>> 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.

>>> THE HINES WOMAN WHO IS FACING TEN FELONY COUNTS OF ANIMAL MISTREATMENT IS NOW FACING A NEW FELONY CHARGE FOR FELONY THEFT FROM A VULNERABLE ADULT.

65-YEAR-OLD DEBRA MARSHALL, ALONG WITH 49-YEAR-OLD DENNIS ERICKSON WERE CHARGED IN DECEMBER WITH TEN COUNTS EACH OF FELONY ANIMAL MISTREATMENT AFTER INVESTIGATORS FOUND AROUND 50 DOGS AND 200-PLUS CATS LIVING AT HER HOME WITHOUT ADEQUATE FOOD OR WATER WITH AN ACCUMULATION OF FECES AND URINE.

MARSHALL WAS CHARGED WITH AN ADDITIONAL COUNT OF FELONY THEFT YESTERDAY IN BELTRAMI COUNTY COURT.

ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS, WHEN INVESTIGATORS WERE AT MARSHALL'S HOME ON DECEMBER 6TH EXECUTING A SEARCH WARRANT FOR THE ANIMAL CHARGES, THEY LOCATED MARSHALL'S SISTERS WHO WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO SANFORD HOSPITAL TO BE EVALUATED DUE TO HER INABILITY TO CARE FOR HERSELF.

THAT WOMAN WAS IDENTIFIED AS A VULNERABLE ADULT AND WAS COLLECTING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT SAYS MARSHALL DID NOT HAVE A VALID POWER OF ATTORNEY DOCUMENT SHOWING HER AS HER SISTERS POWER OF ATTORNEY.

THEY ALSO FOUND BETWEEN MAY AND SEPTEMBER OF 2024, FUNDS IN EXCESS OF $1,000 WERE IMPROPERLY USED FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN THE BENEFIT OF THE VULNERABLE ADULT, HER SISTER.

BANK RECORDS SHOW MONEY FROM HER SISTERS ACCOUNT WAS USED TO PAY FOR A FOUR-WHEELER PAYMENT, A CAR PAYMENT AND PET EXPENSES.

MARSHALL'S NEXT COURT APPEARANCE IS AN OMNIBUS HEARING SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 13TH.

BOND OR BAIL WAS SET AT $30,000 WITH NO CONDITIONS WITH NO BOND OR BAIL WITHOUT CONDITIONS.

>>> MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON SAYS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING TRANSGENDER ATHLETES FROM COMPETING IN SPORTS CONSISTENT WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITY VIOLATES THE MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS ACT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AT THE WHITE HOUSE ON FEBRUARY 5TH BANNING TRANSGENDER WOMEN FROM COMPETING IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

TRUMP WAS SURROUNDED BY DOZENS OF WOMEN AND SOME YOUNG GIRLS IN ATHLETIC UNIFORMS AS HE SIGNED THE EXECUTIVE ORDER TITLED KEEPING MEN OUT OF WOMEN'S SPORTS.

CRITICS OF TRANSGENDER ATHLETES HAVE CLAIMED THEY HAVE AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE IN SPORTS.

BUT ELLISON SAID TODAY THAT BECAUSE IT LACKED CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORITY OR A STATUTORY MANDATE, IT DID NOT TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER STATE LAW.

AND HE SAID THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE WOULD VIOLATE THE MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS ACT IF IT WENT ALONG WITH THE TRUMP ORDER AND PREVENTED TRANSGENDER ATHLETES FROM PARTICIPATING IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS OR OTHER ACTIVITIES.

THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE REQUESTED A LEGAL OPINION FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AFTER THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE LEAGUE FOR NOT COMPLYING WITH THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.

LEAGUE OFFICIALS HAVE NOT COMMENTED ON ELLISON'S OPINION YET.

>>> THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS ISSUED A CONDITIONAL LICENSE FOR AN AVIAN FLU VACCINE.

IT WOULD BE USED IN CHICKENS, AMID AN OUTBREAK RAVAGING POULTRY FLOCKS, CONTRIBUTING TO THE RISING PRICE OF EGGS.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ BREAKS DOWN WHAT THIS VACCINE COULD MEAN FOR CONSUMERS AND THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY.

>> Reporter: IF YOU HAVE BEEN TO A SUPERMARKET IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, NOT ONLY ARE EGGS INCREASINGLY EXPENSIVE, THEY'RE ALSO BECOMING HARDER AND HARDER TO FIND.

DR. JONATHAN SAYS THE U.S. HAS A DECISION TO MAKE.

>> WHETHER TO VACCINATE THE FLOCKS IN THIS COUNTRY AND DEAL WITH THE POLITICAL REPERCUSSIONS OF THAT FROM THE G.O.P.

BASE OR DEAL WITH RISING EGG PRICES AND MAYBE EGGS COMING IN FROM MEXICO.

>> Reporter: WHILE OTHER COUNTRIES ALREADY VACCINATE CHICKENS AGAINST BIRD FLU, THE U.S.

APPROACH HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON ERADICATING THE VIRUS.

HISTORICALLY, VACCINATION HAS BEEN THOUGHT TO CARRY A NUMBER OF COMPLICATIONS, INCLUDING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DETECT THE VIRUS IN INOCULATED BIRDS AND TRADE CONCERNS THAT MAY RESULT FROM THAT.

OVER THE LAST 30 DAYS, 151 FLOCKS HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED TO HAVE AVIAN FLU, AFFECTING MORE THAN 23 MILLION BIRDS.

PEOPLE COULD ALSO BECOME SICK.

>> AND CERTAINLY IT CAN INFECT PEOPLE WHO COME IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH CHICKENS AND INHALE A LOT OF THE VIRUS INTO THEIR LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACK, THEIR LUNGS.

>> Reporter: IF SCIENTISTS BEGIN UPDATING THEIR AVIAN FLU VAX IN BETWEEN IN 2022.

THE DECISION TO VACCINATE COMMERCIAL POULTRY FLOCK RESTS WITH THE REGULATORY AUTHORITIES IN CONSULTATION WITH THEIR LOCAL POULTRY SECTOR.

IN ATLANTA, I'M IVAN RODRIGUEZ.

>> MORE THAN 150 MILLION BIDS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE VIRUS SINCE THE CURRENT OUTBREAK BEGAN IN 2022.

>>> EIGHTH DISTRICT REPUBLICAN U.S. REPRESENTATIVE PETE STAUBER SAYS HE WILL NOT BE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR IN MINNESOTA OR FOR THE SENATE SEAT CURRENTLY HELD BY TINA SMITH.

STAUBER TOLD THE TV NEWS OPERATION NORTHERN NEWS NOW OUT OF DULUTH YESTERDAY, THAT HE FEELS HE CAN MAKE MORE OF A DIFFERENCE IN HIS CURRENT ROLE WHERE HE CHAIRS THE ENERGY, RESOURCES, AND MINERALS COMMITTEE.

GOVERNOR WALZ HAS HINTED AT RUNNING FOR A THIRD TERM AS GOVERNOR BUT ALSO IS SAID TO BE CONSIDERING A RUN AT SMITH'S SENATE SEAT.

SMITH SAID LAST WEEK THAT SHE DOES NOT PLAN ON SEEKING RE-ELECTION IN 2026.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED SHE WILL FOR THAT SENATE SEAT.

>>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD HAS PARTNERED WITH MORRIS LEATHERMAN TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE DISTRICT-WIDE SURVEY AIMED AT GAUGING PUBLIC SENTIMENT TOWARDS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, RANDOM RESIDENTS WILL RECEIVE PHONE CALLS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SURVEY, WHICH WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 12 TO 15 MINUTES TO COMPLETE.

THIS SURVEY SEEKS TO GATHER VALUABLE INSIGHTS ON SEVERAL KEY AREAS, INCLUDING COMMUNITY OPINIONS ON THE DISTRICT'S EDUCATION DELIVERY FOR K-12 STUDENTS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND TO ASSESS PUBLIC INTEREST IN A POTENTIAL LEVY REFERENDUM.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE DISTRICT IF THE SCHOOL BOARD DETERMINES THERE IS ADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR A LEVY REFERENDUM, THAT COULD MEAN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS WHICH THEY SAY WOULD THEREBY ENHANCE THEIR EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS.

>>> A FORMER MINNESOTA VIKING WAS ARRESTED TUESDAY FOR SPEAKING OUT AGAINST A PLAQUE AT A LIBRARY IN HUNTINGTON BEACH CALIFORNIA.

THE PLAQUE IN QUESTION IS MEANT TO COMMEMORATE THE LIBRARY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY.

IT CONTAINS A POEM THAT HAS REFERENCES TO MAGA.

THE PLAQUE ALSO INCLUDES THE PHRASE, "MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN."

FORMER MINNESOTA VIKINGS PUNTER CHRIS KLUWEWAS GIVEN ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK TO THE HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA CITY COUNCIL.

KLUWE SAYS LIBRARIES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE POLITICALLY NEUTRAL PLACES FOR THE COMMUNITY.

HE INDICATED HE THINKS THE PLAQUE IS DIVISIVE.

AND THEN SAID HE WAS ENGAGING IN AN ACT OF PEACEFUL CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE, AND REFUSED TO LEAVE.

POLICE CARRIED HIM OUT OF THE MEETING.

HE SAYS HE WAS HELD FOR FOUR HOURS.

THE COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE PLAQUE, WHICH WAS PRIVATELY FUNDED.

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

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, STUDENTS ARE TAKING LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> A TRIO OF MEN WHO DUB THEMSELVES THE "THREE OLD GUYS", HAVE STARTED A 4,000-PLUS MILE SNOWMOBILE TRIP FR0M GRAND RAPIDS TO THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF CANADA.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS THE DETAILS ON HOW AND WHY THESE THREE OLD GUYS ARE MAKING THE JOURNEY ACROSS NORTH AMERICA.

>> Reporter: PAUL, ROB, ARE THE THREE GUYS RIDING ACROSS NORTH AMERICA.

>> THAT'S WHEN THEY NAMED US THE THREE OLD GUYS.

WE RUN INTO SOME GUYS AND THEY SAID I HEARD ABOUT YOU THREE OLD GUYS OR SOMEONE WAS TELLING ME.

IT STUCK FROM THERE ON IN.

>> Reporter: PAUL IS TALKING ABOUT THEIR TRIP TO HUDSON BAY, CANADA IN 2019, OR AT LEAST THEIR ATTEMPTED TRIP BEFORE THEY ENDED UP IN CHURCHILL, MANITOBA ON ACCIDENT.

>> JUST TO MAKE A PLAN TO CHANGE IT.

>> Reporter: THEY VENTURED OVER 3,000 MILES WITH THAT TRIP, EXPLORED WEST WITH THEIR TRIP TO ALASKA IN 2023 AND THIS TIME PLAN TO EXPLORE THE EAST SIDE BY TRAVELING OVER 4,000 MILES TO THE COAST OF NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA.

>> IT SEEMS NATURAL TO GO EAST THIS TIME.

WE HAVE SOME GOOD FRIENDS AT NEWFOUNDLAND.

IF EVERYTHING WENT RIGHT, WE WOULD END UP THERE.

THAT'S OUR GOAL.

>> Reporter: THESE THREE OLD GUYS HAVE BEEN SNOWMOBILING FOR QUITE A LONG TIME.

>> I STARTED IN 1965 WITH MY DAD ON AN OLD ONE.

IT WENT FROM THERE.

WE ARE ALL LIFELONG SNOWMOBILERS.

PAUL AND REX HAVE A LONG RACING HISTORY.

ALL THREE OF US GOT INVOLVED IN LONG DISTANCE ENDURANCE RACING, WHICH IS HEADING INTO THE ADVENTURE RIDING.

WHEN WE GOT TOO OLD TO COMPETE, WE THOUGHT LET'S RIDE FOR OUR OWN FUN INSTEAD OF RACING AND WE WENT ON LONGER AND LONGER TRIPS.

>> Reporter: EXPLORING AMERICA IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL BUT WHAT MAKES IT MEMORABLE ARE THE PEOPLE THEY MEET ON THE WAY.

>> WE HAD ALL KINDS OF EXPERIENCES WITH LOCAL PEOPLE AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES THE TRIP.

WE COME TO REMOTE VILLAGES AND THEY HAVE COMMUNITY SUPPER WAITING FOR US, AND GIVE US A PLACE TO STAY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WELCOMED US INTO THEIR HOMES OR YOU KNOW, LITTLE CABINS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT'S JUST A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN GRAND RAPIDS, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> IF YOU WISH TO FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE THREE OLD GUYS' JOURNEY TO NEWFOUNDLAND, YOU CAN DO SO BY FOLLOWING THERE FACEBOOK PAGE, WHICH WE WILL INCLUDE A LINK TO ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

THEY ARE NOW EXACTLY ONE WEEK INTO THEIR JOURNEY, AND HAVE MADE IT TO IRON BRIDGE, ONTARIO, CANADA ALREADY AND FEEL GREAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE WAY.

THEY SAY THE ONLY CONCERN SO FAR IS THAT THEY MAY ACTUALLY RETURN HEAVIER THAN WHEN THEY LEFT BECAUSE THEY ARE EATING SO GOOD IN THE AREAS THEY ARE CHOOSING TO STOP AT.

>> WELL STACY HAS TONIGHT OFF BUT I'LL BE BACK WITH YOUR WEATHER RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> 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 ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> WELCOME BACK EVERYONE.

STACY HAS TONIGHT OFF SO I'LL HAVE TAKE A LOOK OUR WEATHER TONIGHT.

WE ENJOYED SUNSHINE AND WARMER TEMPERATURES TODAY.

AND WE'LL SEE MORE SUNSHINE TOMORROW WITH HIGHS CLOSE TO 20.

EVEN WARMER TEMPS ARE IN STORE FOR THE WEEKEND, MAYBE EVEN SOME HIGHS IN THE 40S BUT THERE IS A CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW STARTING ON SUNDAY.

HERE'S A LOOK AT CURRENT CONDITIONS.

CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI AT THIS HOUR, WE HAVE A TEMPERATURE OF 4 WITH BARE WILL A WIND OF 2 MILES PER HOUR, AND WINDCHILL REGISTERING AT 0.

IN BRAINERD, LIGHT SNOW, 7 DEGREES, WITH A WIND FROM THE SOUTHWEST AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

NOT MUCH TO SHOW YOU ON THE SATELLITE AND RADAR AS WE HAD SUNNY SKIES TODAY AND IT HAS REMAINED CLOUD-FREE FOR THE MOST PART THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

EAGLE EYES REPORTING TONIGHT, STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD AND ARLENE IN MENAHGA, ANGELA FROM CASS LAKE, YOLANDA AND ALSO CARRIE FROM WALKER, SOME DEER THERE, SOME BEAUTIFUL SHOTS FROM OUR EAGLE EYES THROUGHOUT THE AREA AND ANOTHER PAGE -- ACTUALLY, THAT'S THE ONLY ONE WE GOT THERE.

THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A BIRD OF PREY TOO IF I REMEMBER RIGHT FROM LOOKING THROUGH THE PHOTOS EARLIER TODAY.

HERE'S OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, BOB FROM BLUFFTON, THE LONG TIME EAGLE EYE REPORTS A HIGH OF 11.

BOB HAS BEEN WITH US SINCE DAY ONE OF LAKELAND NEWS.

PAUL WITH A HIGH OF 23 IN BEMIDJI, 27 IN LONGVILLE.

OUR ALMANAC TONIGHT, TODAY, HIGH IN BRAINERD WAS 23, THE LOW WAS -4 OVERNIGHT.

SUNRISE AT 7:10 THIS MORNING.

DAYS ARE GETTING LONGER.

HIGH TODAY IN BEMIDJI, BOY, 23 FELT LIKE 60 TODAY AFTER THE TEMPERATURES WE'VE HAD THIS WEEK.

THE LOW WAS -1 OVERNIGHT AND THE SUNSET AT 5:53 AND PRETTY SOON WE'LL HIT DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME AND IT WILL BE LATER THAN THAT, AN HOUR LATER THAN THAT AS DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME TENDS TO WORK.

MOVING TO OUR NEXT GRAPHIC HERE, TAKING A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST.

HERE YOU SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE CLOUDS IN THE AREA TOMORROW.

OTHERWISE, AGAIN, PRETTY CLOUD-FREE DAY IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA WITH SUNNY SKIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

NOW HERE'S A LOOK AT THE FORECAST FOR TOMORROW IN BEMIDJI, A HIGH OF 21, GRAND RAPIDS 23, PARK RAPIDS 19.

ON THE CENTRAL PART OF MINNESOTA, WADENA WITH 19 TOMORROW, AND AITKIN AT 22.

TONIGHT'S FORECAST, -6 IS THE LOW WITH A WIND FROM THE SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST AT 5 TO 20.

TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, A HIGH OF 20, AND A WIND FROM THE SOUTH AT 5 TO 20.

WEEKEND FORECAST LOOKS VERY NICE, LOOK AT THE TEMPERATURES.

32 ON SATURDAY WITH VARIABLE CLOUDS, 37 FOR SUNDAY, SOME PLACES MAY HIT IN THE 40s ON SUNDAY, BUT WE WILL SEE A CHANCE FOR RAIN AND SNOW.

OUR EXTENDED FORECAST LOOKS LIKE THIS, TUESDAY, WE ARE CALLING FOR A HIGH OF 40.

SO THINGS ARE TRENDING UP HERE CHARLIE AS WE HEAD INTO THE LAST WEEK OF FEBRUARY.

YOU HAD A BIG EVENT TONIGHT IN WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY.

>> Charlie: YES, WE DEFINITELY DID, BIG, BIG NIGHT.

THE COACH WAS BEING HONORED AND I MEAN HE HAD QUITE THE CAREER OVER 800 WINS ACROSS ALL THE SPORTS THAT HE COACHED.

THEY WERE DEDICATING THE COURT TO HIM AND THERE WAS PLENTY OF PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE.

IT WAS AN ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC EVENING, AND THERE WAS A BASKETBALL GAME TOO.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHT FROM THAT AND IT'S GOOD TO HEAR FROM THE COACH AS WELL, COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE.

>> THE GOLDEN APPLE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY CROW WING POWER.

DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELIABLE ELECTRICITY AND A KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CARING STAFF TO ASSIST YOU WITH ENERGY-SAVING PROGRAMS AND TIPS MORE AT CWPOWER.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY HIGH SCHOOL AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY HONORED GIRLS' BASKETBALL HEAD COACH JIM LIEN TONIGHT BY NAMING THE VARSITY FLOOR AT THE WHA GYMNASIUM AFTER THE LEGENDARY HALL OF FAME COACH.

LIEN, WHO HAS BEEN COACHING IN THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS, BEGAN HIS COACHING THEY UNVEILED THE NEW LOGO.

THEN WENT TO AKELEY TO BECOME THE BOYS BASKETBALL COACH, BEFORE MOVING TO WHA WHERE HE COACHED VOLLEYBALL, BASKETBALL, AND BASEBALL.

AND LAST SEASON, HE HELPED LEAD THE LADY WOLVES TO THEIR FIRST EVER STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE.

AFTERWARDS, THE LEGENDARY COACH SPOKE ABOUT HOW HE WAS TOUCHED BY IT ALL.

[APPLAUSE].

>> IT MEANS A LOT TO ME.

IF I CAN REMEMBER THE FIRST PRACTICE I HAD HERE, BACK, I DON'T KNOW, IN THE '80s WITH HEATHER AND JENNY, THAT WAS THE FIRST PRACTICE I EVER HAD.

THE KIDS WERE REALLY RESPONSIVE AND THEY HAVE BEEN THAT WAY FOR YEARS.

IF I LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE PICTURES THAT WE HAD, I DON'T THINK WE HAD A NEGATIVE ONE IN THE WHOLE BUNCH.

I'M TOUCHED BY ALL OF THEM.

THEY CAME BACK HERE TONIGHT TO SUPPORT ME.

>>> AS THE HEAD COACH, HE AMASSED OVER 800 WINS BETWEEN BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL.

NOT SURPRISING THE MOTION TO NAME THE COURT AFTER COACH LIEN WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD.

>> THE MOTION TO NAME THE COURT AFTER COACH LIEN WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE SCHOOL BOARD AS A HEAD COACH HE HAS AMASSED OVER 800 BASKETBALL WINS BETWEEN BOYS AND GIRLS AND LATER THIS SPRING WILL BE HONORED WITH THE 2025 CARL PIERSON LEGACY AWARD DURING THE MINNESOTA GIRLS BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION >> AND NOW WOLVES STARTED THE GAME ON A 7-0 RUN.

LATER, THE BEARS ARE TRYING TO STAY IN IT.

PIPER FEEDS HER DOWN LOW FOR THE EASY DEUCE BUT WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY WOULD PROVE TO BE TOO MUCH.

THE OTHER MORRISON SISTER BEATS EVERYONE TO THE WHOLE.

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY COMES AWAY WITH THE WIN ON JIM LIEN NIGHT.

WOLVES IMPROVE TO 21-4 ON THE SEASON, THE BEARS DROP TO 5-18.

SOME MORE SCORES FOR YOU, CROSBY-IRONTON BEATS OVALBY.

NORTHOME-KELLIHER GETS THE WIN ON NEVIS.

CONTINUING IN GIRLS BASKETBALL, BERTHA HEWITT, A RARE LOSS FOR THEM AND FOSSTON FALLS AS WELL.

ON THE BOY'S SIDE OF THINGS, FERGUS FALLS BEATS BRAINERD BY 3, PIERZ GETS THE WIN OVER FOLEY, WARROAD GETS THE WIN.

VERNDALE GETS THE WIN OVER LAPORTE.

>>> FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR, STAPLES-MOTLEY BOYS WRESTLING IS HEADING TO THE CLASS ONE-A STATE TOURNAMENT.

AFTER TAKING DOWN HOLDINGFORD IN THE 7-1A SECTION FINALS ONCE AGAIN.

REPORTER MILES WALKER STOPPED BY THE PRACTICE MATS TO SEE HOW THE CARDINALS ARE GEARING UP FOR YET ANOTHER RUN.

>> Reporter: AFTER SECURING ITS FIRST CLASS 1A STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE LAST SEASON, STAPLES MOTLEY SPENT 24-25 SEASON WITH A TARGET ON THEIR BACK.

>> WE HAD TIGHT COMPETITIONS, SO CLOSE MATCHES ARE NOT NEW TO US.

YOU GET NERVOUS, BUT THEY'RE WORKING HARD TO KEEP A LEVEL HEAD AND COMING OUT ON TOP, DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO WHEN WE NEED TO DO IT.

>> Reporter: AND THE CARDINALS THAT ARE RANKED SECOND, WITH EIGHT INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS RANKED AS WELL HAS DONE NOTHING BUT BACK UP THE HYPE.

>> WE ALL DID OUR JOB AND IT ENDED UP WORKING OUT FOR US.

WE'RE NOT PERFECT, WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

>> Reporter: BOYS WRESTLING HAS ESTABLISHED QUITE THE REPUTATION OVER THE YEARS, TAKING HOME A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP 7 DIFFERENT TIMES AND SECURING THEIR FIFTH STATE RUNNER UP.

AND THE CARDINALS ARE HOPING TO ADD ON TO THEIR ILLUSTRIOUS TALLY.

>> LAST YEAR MAKING IT TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT WAS AWESOME AND THE FINALS WAS SURREAL.

IT REALLY SET IN.

IT'S HONORABLE AND IT'S COOL TO BE PART OF THIS AGAIN AND TO BRING SOME TROPHIES BACK HOME.

>> Reporter: IN ORDER TO EARN THE CROWN, YOU HAVE TO TAKE DOWN THE KING.

>> WE HAVEN'T WRESTLED OUR BEST MATCH.

I FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO COME OUT WHEN WE GO TO STATE.

ALL THE BOYS KNOW THAT'S THE TIME WHEN WE NEED TO PICK IT UP, ESPECIALLY IF WE MAKE IT TO THE FINALS AGAIN.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN STAPLES, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Charlie: AND BEFORE THE CLASS A STATE TOURNAMENT GETS UNDERWAY FOR THE TEAM'S NEXT THURSDAY, WHERE THEY WILL BE PLAYING LOCAL TEAM, UNITED NORTH-CENTRAL, BOTH LOCAL IN OUR VIEWING AREA, THE CARDINALS AND UNITED NORTH-CENTRAL WILL TAKE THE MAT FOR INDIVIDUAL SECTION TOURNAMENTS TOMORROW AT CASS LAKE-BENA.

WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> STUDENTS FROM TREK NORTH SCHOOL IN BEMIDJI ARE TRAVELING ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR MORE THAN JUST EDUCATION.

THEY'LL CHANGE LIVES IN THE PROCESS AS WELL.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE ON THEIR FOCUS ON COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

>> Reporter: INSIDE THE CLASSROOM, STUDENTS ARE LEARNING THAT THE MITOCHONDRIA IS THE POWERHOUSE OF THE CELL BUT OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM, THEY'RE LEARNING VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE A LOT OF SCHOOLS NOWADAYS, THEY'RE FOCUSED ON GETTING KIDS GRADUATED AND TREK WANTS TO TEACH US THINGS THAT SCHOOLS DON'T NORMALLY TEACH.

>> Reporter: IN GRADE 6-12, THEY HAVE TRADITIONAL COLLEGE PREP CLASSES BUT THEY ALSO GO ON SERVICE TRIPS ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> IT ADDS THE ELEMENT WHERE KIDS HAVE TO DISCONNECT, THEY HAVE TO LEARN TO TALK TO THEIR PEERS AND ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF IF YOU NEED SOMETHING, HOW TO TALK TO PEERS, HOW TO TALK TO STRANGERS.

I MEAN THE LEVEL OF LEARNING IS REALLY VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS THAT THEY LEARN.

>> Reporter: EVERY EXPERIENCE IS DIFFERENT AND CAN CONSIST OF EVERYTHING FROM VOLUNTEERING AT FOOD SHELVES TO HELPING BUILD HOUSES.

>> A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS, THIS IS THEIR FIRST TIME LEAVING BEMIDJI.

THIS IS THEIR FIRST TIME LEAVING MINNESOTA.

SO, THOSE ARE REALLY BIG LIFE SKILLS.

LIKE THAT'S REALLY GETTING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.

EVERY TIME YOU CAN WORK YOURSELF OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE, IT MAKES YOU A STRONGER PERSON.

WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY HARD AND YOU REALIZE YOU CAN DO IT, THAT MAKES OTHER PARTS OF YOUR LIFE EASIER.

>> Reporter: THESE TRIPS CAN CHANGE THE STUDENTS' LIVES JUST AS MUCH AS THEY CHANGE THOSE OF THE PEOPLE THEY ARE HELPING.

>> WE LISTEN AND WE LEARN A LOT OF STORIES FROM PEOPLE.

THROUGH LISTENING TO THEIR STORIES AND THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCES, AND ALL THOSE SHAPE A STUDENT'S PERSPECTIVE OF THE WORLD INSTEAD OF WHAT LIFE IS LIKE IN BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA.

>> WHEN I GO ON THESE TRIPS AND I MEET NEW PEOPLE, I LIKE TO HEAR THEIR STORIES ABOUT THEIR LIFE AND I TAKE PARTS OF THAT AND PUT IT INTO MY LIFE TO PUT ME ON A BETTER PATH THAN I'M LEADING RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE NEXT TRIP THAT TREK NORTH STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO ON WILL BE TO SOUTH TEXAS TO SEE THE BORDER AND LEARN ABOUT IMMIGRATION.

THE SEVERAL DAY DRIVE STARTS THIS SATURDAY.

>>> ALL RIGHT, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT SOME MORE WEATHER FOR YOU AS WE HAVE THE EXTENDED FORECAST.

SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES FOR YOU, LOOKING AT 32 ON SATURDAY, UP TO 37 ON SUNDAY, AND THEN EVEN WARMER TO START NEXT WEEK'S WORKWEEK WITH 39 ON MONDAY AND 40 ON TUESDAY.

THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US, HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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