEARCH WARRANT AT WINEGAR'S HOME AND ARRESTED HIM.

AT THE HOME, THEY LOCATED SEVERAL SWORDS AND BLADED ITEMS BUT WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY FIREARMS.

BAIL BOND FOR WINEGAR WAS SET AT $50,000 WITHOUT CONDITIONS OR $25,000 WITH CONDITIONS.

HIS NEXT COURT DATE IS AN INITIAL APPEARANCE, RULE 8 HEARING SET FOR FEBRUARY 24TH.

COURT RECORDS SHOW WINEGAR WAS PREVIOUSLY CONVICTED OF TERRORISTIC THREATS IN 1990 AND 2007 AND WAS CIVILLY COMMITTED FOR SIX MONTHS FOR MENTAL ILLNESS IN 2012.

>>> THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS INVESTIGATING THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE AFTER THE ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK THAT IT WOULD CONTINUE TO ALLOW TRANSGENDER ATHLETES TO COMPETE AS GIRLS.

THAT DEFIES AN EXECUTIVE ORDER SIGNED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP LAST WEEK THAT DECLARED TRANSGENDER ATHLETES ARE INELIGIBLE TO PLAY GIRLS SPORTS.

IF FOUND IN VIOLATION, THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE COULD LOSE ITS FEDERAL FUNDING.

THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE SAID LAST WEEK THAT THE PARTICIPATION BY AND ELIGIBILITY OF TRANSGENDER ATHLETES IS CONTROLLED BY THE MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS ACT AND THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

THEN ON MONDAY IT ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING IT IS CONSIDERING REQUESTING A FORMAL OPINION FROM THE MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL SEEKING GUIDANCE ON THE ORDER.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAS ANNOUNCED THE EIGHT WINNERS OF THIS YEARS NAME A SNOWPLOW CONTEST.

THE TOP VOTE GETTER WAS “WE'RE OFF TO SEE THE BLIZZARD”, WHICH WILL GO TO A PLOW IN DISTRICT EIGHT IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA.

“SNOWTORIUS B.I.G” WAS THE RUNNER-UP AND IS GOING TO THE DISTRICT 4 PLOW IN WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THE PLOW FOR DISTRICT TWO IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA WILL BE CALLED, “YOU'RE WELCOME” THE DISTRICT THREE PLOW IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA WILL HAVE THE NAME, “DONTACH SNOW” AND DISTRICT ONE IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA WILL GET THE NAME, “SKOL PLOW'.

NEARLY 25,000 VOTERS CAST A BALLOT FOR THIS YEARS CONTEST.

YOU CAN SEE ALL THE WINNERS WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL AS A LINK TO THE FINAL ORDER FOR ALL 50 FINALISTS.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: OUR STRETCH OF COLD WEATHER CONTINUES TONIGHT AND ONCE AGAIN, WE HAVE A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND STUDENTS TOOK THE STAGE FOR THEIR WINTER CONCERT LAST NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> BRAINERD LAKES COMMUNITY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY SOME JAZZ MONDAY NIGHT AS THE HIGH SCHOOL'S JAZZ ONE, TWO, AND THREE BANDS ALL TOOK THE STAGE FOR THEIR WINTER CONCERT.

PRESENTED THROUGH THE BRAINERD MUSIC DEPARTMENT, EACH BRAINERD JAZZ BAND PERFORMED THREE PIECES AS THE STUDENTS SHOWCASED THEIR ABILITIES TO NOT ONLY GO OFF SCRIPT AND IMPROVISE AMIDST THE DIFFERENT ARRANGEMENTS BUT ALSO THEIR ABILITY TO WORK OFF EACH OTHER AND AS A TEAM.

>> THE BIGGEST THING IS KIDS LEARNING THE STYLE AND WHEN THAT COMES TO THE STAGE AND IT'S ON DISPLAY.

IT'S A HUGE SENSE OF PRIDE.

>> THE ABILITY TO BRING YOURSELF TO THE MUSIC IS WHAT MAKES JAZZ SO SPECIAL.

YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO EVERYONE ELSE IN YOUR BAND TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

IT'S SUCH A GREAT COMMUNITY AND TEACHES YOU HOW TO LIVE TOGETHER.

>> BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL'S CHOIRS WILL BE TAKING THE STAGE FOR THEIR WINTER CONCERT ON FEBRUARY 24TH.

>>> AS WE TOLD YOU LAST FRIDAY, FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW THE FINLANDIA SKI MARATHON IN BEMIDJI HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO POOR SKIING CONDITIONS.

THE EVENT WAS TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 15TH, AT BUENA VISTA SKI AREA.

ORGANIZERS CITED LACK OF SNOW COVER AND UNEVEN COVERAGE OVER MOST OF THE SKI TRAILS USED FOR THE RACE AS THE REASON FOR CANCELLING, BUT THERE WILL STILL BE SKIING AT THE SITE OF THE EVENT.

ORGANIZERS ARE ENCOURAGING SKIERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO TOUR PARTS OF THE COURSE AT BUENA VISTA TO COME ON OUR EVEN THOUGH THERE WILL BE NO TIMING OR AWARDS.

AN INFORMAL START IS PLANNED AT NOON AND THERE WILL BE DRINKS AND SNACKS ON HAND AT THE START TO FINISH.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE WITH A WARM UP FOR SATURDAY.

>> Stacy: NO, IT LOOKS LIKE THE WARMEST DAY OF THE FORECAST IS FRIDAY, AND THEN TEMPERATURES COOL BACK DOWN FOR THE WEEKEND.

FOR TONIGHT, WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING THOSE COLD TEMPERATURES, ABOUT -20 TO -30 AND A LITTLE BIT OF WIND AS THE WINDCHILLS IN THAT VERY COLD RANGE.

SO WE DO HAVE THAT COLD WEATHER ADVISORY FOR THE AREA TONIGHT.

SO WE'LL TAKE A LOOK >> 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, IT WAS A VERY COLD START TO THE MORNING THIS MORNING WITH THOSE TEMPERATURES IN THE 20s AND I HAVE EVEN SEEN SOME EAGLE EYE REPORTS OF -30 THIS MORNING.

TEMPERATURES DID WARM UP AS WE WENT THROUGH THE DAY, AND WE ENJOYED SOME NICE SUNSHINE.

HEADING INTO TONIGHT, ANOTHER COLD NIGHT AND COLD WINDCHILLS, AND WE WILL BE SEEING THE COLD WEATHER ADVISORY CONTINUING TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S -14.

WE HAVE A CURRENT WINDCHILL OF -30 WITH NORTHWEST WINDS AT 7.

THE DEW POINT IS -19.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, -1, A DEW POINT OF -12.

WE HAVE NORTH WINDS AT 9 MILES PER HOUR, WITH A WINDCHILL OF -16.

OUR VIEWING AREA AND MOST OF MINNESOTA IS UNDER A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY FOR TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW MORNING, SHOULD EXPIRE AT 10:00 A.M. WE'RE EXPECTING WINDCHILLS TO DROP TO THE -30 TO -40.

AND WE ALREADY HAVE THE COLD WINDCHILLS TONIGHT, MAINLY IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, WHERE WE HAVE -29 IN ROSEAU AND THIEF RIVER FALLS.

ON THE RADAR, IT IS PRETTY QUIET.

WE HAVE SEEN A FEW CLOUDS MOVING THROUGH THE AREA, ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE SHOULD HAVE CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND IT WILL ALLOW FOR THE COLD TEMPERATURES AND WE'RE NOT EXPECTING VERY WINDY CONDITIONS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE THAT COLD, IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO BRING THE WINDCHILLS DOWN TO THE -30 TO -40 RANGE.

SUNSHINE IS BACK TOMORROW, BAD NEWS, IT'S LOOKING PRETTY COLD.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

AARON SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE MOON EARLY THIS MORNING.

ANGELA IN CASS LAKE WITH THE SHOT OF THE SUNRISE THIS MORNING.

SAMROSE WITH A PICTURE OF THE SUNSET OVER LOWER RED LAKE TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, DEBRA IN PINE RIVER, -29 THIS MORNING, ARLENE IN MENAHGA -26 THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, PARTLY SUNNY TODAY, SEEING A LOW OF -34.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, -34 WITH SUNSHINE TODAY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY, A LOW TEMPERATURE OF -21.

ON OUR ALMANAC, THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD WAS 9, SO WE'RE SEEING COLD TEMPERATURES THROUGHOUT THE AREA, -28 WAS OUR LOW.

WE HAD SUNSET AT 5:40.

BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 2.

SO AGAIN, IT'S VERY COLD OUT THERE, -29 TO START THE DAY.

NOW AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW MORNING, WE WILL BE SEEING A LOT OF CLEAR SKIES, SOME SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE DAY, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES.

SOME MODELS ARE SUGGESTING THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE THAT SOME SNOW SHOWERS COULD BRUSH ACROSS THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE.

IT WILL BE FRIDAY AFTERNOON BEFORE THE NEXT SYSTEM BEGINS TO ROLL IN.

TEMPERATURES TOMORROW STILL GOING TO BE COLD WITH LOWS FROM ABOUT -1 TO 4 ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE'RE LOOKING AT SINGLE DIGITS FOR OUR HIGHS.

CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY TONIGHT WITH LOWS DROPPING TO -26.

1 FOR THE HIGH TOMORROW AND WEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SNOW, MOST LIKELY IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA FRIDAY, A LITTLE BIT WARMER, AND WE COULD SEE SOME ACCUMULATION.

THEN IT'S QUIET AND COLD FOR THE WEEKEND, HIGHS ON SUNDAY NEAR -2.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

SUMMER WILL BE HERE SOON, JUST HAVE TO KEEP THINKING THAT.

SYDNEY IS IN FOR CHARLIE FOR OUR SPORTS.

SECTION WRESTLING IS UNDERWAY.

>> YES, WE HAD THE SECTION 8-3A QUARTER FINALS.

WE'LL HAVE HIGHLIGHTS OF THAT THROUGHOUT THE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS COMING UP NEXT.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.

>> HEALTH MINUTE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY EMPLOYEE-OWNED LUEKEN'S VILLAGE FOODS, FEATURING THE AREA'S LARGEST SELECTION OF SEAFOOD AND HIGHEST QUALITY MEATS.

MORE INFO AT LUEKENS.COM.

ZP.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>>> THIS WEEK IT WAS BOYS WRESTLING'S TURN TO START THEIR TOURNAMENT.

WE'LL BEGIN IN BEMIDJI WHERE THE NUMBER TWO SEEDED LUMBERJACKS ARE HOSTING BUFFALO.

AT 1:27, GABE GETS THE TAKE DOWN, LEADS WITH 1 SECOND TO SPARE IN THE FIRST PERIOD.

NEXT AT 1:33, GAVIN LOCKED IN GOOD POSITION, FLIPS HIS MAN ON HIS HEAD, THAT DOESN'T LOOK COMFORTABLE.

HE WINS IN 45 SECONDS.

THEN ALEX PUTTING ON A CLINIC, JUST TOYING WITH THE YOUNG MAN.

HE GOES ON TO WIN BY TECHNICAL FALL, 19-2.

BEMIDJI ADVANCES TO THE SEMIFINALS WHERE THEY WILL TAKE ON THE WINNER OF OUR NEXT HIGHLIGHT.

>>> THE 3-SEED BRAINERD BOYS AT HOME WRESTLING 6-SEED MONTICELLO IN THE SECTION 8-3A QUARTERFINALS.

STARTING WITH THE 139 POUNDERS, CALE OSSTROWSKE PUTTING IN WORK FOR THE WARRIORS, HE TALLIES THE PIN IN 2-MINUTES-36-SECONDS.

AT 1:52, EASTON DURKS JUST THROWING HIS GUY AROUND LIKE A RAGDOLL.

HE GETS THE PIN FOR BRAINERD IN JUST 58 SECONDS.

AND AT 1:72, WARRIORS TYCE FABER.

LITTLE BARREL ROLL FOR THE TAKEDOWN.

HE EARNS THE PIN IN 5 MINUTES-7-SECONDS.

AS BRAINERD COMES OUT VICTORIOUS WITH A 68-3 VICTORY OVER MONTICELLO, ADVANCING TO THE SEMIFINALS FOR A BRAWL WITH BEMIDJI IN BUFFALO ON FRIDAY.

WINNER OF THAT WILL WRESTLE THE WINNER OF WILLMER AND MOORHEAD IMMEDIATELY AFTER.

>>> AFTERWARD THWARTING BEMIDJI IN OVERTIME, ROSEAU HOCKEY IS DEFENDING THEIR TITLE.

FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT SEASON, THEY ARE TAKING ON TOP SEEDED MOORHEAD IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AND EIGHTH STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE ON THE LINE FOR THE RAMS.

ADDISON LIGHTS THE LAMP FOR THE 1-0 LEAD.

LATER, ROSEAU LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER.

IT'S THE SENIOR PEYTON WHO FINDS THE BACK OF THE NET, KNOTTING THE GAME AT 1.

JUMPING AHEAD TO THE SECOND PERIOD, THIS IS WHERE THINGS STARTED GETTING AWAY FROM THE RAMS, TRAILING 2- 1, THEY GIVE THAT ONE TO SHAY BENSON, ROSEAU DIDN'T FAIR BETTER IN THE THIRD, THEY FALL TO MOORHEAD 6-1, ENDING THE RAMS' HOPES OF A REPEAT APPEARANCE.

>>> BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY SENIOR KENDRA FORTIN HAS BEEN NAMED ONE OF FIVE FINALISTS FOR THE 2025 HOCKEY HUMANITARIAN AWARD FOR HER WORK ADVOCATING FOR ORGAN DONATION.

FORTIN HAS USED HER PLATFORM AS A DIVISION-ONE HOCKEY PLAYER TO FURTHER THE EFFORTS OF ORGAN DONATION AND ORGANIZED THE ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS WEEKEND THAT HAS NOW BECOME A STAPLE FOR BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S HOCKEY.

WHEN SHE WAS NINE, HER FATHER CORY WAS DIAGNOSED WITH END-STAGE KIDNEY FAILURE AND SHE CREATED THE “KIDNEY FOR CORY” CAMPAIGN THAT FOUND THE DONOR TRANSPLANT THAT SAVED HIS LIFE.

FORTIN WILL BEGIN THE INTERVIEW PORTION WITH THE HHA FOUNDATION COMMITTEE AND THE WINNER OF THE AWARD WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN MARCH.

>>> ALSO, BSU HAS ANNOUNCED ERIKA BUTE AS THE NEWEST HEAD COACH OF BEMIDJI STATE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL.

BUTE EARNS HER FIRST HEAD COACHING JOB AFTER SERVING AS AN ASSISTANT ON THE BEAVERS COACHING STAFF DURING THE 2024 SEASON.

PRIOR TO COACHING, SHE WAS AN OUTSTANDING PLAYER AT AUGUSTANA EARNING AN ALL-AMERICAN HONORABLE MENTION, 2-TIME NSIC LIBERO OF THE YEAR AND 4-TIME NSIC ALL-CONFERENCE.

BUTE TAKES OVER AFTER LONG TIME HEAD COACH KEVIN ULMER PASSED AWAY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, SO BEMIDJI AND BRAINERD BOTH MOVE ON IN WRESTLING, THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE TWO SQUADS.

>> IT IS.

>> Dennis: THANKS A LOT SYDNEY.

>>> IT'S CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT AWARENESS WEEK.

IN THE U.S., THE C.D.C.

SAYS A BABY WITH A HEART DEFECT IS BORN EVERY 15-MINUTES.

WHILE THESE DEFECTS RANGE IN SEVERITY, EARLY DETECTION IS CRITICAL.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER EXPLAINS WHY AND GOES OVER THE FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE RISK OF A CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT DEVELOPING.

>> Reporter: IT'S A PROBLEM PRESENT AT BIRTH, AFFECTING THE STRUCTURE OF A BABY'S HEART, CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT RAISES FROM MILD TO SEVERE.

>> IT'S A REALLY KIND OF SEEING SOMEONE THAT HAS THE EXPERTISE AND THE ABILITY TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THE TWO IS IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: DR. GLEN WITH CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE OF ATLANTA SAYS INITIAL SYMPTOMS MAY ONLY BE AN EXTRA SOUND OR MURMUR FOUND DURING A CARDIAC PHYSICAL EXAM OR AN ABNORMALITY ON AN X-RAY.

SOME HEART DEFECTS CAN BE FOUND DURING PREGNANCY THROUGH A SPECIAL TYPE OF ULTRASOUND CALLED A FETAL ECHOCARDIOGRAM.

>> OTHER SIGNS COULD BE TROUBLE FEEDING, PERSISTENT FAST BREATHING, AND POOR WEIGHT GAIN IN BABIES IN PARTICULAR.

>> Reporter: THE EXACT CAUSE OF MOST HEART DEFECTS IS NOT FULLY KNOWN BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT INCREASE RISKS, INCLUDING THE MOTHER HAVING CERTAIN PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS LIKE DIABETES OR OBESITY, A FAMILY HISTORY OF CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS OR MEDICATION TAKEN DURING PREGNANCY.

>> IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DEALING WITH IN THE BEGINNING, THEN YOU CAN OFTEN BE IN FRONT OF THE PATIENT EVEN DEVELOPING SYMPTOMS.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH MANY HEART DEFECTS ARE NOT CURED, ADVANCEMENTS IN CARE AND TREATMENTS HAVE LED TO LONGER AND HEALTHIER LIVES IN THOSE WHO HAVE THEM.

>> THERE ARE A WIDE VARIETY OF TREATMENTS THAT CAN INCLUDE SURGERY, BUT CAN ALSO INCLUDE SOME NON-INVASIVE APPROACHES.

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS MAY NOT BE FOUND UNTIL LATER IN CHILDHOOD OR INTO ADULTHOOD, BUT THE DOCTOR SAYS SOME SIGNS THAT SOMEONE MAY HAVE AN UNDERLYING HEART PROBLEM INCLUDE CHEST PAIN WITH ACTIVITY AND FAINTING SPELLS, ESPECIALLY DURING EXERTION.

>>> WE HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

WE GO BACK OVER TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE'RE IN FOR SOME COLD TEMPERATURES AND COLDER WINDCHILLS OVERNIGHT.

A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10:00 A.M. ON THURSDAY FOR OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE THE WINDCHILLS BETWEEN -20 TO -40 AND OUR ACTUAL TEMPERATURES WILL BE -20 TO -30.

CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, MOSTLY SUNNY TOMORROW.

TEMPERATURES ARE COLD, HIGHS AND 1, WITH WEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AHEAD, THE WARMEST DAY OF THE FORECAST IS FRIDAY, WHERE WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR SNOW IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WHERE WE COULD SEE LIGHT ACCUMULATION, HIGHS NEAR 13, BUT AS WE LOOK AHEAD, QUIET WEATHER RETURNS FOR THE WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK AND THE COLD TEMPERATURES ARE BACK ONCE AGAIN, HIGHS ON SUNDAY NEAR -2.

>>> SO THE T-WOLVES LOST TO THE BUCKS.

BSU WOMEN'S TENNIS FRESHMAN WAS NAMED THE NSIC PLAYER OF THE WEEK THIS WEEK.

>> Dennis: WELL, GOOD FOR HER.

THANKS FOR WATCHING EVERYBODY.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> GOOD NIGHT.

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