>> 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 NURSE WHO WORKED FOR THE FORMER PROVIDER OF HEALTHCARE AT THE BELTRAMI COUNTY JAIL HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH THREE FELONY CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF AN INMATE THERE IN 2018.

MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON, ACTING ON A REFERRAL FROM BELTRAMI COUNTY ATTORNEY DAVID HANSON, HAS CHARGED MICHELLE SKROCH WITH ONE COUNT OF MANSLAUGHTER IN THE SECOND DEGREE AND TWO COUNTS OF CRIMINAL NEGLECT—FELONY THE DEATH OF HARDEL SHERRELL.

ACCORDING TO COURT RECORDS, SKROCH IS ACCUSED OF FAILED TO PERFORM THE MOST BASIC NURSING CARE AND DID NOT TAKE SHERRELL'S VITALS FOR TWO DAYS, DESPITE OBJECTIVE EVIDENCE OF SHERRELL'S MEDICAL DISTRESS AFTER HE RETURNED FROM THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

AS OUTLINED IN THE COMPLAINT, A CORRECTIONAL HEALTHCARE EXPERT'S REVIEW CONCLUDED THAT SKROCH'S ACTIONS DEMONSTRATED A TREMENDOUS BREACH IN THE STANDARD OF CARE.

SKROCH WORKED FOR MEND CORRECTIONAL CARE, WHICH FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY FOLLOWING SHERRELL'S DEATH AND NO LONGER PROVIDES HEALTH CARE FOR INMATES.

SKROCH'S NURSING LICENSE WAS REVOKED IN 2023.

HER FIRST APPEARANCE IN BELTRAMI COUNTY COURT IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 11TH.

>>> EACH YEAR, BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS HONOR ONE OF THEIR TEACHERS AS TEACHER OF THE YEAR, SELECTED FROM A POOL OF NOMINEES BY A SPECIAL PANEL OF THEIR PEERS.

THIS YEAR'S WINNER IS TOM ANDRESON.

HE'S A FIFTH GRADE SCIENCE TEACHER AT FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL.

NOT ONLY HAS HE SPENT THREE DECADES TEACHING IN THE DISTRICT, BUT HE ALSO ATTENDED BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL AS WELL AND IS A LIFELONG WARRIOR.

HIS STUDENTS DESCRIBE HIM AS FUN AND PASSIONATE IN THE CLASSROOM, BUT FOR ANDRESON, ITS ALL ABOUT THE KIDS.

>> I'M STILL TAKING IT IN.

33 YEARS I'VE BEEN DOING THIS.

IT FEELS REALLY FANTASTIC TO BE WITH THE KIDS, TO SPEND TIME WITH THE KIDS, AND TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S PRETTY SPECIAL.

>> WE HAVE A GOOD STAFF HERE AND HE DOES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE KIDS' LIVES.

>> THE BRAINERD TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD AIMS TO HONOR THOSE TEACHERS THAT HAVE TRULY MADE AN IMPACT ON THEIR COMMUNITY AND THEIR STUDENTS.

>>> WEDNESDAY WAS BEMIDJI'S DAY AT THE CAPITOL AND OFFICIALS FROM BELTRAMI COUNTY WERE ON HAND TO SPEAK TO STATE LEGISLATORS ABOUT CRITICAL ISSUES FACING THE COUNTY.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: BELTRAMI COUNTY IS THE FOURTH LARGEST COUNTY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, BUT IT'S ALSO THE SECOND POOREST COUNTY WITH A POVERTY RATE OF 20 PIERCE.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF NEED SO WITH A LOT OF CHALLENGES, WE ARE RELIANT ON THE STATE'S ASSISTANCE.

>> Reporter: UNFUNDED MANDATES AND RURAL CHANGES HAVE BEEN A BIG REASON FOR THE STATUS OF BEING POOREST IN THE STATE.

>> UNDERFUNDED AND UNFUNDED MANDATE, AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE MANDATES THAT ARE ABOUT TO GO INTO EFFECT.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE DISCUSSIONS WAS ON UNFUNDED MANDATES OR RULE CHANGES THAT LED TO AN EARLY CLOSURE OF THE BELTRAMI COUNTY JAIL.

>> THE D.O.C.

SHUT OUR JAIL DOWN 20 YEARS EARLY.

>> OUR JAILS ARE UNDER ASSAULT.

>> Reporter: WE HAD 172 BEDS AND NOW IT'S 70.

NOW WE'RE HAVING TO BUILD ESSENTIALLY TWO FACILITIES IN THE SAME LIFE SPAN THAT THE FIRST FACILITY WOULD HAVE LASTED US.

>> Reporter: THEY BELIEVE THAT THE RURAL CHANGES THAT THE MPCA ENFORCED WILL LEAD TO THE CLOSURE OF THE DEMOLITION LANDFILL.

>> WHEN WE WANT TO MAKE A RULE CHANGE, THAT'S FINE.

MAKE IT APPLY TO THE NEXT FACILITY, NOT THOSE WHICH HAVE BEEN INVESTED IN.

WE THINK THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD TAKE AN OVERSIGHT ROLE.

>> Reporter: A CLEAR SOLUTION TO THE COUNTY'S PROBLEM WAS NOT EXACTLY FOUND.

>> IT'S NOT A MONEY PROBLEM, IT'S A RULES PROBLEM.

>> I'M NOT JUST GOING TO ZERO IT OUT AND TAKE THAT MONEY AWAY AND CUT THE TAX.

IF ANYTHING, WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO FIND SOME KIND OF BALANCE IN THERE TO USE SOME OF THAT RESOURCE, BUT NOT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF IT TO LOWER THE PROPERTY TAX BURDEN.

WE'RE STILL WORKING ON IT.

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

>> BELTRAMI COUNTY AND BEMIDJI CITY OFFICIALS SAY THEY MADE SOME MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS DURING THEIR 18TH ANNUAL DAY AT THE CAPITOL AND ARE HOPEFUL SOME OF THE LAWMAKERS THEY MET WITH WILL HELP WITH THE CONCERNS OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

>>> A BILL SPONSORED BY REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE WIENER OF LONG PRAIRIE WOULD ELIMINATE THE FIRST TIER OF THE STATES INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX.

UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BILL, MARRIED TAXPAYERS WOULD NOT PAY ANY TAX ON THE FIRST $47,620 OF MINNESOTA TAXABLE INCOME AND SINGLE TAXPAYERS WOULD NOT PAY ANY TAX ON THE FIRST $32,700.

WIENER SPOKE ABOUT THE BILL IN THE HOUSE TAXES COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY.

>> IMAGINE IF YOU WILL, YOU ARE MAKING UNDER $38,000 A YEAR.

IF THIS BILL WERE PASSED, IT WOULD BE LIKE GETTING $.50 PER $1 PER HOUR ON TO YOUR CHECK.

THAT COULD BE HUGE.

THAT'S TRANSFORMATIVE.

HISTORIC WAS THE TERMINOLOGY WE HEARD THE LAST TWO YEARS.

PASSING A BILL LIKE THIS WOULD BE HISTORIC FOR THE TAXPAYERS OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> DEMOCRATS ON THE COMMITTEE SAID MOST OF THE BILLS BENEFITS WOULD TO MINNESOTA'S HIGHEST EARNERS AND EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE OVERALL SIZE OF THE TAX BILL.

>> APPRECIATE THIS BILL REPRESENTATIVE.

I THINK YOUR INTENTIONS ARE PURE HERE IN TRYING TO HELP LOWER INCOME INDIVIDUALS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I JUST DON'T THINK THIS BILL DOES THAT.

IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE BILL.

I THINK THE PRICE TAG IS, DEPENDING ON THE BIENNIUM, ABOUT $8 MILLION.

I UNDERSTAND THE INTENT.

THIS IS USING A CHAINSAW TO DO SOMETHING THAT A SCALPEL SHOULD BE DOING.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO HELP LOW INCOME PEOPLE, WHICH I GENUINELY BELIEVE YOU DO REPRESENTATIVE, BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND THE KIND OF AVERAGE INCOME LEVEL.

>> THE HOUSE TAXES COMMITTEE DID NOT VOTE ON THE BILL BUT LAID IT OVER FOR POSSIBLE OMNIBUS BILL INCLUSION.

>>> CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE'S BRAINERD CAMPUS INVITED THE COMMUNITY TO SEE AND EVEN TAKE PART IN THE WALL-BREAKING FOR ITS MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR RENOVATION PROJECT SLATED TO RENOVATE AND RENEW OVER 45,000 SQUAD FEET OF STUDENT SERVICES AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT SPACE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: THE BRAINERD LAKES COMMUNITY SHOWED UP IN FULL FORCE FOR CENTRAL LAKE COLLEGE'S WALL BREAKING FOR A PROJECT THAT IS YEARS IN THE MAKING.

>> THE WALL BREAKING WAS AWESOME.

WHAT WE KNEW WHEN IT WAS PROPOSED BY ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUES IS THAT THE PEOPLE HERE HAVE BEEN WORKING INCREDIBLY HARD.

THEY PUT SKIN IN THIS GAME FOR 10 YEARS.

THEY HAVE BEEN MOVING THEIR OFFICES.

THEY ARE REALLY TRYING TO HELP STUDENTS NAVIGATE AND WE WANTED THEM TO HAVE THIS EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: AMONG THOSE LYING AND ANTICIPATING THE RENOVATION PROJECT WAS A HIGH-TECH CONSTRUCTION TEAM.

>> WE ARE THRILLED TO HAVE THEM PARTICIPATING WITH US.

THEY ARE A GREAT COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND ARE JUST REALLY GREAT TO WORK WITH.

THEY KNOW OUR BUILDINGS AND I AM EXCITED TO HAVE THEM ON THIS JOURNEY WITH US.

>> Reporter: THE RENOVATION PROJECT REVOLVES AROUND ENHANCING ACCESSIBILITY AND RECRUITMENT, IMPROVING STUDENT SUCCESS, AND UPGRADING ACADEMIC SPACES.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE TRIING TO ADDRESS IS WHEN YOU WALK IN, YOU SEE A SMILING FACE.

YOU SEE A PLACE AND PERSON THAT YOU BELONG TO.

SO WE'RE CHANGING WAY FINDING, ALL OF OUR ADVISERS, FINANCIAL AID, BUSINESS OFFICE, EVERYTHING WILL BE IN ONE PLACE SO STUDENTS DON'T HAVE TO HUNT FOR THOSE THINGS.

>> Reporter: WITH C.L.C.

STUDENT BODY HAS BEEN INVESTED IN AS WELL.

>> WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE AN ENGAGED STUDENT BODY AND THEY'RE NOT SHY TO TALK ABOUT HOW THEY CAN BE PART OF MAKING THINGS BETTER FOR STUDENTS THAT COME AFTER THEM.

WE SHOW NEW STUDENTS' PROJECTS THAT PREVIOUS STUDENTS HAVE CREATED FOR THEM.

IT MAKES US FEEL HONORED TO SERVE THOSE STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: AND THOSE IN ATTENDANCE TAKE GREAT PLEASURE IN RINGING IN A NEW ERA BY PLUNDERING AWAY AT THE OLD.

>> WE'RE RENOVATING AND RENEWING SPACES THAT HAVE MEANING TO PEOPLE.

WHAT WILL COME IS BETTER FOR OUR STUDENTS.

THEY DESERVE TO BREAK A WALL TOO.

I SHOULD SAY, I THINK WE SHOULD DO THIS ON A REGULAR BASIS.

IT WAS REALLY THERAPEUTIC.

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

>> C.L.C.

'S RENOVATION PROJECT IS CURRENTLY EXPECTED TO FINISH UP IN FEBRUARY 2026.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: A BIT OF LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRY TIFRT -- ACTIVITY THROUGH THE REST OF THE MORNING.

IT WILL BE WARMER IN THE WEEKEND.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE FINAL LOCOMOTIVE SHOW >> 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.

>>> WINTER IS WINDING DOWN AND THE SNOW IS BEGINNING TO MELT.

THAT MEANS ITS ALMOST TIME TO GET BACK OUT ON THE WATER.

WHAT BETTER WAY TO GET READY FOR SOME FUN IN THE SUN THAN WITH THE BRAINERD BOAT SHOW.

THE FOURTH ANNUAL EVENT KICKED OFF TODAY AT THE NORTHERN PACIFIC CENTER.

GUESTS CAN EXPECT VENDORS THAT CATER TO ALL TYPES OF BOATING NEEDS WHETHER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR PONTOON BOATS OR FISHING BOATS, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO FIND IT THERE.

>> WE ARE THE PREMIER BOAT SHOW IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

WE HAVE ABOUT 11 DIFFERENT BOAT VENDORS AND A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ACCESSORY VENDORS FOR ALL OF YOUR BOATING AND FISHING NEEDS.

WE HAVE SHOW ONLY SPECIALS.

ALL OF OUR VENDORS ARE SUPER EXCITED TO SERVICE EVERYBODY.

>> Dennis: THE BOAT SHOW RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY.

>>> AND A FIRE BLAZE -- I SHOULD SAY A FIRE DAMAGED ZIPS CAR WASH ON UNIVERSAL ROAD IN BAXTER BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2024, BUT LUCKILY A QUICK THINKING MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SAVED THE BUILDING FROM COMPLETELY BURNING TO THE GROUND.

NOW TO CELEBRATE ITS REOPENING, ZIPS IS HOLDING A FREE CAR WASH DAY FOR THE COMMUNITY!

CUSTOMERS CAN GET THEIR FREE CAR WAS AT EITHER THE REOPENED UNIVERSAL ROAD LOCATION OR AT THEIR OTHER BAXTER LOCATION ON GLORY ROAD.

ZIPS WAS NEVER ABLE TO LOCATE THE PERSON WHO CALLED IN THE FIRE, SO THEY DECIDED TO GIVE BACK TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE FREE CAR WASHES.

>> THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE HEATERS IN THE TUNNEL.

THE BLAZE WENT FOR A WHILE, THANKFULLY FOR THE GOOD CITIZEN THAT CALLED 9-1-1 AFTER HOURS, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO GET HERE QUICKLY AND CONTAIN THE BLAZE.

ULTIMATELY WE WANTED TO REACH OUT TO THE GOOD SAMARITAN THAT CALLED BUT WE WEREN'T ABLE TO REACH THEM.

WE WANTED TO EXTEND OUR GRATITUDE TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND INVITE EVERYONE IN FOR A FREE WASH. >> THE PROMOTION WILL RUN ALL DAY TOMORROW, SATURDAY MARCH 8TH.

>> Dennis: AND NOW STACY HERE IS TELL US HOW THE WEEKEND IS LOOKING.

>> Stacy: IT LOOKS QUIET AND IT'S GOING TO BE WARMER AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

[♪ >> 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, WE WERE ABLE TO ENJOY SOME NICE SUNSHINE TODAY, BUT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF CLOUD COVER RETURN TO THE AREA AND WE COULD SEE SOME LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING.

ONCE IT MOVES OUT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, HIGHS IN THE 50s EARLY NEXT WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 20 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT EAST WIND AT THE STUDIO WITH A DEW POINT OF 11 AND HUMIDITY AT 68%.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, 25 DEGREES, 14 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE CALM.

NOW ON THE RADAR, IT HAS BEEN FAIRLY QUIET.

IT HAS BEEN MOSTLY CLEAR ACROSS THE AREA.

WE ARE STARTING TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF CLOUD INCREASE MOVING IN AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT, WE MAY SEE SOME LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRY ACTIVITY, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

IT LOOKS LIKE ANY ACCUMULATION WILL BE LIGHT, POSSIBLY UP TO AN INCH OF SNOW IN SOME LOCATIONS.

THAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING.

BEYOND THAT, SUNSHINE WILL BE BACK AND TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE WARMER, 40s TOMORROW AND 50s AS WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, GORGEOUS SKIES THIS MORNING FROM ANGELA IN CASS LAKE AND ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

BOB SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE SUNSHINE OVER THE WATER IN CHAMBERLAIN.

SAMROSE WITH THE GORGEOUS SUNSET OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUN AND CLOUDS TODAY, HIGH OF 40.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE, REPORTING A HIGH OF 40 DEGREES.

40 DEGREES IS A POPULAR HIGH TEMPERATURE, THAT WAS THE HIGH IN BRAINERD.

STEPHANIE REPORTING CLEAR SKIES THIS EVENING.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLEAR WITH A HIGH OF 32.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 40 TODAY, SO WE'RE A LITTLE BIT ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, THE LOW IS 12, AND SUNSET AT 6:13.

BEMIDJI TODAY, WE TOPPED OUT AT 33, THAT IS THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

SO WE'RE RIGHT ON TARGET FOR THAT.

20 DEGREES IS THE LOW TEMP AND 6:15 WAS OUR SUNSET.

TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE'RE GOING TO START WITH A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE AND WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SOME LIGHT SNOW, SOME FLURRIES, MAYBE A FEW SPRINKLES IN THE EASTERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE PUT THIS IN MOTION, THAT PRECIPITATION MOVES OUT AND EVENTUALLY WE START TO SEE PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, IT LOOKS NICE.

WE SHOULD BE SEEING HIGHS IN THE MID-30s NEAR THE CANADIAN BORDER, OTHERWISE WE WILL BE SEEING THE HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-40s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, MID TO UPPER 40s FOR OUR HIGH TEMPERATURES, A LITTLE BIT WARMER ON SUNDAY.

SO TONIGHT'S FORECAST, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES.

SOME OF THE ACTIVITY, THE FLURRY ACTIVITY, SOME SPRINKLES IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, VARIABLE CLOUDS WITH HIGHS NEAR 42.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF THE WEEKEND FORECAST, SUNNY AND 52 ON SUNDAY, LOW 60s ON MONDAY, AND AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WEEK, WE WILL BE SEEING A COOL DOWN AND HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 30s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: AND CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

>> Charlie: YEAH, WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON, BSU MEN'S HOCKEY PLAYING IN THE PLAYOFFS, IN THE CCHA PLAYOFFS AND A LOT OF >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.

>> IN FOCUS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORT WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> WHEN IT COMES TO THE POST-SEASON, SOMETIMES IT'S NOT THE TEAM WHOSE RECORD IS BEST BUT RATHER THE TEAM WHO IS PLAYING THEIR BEST THAT WILL COME OUT ON TOP.

THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR THE BSU MEN WHO'VE PLAYED SOME OF THEIR BEST HOCKEY DOWN THE FINAL STRETCH OF THE REGULAR SEASON AND NOW ENTER THE CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS WITH A 4-1-1 RECORD OVER THEIR LAST 6 CONTESTS.

TONIGHT BEMIDJI STATE AT AUGUSTANA FOR GAME ONE OF THE MASON CUP QUARTERFINALS.

THE TWO TEAMS SPLIT THEIR SERIES IN EARLY NOVEMBER.

WE'RE GOING TO PICK UP MID SECOND PERIOD, NO SCORE.

BEAVERS ARE SHORTHANDED BUT KIRKLAND SCORES ON THE 2 ON 1.

BEAVERS LEAD AT 1-0 AFTER 2.

AUGUSTANA STRIKES FOR THREE GOALS IN LESS THAN 4 MINUTES.

FIRST IS SIMON, SCORES OFF THE REBOUND TO TIE IT.

THEN OWEN, SKATES IN, SCORES FROM THE TOUGH ANGLE, GIVING THEM A 2-1 LEAD.

THEY TACKED ON ONE MORE GOAL AND THEY WOULD GO ON TO WIN IT, 3-1.

SO BEMIDJI STATE WILL NEED TO WIN TOMORROW NIGHT AND SUNDAY, A THREE GAME SERIES.

>>> AND COLLEGE SCORES, BEMIDJI STATE SPLITS IN COLLEGE SOFTBALL.

NOW CROSBY-IRONTON TRYING TO WIN THEIR THIRD TITLE TAKING ON PROCTOR.

HERE, 25-23, BUT THEN IT WAS TORY STARTING TO BRING THE HEAT, AND THE RANGERS TAKE A 33-25 LEAD.

THEN THE RANGERS FOUND THEIR GROOVE.

THE EASY LAY IN, AND ON THE NEXT POSITION, TORY AGAIN, RANGERS WOULD PULL AWAY IN THE END AND IT'S GO FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR, THEY'RE THE SECTION 2A CHAMPS AND THE FINAL SCORE, 59-46.

THEY ARE HEADED BACK TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT TRYING TO DO SOME DAMAGE AGAIN.

>>> IN THE SECTION 8A TITLE GAME, THE MUSTANGS ARE TRYING TO GET THEIR FIRST EVER STATE TOURNAMENT.

EARLY IN THE GAME, ALL OVER THE THE EAGLES, MUSTANGS LED IT 4-2.

LATER, TRAILING BY 3, KYLIE LEFT WIDE OPEN, SPLASHES THE TRAY, A GAME HIGH 28 POINTS.

THE EAGLES WERE A PROBLEM DOWN LOW, MUSTANGS NO ANSWER FOR HER, IT WOULD PROVE TO BE THE DIFFERENCE AS NORTHOME-KELLIHER FALLS 70-56 TO SACRED HEART.

THIS CLIP FROM THE SECTION 5A GAME, WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY VERSUS BRAHAM.

AFTER TRAILING IN REGULATION, WITH 4 SECONDS TO GO, AUBREY GETS THE GO AHEAD BUCKET.

AND FOR BACK TO BACK YEARS, WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY IS GOING TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM.

>>> A COUPLE MORE SCORES FOR YOU, IN BOYS BASKETBALL, GRAND RAPIDS' SEASON COMING TO AN END.

THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES GET A 2-POINT WIN OVER THE HEAT.

IN THE NHL, THE MINNESOTA WILD TRAILING THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS 1-0 IN THE SECOND PERIOD.

>> Dennis: AND CROSBY-IRONTON WILL BE ONE OF THE FAVORITES BUT THERE IS ANOTHER GOOD TEAM.

>> Charlie: PROVIDENCE ACADEMY WHO BEAT THEM LAST YEAR IN THE SEMIFINALS.

IF THE WAY SEED UP THE WAY WE EXPECT THEM TO, THEY WILL BE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE BRACKET.

WE'LL FIND OUT THE SEEDINGS FOR THE GIRLS TOURNAMENT.

WE'LL LET YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL SHOW CHOIR WAS JOINED ON STAGE BY SEVERAL SINGING GROUPS EARLIER TONIGHT.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WENT TO THE SHOW TO SEE THEIR SINGING AND DANCING IN THE LAST PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON.

>> Reporter: THE LIGHTS GO DOWN AND THE CURTAIN OPENS.

IT'S SHOW TIME AS THE BEMIDJI SHOW CHOIR TAKES THE STAGE FOR THE FINAL TIME THIS SEASON.

NOT ONLY IS IT THE LAST LOCOMOTIVE SHOW OF THE SEASON, FOR SOME, IT'S THEIR LAST SHOW EVER AS MANY SENIORS ARE LEAVING AND LEAVING A SINGING LEGACY BEHIND THEM.

>> I'M SAD BUT EXCITED FOR NEXT YEAR AND THE YEARS TO COME.

I LOVE THIS PROGRAM AND IT MEANS A LOT TO ME.

>> AT OUR LAST REHEARSAL YESTERDAY, WE WENT TO OUR BALLAD FORMATION AND I HAD THE SENIORS STEP OUT AND TAKE A SEAT IN THE CROWD AND JUST LOOK AT THE GROUP AND TOLD THE KIDS ON STAGE, THIS IS NOW YOUR JOB, TO FILL THESE SPACES THAT ARE LEFT BY THESE SENIORS.

>> Reporter: BEFORE THEY COULD SAY THEIR GOODBYES, THE SINGERS HAVE ONE FINAL PERFORMANCE LEFT AND THIS WAS A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE AS THE MIDDLE SCHOOL THROUGH VARSITY SHOW CHOIR SANG, AS WELL AS A PROFESSIONAL ACAPELLA GROUP FROM MINNEAPOLIS.

>> IT OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS TO SEE WHAT THE WORLD OFFERS AS FAR AS MUSIC GOES.

THIS IS A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL KIDS TO SEE WHAT THE POSSIBILITIES ARE AND A LOT OF THESE PROFESSIONALS, MAYBE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A SHOW CHOIR PROGRAM, BUT THEY STARTED OFF AS A HIGH SCHOOL MUSICIAN.

>> Reporter: IT MEANS MORE TO STUDENTS THAN PUTTING ON A COSTUME AND GRABBING A MIC.

>> WE'RE SO CLOSE AND EVERYTHING IS JUST LIKE, WE'RE A FAMILY THERE.

SO I THINK THAT'S MY FAVORITE PART.

>> Reporter: HUNDREDS SHOWED UP TO THE AUDITORIUM TO SEE THE INTRICATE MOVES, SONGS, AND COSTUME CHANGES.

>> IT MEANS EVERYTHING BECAUSE WE DON'T GET AS MUCH SO WHEN PEOPLE COME SEE US, IT FEELS SO GOOD.

>> I HOPE IT IS EMPOWERING FOR THOSE UNDER CLASSMEN TO REALIZE THAT THE PROGRAM IS ON THEIR SHOULDERS TOO, AND IT'S AN EMOTIONAL DAY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND THE WHOLE SHOW WILL RUN AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 8:00 P.M. ONE LAST LOOK AT OUR WEATHER, WE GO OVER TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE COULD BE SEE SOME LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES IN THE AREA, OTHERWISE PARTLY CLOUDY WITH LOWS NEAR 17.

WHEN THE PRECIPITATION LINGER, ESPECIALLY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA TOMORROW MORNING, LOOK FOR VARIABLE CLOUDS, WARMER WITH HIGHS NEAR 42 AND WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE START NEXT WEEK, HIGHS IN THE 50s, MAYBE SOME 60s ON MONDAY, AND A LITTLE BIT OF A COOL DOWN TOWARDS MIDWEEK.

>> Charlie: STATE TOURNAMENT SWIM MEET GOING ON RIGHT NOW AND WE'LL HAVE THE FINAL RESULTS COME MONDAY.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

WE'LL SEE YOU ON MONDAY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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