>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

>> C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Sydney: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

I'M SYDNEY DICK IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> U.S.

SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR WAS IN BEMIDJI YESTERDAY TO TAKE AN UPDATED LOOK AT ONGOING RECOVERY EFFORTS FROM THE MAJOR WIND STORM THAT STRUCK THE AREA LAST SUMMER, AND VISIT A MAJOR BURN SITE FOCUSED ON FIRE MITIGATION.

>> SO THIS CONSERVATION CORE, WHICH IS PART OF AMERICA CORPS IS OUT HERE RIGHT NOW DOING THESE BURNS OF THESE PILES OF TREES THAT THEY NEED TO GET RID OF OR IT'S A RISK OF FIRE.

>> THE BURNING IS A LARGE PART OF THAT.

THESE PILES POSE A PRETTY BIG RISK, LESS OF A RISK ONCE WE PUT THEM IN PILES AND BURN THEM DOWN.

WE CAN RID THAT MATERIAL IN A SAFER WAY.

>> Reporter: THE BURN SITE IS LOCATED NEAR THE NORTHWESTERN JUVENILE CENTER AND HAS SIX BURN PILES.

MORE THAN 40 CONSERVATION CORPS VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN IN THE AREA WORKING ON CONTINUED CLEAN UP AND RIDDING THE BEMIDJI AREA OF DEAD TREES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BECOME WILDFIRE FUEL.

>> WE CO-LEAD A LONG-TERM STORM RECOVERY GROUP.

ONE OF THE MANY CONVERSATIONS HAD IN THAT GROUP IS AROUND WILDFIRE MITIGATION, KNOWING OUR FIRE CHIEF IS SHARING, IT'S NOT IF WE HAVE WILDFIRES, IT'S WHEN.

>> IF A FIRE WERE TO COME THROUGH, BUILDING AREAS TO BUILD FIRE BREAKS SO THAT THESE FIRES WILL STOP SHORT OF PROPERTY AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> Reporter: DESPITE RECENT SNOW BRINGING MORE AND MORE MOISTURE TO THE AREA, THERE ARE BURNING RISKS, ESPECIALLY FOR UNTRAINED PEOPLE.

THEY WARN THE PUBLIC OF THE DANGER OF BURNING THEIR OWN DEBRIS AND THE BIGGER THE TREE, THE LONGER IT WILL REMAIN HOT.

>> THERE IS STUFF UP TO 20, 30 INCHES IN DIAMETER.

ONCE THAT STARTS BURNING, IT CAN BURN FOR MULTIPLE DAYS.

ONCE THE HEAT IS ON THE GROUND, IT CAN -- SOME OF THESE LOGS AND STUMPS AND STUFF ARE STILL PARTIALLY UNDERGROUND AND IT WILL BURN DOWN INTO THE GROUND.

ONCE IT IS IN THE GROUND, IT WILL -- IT JUST NEEDS THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF OXYGEN TO CONTINUE BURNING.

>> Reporter: SENATOR KLOBUCHAR WAS NOT ONLY IN THE AREA TO SEE FIRE MITIGATION EFFORTS IN PERSON, BUT ALSO TO INFORM LOCAL LEADERS ABOUT WHAT THE NEXT STEPS FROM STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARE FOR LONG-TERM RECOVERY.

>> SOME OF THIS IS GETTING IMMEDIATE MONEY UNDER THE EXISTING FORMULA, WHICH IS 75% OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE.

THEN IT'S LOOKING AT CAN THERE BE MORE AND I KNOW THE LEGISLATORS ARE WORKING ON THAT.

>> Reporter: THIS ROUND OF BURNING AND CONTINUED CLEAN UP FROM THE CONSERVATION CORPS IS SET TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND VOLUNTEERS WILL LEAVE THE AREA ON TUESDAY.

>>> AN ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS LET'S PLANT TREES IS BRINGING 10,000 FREE TREE SEEDLINGS TO BEMIDJI AREA RESIDENTS THIS SPRING.

THIS MASSIVE DECLARATION FROM THE ORGANIZATION WAS MADE TO SUPPORT LOCAL REFORESTATION, MAKE IT EASY FOR RESIDENTS TO PLANT TREES, AND BE A PART OF RESTORING TREE CANOPIES ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.

FOLLOWING THE JUNE 21ST WIND STORM, LET'S PLANT TREES EXECUTIVES HOPE THIS CAN GIVE RESIDENTS A SIMPLE AND MEANINGFUL WAY TO REPLANT AND REBUILD.

>> THIS IS HAS BEEN A WORK IN PROGRESS FOR SOME TIME.

THIS SEASON, WE'RE GIVING 50,000 TREE SEEDLING TO PEOPLE AROUND MINNESOTA.

BEMIDJI WAS ORIGINALLY NOT INCLUDED BUT THEN MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SAID CAN YOU HELP?

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR US?

WE DECIDED THERE IS NO WAY WE COULD SAY NO TO BEMIDJI.

>> HOUSEHOLDS MAY RECEIVE UP TO 70 FREE TREE SEEDLINGS AND CHOOSE BETWEEN SEVEN SPECIES OF TREES, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.

THOSE WHO PLACE PRE-ORDERS SHOULD PLAN TO PICK UP THEIR SEEDLINGS ON SATURDAY, MAY 16TH AT THE SANFORD CENTER IN BEMIDJI, FROM 10:00 A.M.

TO 3:00 P.M.

SUNDAY, MAY 17TH IS FOR THE PUBLIC RELEASE OF ANYTHING REMAINING.

THE EVENT WILL BE HELD RAIN OR SHINE.

>> THIS SEASON WE'RE GIVING AWAY RED PINE, WHITE CEDAR, AND THOSE SEEDLINGS, WE WORK WITH A COUPLE OF DISTRIBUTORS ON THAT IN TERMS OF THE SEEDLINGS AND THOSE COME FROM FARM AND FOREST GROWERS, AND THAT IS ACTUALLY A CO-OP OF FARMERS, WHICH THE SEEDS ARE ACQUIRED FROM SOUTHERN MINNESOTA.

THEY ARE CLIMATE ADAPTABLE, AND THEN THEY ARE GROWN IN THE NORTHERN COMMUNITIES.

>> ANOTHER DISTRIBUTION EVENT BY LET'S PLANT TREES WILL BE HELD FOR GRAND RAPIDS AREA RESIDENTS LATER THAT MONTH ON SATURDAY, MAY 30TH, AT THE MINNESOTA NORTH ITASCA CAMPUS.

TO PRE-ORDER, YOU CAN VISIT THE WEBSITE THAT WE WILL PROVIDE ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> THE U.S.

FOREST SERVICE HAS ANNOUNCED THE PLAN TO CLOSE 57 OF THEIR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES DUE TO AGENCY REORGANIZATION.

TWO OF THOSE CLOSURES ARE SET TO BE MINNESOTA'S GRAND RAPIDS AND ELY LOCATIONS.

IN A PRESS RELEASE ON TUESDAY, THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAID THAT THE FACILITY CLOSURES WOULD NOT AFFECT STAFFING IN EITHER OF MINNESOTA'S NATIONAL FORESTS.

THERE ARE SEVERAL EXPERIMENTAL FORESTS IN THE CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST NEAR GRAND RAPIDS, AS WELL AS A RESEARCH OFFICE ON THE MINNESOTA NORTH COLLEGE-ITASCA CAMPUS, WHICH FALLS UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITY.

THE LOCATION HAS STUDIED RED PINE FORESTS, ENVIRONMENTAL MERCURY POLLUTION, AND ADAPTIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT.

THE CLOSURES COME AS A PART OF A BROADER RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE FOREST SERVICE, THAT INCLUDES MOVING THE ORGANIZATION'S HEADQUARTERS FROM WASHINGTON D.C.

TO SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

MINNESOTA'S ONLY OTHER U.S.

FOREST SERVICE FACILITY IS LOCATED IN SAINT PAUL, AND IS SET TO REMAIN OPEN.

>>> CONSTRUCTION ON COUNTY ROAD 170 IN BAXTER WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY APRIL 6TH.

CROW WING COUNTY ANNOUNCED THAT 170, ALSO KNOWN AS MAPLETON ROAD WILL BE RECONSTRUCTED FROM THE CASS COUNTY LINE TO 500 FEET EAST OF MOUNTAIN ASH DRIVE IN BAXTER.

STUMP REMOVAL IS SET TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK, AND THE ROAD IS EXPECTED TO STAY OPEN UNTIL MONDAY, APRIL 27TH, WHEN THE PAVEMENT WILL BE REMOVED.

THAT IS WHEN DETOURS WILL BEGIN AND ARE EXPECTED TO LAST THROUGH THE END OF JULY.

MOTORISTS ARE ASKED TO EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION AREA, BEGINNING MONDAY.

>>> CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE'S PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IS SET TO BRING JOHN STEINBECK'S ‘THE GRAPES OF WRATH' TO THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

BASED OFF THE 1930'S NOVEL, THE AWARD-WINNING MOTION PICTURE, AND 1990 TONY AWARD-WINNING PLAY, THE PRODUCTION FOCUSES ON A FAMILY'S FLIGHT FROM THE DUST BOWL OF OKLAHOMA TO CALIFORNIA.

C.L.C.

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER DIRECTOR JOEY YOW BELIEVES THAT THE GRAPES OF WRATH DRAWS SIMILARITIES TO WHAT A RURAL COMMUNITY SUCH AS THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA ENDURES.

OVERARCHING FORCES SUCH AS ECONOMIC UPHEAVAL, ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES, AND THE LOSS OF HOMES, WILL ALL BE ON FULL DISPLAY DURING THE PLAY.

>> IN 2026, WE FEEL CHANGES HAPPENING ALL AROUND US IN TECHNOLOGY, IN BUSINESS, IN THE ECONOMY, AND WITHIN THE STATE.

THIS IS A PLAY THAT WILL LOOK AT THAT.

SO WHILE WE'RE TAKING THIS AND TRYING TO MAKE IT A TRUE TO THE TEXT ADAPTATION OF THE GRAPES OF WRATH, THE THEMES WE'RE THINKING OF FEEL REALLY CURRENT TO US AND WE'RE GOING TO BE PULLING ON THOSE AS WE DEVELOP THE SHOW.

>> THE PRODUCTION RUNS APRIL 30TH TO MAY 3RD AT THE CHALBERG THEATRE ON C.L.C.

'S BRAINERD CAMPUS.

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

>> Stacy: WE WILL SEE SNOW AND HEAVY SNOW AT TIMES AS ROUND TWO OF THE TWO WINTER STORMS BEGIN TO MOVE INTO THE AREA TONIGHT AND CONTINUES THROUGH MUCH OF TOMORROW.

I'LL HAVE YOUR DETAILS ON YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, AN AWARD-WINNING COUNTRY ARTIST PERFORMS AT THE CULTURAL CENTER.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >> RECENT SNOW STORMS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE CAUSED SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS.

REPORTER GABRIEL OSTLER SPOKE WITH THE STATE PATROL AND HAS DETAILS FROM MOORHEAD ABOUT WHAT THE PAST FEW DAYS HAS BROUGHT, AND WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND.

>> I THINK WE ONLY HAD ONE RESULT IN INJURIES AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S LIFE-THREATENING.

SO THAT'S FORTUNATE.

>> Reporter: THAT CRASH IN QUESTION, A COLLISION BETWEEN A CAR AND A SEMI ON I-94 AROUND 6:00 IN THE MORNING ON APRIL 2ND WAS JUST ONE OF MANY INCIDENTS THE DEPARTMENT WAS SEEING AS THE SNOW BEGAN TO PILE UP.

>> JUST AFTER 7:00 A.M.

IS WHEN WE STARTED SEEING OUR PROBLEMS WITH A NUMBER OF CRASHES.

WE HAD A LITTLE MORE ACCUMULATION AND NUMBER OF MOTOR VEHICLES DRIVING TOO FAST.

>> Reporter: IT'S A SITUATION THAT PATROL OFFICERS ARE MONITORING CLOSELY AS THEY ARE EXPECTING A SPIKE IN TRAFFIC, EVEN WITH CONTINUED SNOWFALL DUE TO THE UPCOMING EASTER HOLIDAY.

>> MORE TRAFFIC COULD MEAN MORE PROBLEMS, BREAKDOWNS, CRASHES, THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH SNOW IS FALLING, TEMPERATURES REMAIN HIGH AND THE ROAD SURFACE IS STAYING WARMER THAN USUAL.

>> I WAS SPEAKING WITH TO ROAD MAINTENANCE GUYS AND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW THE ROAD TEMP IS 45 DEGREES.

WE SHOULD BE OKAY.

>> Reporter: STILL, THE POTENTIAL FOR CRASHES IS THERE, WHICH MEANS THAT THE USUAL SAFETY WARNINGS ARE VERY MUCH IN PLACE.

>> KEEPING THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF, BE MINDFUL AROUND BRIDGE DECKS, OVERPASSES, THINGS LIKE THAT CAN BE PROBLEMATIC TOO.

>> Reporter: SO THAT EVERYONE CAN GET TO THEIR WEEKEND DESTINATION SAFE AND SOUND.

>> WE NEED PEOPLE TO DO THEIR PART AND UNDERSTAND THAT ROAD CONDITIONS CAN CHANGE QUICKLY.

JUST BE ATTENTIVE TO WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> DRIVING WITH APPROPRIATE SPEED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS AND KEEPING A DISTANCE BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU ARE ALSO WAYS TO KEEP SAFE OVER THE EASTER WEEKEND, WHERE WE ARE EXPECTED TO SEE MORE SNOWFALL.

>>> NOW STACY IS JOINING US TO TELL US HOW MUCH SNOWFALL WE CAN EXPECT.

>> Stacy: IT'S GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT.

IT COULD BE A STRETCH IN PARTS OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE WILL SEE ABOUT 10 INCHES OF SNOWY -- SNOW OR MAYBE MORE.

THIS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT AND TOMORROW BEFORE WE START TO [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE WOKE UP TO SOME FRESH SNOW IN THE AREA TODAY AND GENERALLY RANGING BETWEEN 4 TO 8 INCHES.

A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK IN THE ACTION TODAY BUT WE'RE STARTING TO SEE SNOW MOVING INTO THE AREA THIS EVENING.

WE COULD POTENTIALLY SEE HEAVY SNOWFALL TONIGHT AND THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING, WITH SNOW CONTINUING INTO THE AFTERNOON AND SOME OF US COULD PICK UP QUITE A BIT OF NEW SNOW OUT OF THE SECOND ROUND AS WELL.

MORE ON THAT IN JUST A SECOND.

THE CURRENT CONDITIONS, IT'S 34 AT THE AIRPORT IN BEMIDJI.

WE HAVE A LIGHT NORTHEAST WIND, THE DEW POINT IS 30, AND WE PICKED UP 6 INCHES OF SNOW.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 32 DEGREES, 24 IS OUR DEW POINT, WINDS ARE NORTHEAST AT 10 MILES PER HOUR, WITH GUSTS UP TO 23.

WE HAVE A WINTER STORM WARNING OUT FOR PRETTY MUCH THE ENTIRE VIEWING AREA.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, IT WILL EXPIRE AT 10:00 P.M.

ON SATURDAY, AND FOR THE REST OF LAKELAND COUNTRY, AT 1:00 A.M.

ON SUNDAY.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE SOME HEAVY SNOW, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, POSSIBLY HEAVY MIXED PRECIPITATION IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, WHERE WE COULD PICK UP A LIGHT GLAZE TO 10.1-INCH OF ICE ACCUMULATION.

SNOWFALL, WE HAVE A STRETCH OF 10 TO 11-PLUS INCHES FROM FARGO TO INTERNATIONAL FALLS AND IT MOVES RIGHT THROUGH FOSSTON, BEMIDJI, AND BIG FALLS.

A LITTLE BIT LESS OUTSIDE OF THAT, PROBABLY THE SMALLEST AMOUNTS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, BUT WE COULD STILL SEE 8.2 INCHES IN WADENA, 7 INCHES IN BRAINERD.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR THIS EVENING, WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THE PRECIPITATION MOVING INTO THE AREA TONIGHT.

IT'S GOING TO PICK UP OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND WE COULD BE SEEING SOME PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOWFALL.

THAT CONTINUES TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING WHEN WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE THE MOST SNOW TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING.

WE COULD STILL SEE SNOW THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON, AND LEADING TO THOSE ACCUMULATIONS ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT AND A LOT OF NEW SNOW ON THE GROUND THIS MORNING.

ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM MENAHGA, GARY AND ANGELA WITH SOME OPEN WATER FROM DEERWOOD.

KEN AND DIANE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE NEW SNOW IN LEECH LAKE.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA PICKING UP 6 INCHES OF SNOW MEASURED ON THE GROUND THIS MORNING.

KEN AND DIANE, THAT WAS 6.5 INCHES OF SNOW.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY SKIES TODAY.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, AN ADDITIONAL 2 INCHES OVERNIGHT.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD MEASURING 4.4 INCHES OF SNOW.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE REPORTING A HIGH OF 36.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 35 WAS OUR HIGH IN BRAINERD.

CHILLY TEMPERATURES ALL AROUND, 18 WAS OUR LOW.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 37, SO AGAIN WE ARE NEARLY 10 DEGREES BELOW THAT AVERAGE.

26 WAS OUR LOW.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE DO HAVE WIDESPREAD SNOW, MAYBE EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF MIXED PRECIPITATION IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOMORROW MORNING, AND THAT SNOW REALLY CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE MORNING, COULD SEE SOME HEAVY SNOW AT TIMES THROUGHOUT THE MORNING.

AS WE HEAD MORE INTO THE EVENING, WE WILL SEE THAT TAPERING OFF AND MOVING TO THE EAST.

HIGHS WILL BE FROM 30 TO 35 IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WITH MID-30s EXPECTED ACROSS THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, SNOW TONIGHT, HEAVY AT TIMES, 1 TO 7 INCHES OVERNIGHT, WITH SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 26.

AGAIN, SNOW, WHICH COULD BE HEAVY AT TIMES, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING, 1 TO 8 INCHES OF ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATION AND HIGHS NEAR 34.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF THE WEEKEND FORECAST, WE COULD SEE RAIN OR SNOW ON SUNDAY, 39 FOR THE HIGH, CHILLY TEMPERATURES ON MONDAY WITH A HIGH OF 30.

THEN WE START TO WARM UP AS WE HEAD TOWARDS MIDWEEK.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY.

MILES WALKER IS JOINING US FOR SPORTS.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TONIGHT?

>> Miles: WE HEARD MORE FROM RICK ABOUT HIS DECISION TO MOVE AWAY FROM BEMIDJI.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT AFTER [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>>> WHEN YOU CONSIDER MAKING A LIFE-CHANGING DECISION, IT IS NATURAL TO TAKE SOME TIME TO WEIGH YOUR OPTIONS.

AND FOR RICK TOWARD, HIS MOVE TO RESIGN AS BEMIDJI BOYS' SOCCER HEAD COACH, HAS BEEN OVER A DECADE IN THE MAKING.

WHILE TOWARD HAS SERVED AS THE LUMBERJACKS' HEAD COACH FOR 31 YEARS, HE HAS TAUGHT SENIOR-LEVEL ECONOMICS AND GOVERNMENT CLASSES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR 33 YEARS.

HIS WISH TO TEACH OUTSIDE THE U.S, SOMETHING BORN 15 YEARS AGO, BECAME WITHIN REACH FOLLOWING THE 2026 SOCCER SEASON.

>> Reporter: ONCE WE SAW THE OPPORTUNITY BECAME A REALITY.

WE HAVE FOUR CHILDREN, THREE ARE ADOPTED, BUT THERE IS A WINDOW OF TIME WHERE YOU CAN DO IT.

OVER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD DON'T ADMIT AND OFFER WORK VISAS TO PEOPLE AS THEY AGE.

URUGUAY WAS THE ONE THAT WE LANDED IN.

I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO AFFORD US TO SEE SOME PARTS OF THE WORLD THAT MANY PEOPLE DON'T GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE.

>> TOWARD WILL BE TEACHING JUNIOR AND SENIOR-LEVEL ECON CLASSES AT AN INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE SCHOOL IN MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY.

WHILE HE WILL STILL HAVE HIS HOME IN BEMIDJI, LEAVING BEMIDJI BOY SOCCER, THE HIGH SCHOOL, AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY, PROVED TO BE A DIFFICULT DECISION FOR BOTH HIM, AND HIS FAMILY.

>> I HAVE BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WITH PEOPLE AT THE COLLEGE, PEOPLE IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND EVERYWHERE.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING TO UPROOT YOUR ENTIRE LIFE, A PLACE YOU LIVED IN FOR 30 YEARS AND DUMP YOURSELF IN A COMMUNITY, A CULTURE, INTO A LANGUAGE YOU DON'T KNOW, BUT IT'S EXTREMELY EXHILARATING.

>> A LOOK AT TOWARD'S RESUME.

AND SOME SCORES FOR YOU TONIGHT.

LOOKING AT HIS CAREER, HE TOOK THE BEMIDJI BOYS SOCCER TEAM TO FOUR STATE TOURNAMENT, ONE STATE CLASS A RUNNING UP, AND HELPED BUILD THE YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION.

>>> NOT EVEN THE SPRING SNOWSTORM CAN COOL OFF BEMIDJI BOYS' TENNIS.

THE LUMBERJACKS HAVE OPENED THE SEASON 2-0 IN MATCH PLAY, ONLY DROPPING FIVE SETS TOTAL TO EAST GRAND FORKS AND CROOKSTON.

HEAD COACH KYLE FODNESS IS WORKING WITH A YOUNG GROUP THIS YEAR.

ONLY HAVING ONE SENIOR IN NUMBER ONE DOUBLE'S PLAYER PETER MATTHEWS.

IN FACT, ALL BUT TWO TENNIS PLAYERS ON THE TEAM ARE UNDERCLASSMEN.

HOWEVER, THE INEXPERIENCE, IS DOING LITTLE TO DAMPEN THEIR PERFORMANCE.

>> WE'RE NOT REALLY TRYING TO CHANGE THE LINEUP TOO MUCH.

WE HAVE A HIGHLY FINE TUNED OIL MACHINE.

WE KNOW IT WILL WORK IF WE KEEP PLAYING OUR TENNIS.

>> WE'RE DOING A GOOD JOB WITH DIAGNOSING WHAT IS WORKING, WHAT'S NOT WORKING, AND JUST MAKING SURE WE'RE STAYING STEADY, PLAYING OUR GOOD GAME.

BEING SMART AND KEEPING IT SIMPLE.

>> THE LUMBERJACKS CAPTAINS ARE MATTHEWS, JUNIOR ETHAN FRANK, AND SOPHOMORE OWEN LAPPINGA, WHO IS ALREADY ON HIS FOURTH YEAR PLAYING VARSITY.

THE CAPTAINS BELIEVE THE EXPERIENCE PASSED DOWN TO THEM FROM PREVIOUS SENIORS, WILL SERVE AS A FINE BEDROCK FOR THIS YEAR.

>> MOST OF THE TIME, THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP A COOL HEAD.

IN TIMES, YOU ARE FRUSTRATED.

YOU ALWAYS HAVE THE NEXT POINT IN THE NEXT GAME.

>> EACH MATCH HAS THE SAME WEIGHT ON IT.

IT'S A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT FOR SURE.

WE KEEP PUTTING IN THE WORK AND STAY CONFIDENT ON THE MATCH COURT.

HONING THE SKILLS WE HAVE TOWARDS THE END OF THE SEASON FOR THE SECTION.

[APPLAUSE] >> TAKING A LOOK AT THE LUMBERJACK'S UPCOMING SCHEDULE.

THEY PUT THEIR CLEAN SHEET TO THE TEST ONCE AGAIN NEXT WEDNESDAY, WHEN THEY HOT MORA AND FERGUS FALLS FOR A TRIANGULAR.

>>> PEQUOT LAKES FIFTH GRADER AND BRAINERD ELK DARCI MARTINI WILL COMPETE IN THE ELKS NATIONAL HOOP SHOOT COMPETITION FOR HER SECOND TIME IN CHICAGO NEXT MONTH.

DARCI DRAINED 23 OF HER 25 FREE THROWS AT THE REGIONAL HOOP SHOOT IN IOWA CITY EARLIER THIS MONTH TO BOOK HER TICKET BACK.

BACK IN 2024, DARCI PLACED NINTH AT THE ELK NATIONAL HOOP SHOOT COMPETITION IN THE 8-9 YEAR-OLD BRACKET.

NOW IN THE 10-11 YEAR-OLD BRACKET, DARCI IS LOOKING TO IMPROVE UPON HER LAST SHOWING.

>> I'M LOOKING TO GET BETTER THAN 9th OUT OF 12th THIS YEAR AND MAKE MORE THAN I DID LAST TIME.

I THINK I HAVE IMPROVED ON MY SHOOTING AND DRIBBLING.

>> AND IF DARCI DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH MOTIVATION FOR THE COMPETITION, HER SISTER KELSI IS THE LAST BRAINERD ELK TO COMPETE IN THE ELKS NATIONAL HOOP SHOOT COMPETITION.

KELSI PLACED FOURTH ELEVEN YEARS AGO, AND DARCI LOOKS FORWARD TO HAVING ANOTHER SHOT AT EARNING FAMILY BRAGGING RIGHTS.

>> I THINK I CAN DO IT.

I JUST WORRY ABOUT THE NEXT SHOT.

THEY JUST TOLD ME TO DO MY BEST AND ALWAYS TRY.

JUST HAVE FUN DURING IT.

IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER WHAT PLACE YOU GET.

>> SHE JUST FLAT OUT LOVES TO BALL MAN.

DARCI WILL BE BACK IN ACTION FOR THE ELKS NATIONAL HOOP SHOOT ON APRIL 16TH.

THE COMPETITION WILL TAKE PLACE IN CHICAGO.

>>> SOME MORE SCORES TONIGHT.

BSU SOFTBALL FELL IN THE DOUBLE HEADER AGAINST MINOT STATE TODAY.

THE NBA, THE TIMBERWOLVES LOST THEIR SECOND STRAIGHT AGAINST PHILADELPHIA.

>> Sydney: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU MILES.

A MINNESOTA NATIVE IS CONTINUING HIS RISE IN COUNTRY MUSIC, WITH A RECENT PERFORMANCE AT THE NEW YORK MILLS REGIONAL CULTURAL CENTER.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS THE STORY FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: POPULAR COUNTRY ARTIST AARON SIMMONS TOOK A STOP DURING HIS COUNTRY WIDE AT THE REGIONAL CENTER.

IT'S PART OF THE PAY WHAT YOU CAN CONCERT SERIES, A COMMUNITY-BASED FUNDRAISING TO KEEP ORIGINAL LIVE MUSIC IN RURAL WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

>> I THINK PART OF THE REASON IT'S SO FUN TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC HERE IS THAT IT'S A REALLY INTIMATE ATMOSPHERE.

YOU'RE UP CLOSE AND PERSON WITH THE ARTIST.

THERE IS NO RAISED STAGE, THERE ARE JUST FOLDING CHAIRS LIKE 5 FEET AWAY FROM THE MUSICIAN.

HE IS WARM, HE IS A STORYTELLER, AND HE LIKES TO INTERACT WITH THE AUDIENCE AND TELL STORIES ABOUT HIS SONG.

THAT IS THE PERFECT MUSICIAN BECAUSE IT'S LIKE A CONVERSATION AND NOT JUST A CONCERT.

>> Reporter: HE CAPTURES LIFE AND LESSONS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY.

WITH STRONG SMALL TOWN VALUES AND A DOWN TO EARTH STYLE, HIS SONGS RESONATE WITH LISTENERS WHO APPRECIATE HONEST LYRICS.

>> I AM HONEST WITH MY MUSIC.

I LIKE TO PUT ON A SHOW THAT IS AN HONEST SHOW AND I WANT TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH AND MAKE PEOPLE FEEL LIGHTHEARTED AND FEEL SAD WHILE TELLING ALL SORTS OF EMOTIONS IN SONGS.

>> Reporter: HIS DEBUT ALBUM PEAKED AT NUMBER FIVE ON THE iTUNES COUNTRY ALBUM CHART.

HE WAS NAMED MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR.

>> ART IS INFLUENCING SO MANY DIFFERENT PARTS OF LIFE.

I THINK WHETHER IT'S THE NEW YORK MILLS CULTURAL CENTER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN ANOTHER COMMUNITY, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP CHAMPIONING THESE TYPES OF PLACES BECAUSE THEY'RE SO IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN NEW YORK MILLS FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

[♪♪♪] [APPLAUSE].

>> Sydney: THIS SUMMER ON JUNE 13TH, SIMMONS WILL RETURN TO THE AREA TO PERFORM AT THE JUNE JUBILEE.

>>> AND STACY HAS MORE WEATHER FOR US.

>> Stacy: IT'S WINTERY WEATHER.

WE WILL SEE SNOW MOVING INTO THE AREA TONIGHT, COULD BE HEAVY TONIGHT AT TOMORROW MORNING.

A WINTER STORM WARNING IS OUT FOR THE ENTIRE VIEWING AREA FOR CENTRAL MINNESOTA THROUGH TOMORROW NIGHT AND UNTIL 1:00 A.M.

ON SUNDAY IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

WE COULD SEE ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 12 INCHES, MAYBE MORE OF SNOWFALL ACCUMULATION OUT OF THAT SYSTEM.

TONIGHT, WE WILL SEE SNOW, IT COULD BE HEAVY AT TIMES.

LOWS NEAR 26 WITH TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS FROM 1 TO 7 INCHES, MIXED PRECIPITATION IS ALSO POSSIBLE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THE SNOW CONTINUES TOMORROW, HEAVY AT TIMES, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING, WITH MIXED PRECIPITATION IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOMORROW, 1 TO 8 INCHES OF ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATION, HIGHS NEAR 34.

A LITTLE BIT QUIETER BUT COOLER NEXT WEEK, HIGHS NEAR 30 ON MONDAY, AND THEN WE DO START TO WARM UP AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK, A CHANCE FOR MIXED PRECIPITATION ON WEDNESDAY WITH HIGHS NEAR 48.

>> Miles: AND BSU WILL BE BACK TOMORROW.

AND THE WILD WILL BE ON THE ROAD AGAINST OTTAWA AND DETROIT THIS WEEKEND.

>> Sydney: EXCITING STUFF.

THANK YOU AND THANK YOU ALL FOR WATCHING.

THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Miles: GOOD NIGHT.

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