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

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH WITH PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST.

SANFORD HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CARE CLOSE TO HOME.

LEARN MORE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> 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.

>>> OAK HILLS FELLOWSHIP IN BEMIDJI IS PREPARING TO MARK 100 YEARS WITH A TWO DAY CELEBRATION.

REPORTER RYAN FLEMING HAS A PREVIEW OF WHAT'S AHEAD.

>> Reporter: WHAT BEGAN WITH A HAND FULL OF MEN PRAYING BENEATH AN OAK TREE HAS GROWN INTO AN 180 ACRE CAMPUS.

NOW, THE ORGANIZATION IS USING ITS CENTENNIAL TO LOOK BACK AT HOW FAR THE STORY HAS COME.

>> MISSIONARIES WITH THE AMERICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION CAME TO THIS REGION IN THE EARLY 1920s BUT THEY HAD A PASSION TO ESTABLISH A MINISTRY TO THE RESIDENTS OF THIS REGIONAL CUT OVER REGION.

THAT'S A LOGGING TERM.

>> Reporter: MARKING A CENTURY TAKES MORE THAN PICKING A DATE.

BEHIND THE CELEBRATION IS MONTHS OF PLANNING, COORDINATION, AND A TEAM BALANCING THE EVENT, WITH THE WORK THAT OAK HILLS DOES EVERY DAY.

>> YOU HAVE TO PLAN AHEAD.

WE DID A 75th ANNIVERSARY FOR THE COLLEGE SO WE HAD A HEAD START THINKING LIKE THAT.

IT'S BEEN A BIG TEAM WORKING ON IT, WHILE YOU'RE STILL DOING YOUR REGULAR STUFF.

>> Reporter: FROM CAMP ACTIVITIES TO THE RUN TO THE HILLS 5K AND FAMILY EVENTS ACROSS THE GROUNDS, OAK HILLS IS BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND LOOKING BACK AT THEIR HISTORY.

THEY HAVE SPENT A CENTURY GROWING FROM THEIR ROOTS.

NOW THEY'RE GETTING READY TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS AND BRING THE COMMUNITY ALONG FOR THAT MILESTONE.

>> THE CAMP WILL HAVE A LOT OF THINGS.

WE HAVE 180 ACRES, SO IT'S PRETTY BIG PROPERTY HERE ON THESE TWO LAKES.

>> Reporter: THE CELEBRATION IS GIVING A WIDER COMMUNITY A LOOK AT THE FOUR BRANCHES T CAMP, COLLEGE, CHURCH MINISTRIES, AND CENTER FOR INDIAN MINISTRIES.

>> YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE PRIOR CONNECTION WITH OAK HILLS OR BE AN ALUM OF OAK HILL.

WE WELCOME YOU TO OUR CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

>> Reporter: THE WEEKEND WILL BE A CHANCE TO RECONNECT WITH PEOPLE AND MEMORIES TIED TO OAK HILLS, SOME SPANNING GENERATIONS.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE PEOPLE THAT COME BACK.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE INSTITUTION OR THE PROGRAM.

IT'S THE RELATIONSHIPS AND SOME WILL SURPRISE ME.

SOME WILL HAVE TO SEE IF WE CAN STILL RECOGNIZE EACH OTHER WITH GUYS WHO'S HAIR TURNS WHITE AND THEY DON'T LOOK THE SAME.

IT WILL BE THE RELATIONAL CONNECTIONS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M RYAN FLEMING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE CELEBRATION RUNS SEPTEMBER 25TH AND 26TH AT CAMP OAK HILLS AND OAK HILLS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE.

>>> IN OTHER NEWS TONIGHT, THE BEMIDJI MAN WHO WENT MISSING YESTERDAY HAS BEEN LOCATED AND IS SAFE.

THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE B.C.A.

HAD ASKED FOR THE PUBLIC'S ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING 48-YEAR-OLD TIMOTHY NELSON, WHO WAS REPORTED MISSING ON WEDNESDAY BY A FAMILY MEMBER.

TODAY BEMIDJI POLICE CANCELLED THE MISSING PERSON ALERT AND REPORTED NELSON WAS LOCATED SAFE.

>>> A FEDERAL IMMIGRATION OFFICER MADE HIS FIRST COURT APPEARANCE THURSDAY IN MINNEAPOLIS.

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CHRISTIAN CASTRO IS ACCUSED OF LYING TO INVESTIGATORS AFTER SHOOTING A MAN IN JANUARY.

CASTRO IS CHARGED WITH FOUR COUNTS OF ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON AND ONE COUNT OF FALSELY REPORTING A CRIME.

PROSECUTORS SAY HE FIRED HIS GUN THROUGH A DOOR OF A HOME, STRIKING A MAN IN THE LEG.

FOUR OTHER ADULTS AND TWO CHILDREN WERE PRESENT AT THE TIME.

THE AGENTS WERE TARGETING ANOTHER MAN WHEN THE MAN WHO WAS SHOT TRIED TO INTERVENE.

CASTRO IS BEING HELD ON $400,000 BAIL WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS OR $250,000 WITH RESTRICTIONS.

>>> THE MAN WHO ADMITTED TO ASSAULTING DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE ILHAN OMAR WILL GO TO PRISON FOR 14 MONTHS.

THAT'S WHAT A FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERED THURSDAY.

PROSECUTORS ASKED FOR EIGHT TO 14 MONTHS FOR ANTHONY KAZMIERCZAK.

BACK IN JANUARY, HE LUNGED TOWARD OMAR AT A TOWN HALL IN MINNEAPOLIS WITH A SYRINGE IN HIS HAND AND SPRAYED ITS CONTENTS ON HER.

THE LIQUID WAS LATER DETERMINED TO BE A MIXTURE OF WATER AND APPLE CIDER VINEGAR.

THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PLANS TO CHARGE HIM AT THE STATE LEVEL WHEN HE'S OUT OF FEDERAL CUSTODY.

>>> NORTHERN ACCESS IS A NETWORKING GROUP THAT INVOLVES PROVIDERS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES FOR BELTRAMI AND OUTLYING COUNTIES.

THE GROUP HELD ITS ANNUAL MEETING IN BEMIDJI TO GATHER THE LOCAL SUBSTANCE USE, PEER RECOVERY, AND HARM REDUCTION ORGANIZATIONS, TO SEE WHAT THE AREA NEEDS.

THIS YEAR THE MEETING FEATURED LOCAL DATA AND DRUG COURT UPDATES, THEN MOVED ONTO CURRENT LEGISLATION THAT DEALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES.

HOUSE DISTRICT 2-A CANDIDATE REED OLSON AND DISTRICT 2-B CANDIDATE EMILY THABES WERE AVAILABLE, TO HEAR FROM ATTENDEES ABOUT CHANGES THEY WANT TO SEE IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF MEETINGS.

HE IS INTERESTED IN HOUSING AND WE DID SOME WORK TRYING TO IMPROVE HOUSING BECAUSE PEOPLE COMING OUT OF TREATMENT, IF THEY DON'T HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE HOUSING AND THEY GO BACK TO THE SAME ENVIRONMENT THEY WERE IN, OFTEN THAT IS JUST THE WRONG SOLUTION THAT LEADS BACK TO RELAPSE.

I THINK WHAT EMILY BROUGHT WAS THE IDEA OF COMMUNITY CARING AND THAT WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR SOLVING THIS PROBLEM.

IT'S NOT JUST THE PEOPLE THAT ARE FACING THE PROBLEM TODAY.

>> THE 2026 NORTHERN ACCESS MEETING ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE NEED FOR INCREASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

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

>> Stacy: MUCH OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA WILL SEE RAIN SHOWERS TOMORROW, DRIER CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH, BUT WE SHOULD SEE DRY WEATHER ACROSS THE AREA THIS WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, FAMILIES AT THE WARRIOR EARLY LEARNING CENTER GOT TO MEET THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY WITH THE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: GREAT RIVER GREENING PARTNERED WITH THE FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF LITTLE FALLS TO CREATE A NATIVE POLLINATOR HABITAT AT THE SITE OF THEIR SOLAR FIELD LAST WEEK.

REPORTER MILES WALKER WAS IN ATTENDANCE AND HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: GREAT RIVER GREENING AND FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF LITTLE FALLS AND VOLUNTEERS HELPED THE 500-KILOWATT COMMUNITY SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM INTO NATIVE PRAIRIE.

>> ACROSS MINNESOTA, THERE ARE CLOSE TO 80,000 MILES OF UTILITY AND TRANSMISSION LINES.

SO WE ARE TRYING TO WORK TO GET POLLINATOR AND HABITAT ACROSS THESE LINES.

SOLAR FIELDS, THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES THAT HAVE NO BENEFICIAL PLANTS UNDERNEATH THEM SO WE'RE WORKING TO GET THAT CHANGED.

>> Reporter: IT'S A LEADING NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN MINNESOTA, DEDICATED TO DELIVERING NATURE-BASED CLIMATE SOLUTIONS THROUGH LAND RESTORATION BY DOING THINGS LIKE WHAT HAPPENED, PLANTING NATIVE SPECIES PLUGS, WHICH WILL INCREASE BIODIVERSITY, PROVIDE A VALUABLE SUPPORT TO POLLINATORS, AND INVEST IN LONG-TERM CARE OF THE LAND.

>> YEAH, WE LOST MOST OF THE NATIVE PRAIRIE ACROSS MINNESOTA.

SO RESTORING THAT, THOSE POLLINATOR FRIENDLY HABITATS AND CREATING WILDLIFE HABITAT IS SUPER IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE ONBOARD.

>> WE KNOW THAT HUMANS HAVE TAKEN OVER SO MUCH LAND AND NUMBERS OF INSECTS, BIRDS, AND OTHER LIFE ARE DECREASING BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO HOME.

SO, WE'RE MAKING AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR WILDLIFE HERE.

>> Reporter: GREAT RIVER GREENING HAS RESTORED OVER 62,000 ACRES OF MINNESOTA'S GREEN SPACES AND AIMS TO REACH 100,000 ACRES BY 2030.

THE ORGANIZATION IS HAPPY TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING THEIR MISSION, LOOKING TO INSPIRE, ENGAGE, AND LEAD LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN CONSERVING AND CARING FOR THE WATER AND LAND THAT ENRICH OUR LIVES.

>> A BIG PART OF OUR MISSION AND WITH ALL THE WORK WE DO, IT'S ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY AND THE STAKEHOLDERS IN THE LAND TO GET A SENSE OF STEWARDSHIP.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING, ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY, GETTING THEM SO THEY HAVE MORE CARE TOWARDS IT, AND GETTING OUT THE WORD FOR THAT MISSION.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN LITTLE FALLS, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> GREAT RIVER GREENING WILL BE HOSTING A TREE PLANTING EVENT IN BEMIDJI ON SEPTEMBER 30TH.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US.

IT'S STILL LOOKING WET TOMORROW IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

>> Stacy: THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE 0.25-INCH TO 0.5-INCH OF RAIN IN OUR VIEWING AREA IN SOME OF THE SOUTHERN REGIONS OF LAKELAND COUNTRY.

IT LOOKS LIKE DRIER WEATHER TO THE NORTH.

WE WILL BE SEEING DRY WEATHER ACROSS THE AREA THIS WEEKEND, ALTHOUGH IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL SEE A BIT OF [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE GOT OFF TO A PRETTY FOGGY START THIS MORNING AND WE STRUGGLED TO SEE THE CLOUDS BREAKING UP BUT EVENTUALLY SOME SUNSHINE DID RETURN TO THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON.

WE'LL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND THEN TOMORROW, MUCH OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA WILL BE SEEING RAIN SHOWERS MOVE ACROSS THE AREA.

THOSE CONTINUE TOMORROW, BY THE TIME THE WEEKEND HITS, DRY WEATHER RETURNS.

IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER FOR MOST OF US THIS WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 52 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE CALM, AND THE DEW POINT IS 52 AND THAT IS GIVING US HUMIDITY AT 100%.

IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLOUDY, 56 WITH A DEW POINT OF 55.

PRESSURE IS ON THE RISE AND WINDS ARE CALM.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE DID HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE RETURNING TO ESPECIALLY NORTHERN MINNESOTA THIS AFTERNOON.

THAT IS WHERE WE ARE SEEING CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT WITH CLOUD COVER IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WITH CLOUDS INCREASING IN MUCH OF THE AREA TOMORROW, AND THEN AGAIN WE DO HAVE A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND THAT CHANCE INCREASES THE FARTHER SOUTH YOU GO WITH A QUARTER TO 0.5-INCH OF RAINFALL IN PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WEATHER SHOTS TONIGHT, WE HAVE THAT FOGGY START THIS MORNING IN MENAHGA FROM ARLENE, ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, AND SAMROSE OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

IRENE SPOTTING A FOG BOW.

FALL BLOOMS FROM SONYA AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

LAURIE AT LITTLE TURTLE LAKE AND A NASTY WASP IN BRAINERD.

PLENTY OF CLOUD COVER, PRETTY CLOUDS FROM GARY IN DEERWOOD.

A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET FROM YOLANDA.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 45.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, FOG, CLOUDS, AND SUNSHINE TODAY.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, FOG AND SUN WITH A HIGH OF 67.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, SUNNY AND 70.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, A HIGH OF 66.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 69.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 69, AGAIN PRETTY SEASONAL.

WE'RE 1 DEGREE SHY OF THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

47 RIGHT ON TARGET FOR THE LOW, WITH SUNSET AT 7:24.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 63, SO AGAIN A LITTLE BIT ON THE COOL SIDE.

WE STRUGGLED TO SEE SOME SUNSHINE THROUGH MUCH OF THE DAY.

42 FOR THE LOW, AND 7:00 WAS OUR SUNRISE.

SO HERE'S TOMORROW'S FORECAST.

WE WILL SEE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER IN THE AREA AND THAT SHOWER ACTIVITY WILL MOVE INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND FOR THE MOST PART, THAT'S WHERE IT WILL STAY, A SMALLER CHANCE OF IT REACHING PARTS OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WHERE WE COULD SEE SOME PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, WITH THE DRIER WEATHER WITH A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE, WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE SOME OF THE WARMER TEMPERATURES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WITH SOME MID TO MAYBE UPPER 60s IN THE FAR NORTH, OTHERWISE LOW TO MID-60s IN THE REST OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WITH TEMPERATURES RIGHT AROUND 60, MAYBE SOME LOW 60s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, LOWS NEAR 49, AND EAST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TOMORROW, WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS MOVING INTO MAINLY CENTRAL MINNESOTA, A LITTLE BIT SMALLER CHANCE THAT IT WILL PUSH FARTHER NORTH AND HIGHS NEAR 63.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF THE WEEKEND FORECAST, THE RAIN CLEARS OUT AND IT SHOULD BE DRY, BUT WE WILL BE SEEING CLOUDS OVER THE WEEKEND, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SATURDAY, MOSTLY CLOUDY SUNDAY, WITH HIGHS IN THE MID TO UPPER 60s.

MORE OF THE SAME AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK, ALTHOUGH TEMPERATURES MAY TREND COOLER MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

BIG NEWS YESTERDAY AROUND BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY.

YOU HAVE MORE ON THAT STORY.

>> Charlie: YES, I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO THE HEAD COACH.

IT WAS A GREAT SIT DOWN AND WE GOT TO CHITCHAT ABOUT A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS FROM HIS CAREER, TO THE DECISION, TO RETIRE, AND WE'LL SHOW YOU THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> IT'S THREE WEEKS INTO THE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON AND BEMIDJI FINALLY GETS TO PLAY A HOME GAME.

FOR THE LUMBERJACKS IT CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH.

AFTER A 44-20, WEEK ONE LOSS AT PERENNIAL POWER ELK RIVER, THE JACKS WERE THEN STUNNED IN WEEK TWO AT GRAND RAPIDS BY A DEEP PASS AND A WALK-OFF FIELD GOAL.

PLAYING AT THE CHET WILL BE A WELCOME CHANGE, BUT IT WON'T BE THE ONLY CHANGE FOR THE JACKS, WHO HAVE PLENTY TO FOCUS ON HEADING INTO THIS FRIDAY'S MATCH-UP WITH BUFFALO.

>> REALLY NICE, GOING THREE HOURS DOWN THE ROAD AND ON THAT BUS, IT'S REALLY NICE TO BE AT HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR OUR FIRST W. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WORKING FOR.

I KNOW THEY LIKE TO PASS AND WE GOT TO LOCK DOWN THIS WEEK.

>> WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR HEADS UP.

THE SEASON IS NOT OVER.

WE HAVE TO KEEP WORKING TOWARDS OUR ANGLE.

WE HAVE TO FINISH.

I FEEL LIKE WE LOSE FOCUS FOR A SECOND AND THAT'S THE DECIDING FACTOR.

DEFENSIVELY, THAT IS A BIG THING.

OFFENSIVE LINE, RECEIVERS, BLOCKS, WE HAVE BEEN BIG ON THAT.

JUST LOOKING TO IMPROVE.

>> LAST YEAR, BEMIDJI LOST TO BUFFALO BY ONE AFTER SURRENDERING A LATE TOUCHDOWN AND TWO-POINT CONVERSION.

>>> BEMIDJI GIRLS SWIMMING AND DIVING WITH THEIR SECOND HOME MEET OF THE SEASON, TAKING ON SAUK RAPIDS-RICE.

WE'LL START OFF WITH THE 50-YARD FREESTYLE, QUINN FRIEDT COOKING IN LANE 4 FOR THE LUMBERJACKS, TIGHT FINISH, BUT SHE'D HOLD OFF THE FIELD FOR FIRST IN 26.03-SECONDS.

IN THE 200 I-M, KIERA STRODTMAN FINISHED IN SECOND PLACE FOR THE JACKS, 2-MINUTES AND 21-SECONDS, SHE'D LATER WIN THE 100-YARD BREAST STROKE.

AND THEN IN THE 100-FREE, NOBODY WAS CATCHING SOPHOMORE FINLEY ZOTHMAN, WHO FINISHED IN 54.4-SECONDS, 8-SECONDS FASTER THAN HER TEAMMATE ANNA FRIEDT WHO CAME IN SECOND.

ZOTHMAN ALSO FINISHED FIRST IN THE 200-YARD FREE, HELPING BEMIDJI COME OUT ON TOP AS A TEAM, 99-87 OVER SAUK RAPIDS-RICE.

>>> A COUPLE SCORES FROM AROUND THE AREA.

BEMIDJI BEAT SARTELL IN SOCCER.

ALEXANDRIA TOPS BRAINERD.

BEMIDJI GETS THE WIN TODAY.

IN GIRLS VOLLEYBALL, ALEXANDRIA SWEEPS BEMIDJI.

LITTLE FALLS GETS THE WIN.

>>> IT WAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT SENT THE COLLEGE HOCKEY WORLD INTO A FRENZY, BSU MEN'S HOCKEY COACH TOM SERRATORE WILL RETIRE AT THE END OF THIS UPCOMING SEASON.

TODAY, WE GOT TO SIT DOWN WITH THE HEAD MAN AHEAD OF HIS 26TH AND FINAL YEAR BEHIND THE BENCH, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT'S IN STORE FOR HIM AND THE FUTURE OF BEAVER HOCKEY.

>> IT'S ONLY BEEN 24 HOURS SINCE BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY COACH ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTION TO RETIRE AFTER THE SEASON AND IT'S BEEN AN EMOTIONAL WHIRLWIND EVER SINCE.

>> I WAS NERVOUS THAT I WOULD LOSE MY COMPOSURE IN FRONT OF THE TEAM.

I WE -- DIDN'T.

I GOT CHOKED UP DURING A CALL BUT IT WAS A GREAT DAY.

IT WAS A GREAT DAY TO HON CONNECTLY CONNECT WITH A LOT OF THE ALUMNI AND THE GUYS THAT PLAYED FOR ME IN THE PAST.

>> LONG TIME ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH TRAVIS WINTER WILL TAKE OVER AT THE HELM AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS SEASON.

>> I HAD PROBABLY FIVE PLAYERS SINCE I HAVE BEEN COACHING THAT YOU SIT THERE AND SAY, COACHING MATERIAL.

THEY GOT IT.

TRAVIS HAD THAT IMMEDIATELY.

HE HAD BEEN READY FOR THIS FOR A WHILE.

HE WAS ON THE WORLD JUNIORS STAFF LAST YEAR.

HE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS AS AN ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH.

HE IS A BEAVER, HE KNOWS THE VALUE OF THE PROGRAM, AND KNOWING THAT TRAVIS WAS GOING TO, YOU KNOW, BE THE NEXT GUY IN LINE, IT JUST MADE MY DECISION A LOT EASIER.

>> Reporter: WINTER'S SUCCESSION PARALLELS HIS RISE TO THE TOP.

HE PLAYED FOR LEGENDARY R.H.

BOB PETERS IN THE 80s AND COACHED ALONGSIDE HIM, BEFORE BEING HAND SELECTED BY PETERS TO TAKE OVER AS HEAD COACH.

>> THE COACH USED HIS TERM WHEN HE RETIRED, I BECAME THE HEAD COACH, HE PASSED THE TORCH.

NOW WE'RE PASSING THE TORCH TO TRAVIS, THE BATON.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT CHARITY, THEY EARNED IT.

HE IS THE RIGHT PERSON.

>> Reporter: THE DECISION WAS MADE WITH RECRUITING IN MIND, TO CREATE A SEAMLESS TRANSITION THAT PRESERVES THE PROGRAM.

>> WE HAVE KIDS THAT ARE COMMITTED.

I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS IN MARCH AND POTENTIALLY LOSE THOSE KIDS.

WE WANT TO DO IT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHO THE PARENT IS RIGHT NOW, AND THAT PERSON ACTUALLY DID A LOT OF THE RECRUITING WITH THEM.

SO WE HAVE THAT INTACT.

SECONDLY, I DON'T WANT TO BRING RECRUITS IN RIGHT NOW AND THEY'RE GOING TO ASK ME IF I'M GOING TO BE AROUND.

I DON'T WANT TO BE DISINGENUOUS AND SAY I'M GOING TO BE AROUND IF I'M GOING TO RETIRE.

THAT'S ANOTHER FACTOR.

I WANT THE PLAYERS IN THE LOCKER ROOM RIGHT NOW TO LOOK AT TRAVIS WHEN HE IS TALKING AND THEY KNOW THAT BUT HE IS GOING TO BE THEIR HEAD COACH.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE UNDER CLASSMEN.

I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT.

LASTLY, I WANT TO ENJOY THIS LAST YEAR, YOU KNOW, WITH THOSE PLAYERS IN THAT LOCKER ROOM.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS TOTAL TRANSPARENCY, AND THEY UNDERSTAND THE GROUND RULES AS WELL.

>> Reporter: HEADING INTO HIS 26th AND FINAL YEAR AS HEAD COACH, HE HAS AMASSED 416 WINS AS A COMBINED 10 REGULAR SEASON AND CONFERENCE TITLES, AN 8 TIME CONFERENCE COACH OF THE YEAR, LED THEM TO 8 NCAA APPEARANCES, AND A RUN AT THE FROZEN FOUR IN 2009, BUT HIS FAVORITE PART OF COACHING IS HIS RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PLAYERS.

>> I KNOW THAT IS THE EASY THING, BUT IT IS.

THEY KEEP YOU YOUNG.

I HAVE BEEN IN THE LOCKER ROOMY WHOLE LIFE BUT ONCE I WAS DONE PLAYING, I WAS COACHING.

I NEVER LEFT.

I REFLECT BACK AND SAID HOW MANY GUYS WOULD LIKE TO BE IN MY SHOES?

I'M A LUCKY GUY.

>> Reporter: THE IDEA OF A TENURED COACH IS SLOWLY BECOMING A THING OF THE PAST BUT EVEN HE DIDN'T KNOW HE WOULD BE WHERE HE IS NOW.

>> IT'S WEIRD.

NOW WHEN I THINK ABOUT THIS, HOLY MOLY, IT GOES FAST.

I NEVER THOUGHT, I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT 25 OR 26 YEARS, QUITE HONESTLY, I NEVER GOT TOO FAR AHEAD OF MYSELF.

I DON'T THINK YOU CAN IN THIS BUSINESS.

IT'S A HUMBLING PROFESSION.

IF YOU GET TOO FAR AHEAD OF YOURSELF, YOU WILL GET PUNCHED IN THE NOSE.

I NEVER LOOKED AT IT THAT WAY BUT I WOULD BE LYING TO SAY AS SOON AS I GOT TO 20 YEARS, I SAW THAT I AM GOING HOLY MOLY.

YOU KNOW, THEN IT'S SOMETHING YOU ARE PROUD OF.

YOU HAVE ONE PLACE FOR A LONG TIME.

I WORE THESE COLORS WITH PRIDE, THE GREEN AND WHITE.

>> Reporter: AS TO WHAT HIS PLANS ARE WHEN THE SEASON ENDS, HE HASN'T GIVEN IT TOO MUCH THOUGHT YET BUT THERE IS ONE THING HE IS CERTAIN OF.

>> I LOVE HOCKEY AND I LOVE BEAVER HOCKEY.

IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE CLOSE TO MY HEART AND WHEN I'M DONE THIS YEAR, IT'S 32 YEARS OF MY LIFE AS A COACH, AS A PLAYERING, BEING AFFILIATED WITH THE BEAVERS, 32 YEARS.

I'M 62.

SO THAT IS OVER 50% OF MY LIFE THERE.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG PART WHEN I'M DONE TOO.

>> Charlie: I'LL TELL YOU, IT WAS REALLY GREAT TO SIT DOWN WITH COACH AND HEAR FROM HIM.

YOU STILL HAVE A FULL SEASON TO COACH, SO IT'S NOT EXACTLY GOODBYE YET, BUT IT'S COOL TO HEAR ABOUT THAT STUFF AND THE FUTURE COACH.

>> Dennis: A LASTING LEGACY FOR SURE.

WHAT A CAREER HE HAS HAD THERE.

>> Charlie: YEAH, TO TAKE OVER FOR R.H.

BOB PETERS, A HISTORIC CAREER ALSO.

WE'LL HAVE THAT FULL INTERVIEW UP IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO, SO YOU CAN WATCH IT WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS VERY MUCH CHARLIE.

>>> GUESS WHAT IS BACK THIS YEAR, IT'S OUR GOLDEN APPLES ON THURSDAY NIGHT.

OUR FIRST SEGMENT IS TONIGHT.

FAMILIES AT WARRIOR EARLY LEARNING CENTER GOT A CHANCE TO MEET THEIR NEW SCHOOL COMMUNITY AT THEIR OPEN HOUSE THURSDAY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM TEDDY BEAR BAND THAT HAS BEEN ENTERTAINING MINNESOTA CHILDREN FOR DECADES.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS MORE DETAILS FOR OUR LATEST GOLDEN APPLE.

>> Reporter: STARTED BY EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER RON AND A GROUP OF DADS IN 1985, THE TEDDY BEAR BAND CONNECTS WITH KIDS IN WAYS BY BUILDING THEIR PERFORMANCES AROUND PARTICIPATION AND ACTIVITIES DESIGNED FOR DIFFERENT AGES AND STAGES.

[♪♪♪] >> TO SUM UP THE TEDDY BEAR BAND, IT'S ABOUT PARTICIPATION, IT'S ABOUT BEING YOURSELF, ABOUT CELEBRATING THE ENTHUSIASM AND THE SPONTANEOUS CHILDREN, AND THE PARENTS ENTHUSIASM FOR THEIR KIDS, AND DOING IT ALL THROUGH MUSIC.

>> Reporter: FOR THE TEDDY BEAR BAND, SEEING THEIR LONGEVITY THROUGH THEIR TED HEADS BRINGS A SMILE TO THEIR FACE.

>> THE TED HEADS ARE PARENTS THAT SAW US WHEN THEY WERE LITTLE KIDS AND NOW THEY'RE BRINGING THEIR OWN LITTLE KIDS.

IT MEANS A LOT.

IT'S SATISFYING.

>> Reporter: FOR MARTHA AND HER MOTHER PEGGY, THIS IS A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT AS THE TEDDY BEAR BAND IS A FAMILIAR PART OF HER CHILDHOOD THAT SHE SHARED WITH HER KIDS AND HER FUTURE STUDENTS.

>> I GREW UP BY BEING ABLE TO GO TO THE STATE FAIR AND SEE THEM WITH MY MOM AND MY DAD, AND WHEN I HAD MY OWN KIDS, NOW BEING ABLE TO SHARE SPECIAL EXPERIENCES WITH THESE KIDS, IT'S REALLY SPECIAL.

>> I WAS EXCITED THAT MARTHA INVITED THEM, SO THAT ALL THE FAMILIES IN BRAINERD AND EARLY CHILDHOOD WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HEARING THEM TOO.

PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED BY SEEING IT, HEARING ABOUT IT, THIS IS ONE OF MANY WAYS THAT I -- THEY CAN BE A PART OF IT.

>> Reporter: THE TEDDY BEAR BAND HAS BEEN BRINGING GENERATIONS TOGETHER AND INTRODUCING NEW GENERATIONS OF STUDENTS TO THEIR SCHOOLS'S COMMUNITY.

>> EVERY HALLWAY, EVERY ROOM, EVERY VASE WAS MADE FOR THEM.

IT'S A SAFE PLACE WHERE THEY ALL BELONG, THEY'RE ALL WELCOME HERE, AND WE'RE SO EXCITED THAT WE CAN CELEBRATE OUR FAMILIES AND KICK OFF THE FUN HERE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BAXTER FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

[♪♪♪] >> THE BAND HAS RECEIVED STATEWIDE RECOGNITION, INCLUDING TEDDY BEAR BAND DAY PROCLAMATIONS FROM THE GOVERNORS OF MINNESOTA AND A RECENT INDUCTION INTO THE MINNESOTA MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

>>> WE HAVE TIME FOR A LAST CHECK OF OUR WEATHER.

WE GO TO STACY.

>> Stacy: PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, EAST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

SHOWERS ARE MOVING INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOMORROW, A SMALLER CHANCE IN THE NORTH, OTHERWISE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY AND 63.

>> Dennis: THAT WILL WRAP UP OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]