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>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA.

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>> 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.

>>> BEMIDJI HOSTED A HOUSING ROUNDTABLE LAST DECEMBER TO DISCUSS THE UNIQUE HOUSING CHALLENGES THAT FACE BELTRAMI COUNTY AND HOW AREA LEADS CAN HELP SOLVE THEM.

THE COUNTY BOARD REQUESTED A PRESENTATION FROM THE GREATER MINNESOTA HOUSING FUND, TO GET A MORE DETAILED LOOK AT THE ISSUE.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: IT'S NO SECRET THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN FACING A SEVERE LONG-TERM HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS DRIVEN BY A SHORTAGE OF HOUSING SUPPLY.

ONE SOLUTION NOW PROPOSED BY GREATER MINNESOTA HOUSING FUND TO HELP WITH THE ISSUE IN BELTRAMI COUNTY WAS ACTUALLY RAISING THE COST OF RENT.

>> BECAUSE THE DEMAND IS SO GREAT, THE VACANCY IS SO LOW, IT'S A SUPPLY AND DEMAND ISSUE AND TO INCENTIVIZE DEVELOPERS TO COME IN SO THE MARKET COULD AFFORD RENTS IF THEY RAISED THEM.

>> Reporter: IN BELTRAMI COUNTY, THERE WERE 120 NEW CONSTRUCTION UNITS SOLD WITHIN 2022 AND 2025.

THE MEDIAN LISTING PRICE FOR THOSE HOMES WAS CLOSE TO $410,000, BUT THE MEDIAN CLOSING PRICE DROPPED OVER $70,000.

>> THIS REALLY SPEAKS THAT THERE IS A VALUE GAP, SO THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION IS NOT ALWAYS MEETING THE APPRAISAL VALUE.

SO THE APPRAISAL MAY BE LOWER THAN THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION.

THIS IS TRUE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ALL THE WAY TO MARKET RATE HOUSING.

>> Reporter: IT'S OUT OF REACH FOR MANY MINNESOTANS.

COMPARING THE COUNTY'S MOST IN-DEMAND JOBS AND THE COST OF HOUSING IN THE AREA, SHOWING IF YOU'RE NOT IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, YOU HAVE SOME TROUBLE PAYING RENT AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

>> IF YOU HAVE TWO OF THE HIGH DEMAND OCCUPATIONS, SO THEY ARE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE WORKING AND STILL CAN'T AFFORD THINGS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE HEADLINE TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE HOUSING STUDY IS THAT BY 2035, BELTRAMI COUNTY NEEDS TO ADD 4,200 GENERAL OCCUPANCY UNITS TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR HOUSING.

>> THE MORE WE HAVE IN THE MARKET, IT WILL BRING IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUE AND IT WILL GIVE PEOPLE MORE OPTIONS TO MOVE OVER FROM A LARGER UNIT TO DOWNSIZING TO A SMALLER UNIT.

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

>> SOME OTHER SUGGESTIONS BY GREATER MINNESOTA HOUSING FUND INCLUDED SUPPORTING MORE OPTIONS FOR SENIORS DOWNSIZING, AND TO REVISIT ZONING AND LAND USE REGULATIONS.

>>> POLK COUNTY SHERIFF JAMES TADMAN HAS ANNOUNCED HE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION THIS FALL AND WILL BE RETIRING AT THE END OF HIS CURRENT TERM IN JANUARY 2027.

TADMAN HAS SERVED 38-YEARS WITH THE POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE, AND HAS BEEN THE SHERIFF SINCE JANUARY OF 2019.

TADMAN SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE THAT SERVING POLK COUNTY HAS BEEN A GIFT AND A PRIVILEGE AND THAT HE IS DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY FOR THEIR TRUST, COOPERATION AND SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS.

>>> BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL'S BASKETBALL GYM SAW ITS BIGGEST TURNOUT OF THE YEAR LAST NIGHT, BUT IT WASN'T FOR ANY ORDINARY GAME.

( BEMIDJI'S ANNUAL UNIFIED BASKETBALL GAME VERSUS MENAHGA DRAWS IN A HUGE CROWD EVERY YEAR, AS THE GAME GIVES STUDENTS WITH PHYSICAL OR COGNITIVE DISABILITIES THE CHANCE TO TAKE TO THE COURT.

UNIFIED AND NON-UNIFIED STUDENTS FROM BOTH SCHOOLS ARE ABLE TO PRACTICE THEIR BASKETBALL SKILLS IN AN ALL-INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT, AS WELL AS EXPERIENCE BEING ON A TEAM.

ONE MENAHGA COACH SAID THAT EVERY YEAR, PLAYERS CIRCLE THE EVENT ON THEIR CALENDAR, AND THE COMMUNITY ALWAYS COMES OUT TO SUPPORT.

>> JUST LIKE THE ATMOSPHERE AND LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> IT'S SO AWESOME TO BE PART OF SUCH A GREAT PROGRAM.

IT'S SO AWESOME SEEING EVERYBODY COME TOGETHER FOR ONE BIG NIGHT AND IT MEANS A LOT TO THE UNIFIED KIDS.

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

I LOVE IT.

IT HAS HELPED ME A TON.

I USED TO NOT HANDLE LOSING THE BEST, BUT IT'S HONESTLY KIND OF NOW IT'S LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE WIN, WE WIN.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

WINNING IS FUN BUT IT'S NOT THE ONLY FUN THING ABOUT BASKETBALL.

IT FEELS NICE, LIKE EVERYONE IS CHEERING YOU ON.

IT FEELS REALLY NICE ACTUALLY.

>> OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN WAS AT THE GAME AND WILL HAVE THE FULL STORY OF THE EVENT FOR NEXT WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH.

>>> THREE AREA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ARE AMONG THE FINALISTS TO BECOME THE NEXT CROOKSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT.

THE CROOKSTON SCHOOL BOARD HAS SELECTED SIX SEMIFNALISTS FOR THE POSITION, AND THEY INCLUDE JEREMY TAMMI WHO IS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SOUTH KOOCHICHING/RAINY RIVER DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES NORTHOME AND INDUS SCHOOLS.

JASON STANOCH WHO IS A PRINCIPAL AND CAREER ACADEMIES DIRECTOR FOR BEMIDJI SCHOOLS.

AND TODD SELK, WHO IS THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE FOSSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE SEMIFINALISTS WERE SELECTED FROM AN ORIGINAL POOL OF 20 CANDIDATES.

INTERVIEWS FOR THE SEMIFINALISTS ARE SET FOR FEBRUARY 10TH AND 11TH.

>>> PEQUOT LAKES HIGH SCHOOL'S AVERY AMSDEN AND RYDER SCHULTZ HAVE EACH BEEN NAMED TRIPLE A AWARD FINALISTS.

THE TRIPLE A AWARD SPANS OVER ACADEMICS, ARTS, AND ATHLETICS.

ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE, THE AWARD HONORS HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS THROUGH THE STATE WHO HAVE A 3.0 OR HIGHER-GRADE POINT AVERAGE AND WHO PARTICIPATE IN LEAGUE-SPONSORED ATHLETIC AND FINE ARTS ACTIVITIES.

AMSDEN HAS PLAYED BOTH VOLLEYBALL AND SOFTBALL FOR FOUR YEARS AT PEQUOT LAKES.

SHE ALSO IS A MEMBER OF THE SYMPHONIC BAND AND WOODWIND BAND EMSEMBLE.

SCHULTZ PARTICIPATES IN SPEECH, DEBATE, AND TRACK AND FIELD.

IN ADDITION TO ATHLETICS, HE IS ON THE STUDENT COUNCIL AND NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY.

>> I WAS DEFINITELY SUPER GRATEFUL BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY WORTHY CANDIDATES HERE.

I AM USE TO THE BUSY SCHEDULE AND I ENJOY HAVING A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON AT ONCE.

>> IT WAS NICE BECAUSE EVERYONE IN THE SCHOOL AND THE COMMUNITY CONGRATULATED ME.

IT WAS NICE TO GET THE AWARD BUT IT WAS NICE TO SEE HOW EVERYONE WAS CONGRATULATING ME ABOUT IT.

>> TRIPLE A AWARD REGION WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FEBRUARY 12TH.

>>> THE CITY OF PIERZ IS RAISING MONEY TO REPLACE THE AGING PLAYGROUND AT PIERZ PARK AND GOLF COURSE.

AT THEIR LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING, THE CITY ACCEPTED A $20,000 DONATION FROM THE PIERZ LIONS, WHICH BROUGHT THEM ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF THE WAY TOWARDS THEIR GOAL OF $265,000 FOR THE PARK'S RENOVATION.

A PROJECT CITY OFFICIALS SAY WILL NOT JUST BENEFIT THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE CITY, BUT VISITORS AS WELL.

>> THE PLAYGROUND IS QUITE OLD.

IT HAS EQUIPMENT ON IT THAT I USED WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL.

IT'S IN NEED OF COMPLETE RENOVATION AND NOT ONLY FOR SAFETY PURPOSES BUT ALSO JUST THAT ENGAGEMENT FOR KIDS.

THIS PLAYGROUND IS ATTACHED ALSO TO OUR GOLF COURSE AND OUR CAMPGROUND, SO IT'S NOT ONLY FOR THE FAMILIES THAT LIVE IN OUR AREA, BUT IT'S ANYBODY THAT VISITS OUR PARKS.

>> CONSTRUCTION IS SLATED TO BEGIN IN MAY WITH THE PLAYGROUND EXPECTED TO OPEN EARLY IN THE SUMMER.

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

>> Stacy: WE MAY SEE SOME VERY LIGHT MIXED PRECIPITATION IN THE AREA TONIGHT WITH FALLING TEMPERATURES TOMORROW AND THEN A WARM UP THIS WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, TWO STUDENT FROM PEQUOT LAKES HIGH SCHOOL WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IS ADJUSTING THE LIMIT FOR YELLOW PERCH ON MILLE LACS LAKE TO HELP MAINTAIN A HEALTHY PERCH POPULATION FOR THE FUTURE AND TO STAY WITHIN THE STATE'S SHARE OF THE HARVESTABLE SURPLUS.

STARTING ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH, THE DAILY AND POSSESSION LIMIT FOR YELLOW PERCH ON MILLE LACS LAKE WILL BE REDUCED FROM 10 TO 5.

THIS REGULATION WILL BE IN PLACE THROUGH NOVEMBER 30TH OF THIS YEAR.

D.N.R.

OFFICIALS SAY THE PERCH HARVEST EACH OF THE LAST TWO YEARS HAS BEEN MORE THAN DOUBLE WHAT IT WAS IN EARLIER YEARS GOING BACK TO 2012 AND IT'S BEEN EVEN HIGHER THIS WINTER.

>>> HAPPY DANCING TURTLE AND PINE RIVER-BACKUS COMMUNITY EDUCATION ARE HOSTING THEIR 20TH ANNUAL BACK TO BASICS SUSTAINABLE LIVING EVENT THIS SATURDAY.

THE EVENT WILL FEATURE OVER 50 WORKSHOPS, VENDORS, AND A KEYNOTE SPEECH FROM JAMES BEARD AWARD WINNING CHEF ALAN BERGO, WHO WILL GIVE A PRESENTATION ENTITLED THE GROCERY STORE OUTSIDE, AS HE TEACHES ABOUT THE PLANTS THAT GROW IN THE REGION AND HOW THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO LIVING A MORE HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE.

>> IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER AND LEARN.

WE'RE ALL ABOUT EDUCATION, LIKE THAT'S ONE OF OUR BIGGEST GOALS AS WELL.

ALSO, PEOPLE ARE LEARNING FOR THEMSELVES, LIKE SKILLS THEY CAN USE IN THEIR HOME AND IN THEIR EVERY DAY LIVES, BUT IT ALSO THEN BUILDS COMMUNITY AS WELL, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

WHEN YOU HAVE MORE RESILIENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY, YOU HAVE A BETTER STRIVING COMMUNITY.

SO THAT IS ONE OF OUR MAIN GOALS HERE AS WELL.

>> THE EVENT IS ON FEBRUARY 7TH FROM 8:00 A.M.

TO 5:00 P.M.

AT PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US.

VERY WARM DAY TODAY, CONSIDERING WHAT WE HAD THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>> Stacy: YEAH, A HEATWAVE OUT THERE, AS HIGHS WERE IN THE 30s ACROSS THE AREA AND IN FACT FOR MOST OF US, TEMPS ARE STILL IN THE 30s.

WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING A COOL DOWN AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY TOMORROW, HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE EARLY, SKIES WILL CLEAR, AND TEMPS WILL FALL THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

IT'S A FREEZE-COOL DOWN BECAUSE WE SEE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: IT WAS A WARM DAY AND WE HAD CLOUD COVER EARLY ON AND MIXED PRECIPITATION IN PARTS OF THE AREA TONIGHT.

WE COULD SEE SOME LIGHT SPRINKLES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, BUT WE WILL BE SEEING COOLING TEMPERATURES THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND TOMORROW BY THE TIME WE HIT TOMORROW AFTERNOON, WE'RE LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS OR TEMPERATURES IN THE SINGLE DIGITS TO THE MID-TEENS.

WINDS WILL BE PICKING UP BUT WE SHOULD BE ENJOYING SOME SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 32 DEGREES.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE CALM, DEW POINT IS 31 AND HUMIDITY IS AT 95%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, A DEW POINT OF 30.

PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE CAN SEE THE CLOUDS, WE CAN SEE THAT MIXED PRECIPITATION, WHICH IS STILL MOVING FROM NORTH-CENTRAL MINNESOTA NOW INTO PARTS OF NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE PLENTY OF CLOUD COVER.

THERE IS A CHANCE OF SEEING SOME FLURRIES, SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE OR SOME SPRINKLES THROUGHOUT THE AREA.

WE STILL HAD MILD TEMPERATURES OUT THERE.

HIGH TEMPS TOMORROW WILL BE EARLY, TEMPS WILL BE FALLING AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, BUT WHAT LOOKS LIKE IS THE SUNSHINE WILL HEAD BACK IN THE AFTERNOON, AND WE MAY SEE SOME FLURRIES LINGERING IN THE MORNING.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, WE GOT RALPH IN JENKINS AND SHAWN FROM JUST NORTH OF BEMIDJI SPOTTING A FEW DEER IN THE YARD TODAY.

CHRISSY AT DEERWOOD AND GARY AT GEAR -- DEERWOOD WITH SOME SUNSHINE.

THE SUN IS SHOWING UP JUST IN TIME FOR SUNSET TONIGHT AND GIVING US PRETTY COLORS IN THE SKY, SONYA AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE, SAMROSE AT LOWER RED LAKE AND SARAH AT LAKE EDWARD WITH THOSE PHOTOS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA 39 AND BREEZY THIS EVENING.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, SUNNY AND 40 TODAY.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY BUT THEN THE SUN RETURNED, THE HIGH WAS 38.

RALPH IN JENKINS WITH A HIGH OF 38.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE WITH A HIGH OF 41 AND CLOUDY SKIES.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, OVERCAST WITH A HIGH OF 38.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 38 WAS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE IN BRAINERD TODAY, SO WE ARE SEEING VERY MILD TEMPERATURES.

OUR AVERAGE IS 24.

19 IS THE LOW TEMP AND WE HAD SUNRISE AT 7:35.

BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 38, SO AGAIN WE ARE CLOSING IN ON THAT 20 DEGREES ABOVE AVERAGE MARK.

20 DEGREES FOR THE LOW AND SUNSET AT 5:28.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF A FEW FLURRIES LINGERING IN THE MORNING.

OTHERWISE, WE WILL EXPECT TO SEE A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE, BUT THE CLOUDS WILL CLEAR OUT AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, WINDS WILL PICK UP AND TEMPERATURES WILL FALL.

OUR HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE EARLY TOMORROW.

WE'RE LOOKING AT LOW TEENS TO LOW 20s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA, HEADING INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE MAY BE SEEING MID TO UPPER 20s.

AS WE HEAD THROUGHOUT THE DAY, EXPECT THE TEMPERATURES TO FALL IN THE SINGLE DIGITS TO MID-TEENS.

TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF FLURRIES, SPRINKLES AND SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE, LOWS NEAR 13.

TOMORROW, PARTLY SUNNY WITH SOME FLURRIES IN THE MORNING, HIGHS NEAR 21 AND NORTH WINDS AT 10 TO 20.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO FALL AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING, BOTTOMING OUT AT -4.

WE WILL START TO SEE TEMPERATURES MODERATING ONCE AGAIN.

20 ON SATURDAY, WE'RE UP TO 31 ON SUNDAY, AND WE COULD BE IN THE UPPER 30s BY MONDAY.

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SNOW ON TUESDAY WITH HIGHS NEAR 32.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS.

HOCKEY PLAYOFFS UNDERWAY.

>> Charlie: YES, A COUPLE OF LOCAL SCHOOLS, ROSEAU AND BRAINERD WERE PLAYING UP IN ROSEAU.

WE HAD A CHANCE TO STOP BY SOME BOYS BASKETBALL GAMES AS WELL AND A LITTLE BIT OF GYMNASTICS.

SO WE HAVE THAT AND MORE AND THE SCORES COMING UP AFTER THE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> ROSEAU GIRLS HOCKEY WENT 7-2-1 OVER THEIR FINAL 10-GAMES, TYING MOORHEAD TO END THE REGULAR SEASON.

BRAINERD-LITTLE FALLS ALSO ENDED ON HIGH NOTE, BEATING FERGUS FALLS IN THEIR FINAL GAME TO END A 3-GAME SKID BEFORE HEADING INTO THE POST-SEASON.

TONIGHT THE 5-SEEDED WARRIORS TRAVELLED TO THE 4-SEEDED RAMS FOR THEIR SECTION 8-2A QUARTERFINALS MATCH.

ROSEAU WON BOTH REGULAR SEASON MEETINGS WITH BLF.

HERE IN THE FIRST, KAYLIE GIVES THE WARRIORS THE EARLY ADVANTAGE, 1-0.

AFTER THE GOAL, TYING THE GAME AT 1-1.

SHORTHANDED LIGHTS THE LAMP FOR A 2-1 LEAD.

THEN IN THE SECOND, ELLA WRISTER, BACK OF THE NET, MAKING IT 3-1 ROSEAU.

THEY KNOCK OFF BRAINERD LITTLE FALLS 5-2.

THEY ADVANCE TO PLAY BEMIDJI THIS SATURDAY AT THE BCA.

PUCK DROP IS SCHEDULED RIGHT NOW FOR 6:00 P.M.

>> SOME OTHER SECTION SCORES, GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY IS GOING TO PLAY FOREST LAKE ON SATURDAY, THE ONE SEED IN SECTION 7-2A.

NORTHERN LAKES, A BIG WIN, THEY WILL PLAY ST.

CLOUD IN THE SEMIS.

GRAND RAPIDS BLANKS SUPERIOR.

DETROIT LAKES GETS THE WIN OVER LITTLE FALLS.

>>> THE LAST TIME LITTLE FALLS AND PEQUOT LAKES BOYS' BASKETBALL MET, THE PATRIOTS HANDLED BUSINESS 55-43.

IT WAS AN UNUSUALLY LOW SCORING AFFAIR FOR THE PATS WHO HAVE ONLY SCORED LESS THAN 60-POINTS 3-TIMES THIS SEASON, BUT FOR THE FLYERS, IT FELT LIKE A DEFENSIVE BATTLE WAS THEIR ONLY CHANCE TO TOPPLE ONE OF THE TOP TEAMS IN CLASS 2-A.

TONIGHT, THEY ARE GOING ON THE ROAD TRYING TO DO SOMETHING SIMILAR AGAINST THE 6th RANKED PATS.

FIRST POSSESSION FOR THE PATRIOTS.

SWIRLING TO THE CUB, HE LED ALL SCORING WITH 17 TONIGHT AND PEQUOT OPENS ON A 15-4 RUN.

THEY ARE TRYING TO CLIMB IN, ISAIAH, NOTHING BUT NET, HE HAD 11, CUTS THE LEAD TO 5.

A FEW MINUTES LATER, PEQUOT BACK UP, 21-12.

THAT'S A GROWN MAN MOVE.

13 POINTS ON THE NIGHT FOR HIM.

PEQUOT LAKES GOES ON TO BEST LITTLE FALLS 62-43.

PATRIOTS ARE 16-1, THEIR BEST START TO A SEASON IN NEARLY TWO DECADES.

>>> BRAINERD BOYS BASKETBALL TRYING TO SNAP A 2-GAME SKID.

EAGLES BEAT THE WARRIORS BY 22 EARLIER THIS SEASON.

THE FIRST HALF, BRAINERD IS UP 26-20.

TRYING TO GO TO WORK, THEY LED AT THE HALF.

HOWEVER, EAGLES MADE THINGS CLOSE IN THE SECOND, THEY CLOSED THE GAP TO 8.

MICAH 58-52.

BRAINERD CAME TO PLAY.

PRESTON LACES THE CORNER TRADE.

HE LED THE WARRIORS WITH 19 POINTS.

BRAINERD AVENGES THEIR LOSS.

DWAYNE ALSO PUT UP 14 FOR THE WARRIORS.

>>> MORE IN THE AREA IN HOOPS, BEMIDJI GETS THE WIN OVER ROCK RIDGE.

GRAND RAPIDS TOPPLES HERMANTOWN.

AITKIN BEATS CHISHOLM.

EAST GRAND FORKS DROPS PARK RAPIDS.

WARROAD GETS THE WIN.

PILLAGER AND NEVIS BOTH COLLECT WINS TONIGHT.

SO DO SEBEKA AND CASS LAKE-BENA AND BAGLEY FALLS.

ON THE GIRL'S SIDE OF THINGS, BRAINERD TOPPING MOORHEAD THERE, MENAHGA STAYS UNDEFEED.

EAST GRAND FORKS OVER PARK RAPIDS, PEQUOT LAKES GETTING THE WIN.

PILLAGER DROPS TO NEW YORK MILLS.

ROSEAU, THEY BEAT NORTHERN FREEZE.

CASS LAKE-BENA GETTING A WIN TONIGHT.

DEER RIVER, BIG WIN OVER LITTLE FORK BIG FALLS.

NORTHOME-KELLIHER GETS THE WIN OVER BIG FORK.

>>> IN GIRLS GYMNASTICS, BEMIDJI HOSTING PARK RAPIDS.

WE START OFF WITH THE UNEVEN BARS.

WICKED, DEFYING GRAVITY, SHE TOOK FIRST IN THE DISCIPLINE WITH AN 8.65.

OVER ON THE FLOOR, GRACE FLIPPING HER WAY TO THIRD PLACE, A TIE FOR THE EVENT, TOP FINISHER FOR THE PANTHERS, HER ROUTINE EARNING AN 8.6.

IN THE VAULT, IT WAS TAYLOR ANCHORING FOR BEMIDJI.

SHE FINISHED FIRST.

FINALLY ON THE BALANCE BEAM, CARLY FROM PARK RAPIDS, THE HIGHEST SCORE OF THE DAY IN ANY EVENT, 9.05.

SHE GETS FIRST IN THE ALL AROUND.

AND THEY WIN THE MEET.

>> Dennis: VERY GOOD.

THANKS CHARLIE.

THE EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY, EDUCATION, AND LEADERSHIP AWARD, ALSO KNOWN AS THE EXCEL AWARD, RECOGNIZES HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS WHO SHOW EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP QUALITIES.

TWO PEQUOT LAKES STUDENTS WERE RECOGNIZED WITH THE HONOR LAST WEEK, REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

>> Reporter: PEQUOT LAKES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE NO STRANGER TO WINNING AWARDS, WHICH IS WHY IT WAS NO SURPRISE WHEN TWO OF THEIR STUDENTS WERE RECOGNIZED WITH THE EXCEL AWARD.

>> THE EXCEL AWARD IS RECOGNIZING STUDENTS THAT ARE VERY INVOLVE IN A SCHOOL SETTING, NOT JUST ACADEMICS, ATHLETICS, OR ART, BUT STUDENTS THAT ARE ENGAGED IN MULTIPLE AVENUES WITHIN THE SCHOOL AND ARE EXCELLING IN THOSE AREAS, SO THEY DO EXCEPTIONAL WORK.

>> Reporter: IT HAS RIGOROUS REQUIREMENTS.

STUDENTS MUST MAINTAIN A 3.0 G.P.A.

AND MUST BE PARTICIPATING IN A MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE ATHLETICS OR FINE ARTS ACTIVITY.

>> IT'S A LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR ME.

IT FEELS AMAZING.

I REMEMBER THE SENIORS AND OLDER PLAYERS WHEN I WAS A FRESHMAN.

THEY HELPED LEAD ME AND TEACH ME NEW DRILLS AND SKILLS AND GAVE ME THE ADVICE I NEEDED WHEN I WAS YOUNG.

>> Reporter: THEY RECOGNIZE THE STUDENTS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> I DO LIKE DOING COMMUNITY SERVICE, SO THROUGH DIAMOND CLUB.

IT'S JUST THIS COMMUNITY HAS GIVEN ME QUITE A LOT.

IT HAS GIVEN ME SO MANY FRIENDS AND IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE.

SO I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO GIVE BACK SOMEHOW.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH THE EXCEL AWARD IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO JUNIORS, ALEX AND KATE DON'T PLAN TO SLOW DOWN THE SERVICE ANY TIME SOON.

>> I REALLY WANT TO START A LITTLE GROUP TO DO SOME SORT OF TRASH CLEAN UP BECAUSE I NOTICED IN THE DITCHES OR THE PAUL BUNYAN TRAIL, THAT IS JUST SOMETIMES THERE IS A LOT OF TRASH THERE.

IT'S SOMETIMES DIRTY.

>> I PLAN TO KEEP GOING AND TRYING TO DO MORE.

MAYBE ONCE I GET A BIGGER JOB, DONATING AND STARTING MY OWN FUNDRAISER.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PEQUOT LAKES WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> ALEX AND KATE ARE TWO OF JUST FIVE PEQUOT LAKES STUDENTS TO BE RECOGNIZED WITH THE AWARD SINCE 2023.

>>> WE HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER CHECK ON OUR WEATHER.

WE GO TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING A FEW FLURRIES, SOME LIGHT SPRINKLES OR FREEZES DRIZZLE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH LOWS NEAR 13.

NOW LOOKING AT TOMORROW, SKIES WILL BECOME PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, A FEW SCATTERED FLURRIES IN THE MORNING, HIGHS NEAR 21, BUT EXPECT TEMPERATURES TO FALL INTO THE MID SINGLE DIGITS TO MID-TEENS AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

WINDS WILL BE PICKING UP OUT OF THE NORTH AT 10 TO 20.

>>> BSU MEN'S HOCKEY RETURNS HOME TOMORROW.

IT'S THE TEDDY BEAR TOSS.

THAT FIRST GOAL GOES IN, THOR -- THE TEDDY BEARS GO OFF.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THAT'S IT FOR US TONIGHT.