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

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SANFORD HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CARE CLOSE TO HOME.

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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.

IT WILL BE A SPECIAL LAKELAND NEWS BROADCAST.

IN A MINUTE, WE WILL GIVE YOU THE NEWS OF THE DAY BUT WE START TONIGHT WITH A STORY THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.

THE LEGEND OF GEORGE PELAVA, 40 YEARS LATER.

THIS WEEK THE NHL WILL CONDUCT ITS ANNUAL PLAYER DRAFT, AND 40 YEARS AGO BEMIDJI'S OWN GEORGE PELAVA WAS SELECTED IN THE FIRST ROUND AFTER A STORIED CAREER AT BEMIDJI HIGH.

THE FUTURE WAS ALL AHEAD OF HIM BUT JUST MONTHS AFTER HE WAS DRAFTED TRAGEDY STRUCK IN A WAY THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY AND HOCKEY COMMUNITY WILL NEVER FORGET.

SPORTS DIRECTOR CHARLIE YAEGER JOINS US NOW WITH THE REST OF THE STORY.

>> Charlie: THANKS DENNIS.

THIS HAS BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS IN THE MAKING, INTERVIEWING FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF GEORGE AND LEARNING SO MUCH OF HIS STORY.

IT'S A STORY OF TRAGEDY, HEARTBREAK, AND ALSO ABOUT FOLLOWING YOUR DREAMS.

JACKIE ROBINSON SAID A LIFE IS NOT IMPORTANT EXCEPT FOR THE IMPACT THAT IT HAS ON OTHER LIVES.

HE EMBODIED THAT IN THE WAY HE LIVED AND HOW HIS STORY WILL CARRY ON.

I GIVE YOU THE STORY OF GEORGE PELAVA40 YEARS LATER.

>> A KID THAT GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN AND BECAME ONE OF THE BEST ATHLETES THIS TOWN HAS PRODUCED.

>> Reporter: THE LEGENDARY GIANT PAUL BUNYAN.

>> THE GREAT WHITE SHARK.

>> Reporter: IN 1986, THE LEGEND AND THE MAN THAT GEORGE PELAVA HAD DROWN JUST AS LARGE.

>> AN INDIVIDUAL UP IN HIBBING, HE REMEMBERS THE SKATING ON THE ICE.

YOU CAN HEAR THE ICE CRACK.

>> Reporter: IT WAS 40 YEARS AGO HE WAS TAKEN IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE NHL DRAFT BY THE CALGARY FLAMES.

>> IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE WHEN IT HAPPENED.

>> YEAH, IT WAS JUST EXCITING.

>> Reporter: GORGE'S STORY STARTS FURTHER BACK WITH HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, GROWING UP PLAYING GAMES WITH HIS OLDER BROTHER JOE AROUND FRANK'S SALVAGE YARD.

>> AS A SIBLING, THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR SQUABBLES AND WHATEVER, TYPICAL KIDS.

THEY WERE GOOD PALS THAT FRANK WOULD SAY, WE RAISED SONS, NOT SAINTS.

>> CONSTANTLY FIGHTING.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE WAY BROTHERS ARE.

YOU ARE ALWAYS COMPETITIVE.

>> Reporter: THE BOYS PLAYED FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

IN THE WINTER OF 1973, THEY WOULD TAKE THE ICE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> SO THIS IS THEIR FIRST HOCKEY SEASON.

GEORGE WOULD HAVE BEEN 4 AND JOE 5.5.

I THINK THOSE ARE FOOTBALL JERSEYS YOU JUST GO OUT THERE WITH WHAT YOU GOT THE FIRST YEAR.

>> Reporter: OVER THE NEXT DECADE, GEORGE'S TEAM WOULD SEE SUCCESS, INCLUDING WINNING A STATE TITLE.

IN HIS FIRST SEASON IN VARSITY AS A SOPHOMORE, HE WOULDN'T SCORE A SINGLE GOAL.

>> HE WASN'T DRIVING THE OFFENSE, HE WASN'T GETTING THE BIG ICE TIME, HE WAS AN OKAY PLAYER.

THEN THE GROWTH SPURT STARTED AND THAT'S WHEN GEORGE BECAME GEORGE.

BY THE TIME WE WERE SENIORS, HE WAS DOMINATING.

>> YOU JUST HAD TO GET HIM THE PUCK.

I WAS THE CENTER AND HE WAS THE WING, PUT THE PUCK ON HIS STICK AND HE WAS ABLE TO DO SOMETHING GOOD WITH IT.

>> Reporter: GEORGE'S PAUL BUNYAN-LIKE STATURE PROCEEDED HIM AND LEFT AN IMPRESSION ON HIS OPPONENTS.

>> WELL, HE CALLED IT HITTING FROM BEHIND, I THINK THE REFEREE CALLED IT BECAUSE THERE WAS TOO MUCH NOISE.

>> I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT COACH SAID ABOUT GEORGE, HE'S A HARD HITTER BUT A CLEAN HITTER.

>> HE BUMPED INTO PELAVA.

>> HE IS NOT OUT TO HURT SOMEBODY BUT HE WILL GET THAT PUCK.

HE WANTED HIS OPPONENTS KNOW THAT HE WAS ON THE ICE.

LET'S PUT IT THAT WAY.

>> HE HAS THROWN HIS WEIGHT AROUND.

>> Reporter: HE HELPED LEAD BEMIDJI TO THE STATE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT HIS JUNIOR YEAR IN 1985, SCORING 26 GOALS, 11 ASSISTS.

OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, HE BECAME LEGENDARY.

HE BECAME THE NUMBER OF POINTS AND THE GOALS HE WAS SCORING, AND NOW HE IS RECRUITED BY EVERY DIVISION 1 TEAM IN THE COUNTRY.

HE WILL BE DRAFTED, BUT IN THE FIRST ROUND, A KID FROM BEMIDJI?

IT WAS UNHEARD OF.

BACK THEN, THE CANADIAN KIDS GOT DRAFTED IN THE FIRST ROUND, NOT AMERICANS.

>> Reporter: HE WOULD LEAD THEM BACK TO STATE IN 1986.

>> NUMBER 8, GEORGE PELAVA.

>> Reporter: THE 6 FOOT 3, 240-POUND SENIOR BROKE THE SCHOOL'S SINGLE SEASON SCORING RECORD WITH 55 POINTS AND WAS NAMED MR.

HOCKEY.

>> IF YOU PLAYED IN THE NHL AS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL, HE WOULD BE THE BIGGEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE.

>> Reporter: HE WOULD PLAY FOR ALL-STAR TEAMS BEFORE HEADING TO MONTREAL FOR THE NHL DRAFT.

>> THIS IS THE CAR THAT WE WENT TO THE DRAFT IN, $100 CAR, AND IT MADE IT THERE AND BACK.

>> Reporter: ON JUNE 21ST, HE WAS DRAFTED 16th OVERALL BY THE CALGARY FLAMES.

>> WE WERE HAPPY HE WAS GOING TO CALGARY.

>> IT WAS SURREAL, COMING FROM SMALL TOWN OF BEMIDJI.

>> IT'S JUST LIKE A BLUR.

I MEAN, WHAT A MOMENT TO TRY TO TAKE IT ALL IN.

I CAN'T REDO IT, BUT YOU KNOW.

A LOT OF GOOD MEMORIES.

>> Reporter: THINGS ONLY GOT CRAZIER FOR GEORGE THAT SUMMER.

>> HE WAS KIND OF ON A WHIRLWIND TOUR AROUND THE WORLD.

HE WAS IN UMD WORKING OUT WITH THEM SON, SO WE DIDN'T SEE HIM A LOT BUT WE WOULD SEE HIM ON THE WEEKENDS.

>> Reporter: THE WEEKEND OF LABOR DAY, GEORGE WENT HOME TO BEMIDJI ONE LAST TIME TO SEE HIS FRIENDS BEFORE HIS FIRST SEMESTER AT NORTH DAKOTA.

IN 1986, AFTER LEAVING A PARTY, HE AND HIS BROTHER JOE WERE IN A DRUNK DRIVING INCIDENT.

JOE PELAVA DIED.

>> I WAS THE ONE DRIVING THE CAR.

I FOUND OUT THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WOKE UP IN THE HOSPITAL.

>> THEY WERE AT THAT SAME GET TOGETHER THAT NIGHT AND I STAYED AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE.

I GOT A RIDE HOME IN THE MORNING.

AS SOON AS WE PARKED, MY MOM CAME OUT OF THE DOOR AND SHE WAS CRYING.

I KNEW SOMETHING WAS NOT GOOD.

SHE TOLD ME.

IT WAS TOUGH TO TAKE.

I JUST LAID IN MY BED FOR TWO OR THREE HOURS AND CRIED.

THAT'S ALL YOU CAN DO.

>> YEAH, THE DISBELIEF THAT SOMETHING LIKE THAT WOULD HAPPEN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT COULD HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO PROCESS THAT?

>> I THINK I STILL AM.

>> Reporter: AFTER THE TRAGEDY, GEORGE'S FRIENDS AND TEAMMATES RALLIED TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND THE PELAVA FAMILY.

>> A LOT OF TIMES YOU JUST WANTED TO STAY HOME, YOU KNOW, BE IN YOUR OWN LITTLE WORLD.

IT'S HARD.

I KNEW HE HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT HERE.

WE STILL DO.

A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE IN THIS TOWN.

>> Reporter: TOGETHER, BEMIDJI MOURNED THE LOSS OF ONE OF THEIR OWN.

>> MANY OF US HERE TODAY THINK THAT A POTENTIAL STAR HAS BEEN LOST AND YET WE IN BEMIDJI KNOW HIM BETTER THAN THAT.

HE HAS BEEN OUR SHINING STAR FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

>> Reporter: IN THE WAKE OF HIS DEATH, THE CALGARY FLAMES ENDOUBTED $20,000 SCHOLARSHIP IN GEORGE'S NAME, ALLOWING $1,000 TO BE GIVEN ANNUALLY TO A SENIOR BEMIDJI ATHLETE FOR 20 YEARS.

>> IT REFLECTED ON HOW GOOD OF AN ORGANIZATION THEY ARE.

>> HE PUT THE JERSEY ON AT THE DRAFT AND REALLY THAT WAS IT.

FOR THEM TO DO WHAT THEY DID FOR OUR COMMUNITY, SAID A LOT ABOUT WHAT GEORGE DID TO THEM.

>> Reporter: THE MONEY RAN OUT IN 2006 BUT FRANK AND WINNY DIDN'T WANT THEIR SON'S MEMORY TO FADE.

>> THEY WERE QUIETLY PUTTING MONEY IN AND WE THOUGHT WE NEED TO HELP THEM.

WE GOT TOGETHER AND WE CONTACTED CALGARY.

>> Reporter: THE FLAMES WOULD PUT UP $15,000 TO BE MATCHED BY GEORGE'S FRIENDS AND OTHER DONORS THROUGH ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS.

>> IT WAS WHAT WE COULD DO TO HONOR HIS MEMORY.

>> MY MOM SAID WHEN SHE HAD HER HIP REPLACED, THE SURGEON WAS THE ONE THAT GOT THE SCHOLARSHIP.

>> IT'S NICE TO KNOW THAT SOMEBODY IS BENEFITTING FROM IT.

>> Reporter: TO THIS DAY, FROM ROSEAU TO ROCHESTER, GEORGE IS STILL REMEMBERED.

>> I RUN INTO PEOPLE ALL OVER PLAYING OLD-TIMERS HOCKEY AND THEY'RE LIKE YOU ARE FROM BEMIDJI.

HAVE YOU HEARD OF GEORGE PELAVA?

YEAH, I GREW UP PLAYING WITH HIM.

>> Reporter: AND HIS MEMORY CAN BE FOUND ON POSTERS, TROPHY CASES, AND A LOCAL YOUTH HOCKEY TOURNAMENT.

>> THAT'S COMFORTING, IT REALLY IS.

I'M NOT REAL GOOD AT INTERVIEWS, BUT I WILL SUCK IT UP FOR STUFF LIKE THAT, TO KEEP HIS MEMORY ALIVE.

>> Reporter: WHEN GEORGE'S FATHER PASSED AWAY, THE LUMBERJACKS MADE SURE TO TAKE BOTH ON A RETURN TRIP TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: IN MAY, FRANK'S ASHES WERE BURIED WITH HIS SON GEORGE'S.

AMONG THE MANY STORIES SHARED THAT DAY WAS THE 1986NH DRAFT AND WONDERING WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN.

>> IT'S A SHAME WE NEVER COULD SEE WHERE HE WOULD GO, WHAT HE WOULD BE ONE OF THE BEST EVER IN THE NHL?

WE DON'T KNOW.

HE WOULD HAVE SURELY BEEN THERE AND MADE HIS MARK, BUT JUST HOW BIG OF A MARK WOULD HE HAVE MADE?

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW, ONE THING IS FOR CERTAIN.

EVEN 40 YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH, THE LEGEND OF GEORGE PELAVA LIVES ON.

>> IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE PERSON HE WAS AND THE IMPACT THAT HE MADE TO EVERYONE HE MET.

>> THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO REMEMBER GEORGE PLAYING HOCKEY THERE, BUT MOST DON'T.

IT'S A LEGEND NOW.

IT'S A STORY, BUT IT'S OUR STORY.

>> WE THINK OF HIS WONDERFUL PAST AND IT DIDN'T TAKE THE FUTURE TO MAKE SOMEBODY OUT OF GEORGE PELAVA.

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: WHAT GEORGE ACCOMPLISHED IN HIS 18 YEARS OF LIFE IS STILL NOTHING BUT REMARKABLE.

IT WASN'T ABLE TO ALL FIT IN THE STORY DENNIS.

HE WAS A REMARKABLE ATHLETE IN ALMOST EVERY SPORT HE PLAYED, NOT JUST HOCKEY.

TONIGHT IN SPORTS, WE WILL TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT HE WAS ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH BETWEEN THE LINES.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH CHARLIE FOR ALL YOUR WORK ON THAT STORY.

I KNOW YOU PUT A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT IN PRODUCING THAT PIECE FOR US.

JUST A REMINDER, IF YOU MISSED ANY PORTION OF TONIGHT'S GEORGE PELAVA'S REMEMBRANCE STORY, YOU CAN FIND THAT IN ITS ENTIRETY ON OUR WEBSITE.

I WILL BE BACK WITH A LOOK AT TODAY'S NEWS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

>> Sydney: WE HAD SEVERAL DIFFERENT WEATHER SYSTEMS WITH SOME RAIN AND SOME THUNDERSTORMS THE PAST FEW DAYS BUT THOSE WILL CLEAR UP SOON.

I'LL HAVE THE FULL DETAILS IN A MINUTE.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, AS WE CELEBRATED FATHERS THIS PAST WEEKEND, LOCAL FATHER CELEBR [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: WELCOME BACK EVERYONE.

>>> THE MAN RECENTLY PLEADED GUILTY TO SHOOTING TWO MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN SEPARATE SHOOTINGS WILL BE SENTENCED IN ABOUT A MONTH.

SENTENCING FOR 58-YEAR-OLD VANCE BELTER IS SET FOR JULY 23RD.

BELTER PLEADED GUILTY TO SIX FEDERAL OFFENSES IN THE SHOOTINGS WHICH KILLED STATE REPRESENTATIVE MELISSA HORTMAN AND HER HUSBAND MARK AND INJURED STATE SENATOR JOHN HOFFMAN AND HIS WIFE EVETTE BELTER PLEADED GUILTY TO AVOID THE DEATH PENALTY BUT FACES THE POSSIBILITY OF TWO CONSECUTIVE LIFE SENTENCES.

>>> ANNEXATION EFFORTS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE RIVERSIDE DRIVE AREA CONTINUE AS THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO DIRECT STAFF TO BRING BACK AN AMENDED ANNEXATION AGREEMENT AFTER REVIEW WAS DEFERRED.

THE AREA IN QUESTION COVERS PROPERTIES ALONG RIVERSIDE DRIVE, KARR DRIVE, RIVER ARCHES, AND ASHMUN ROAD.

FOLLOWING THE BOARD'S DECISION IN MARCH TO REJECT THE COUNCIL'S FIRST ATTEMPT AT THE ANNEXATION, THE COUNCIL AMENDED THE AGREEMENT IN APRIL, MAKING PROPERTIES IN THE INSTITUTED AREA ELIGIBLE FOR ANNEXATION IF THE PROPERTY OWNER GOES THROUGH WITH THE PROCESS.

>> SO THE BIG CHANGE IS THE MAP.

SO WITH THE NEW MAP, IT'S ONLY PROPERTIES THAT ARE ADJACENT TO ESSENTIALLY RIVERSIDE DRIVE, ADJACENT TO MUNICIPAL UTILITIES.

THIS IS A COMPLETE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION IF YOU ARE NOT CURRENTLY CONNECTED.

IF YOU WANT TO CONNECT TO CITY SEWER AND WATER, YOU WOULD HAVE TO ANNEX BASED ON THIS RESOLUTION.

IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO ANNEX, JUST REPAIR YOUR SEPTIC AND REMAIN IN THE COUNTY.

>> THE MOTION DIRECTING STAFF TO BRING BACK THE AGREEMENT WITH THOSE TWO ITEMS ADDRESSED PASSED FIVE TO TWO, WITH TAD ERICKSON AND KEVIN YEAGER OPPOSED.

>>> SEVEN AREA WEALTH ADVISORS HAVE BEEN.

NAMED TO FORBES' LIST OF BEST-IN-STATE WEALTH ADVISORS THE LIST, WHICH RECOGNIZES ADVISORS FROM NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND INDEPENDENT FIRMS.

THE SEVEN WERE LISTED AMONG 59 ADVISORS ON THE LIST FOR WEALTH ADVISORS OUTSIDE THE MINNEAPOLIS AREA IN THE STATE.

THE FORBES TOP WEALTH ADVISORS BEST-IN-STATE 2026 RANKING IS BASED ON AN ALGORITHM OF QUALITATIVE CRITERIA, MOSTLY GAINED THROUGH TELEPHONE AND IN-PERSON DUE DILIGENCE INTERVIEWS, AND QUANTITATIVE DATA.

THIS RANKING IS BASED UPON THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 30, 2024 TO JUNE 30, 2025.

>>> PEOPLE IN CROSSLAKE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN THE ANNUAL SHRED DAY AT THE TOWN SQUARE THIS PAST WEEK.

SPONSORED THROUGH LAKES CENTRAL INSURANCE, THE ANNUAL SHRED DAY GIVES ALL THOSE INTERESTED A CHANCE TO SECURELY SHRED OLD PAPERS AND RECORDS, RECYCLE ELECTRONICS, AND MORE.

ACCORDING TO WESTLAKE VILLAGE, COMMUNITY SHRED-IT EVENTS HELP NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA PROMOTE IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION THROUGH SAFE AND SECURE PERSONAL DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION.

ONE COMMUNITY SHRED-IT EVENT CAN SERVE AS MANY AS 2,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND RECYCLE MORE THAN 70 TONS OF PAPER.

>> PEOPLE HAVE DROPPED OFF ONE OR TWO BAGS FULL, TO ONE OR TWO TRUCKLOADS.

IT'S FOR BUSINESS OWNERS AND PERSONAL HOUSEHOLDS.

EVERYBODY HAS SOME IMPORTANT DOCUMENTATION, IMPORTANT INFORMATION, SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO SHRED AND WE DO IT RIGHT HERE ONSITE.

>> THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE ANNUAL SHRED EVENT ALSO GOT TO ENJOY FREE PIZZA FROM RAFFERTY'S.

>>> THIS FATHER'S DAY, MEN IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA ACROSS MINNESOTA STARTED A NEW CHAPTER WITH THEIR FAMILIES, THANKS TO HELP FROM MINNESOTA ADULT AND TEEN CHALLENGE.

IT'S A NON-PROFIT THAT HELPS MEN, WOMEN, AND TEENS GAIN FREEDOM FROM ADDICTION AND OTHER LIFE-CONTROLLING PROBLEMS.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: MINNESOTA ADULT AND TEEN CHALLENGE WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO STRUGGLE WITH SOBRIETY AND OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS TO SUPPORT EFFORTS AT LONG-TERM SOBRIETY.

>> THE FAMILY IS A HUGE COMPONENT OF RECOVERY.

A LOT OF FAMILIES WITHOUT A FATHER, WE FIND THAT IT'S A HUGE NUMBER OF FACTORS IN ADDICTION.

WHAT ADDICTION DOES, IT TRIES TO KEEP PEOPLE CAUGHT AND TRAPPED AND ONCE THEY ARE IN THAT HOPE AND WALK IN THAT VICTORY, THEY CAN BREAK FREE FROM ADDICTION.

I SEE FAMILIES RESTORED CONTINUOUSLY.

>> Reporter: LOCAL FATHER ALSO KNOWN AS BUD GRADUATED FROM THE MINNESOTA A & T CHALLENGE AND WAS ABLE TO SPEND FATHER'S DAY WITH HIS KIDS, SOMETHING WHICH HE VALUES AND LOOKS FORWARD TO DURING HIS TIME AWAY.

>> I AM BACK AT HOME.

I GET TO PUT MY KIDS TO SLEEP.

MY BOYS ARE IN FOOTBALL AND SOCCER.

BEING THERE BEFORE THEY GO ON WITH THEIR DAY, IT HAS GIVEN ME AN APPRECIATION ON IT.

I NEVER HAD A POSITIVE LOOK ON MYSELF BUT LOOKING AT THEM KNOWING THEY LOVE ME AS MUCH AS THEY DO.

IT'S COMFORTING NUMBER.

>> Reporter: HE IS CELEBRATING HIS RECOVERY, GIVING HIS THREE KIDS THE LOVE AND SUPPORT HE SAID HE NEVER HAD AS A CHILD.

>> WHEN I WAS A YOUNGER, I DIDN'T HAVE THE FATHER FIGURE IN MY LIFE, SO I TRIED TO CHANGE THAT AND FILL THAT VOID WHERE THAT WAS LEFT OUT OF MY CHILDHOOD AND HOPING THAT THROUGH THAT PROCESS, THEY SEE HOW I REACT TO THINGS AND HANDLE SITUATIONS AND BE THERE FOR THEM AND HOPEFULLY THROUGH THAT THEY SEE AND GET THE EXPERIENCE LIFE DIFFERENTLY THAN I DO AND HOPE THEY DON'T GO THROUGH ADDICTION.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> ADULT AND TEEN CHALLENGE MINNESOTA HAS PROGRAMS IN CITIES ALL OVER MINNESOTA INCLUDING BRAINERD, ALEXANDRIA, MINNEAPOLIS AND DULUTH.

>>> THE LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY IS BACK AGAIN THIS SUMMER.

THIS YEAR WE ARE GIVING AWAY A FOUR-NIGHT STAY AT CHASE ON THE LAKE IN WALKER ALONG WITH A $200 RESORT GIFT CARD.

TO REGISTER SEND US A POSTCARD WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER ON IT AND THEN WATCH LAKELAND NEWS TO SEE IF YOUR NAME IS DRAWN.

HERE ARE TONIGHTS FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME YOU CAN QUALIFY BY CALLING US ON THE VACATION GIVEAWAY HOTLINE NUMBER BEFORE 5:00 P.M.

THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AND YOU WILL BE IN THE GRAND DRAWING DURING OUR MONDAY, AUGUST 31ST NEWSCAST.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER.

SYDNEY DICK IS IN FOR STACY CHRISTENSON THIS WEEK.

IT'S MORE RAIN IN THE AREA TODAY.

>> Sydney: SOME MORE RAIN TODAY, YES, BUT THAT WILL BE CLEARING UP AND I HAVE GOOD NEWS ABOUT TOMORROW.

WE WILL SEE LOTS OF SUNSHINE ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA.

I'LL HAVE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> Sydney: IT'S BEEN A STORMY WEEK, BUT TOMORROW WILL BE NICE, SUNNY AND IN THE MID-70s.

CURRENTLY AT OUR STUDIO, IT IS 60 DEGREES, PRETTY CALM WINDS, THE PEAK TODAY WAS AROUND 3 MILES PER HOUR WITH A DEW POINT OF 58.

IN BRAINERD, IT IS 66 DEGREES, A LITTLE BIT WARMER IN BRAINERD, WIND NORTHWEST, 5 MILES PER HOUR, AND A STEADY PRESSURE CONDITION.

THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY, WE DID HAVE SEVERAL SYSTEMS MOVING IN, FAIRLY CLOUDY, WE HAD SOME THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING AND AS WE GOT LATER INTO THE EVENING, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, THOSE ARE CLEARING AS WE GET LATER INTO THE NIGHT.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU, WE HAVE SOME NICE GREEN SHOTS FROM LAURIE IN TURTLE RIVER LAKE, DEBRA WITH SOME MUCH NEEDED RAIN OVER LAKE ADA AND GARY HANSON SHOWING US WHY THEY CALL IT DEERWOOD.

WE HAD A LOT OF CLOUDY SKIES COMING IN FROM CASS LAKE, LAPORTE, BEMIDJI, AND LEECH LAKE, AND SOME MORE SKIES TODAY, ARLENE SHOWING US SOME LIGHTNING PEEKING THROUGH THE CLOUDS.

NOW BILL AND JUDY, AND CHRISSY FROM DEERWOOD, MORE CLOUDS OVER THERE.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTING 58 DEGREES.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDS, SUN, AND A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN.

ANGELA REPORTING A HIGH OF 67 IN CASS LAKE.

DEBRA IN LAKE ADA REPORTING 0.5-INCH OF RAIN, SANDY IN RABIDEAU LAKE, A LOW OF 59, AND JOAN IN LAPORTE SAYS THERE WERE AFTERNOON SHOWERS TODAY.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD THE HIGH WAS 69 DEGREES TODAY, A LITTLE BIT BELOW THAT AVERAGE, THAT IS ABOUT WHAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING RECENTLY.

IT'S BEEN FAIRLY CHILLY, SUNSET AT 9:12.

IN BEMIDJI, WE ARE ONCE AGAIN FALLING BELOW THAT AVERAGE, LOW OF 50, SUNSET WAS AT 9:20 P.M.

ON OUR FORECAST TOMORROW MORNING, WE WILL BE SEEING SOME FOG BUT THAT WILL CLEAR RIGHT UP AND WE WILL BE SEEING LOTS OF SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE AREA, A COUPLE OF ISOLATED SHOWERS AS WE GET INTO THE EVENING, BUT IT SHOULD BE FAIRLY CLEAR.

UP INTO THE MID AND CLOSE TO THE UPPER 70s TOMORROW, FAIRLY WARM AND SUNNY, WE'RE REALLY GETTING INTO CLOSER TO THAT SUMMER WEATHER.

TONIGHT, WE WILL BE SEEING 20 TO 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF SCATTERED SHOWERS, SOME ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS, PRIMARILY IN THE NORTHEAST REGION OF THE STATE, A LOW OF 50, FAIRLY CALM WINDS, AND MOSTLY CALM WINDS TOMORROW, 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR.

AS WE DO SEE THOSE MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES THAT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

FRIDAY WE WILL BE SEEING 20% CHANCE OF ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS, THAT WILL CONTINUE AS WE GET THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

IT WILL BE SOME SUN, SOME CLOUDS, AND THEN AFTERNOON THUNDER SHOWERS, PRIMARILY RAINING IN, BUT THE TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARM GOING UP INTO THE MID-70s AND 80s ON SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU SYDNEY.

CHARLIE IS BACK NOW AFTER BRINGING US THAT IMPACTFUL STORY AT THE TOP OF THE SHOW ON GEORGE PELAVA AND AS LONG AS OUR STORY WAS AND AS IN-DEPTH, YOU COULDN'T GET EVERYTHING IN IT.

>> Charlie: YES, A LOT HAD TO DO WITH THE SPORTS SIDE OF IT, THE PARTS I LIKE TO TALK ABOUT, ALL THE ACCOLADES AND THINGS HE WAS ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH AS AN ATHLETE.

I'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT COMING UP AFTE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: THOSE WHO HEARD OF GEORGE PELAVA KNOW HE WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL HOCKEY PLAYER BUT THOSE WHO KNEW HIM KNOW HE WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL ATHLETE.

THE HEAD COACH AT MINNESOTA AT THE TIME WAS RECRUITING HIM AND HE WAS SO GOOD AT BASEBALL, THE TWINS SCOUTS CONSIDERED DRAFTING HIM BUT IT WAS HOCKEY THAT HE LOVED AND THAT'S WHERE HE IS BEST KNOWN.

HERE'S SOME OF WHAT HE ACCOMPLISHED.

IN BEMIDJI, HE BROKE THE ALL TIME SCORING RECORD WITH 55 POINTS, BUT THE TOP LINE OF HIM, JASON, AND ROB, ALL PICTURED THERE BROKE THE RECORD FOR MOST POINTS BY A LINE WITH 121.

AFTER THE 1986 STATE TOURNAMENT AND WINNING THE MR.

HOCKEY AWARD, HE PLAYED IN THE MINNESOTA JUNIOR SELECT AND WON A NATIONAL TITLE WITH THAT TEAM IN NEW ENGLAND.

AFTER THE DRAFT, HE WOULD TRAVEL TO HOUSTON TO PLAY IN THE U.S.

OLYMPIC FESTIVAL.

HE WOULD WIN A GOLD MEDAL THERE WITH THE NORTH TEAM.

I HAVE HERE A LIST, YOU CAN'T SEE IT ON TV BUT DENNIS CAN SEE IT.

IT'S TOP TO BOTTOM WITH AWARDS, DIFFERENT NEWSPAPERS, ALL STATE, ALL TOURNAMENT, ALL AREA, ALL TEAM, PREP EVERYTHING, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

YOU CAN DO A WHOLE, YOU KNOW, NETFLIX-LIKE SERIES ON THIS INDIVIDUAL, GEORGE PELAVA.

>> Dennis: I THINK WHAT STOOD OUT IN THAT STORY AMONG MANY THINGS IS THE COMMENT THAT AT THAT TIME, IF HE WAS IN THE NHL AS A HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST PLAYER IN THE NHL.

NOW WE HAVE SOME REALLY BIG NHL PLAYERS.

BACK THEN, AS A HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER TO BE THAT SIZE AND THAT SKILLED.

THAT WAS REALLY SOMETHING.

>> Charlie: HE IS 6 FOOT 4, 240 POUNDS, I'M MORE ROTUND THAN HE WAS.

INCREDIBLY SKILLED FOR 6'4", AND IT JUST SHOWS YOU.

FOOTBALL, YOU CAN HEAR HIM HIT A GUY ACROSS THE WAY.

IT'S UNBELIEVABLE WHAT HE WAS ABLE TO DO.

>> Dennis: GREAT STORY TONIGHT.

GLAD WE COULD BRING THAT TO OUR VIEWERS.

THAT IS GOING TO WRAP UP OUR SHOW FOR THIS EVENING.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.

WE'RE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:00.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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