CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY AV CAPTIONING www.avcaptioning.com >> Announcer: PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI, CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER, FDIC.

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

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> Announcer: LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10.

WE'RE HERE FOR YOU WITH LOCAL NEWS FOR 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.

THE MINNESOTA PUBLIC FACILITY AUTHORITY AWARDED OVER $40 MILLION FOR WASTEWATER AND DRINKING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE TO 15 CITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL WENT TO ONE OF THE CITIES WHERE CONSTRUCTION IS ALREADY UNDER WAY.

HERE HE IS WITH MORE.

>> Daniel: THE CITY OF CROSBY WAS AWARDED THREE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP REBUILD THE OUTDATED WATER AND SEWAGE LINES.

>> WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A $13 MILLION PROJECT THAT INCLUDES SANITARY SEWER, WATER, AND STORM SEWER.

WE DESIGNED THIS PROJECT AROUND THE OLDEST INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE AND WE'RE FINDING A LOT OF LEAKAGE THAT WATER IS GOING INTO THE GROUND OR SEWERS, GETTING RAINWATER.

SO THE DEFICIENCIES WILL BE FIXED.

>> Daniel: THE CURRENT WATER LINES ARE LEAKING.

TREATED WATER ALONG WITH SEWAGE IS SEEPING INTO THE GROUND.

THE CROSBY MAYOR SAYS THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL COST TO TAXPAYERS.

>> WE HAVE WELLS AND OUR OWN WAIRT TREATMENT PLANT AND WHEN WE TREAT WATER AND IT GOES INTO THE GROUND AND NOT INTO SOMEBODY'S HOUSE, THAT'S MONEY WE'VE SPENT TREATING WATER THAT DIDN'T GET TO A HOUSE.

IF THERE'S CRACKS IN THE OLD CLAY PIPE, YOU GET RAINWATER INTO YOUR SANITARY SEWER, AND WE'RE -- OUR FEES ARE BASED ON THE FLOWAGE OF THE SEWAGE.

>> Daniel: PLANS FOR THE PROJECT STARTED IN 2019 WHEN THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, WITH THE ORIGINAL FOCUS BEING ON ROAD REPAIRS, BUT ACCORDING TO CASH, MUNICIPALITIES CAN OBTAIN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR ROAD REPAIRS THAT HAVE TIDEWATER AND SEWAGE LINES BENEATH THEM.

>> WE PICKED ROADS WITH AGING INFRASTRUCTURE UNDERNEATH BECAUSE THEN YOU CAN GET FUNDING AT 2% ON A BOND.

IF YOU HAVE A VETO WITH NO SEWER OR -- A STREET WITH NO SEWER OR WATER UNDERNEATH, YOU HAVE TO FINANCE IT YOURSELF AND THAT'S VERY EXPENSIVE FOR THE TAXPAYERS.

WE HAVE A BACKLOG OF ABOUT 20 MILLION IN STREET REPAIRS AND IF YOU TAKE THAT AND SPLIT IT AMONGST 2250 PEOPLE, THAT'S PRETTY EXTENSIVE.

>> Daniel: CONSTRUCTION IS ALREADY UNDERWAY IN KROJ.

PHASES ONE AND TWO MADE UP MOSTLY OF ALLEYWAYS AND RESH STREETS, BUT MAYOR CASH SAYS THE THIRD PHASE MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT.

>> IT'S THE ROADS PEOPLE DRIVE ON F 1st STREET SOUTH AND 2nd STREET SOUTH WITH AGING INFRASTRUCTURE UNDERNEATH AND THE ROADS ARE UNPLOWABLE BECAUSE THE TAR IS BROKEN UP.

THEY'RE PAST THEIR LIVE.

>> Daniel: REPORTING IN CROSBY, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: CROSBY IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF SEEKING BIDS TO EXECUTE THE THIRD PHASE OF THEIR WATER MAIN AND ROAD WORK PROJECT.

>>> IN OTHER NEWS TONIGHT: WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THE HEAD-ON CRASH IN CASS COUNTY LAST WEEK THAT KILLED TWO PEOPLE.

CASS COUNTY SHERIFF BRYAN WELK HAS IDENTIFIED THE VICTIMS AS 61-YEAR-OLD VILAYVIENG KHAMVONGSA OF WALKER AND 55-YEAR-OLD JENNIFER BURTON OF MENAHGA.

BOTH DIED IN THE CRASH.

THEY WERE THE DRIVERS OF THE TWO VEHICLES.

TWO PASSENGERS IN BURTON'S CAR SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES.

THEY ARE IDENTIFIED AS 46-YEAR-OLD KRISTOPHER FISHER OF WALKER AND 31-YEAR-OLD TIFFANNI HAUGEN OF DETROIT LAKES.

THE CRASH OCCURRED ON COUNTY ROAD 13 IN TURTLE LAKE TOWNSHIP AROUND 9:15 P.M. ON THURSDAY, MAY 29th.

AUTHORITIES ARE STILL INVESTIGATING THE CRASH AND HAVE NOT RELEASED ANY DETAILS ON HOW IT HAPPENED.

>>> A 39-YEAR-OLD BAGLEY WOMAN IS ACCUSED OF INTENTIONALLY DRIVING HER VEHICLE INTO AN AMISH BUGGY NEAR CLEARBROOK ON MAY 30th.

JAMIE HARMON HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH FELONY SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT.

ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS, THE DRIVER OF THE BUGGY SAID AN SUV WAS DRIVING THROUGH DITCHES AND THE DRIVER YELLED AT HIM AS THE VEHICLE PASSED BY.

HE SAID THE SUV THEN TURNED AROUND AND RAMMED INTO THE BUGGY'S WHEEL.

WHEN AUTHORITIES ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, THE BUGGY WAS IN THE DITCH, THE SUV WAS OVERTURNED, AND THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE HAD LEFT THE SCENE.

AFTER FOLLOWING UP WITH THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, AUTHORITIES DETERMINED HARMON WAS DRIVING THE SUV.

FAMILY MEMBERS TOLD LAW ENFORCEMENT HARMON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA LAST SUMMER, BUT WAS NOT TAKING HER MEDICATIONS.

LAW ENFORCEMENT SPOKE WITH HARMON, WHO DENIED BEING IN A CAR CRASH AND SAID SHE WAS HOME ALL WEEKEND.

SHE ALSO DENIED EXPERIENCING ANY MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.

HARMON WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM IN BAGLEY WHERE STAFF DEEMED THAT IT WAS NOT APPROPRIATE TO PLACE HER ON A MENTAL HEALTH HOLD AS SHE WAS NOT EXHIBITING ANY SYMPTOMS.

HARMON WAS CHARGED IN CLEARWATER COUNTY COURT TODAY WHERE JUDGE ERIC SCHIEFERDECKER SET BAIL OR BOND WITH NO CONDITIONS AT $100,000 AND WITH CONDITIONS AT $50,000.

>>> SMOKE FROM CANADIAN WILDFIRES HAS CARRIED ANOTHER DAY OF POOR AIR QUALITY SOUTH OF THE BORDER TO THE AMERICAN MIDWEST.

CANADA IS HAVING ANOTHER BAD WILDFIRE SEASON AND MORE THAN 27,000 PEOPLE IN THREE PROVINCES HAVE BEEN FORCED TO EVACUATE.

THE MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY ISSUED AN ALERT FOR ALMOST THE ENTIRE STATE INTO WEDNESDAY.

STACY WILL HAVE MORE ON THAT LATER ON IN WEATHER.

>>> THE BRAINERD FAMILY YMCA MAY BE SPORTING A NEW LOOK IN THE COMING YEARS.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON THE POTENTIAL MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT THE Y COULD UNDERGO IN THE FUTURE.

>> Miles: THE BRAINERD FAMILY YMCA HAS STOOD TALL IN THE TOWN SINCE THE LATE 1800s AND AT ITS CURRENT LOCATION ON OAK STREET SINCE 1967.

HOWEVER, AS THE Y CONTINUES TAKING ON MORE RESPONSIBILITIES, THE CEO SEES MORE NEED FOR A NEW FACILITY.

>> THERE ARE CONTINUAL EMMER GENT NEEDS THAT I HEAR, AND THAT'S CHILD CARE.

IT'S MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

IT'S, YOU KNOW, INACTIVITY AND THE CHRONIC DISEASES THAT RESULT BECAUSE OF THAT.

>> Miles: THE BRAINERD Y ALSO HAS STRUCTURAL CONCERNS, INCLUDING A CRACKED POOL AND FLOODING FROM A OUTDATED ROOF, FROM A CAR DRIVING THROUGH THE OUTER WALLS IN THE DAYCARE CENTER BACK IN 2023.

>> I'VE BEEN HERE FOR SEVEN YEARS AND I KNEW THAT THE FACILITY WAS DATED, BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE JUST HOW DATED AND HOW MUCH DISREPAIR THERE WAS.

>> WE NEED MORE USEABLE, BETTER SPACE.

>> Miles: THE PROPOSED FACILITY FOR A BRAINERD YMCA WILL COST BETWEEN 30 AND $35 MILLION, INCLUDING A NEW AQUATIC CENTER FUNDED THROUGH THE CITY.

>> JUST THINK ABOUT HOW MANY KIDS STILL DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO A POOL OR THEY EVEN NEVER GET TO THE LAKES OR THE RIVERS TO BE ABLE TO LEARN HOW TO SWIM.

SO WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> Miles: WHILE THE Y SERVES TO ENHANCE LIVES IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA FROM EVERY DEMO GRAND FORK THE YOUTH MAKE UP A LARGE PIECE OF THE EQUATION.

THEY ARE FRONT OF MIND.

>> BY BUILDING SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL LEARNING SKILLS WITH THE KIDS, HELPING THEM LEARN HEALTHY BEHAVIORS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, WE KNOW THEY WILL BE STRONGER, MORE RESILIENT ADULTS.

>> Miles: THE PLANS FOR A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN WERE PRESENTED AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING EARLIER THIS MONTH, WHICH INCLUDED A NEW FACILITY, UPDATED CAMP AND BUILDINGS, A MULTI FIELD INDOOR SPORTS COMPLEX AT CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE, ALL OF WHICH THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SEE AN INTEREST IN EXPLORING.

>> WE'RE SUPER EXCITED TO SEE WHERE THIS THING CAN GROW TO.

THE NICE THING ABOUT THIS PROJECT IS THEY'RE STAYING IN THAT SAME FOOTPRINT, RIGHT NOT HEART OF OUR DOWNTOWN AREA BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WHERE PEOPLE ACCESS TO IT.

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

>> Dennis: THE BRAINERD YMCA IS PLANNING TO MEET WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS REGARDING THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO SEE IF ANYONE WANTS TO SUPPORT THE EFFORT.

>> Announcer: STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10: >> Stacy: AIR QUALITY ALERTS CONTINUE IN MUCH OF THE AREA TONIGHT.

I'LL HAVE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> Matthew: AND XUP AFTER THE BREAK, A LOOK INTO IMPI THE >> Announcer: THIS PORTION OF LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY CTC: INTERNET, PHONE AND TV.

CTC, CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY, ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

>>> AND NOW, MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>> Dennis: THE 2nd ANNUAL CASTING WITH COPS EVENT THAT TOOK PLACE IN BEMIDJI LAST SEPTEMBER RECENTLY WON AN AWARD FROM THE MINNESOTA RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN ATTENDED THE AWARD CEREMONY YESTERDAY TO GIVE US A DEEPER LOOK INTO WHY THIS EVENT WON THE AWARD.

>> Matthew: OFFICER GREG ZIMBELMAN OF THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS HAD A LOVE OF FISHING EVER SINCE HE WAS A LITTLE KID.

>> THERE WAS A PARTNERSHIP HAD IN ANOTHER SMALL TOWN THAT ACTUALLY OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH TO HAVE A KIND OF A LIAISON TO DO THINGS THAT YOUTH WEREN'T ABLE TO DO, AND WITH THAT, I WAS ABLE TO GO FISHING AND THAT'S WHEN I REALLY ENJOYED STARTING MY HOBBY OF FISHING.

>> Matthew: THE OFFICER WANTED TO EXTEND HIS LOVE FOR FISHING TO ANY YOUTH INTERESTED IN LEARNING THE HOBBY WHILE ALSO USING HIS POSITION AS A POLICE OFFICER TO BUILD BETTER RELATIONSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE'RE SURROUNDED BY THOUSANDS OF LAKES, SO I THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND THAT OLIVE BRANCH FURTHER IN THE POSITION I AM IN LAW ENFORCEMENT TO UTILIZE WITH OUR KIDS.

>> Matthew: THUS THE FIRST CASTING WITH COPS PROGRAM WAS BORN, PARTNERING WITH BEMIDJI PARKS AND REC AND THE GIRLS AND BOYS CLUB TO TAKE KIDS FISHING EVERY OTHER WEEK.

>> ON A PONTOON AND WE HAD AN ABSOLUTE BLAST.

WITH THAT, THERE'S A LOT OF RESOURCES THAT SAY HOW CAN WE HELP AND THE PROGRAM JUST EXPLODED.

>> Matthew: BECAUSE OF THAT, THE PROGRAM BECAME A COMMUNITY EVENT WHERE HUNDREDS OF KIDS FLOOD THE DOCK HERE TO CAST WITH THE BEMIDJI POLICE OFFICERS.

>> EVERY YOUTH THAT CAME HERE WALKED AWAY WITH A WHOLE LAG OF FISHING LURES AND A NEW ROD AND THERE'S NO EXPENSE TO ANY OF THE COMMUNITY AND THAT'S THE GREAT SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE HERE IN LAKES COUNTRY.

>> Matthew: THAT SUPPORT EARNED THE CASTING WITH COPS EVENT AN AWARD FROM THE MINUTE RECREATION AND PARKS ASSOCIATION FOR THE VANE'S ABILITY TO RAISE -- EVENT'SABOUT TO RAISE AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION.

>> THAT INCLUDES THE HIGH LEVEL OF COLLABORATION AMONGST THE TWO CITY DEPARTMENTS AND THOSE COMING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE THIS EVENT.

>> Matthew: THE OFFICER WASN'T AWARE THE IMPACT HE WAS MAKING ON THE COMMUNITY WITH THIS EVENT.

>> YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL LAKE HERE AND IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET KIDS ON THE LAKE AND NEAR THE LAKE AND PRYING AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A -- PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A LIFELONG SPORTS AND ACTIVITY THEY CAN ENJOY IN YEARS TO COME.

>> I WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT WE'VE BEEN MAKING SUCH AN IMPACT AND IT'S RECOGNIZED ON A STATE LEVEL.

IT'S A FEELING OF HONOR AND ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT WE'RE DOING WELL TO BETTER OUR COMMUNITY.

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

>> Dennis: THE NEXT CASTING WITH COPS EVENT IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 8th AT DIAMOND POINT PARK IN BEMIDJI.

>>> WELL, OUR LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY IS BACK THIS SUMMER.

THIS YEAR ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE GIVING AWAY A THREE-NIGHT STAY AT CRAGUN'S RESORT NEAR BRAINERD.

TO REGISTER, YOU NEED TO 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.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME ANNOUNCED, YOU CAN THEN QUALIFY BY CALLING US ON THE CRUISE HOTLINE NUMBER BEFORE 5 P.M.

THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY.

WE DO HAVE EVERY WEEK NIGHT THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.

HERE ARE THE TONIGHT'S FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME, GIVE US A CALL AT THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN BY 5 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY AND YOU'LL QUALIFY FOR THE GRAND PRIZE DRAWING WHICH WE'LL BE ANNOUNCING IN A LIVE DRAWING ON MONDAY, AUGUST 25th.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER.

STACY IS HERE NOW.

SMOKE SEEMS TO BE LEAVING THE AREA AT LEAST SOMEWHAT.

>> Stacy: WE'VE BEEN SEEING SOME RELIEF FROM THE SMOKE.

THERE'S UPPER LEVEL HAZE IN THE AREA IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, BUT STILL IMPACTING AIR QUALITY IN NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA WITHIN OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE'LL HAVE >> Announcer: CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS 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 BY WIDSETH.

ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, LAND SURVEYORS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: WELL, WE DID HAVE SOME SUNSHINE TODAY, ALTHOUGH WE HAD HIGHER LEVEL HAZE IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA AND THE SMOKE STILL IMPACTING AIR QUALITY IN NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE DID HAVE ALERTS OUT OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW, BUT BEYOND THAT, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL SEE MORE SUNSHINE TOMORROW, MAYBE EVEN A FEW POP-UP SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE NORTH.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 62 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS ARE CALM AT THE STUDIO AND DEWPOINT IS AT 37.

IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, 65 DEGREES, 42 IS OUR DEWPOINT, PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

AIR QUALITY ALERTS CONTINUE IN THE AREA TODAY.

THE ALERT WILL EXPIRE AT NOON WEDNESDAY IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA WHERE THE AIR QUALITY INDEX IS EXPECTED TO REACH THE PURPLE OR VERY UNHEALTHY CATEGORY, AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, THE ALERT IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY WITH AN AQI EXPECTED TO REACH THE RED OR UNHEALTHY CATEGORY.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE, WE CAN SEE SOME OF THAT HAZE FROM THE SMOKE IN THE AREA, A BIT OF CLOUD COVER, ESPECIALLY AS WE MOVE MORE INTO EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, STILL COULD SEE AREAS OF SMOKE IN NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA INTO TOMORROW, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE TEMPERATURE-WISE WILL BE PRETTY SEASONAL AND WE SHOULD BE SEEING HIGH TEMPS ALSO VERY SEASONAL IN BOTH NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

JASON SENT US THIS PHOTO OF THE BEARS CATCHING A QUICK LATE NIGHT SNACK LAST NIGHT IN BAMD.

ARLENE STARTING THIS CRITTER IN THE TREES IN MENAHGA.

JERRY SPOTTING YELLOW LADY SLIPPERS AND JOAN ALSO.

ANGELA SENDING THIS PHOTO OF SUNSET.

EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE, 49, CALM AND HAZY.

ARLENE, COLLIDE TODAY, THE HIGH 70.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, MOSTLY SUNNY AND 72, AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE WITH A HIGH OF 70.

ON THE ALMANAC, BRAINERD REAPING A HIGH OF 73 TODAY AND SEASONAL HIGH TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE AREA.

54 WAS THE LOW, SUNSET AT 9:04.

BEMIDJI ALSO WITH A SEASONAL HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE TOPPED OUT AT 72.

THAT'S THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMP.

46 FOR THE LOW, 9:11 WAS OUR SUNSET.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST TOMORROW.

WE START OUT WITH A CLEAR SKY.

IN THE AFTERNOON WE COULD SEE POP-UP SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, MAINLY IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE VIEWING AREA, BUT TEMPERATURES VERY SEASONAL ONCE AGAIN, HIGHS RANGE FROM 70 TO 75 IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE SHOULD SEE THE TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT IN THE MID 70s, 76 IN LITTLE FALLS AND IN BRAINERD.

HERE'S THE FORECAST.

MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, LOWS DOWN -- MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT, LOWS DOWN TO 47 WITH WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS.

TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY WITH AGAIN A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE NORTHERN MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON WITH HIGHS NEAR 74.

LOOK AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, WE CONTINUE TO HAVE SOME CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND EVEN THUNDERSTORMS, ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

OTHERWISE, EXPECT TO SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS AND SEASONAL TEMPERATURES, HIGHS RANGE FROM ABOUT THE UPPER 60s INTO THE MID 70s FOR THE MOST PART, A LITTLE BIT WARMER THERE ON SATURDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: OKAY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH SPORTS.

>> Charlie: WE HAVE A LITTLE OF BASEBALL TODAY.

SOFTBALL GOT RAINED OUT.

WE ALSO HAVE SECTION GOLF AS WELL.

I'LL HAVE HIGHLIGHTS AND MORE >> Announcer: SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, POWERED BY THE GIGA ZONE, OFFERING THE LATEST IN TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS FROM YOU'RE LOCAL BROADBAND COOPERATIVE.

>>> NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY LVI SUPPLY.

>>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>> Charlie: IT'S NOT EVERY DAY YOU GET A SECOND CHANCE, BUT PIERZ BASEBALL GOT ONE TODAY IN THE SEMIFINAL ROUND OF THE SECTION 6-AA TOURNAMENT.

AFTER LOSING THE FINAL GAME OF THE REGULAR SEASON 2-0 TO ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL, THE THREE SEEDED PIONEERS BOUNCED BACK TO WIN THE FIRST THREE GAMES OF THE TOURNAMENT AND EARNED A SECOND MEETING.

WE PICK UP IN THE SIXTH INNING OF A STILL SCORELESS GAME.

LEAD OFF BATTER SAWYER LOCKNER JUST IS GOING TO GET A DOUBLE OUT OF THIS AND THE PIONEERS BUNT HIM OVER TO THIRD BASE FROM THERE, SETTING UP ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING PLAYS IN BASEBALL, THE SUICIDE SQUEEZE.

EXECUTED TO PERFECTION AND THE PIRATES LEAD IT 1-0.

BOTTOM 7 NOW, TWO OUT, CRUSADE DERS WITH THE TYING RUN ON THIRD.

THE PITCHER GETS EP FROM THE DEFENSE TO FINISH IT OFF.

PIERZ HANDS ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL JUST THEIR SECOND LOSS OF THE SEASON.

PINE NERS HEADING TO THE FIRST SECTION FINAL GAME.

A COUPLE MORE SCORES, ROYALTON BEATS FOLEY, THEY PLAY ALBANY TERM.

BEMIDJI WON THEIR FIRST GAME, BUT FELL IN THE NEXT ONE.

THEY ARE DONE FOR THE SEASON.

LITTLE FALLS, THEY ARE DONE FOR THE SEASON AS WELL, NATED.

SO IS PEQUOT LAKES.

>>> BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB PLAYING HOST TO THE SECTION 8-AA GOLF TOURNAMENT.

TODAY WAS THE FINAL ROUND OF PLAY.

WE START WITH THE BOYS.

WARROAD'S PARKER MOES THREW DOWN A TWO-DAY 160 TO FINISH 11th OVERALL, THE ONLY AREA BOYS GOLFER TO QUALIFY FROM 8-AA.

THERE WAS ONLY ONE STATE QUALIFIER FOR THE GIRLS AS WELL.

IT WAS PARK RAPIDS NATALIE MARTIN, JUST A 7th GRADER, FINDS THE GREEN ON 18, PARS THE HOLE TO FINISH SECOND OVERALL WITH A TWO-DAY 155.

DETROIT LAKES TOPS THE SECTION FOR THE GIRLS.

ROSEAU AND PARK RAPIDS FINISH 5 AND 6.

DETROIT LAKES ALSO WINS IT FOR THE BOYS.

IN FACT THEIR SIX GOLFERS FINISHED 1 THROUGH 6 AS INDIVIDUALS.

IN SECTION 6-AA, PEQUOT LAKES GIRLS GOLF WON THEIR FIFTH STRAIGHT TITLE.

THEY'LL BE MAKING THEIR 11th STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE, AND THEY WERE LED BY GENEVIEVE BIRKELAND WHO WON HER THIRD INDIVIDUAL SECTION TITLE TODAY, HER SECOND IN A ROW.

WHITNEY LEBLANC FROM PIERZ, IMAGINE HINES FROM LITTLE FALLS, ND WALKER JOHNSON FROM STAPLES-MOTLEY ALL QUALIFYING FOR STATE.

IT WAS HER BIRTHDAY TODAY.

WAY TO DO THAT ON YOUR BIRTHDAY.

AND ON THE BOYS SIDE OF 6-AA, JUST NINE STROKES SEPARATING THE TOP FOUR TEAMS, BUT ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL TOOK HOME THE TITLE.

CARTER WHITE FROM STAPLES-MOTLEY AND MICHAEL OSELAND FROM PEQUOT LAKES BOTH STATE QUALIFIERS AS WELL.

>>> IN GIRLS LACROSSE, GRAND RAPIDS GREENWAY FALLS TO CHIS SACK GO LAKES, ENDING THEIR SEASON.

THE TWINS TRYING TO WIN THE SERIES AGAINST THE ATHLETICS TONIGHT, DOWN 2-1.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHARLIE.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE ENGINEERING STUDENTS FINISHED THEIR CAPSTONE PROJECT IN EARLY MAY, AND NOW IT IS ON DISPLAY ON A LOCAL NATURE RESERVATION.

A GIANT NATURE MEGAPHONE WAS CREATED TO AMPLIFY THE SOUNDS OF ANIMALS AND CONNECT PEOPLE WITH THE SOUNDS OF NATURE THAT THEY MAY NOT NORMALLY HEAR.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE DETAILS FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

>> Sydney: THE SOUNDS OF NATURE MIGHT BE BEAUTIFUL ENOUGH ON THEIR OWN, BUT WHAT ABOUT NATURE SOUNDS THAT ARE AMPLIFIED EVEN MORE THAN NORMAL?

>> WE HAD INSPIRATION FROM A SIMILAR MEGAPHONE THAT WAS BUILT IN ESTONIA AND WE ALTERED THE DESIGN TO BETTER CAPTURE THE FREQUENCIES OF THE BIRDS AND THE HIGHER FREQUENCY SOUNDS YOU CAN GET IN NATURE.

>> Sydney: ALL PEOPLE NEED TO DO IS SIT NEAR THE SMALL END AND ALL OF THE NATURE SOUNDS COME IN AND FUNNEL DIRECTLY TOWARDS THEM.

>> WE HAVE NO ROAD ACCESS TO WHERE THERE IS GOING, WHICH IS KIND OF THE REASON FOR IT, TO HAVE IT IN A REMOTE PLACE.

A TIME FOR REFLECTION, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF STEPPING AWAY FROM THE TYPICAL DAILY THOUGHTS AND WORRIES.

>> WHEN YOU'RE IN EVERYDAY LIFE, YOU DON'T GET TO EXPERIENCE THOSE SOUNDS QUITE AS MUCH.

>> Sydney: THE PROJECT'S WOOD WAS DONATED BY NORTH WOODS LUMBER COMPANY AND THE BUILDING OF THE STRUCTURE WAS DONE AT BSU, THEN TAKEN APART AND BROUGHT TO THE NIELSEN SPEARHEAD PRESERVE LOCATED JUST SOUTH OF BEMIDJI.

>> THE MISSION OF OUR ORGANIZATION IS CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE AND IT JUST SEEMS LIKE AN ADDITIONAL WAY THAT PEOPLE, AS THEY'RE WALKING AROUND, CAN STOP AND REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THEM.

>> MY FAVORITE ASPECT IS PROBABLY LAYING INSIDE OF IT.

WHERE WE BUILT IT IS KIND OF COMFORTABLE JUST TO LAY ALONG THE SIDE OF IT AND JUST TAKE IT ALL IN AND JUST RELAX.

>> Sydney: AND EVEN THOUGH THE BUILDERS CAN LAY DOWN AND CHILL IN THE STRUCTURE NOW, THE JOURNEY TO GET THERE MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN QUITE SO RELAXING.

>> FIRST THEY DESIGNED IT AND THEN FABRICATED AND WE HAD TO MAKE REPORTS ABOUT HOW IT ALL WENT.

>> WE WERE ALL THERE IN THE SCHOOL LATE HOURS, LONG DAYS.

>> WE PUT ABOUT 10 TO 20 MAN-HOURS INTO THE ACTUAL FABRICATION OF IT, SO OF THE AN ALL THAT TIME, IT'S AWESOME TO SEE IT COME TOGETHER AS A WHOLE PIECE.

>> SEEING IT IS ACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD.

YOU CAN LAY IN IT, STAND IN IT.

THERE'S ABOUT FIVE PEOPLE IN THIS TAKING OUR PICTURE, SO IT ACTUALLY -- IT CAN HOLD PEOPLE AND IT'S PLEASING.

>> Sydney: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTH WOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: THE 11-FOOT-LONG CONE IS OFFICIALLY FINISHED AND IS SET UP ON THE NEILSON SPEARHEAD NATURE PRESERVE AND CAN BE REACHED BY FOOT HIKING ALONG THE TRAILS OR BY KAYAK OR CANOE ACROSS SPEARHEAD LAKE.

>>> WE HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT WEATHER.

WE GO BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: AIR QUALITY ALERTS CONTINUE IN NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA UNTIL NOON TOMORROW IN THE NORTHEAST, CENTRAL MINNESOTA UNTIL 9:00 A.M. TONIGHT, WE'LL BE SEEING CLEARING SKIES AND LOOKS LIKE COMFORTABLE SLEEPING TEMPERATURES.

WE'LL BE SEEING THE LOW TEMPS DOWN TO ABOUT 47 AND THEN AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, IT LOOKS LIKE MORE SUNSHINE BUT WE COULD HAVE POP-UP SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE NORTH.

>> Charlie: WITH ALL THOSE THUNDERSTORMS AND RAIN DOWN SOUTH, THAT CANCELLED THE STATE TOURNAMENT FOR SOFTBALL TODAY, BUT THEY HAVE DOUBLE HEADERS TOMORROW.

WE'LL HAVE HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOU GUYS.

>> Dennis: HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

WE'RE BACK AT 10 TOMORROW.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.