>> 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.

>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> HEY EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING TONIGHT, MY NAME IS MATTHEW FREEMAN, FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN, WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> THE OWNER OF THE BUENA VISTA SKI AREA IN BEMIDJI, SUZANNE THOMAS, HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF A VULNERABLE ADULT AND IS BEING ACCUSED OF UNLAWFULLY TRANSFERRING $1.5 MILLION FROM HER 95-YEAR-OLD AUNT, MUFFY DICKINSON.

ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS, FAMILY MEMBERS SAID THEY WERE CONCERNED THAT DICKENSON WAS TOO RELIANT.

HER COGNITIVE SKILLS WERE DECLINING.

THIS PROMPTED THE FAMILY TO HIRE AND ATTORNEY THAT NOMINATED SUSAN AS A PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF SOME PARCELS OF PROPERTY AT BUENA VISTA.

THAT SAME ATTORNEY IN JUNE DRAFTED AND EXECUTED A CLAIM DEED THAT TRANSFERRED A 52-ACRE PARCEL THAT INCLUDED DICKENSON'S HOME TO SUZANNE WITHOUT SENDING ANY FORM OF PAYMENT TO HER.

THEN SHE MET WITH A DIFFERENT ATTORNEY AND DEMANDED THE TRANSACTION BE CANCELED AS SHE HAD NOT UNDERSTOOD THE DOCUMENTS SHE SIGNED.

THEN SUSAN TRANSFERRED THE PROPERTY BACK TO DICKENSON.

A MEDICAL EXAM NOTE INDICATES THAT DICKENSON SUFFERED FROM DEMENTIA AND SHORT-TERM MEMORY, LEADING TO HER BEING ADMITTED TO A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY.

SUZANNE FREQUENTLY VISITED HER AT NIELSEN PLACE.

IN FEBRUARY OF 2024, THOMAS TRANSPORTED DICKINSON TO A PREARRANGED MEETING AT BUENA VISTA WHERE SEVERAL LAWYERS AND WITNESSES WERE PRESENT.

AT THAT MEETING, DICKINSON TRANSFERRED 13 SEPARATE PARCELS OF PROPERTY VALUED AT OVER $1 MILLION TO MARIANN DICKINSON, DICKINSON'S SISTER-IN-LAW, AND ALSO THE MOTHER OF SUZANNE THOMAS.

MARIANNE WAS REPORTED AS NEAR DEATH DUE TO HER OLD AGE.

AT THAT SAME MEETING THOUGH, DICKINSON TRANSFERRED ANOTHER 6 PARCELS OF REAL PROPERTY VALUED AT OVER $500,000 TO SUZANNE AND DON THOMAS.

ONE MONTH LATER, MARIANNE DICKINSON THEN PASSED AWAY.

MARIANNE NOMINATED SUZANNE TO BE HER PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE AS A RESULT OF THE TRANSFERS THAT HAPPENED EARLIER IN FEBRUARY OF THAT YEAR, LEAVING SUZANNE IN CONTROL OF ALL 19 PARCELS OF PROPERTY AT BUENA VISTA.

LATER IN APRIL, DICKINSON WAS INTERVIEWED BY BELTRAMI COUNTY INVESTIGATORS, AND INDICATED SHE DID NOT RECALL TRANSFERRING ANY OF HER PROPERTY OR RECEIVED ANY COMPENSATION FOR THOSE TRANSFERS.

THE VALUE OF THE LAND INVOLVED IN THESE ALLEGEDLY UNLAWFUL TRANSFERS IS APPROXIMATELY $1.5 MILLION.

WE REACHED OUT TO BELTRAMI COUNTY ATTORNEY, DAVID HANSON, BUT HE DECLINED TO COMMENT AT THIS TIME.

WE ALSO REACHED OUT SUZANNE THOMAS FOR A COMMENT ON THIS STORY, BUT WE HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED A RESPONSE.

>>> TWO PEOPLE FROM PIERZ WERE INJURED YESTERDAY AFTER THEIR MOTORCYCLE COLLIDED WITH A DEER IN MORRISON COUNTY.

ACCORDING TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, ON MAY 22ND AROUND 8:15 P.M., THEIR OFFICE RECEIVED NOTICE OF A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES FOUR MILES EAST OF BUCKMAN IN HILLMAN TOWNSHIP.

THE DRIVER OF THE MOTORCYCLE, 72-YEAR-OLD THOMAS THEISEN, AND A PASSENGER, 64-YEAR-OLD MICHELLE THEISEN, WERE TRAVELING SOUTH ON PARTRIDGE ROAD NEAR 103RD STREET WHEN THEY STRUCK A DEER.

THOMAS AND MICHELLE THEISEN WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED TO SAINT GABRIEL'S HOSPITAL IN LITTLE FALLS WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES.

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS MONTH.

AT THE MEDICAL CENTER IN BRAINERD, THEY'RE BRINGING IN THERAPY DOGS TO HELP PUT PATIENTS AT EASE.

MILES WALKER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: TIMES CAN BE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY CHALLENGING FOR THE PATIENTS AND AT THE ESSENTIA HEALTH ST. JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER, IT'S THE K-9s HELPING PUT MINDS AT EASE.

>> IT'S A BRIGHT SPOT IN THEIR WEEK.

THERAPY DOGS ARE CALMING AND UPLIFTING.

THERE IS ALWAYS A SMILE, EVEN FOR THOSE WHO ARE DOWN AND HAVE A ROUGH TIME.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING.

>> Reporter: AND THERE ARE PLENTY MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS THAT ESSENTIA HEALTH EMPLOYEES WITNESSED BETWEEN PATIENTS AND POOCH, INCLUDING EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND STRESS REDUCTION.

>> THEY SEE US COMING THROUGH THE DOOR AND I'VE SEEN THEM DROP TO THEIR KNEES AND JUST LAY ON THE FLOOR AND HOLDING MADDIE AND START CRYING.

HAVING MADDIE THERE, IT JUST GIVES THEM THAT BREAK TO ENJOY A HUG FROM A DOG, A PET FROM A DOG.

>> Reporter: AND THE STORIES CREATED FROM THE BONDS PATIENTS AND THERAPY DOGS FORM AT THE MEDICAL CENTER CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.

>> WE'RE THE ONLY ONES IN THE ROOM WITH THIS LADY.

I SAT CHLOE BESIDE HER AND SHE WAS LICKING HER HAND AS THE LADY TOOK HER LAST BREATH.

THIS LADY LOVED DOGS.

IT WAS JUST SO APPROPRIATE THAT SHE HAD A DOG WITH HER IN HER FINAL MOMENTS.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE HOPE FOR DEPRESSION RESEARCH FOUNDATION, DEPRESSION AFFECTS OVER 18 MILLION ADULTS IN ANY GIVEN YEAR.

FOR ESSENTIA HELP, PLAYING IN PART IN HELPING RAISE THEIR PATIENTS' SPIRITS IS ALL THEY CAN ASK FOR.

>> ALMOST EVERYBODY EXPERIENCES DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY OVER THE COURSE OF THEIR LIVES.

IT'S IMPORTANT WE'RE HERE TO PROVIDE SOME SERVICES AND HOPE.

>> PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH REALLY BIG THINGS AND FOR JUST A MINUTE OR TWO, THEY SMILE AND THEY GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

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

>> ACCORDING TO THE ESSENTIA HEALTH VOLUNTEER SERVICE MANAGER ROSE ZUPAN.

THERE ARE ROUGHLY 100 PET THERAPY VOLUNTEERS BETWEEN BOTH SAINT JOSEPH'S MEDICAL CENTER AND THE CLINIC.

>>> FIREFIGHTERS ARE STILL TRYING TO CONTAIN TWO OF THE THREE MAJOR WILDFIRES IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

THE CAMP HOUSE FIRE NEAR BRIMSON IS STILL 90-PERCENT CONTAINED AS CREWS CONTINUED PATROLLING AND SEARCHING FOR ANY REMAINING SMOLDERING HOTSPOTS.

THE JENKINS CREEKS FIRE HOWEVER IS NOW 47-PERCENT CONTAINED AS FIREFIGHTERS ARE FOCUSING ON IDENTIFYING GAPS TO CLOSE THE PERIMETER FULLY.

THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ANNOUNCED THAT ALL EVACUATIONS HAVE BEEN LIFTED IN THAT COUNTY.

>>> WITH MAY BEING NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH, CROW WING COUNTY IS RAISING AWARENESS OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING THE ROLE FOSTER HOMES PLAY IN ENHANCING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

AS OF APRIL 1ST THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 68 LICENSED FOSTER FAMILIES WITH 65 CHILDREN AND TEENS IN FOSTER CARE IN CROW WING COUNTY AND THERE CONTINUES TO BE AN URGENT NEED FOR FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE PARENTS TO HELP THE CHILDREN IN NEED, FIND A SAFE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO GROW AND THRIVE.

>> FOSTER PARENTS ARE VITAL PART OF OUR PROCESS.

THEY ARE KIND OF THE UNSUNG HEROES.

A LOT OF THE TIMES WHEN KIDS ENTER INTO FOSTER CARE, IT'S AFTER ALL OF OUR OTHER RESOURCES HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED.

FOSTER PARENTS ARE NOW PART OF THAT CHILD'S STORY.

THEY ARE CREATING MEMORIES THAT THE CHILD WILL HAVE THE REST OF THEIR LIFE.

>> THOSE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT OR POTENTIALLY EXPLORING OTHER AVENUES SUCH SUPPORTING ANOTHER FOSTER PARENT AND PROVIDING RESPITE SERVICES, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO DAVIS AT THE NUMBER BELOW.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE SOME COLD TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN TONIGHT AND A PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA DOES HAVE A FROST ADVISORY INTO TOMORROW MORNING, BUT BEYOND THAT, WE HAVE A VERY NICE HOLIDAY WEEKEND AHEAD OF US.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE BEMIDJI AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HELD THEIR AWARD OF EXCELLENCE.

[♪♪♪] >> 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 LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES, THE BEMIDJI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS HELD AN AWARD CEREMONY TO RECOGNIZE DIFFERENT BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WAS AT THE 20TH ANNUAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE EARLIER THIS WEEK AND SPOKE TO SOME OF THE WINNERS TO SEE THEIR REACTIONS TO RECEIVING THE AWARDS.

>> Reporter: IT MIGHT NOT BE EASY TO RUN A BUSINESS, BUT SOME PEOPLE STILL GO ABOVE AND BEYOND WITH EFFORTS TO HELP THEIR COMMUNITY OUTSIDE OF JUST WORKING.

THESE BEHIND THE SCENES ACTIONS IN THE BEMIDJI AREA ARE CALLED TO LIGHT WITH THE ANNUAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS.

>> THAT'S WHY WE REALLY WANT TO RECOGNIZE THEM.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO IT BUT THEY'RE GOING OUT OF THEIR WAY TO DO IT ANY WAY.

SO ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF THAT AND MAYBE ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THAT AS WELL.

WE THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR'S AWARD CELEBRATION SAW THE CHAMBER'S BIGGEST TURNOUT YET WITH OVER 200 ATTENDEES.

>> IT'S AN INDICATOR OF THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE NOMINATED, HOW MUCH PEOPLE APPRECIATE THEM.

THEY WANT TO SEE WHO WINS AND APPRECIATE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN NOMINATED.

>> Reporter: TO EVERY AWARD WINNER, THE PRIZE MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> WE WANT TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY DO WELL AND WITH THAT AND STAFF BEING EMPOWERED TO DO THAT TYPE OF STUFF AND HELP THEIR COMMUNITY JUST TAKES SO MUCH MORE OWNERSHIP INTO WHAT THEY DO THROUGHOUT THEIR DAY TODAY.

>> HOW NICE TO HAVE SOMETHING TANGIBLE TO BE LOUD AND PROUD ABOUT.

AGAIN, TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THAT PANEL OF JUDGES, REALLY MEANS A LOT.

>> Reporter: THE BLUE OYSTER WAS NAMED ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AND THE SPLASH CAR WAS NAMED THE NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD.

THE FINAL AWARD OF THE AFTERNOON WAS A PRESTIGIOUS CHARLIE NAYLOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.

>> WE RECOGNIZE WHAT THEY HAVE DONE THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFE AND HAVING A BUSINESS HERE.

>> WE DONATED A LOT TO MANY DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH WE'RE VERY PROUD TO DO BECAUSE THE TOWN HAS DONE SO MUCH FOR US THAT WE ENJOY GIVING BACK.

IT MEANS A LOT.

IT'S VERY HUMBLING AND WE ARE VERY HONORED.

>> REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THIS YEAR THE CHARLIE NAYLOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WAS EVEN MORE SPECIAL THAN USUAL AS THE OWNERS OF RAPHAEL'S BAKERY ACTUALLY BOUGHT THEIR BUILDING FROM CHARLIE NAYLOR 35 YEARS AGO BRINGING EVERYTHING FULL CIRCLE.

>>> WELL STACY, HOPEFULLY YOU ARE HERE TO TELL US THAT IT SHOULD BE WARMING UP OVER THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

>> Stacy: IT IS GOING TO BE WARMER.

IT'S GOING TO BE CLOSE TO OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURES FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR BUT WE ARE EXPECTING SOME CHILLY TEMPERATURES TONIGHT, COULD SEE SOME AREAS OF FROST IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, WHERE WE DO HAVE THE FROST ADVISORY INTO TOMORROW MORN >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED 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.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: TEMPERATURES WERE PRETTY CHILLY THIS MORNING, BUT THEY DID WARM TO OUR SEASONAL AVERAGES WITH SOME NICE SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT THE AREA.

WE'LL HAVE VARIABLE CLOUDS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND ONCE AGAIN, TEMPERATURES WILL DROP INTO THE 30s, SO WE WILL SEE AREAS OF FROST IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

BEYOND THAT, THE WEEKEND LOOKS PRETTY GOOD, A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA TOMORROW, BUT WE SHOULD ENJOY A LOT OF SUNSHINE WITH HIGHS IN THE 60s AND LOW 70s.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 55 DEGREES.

AT THE STUDIO THE DEW POINT THE 35 AND HUMIDITY IS AT 4%.

IN -- 48%.

WE HAVE A FROST ADVISORY FOR MUCH OF NORTHEAST MINNESOTA FROM 1:00 A.M. TO 9:00 A.M. ON SATURDAY, TEMPERATURES WILL FALL TO BETWEEN 32 AND 35 DEGREES THROUGHOUT THIS AREA AND THAT WILL RESULT IN SOME FROST FORMATION.

AS FAR AS WEATHER CONDITIONS THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING AN INCREASE IN CLOUDS, SOME SPOTTY CLOUDS OUT THERE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE VARIABLE CLOUDS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT WITH THE CHILLY TEMPERATURES AND SOME AREAS OF FROST IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

WE SHOULD BE SEEING PLENTY OF SUNSHINE HOWEVER AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, BUT THERE IS AT LEAST A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SEEING A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

I HAVE SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

SHARON SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF A BEAR SHE SPOTTED IN THE YARD.

YOLANDA TAKING A PICTURE OF A BEAR AND A COUPLE OF CUBS NEAR THE ROAD.

DEBRA SENDING THIS PHOTO FROM PINE RIVER.

ARLENE WITH SOME NICE WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM.

GARY WITH THIS PHOTO OF THE CLOUDS REFLECTED IN THE LAKE.

ANGELA WITH THE SUN POING THROUGH THE CLOUDS.

A FEW SHOWERS AND RAINBOW OVER THE BLACKDUCK RIVER FROM SAMROSE AND THE GORGEOUS SUNSET FROM SANDY.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS WITH US TONIGHT.

OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, OUR LOW WAS 37.

FAIR AND 59 LATE THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 64 THIS AFTERNOON, BOB IN BLUFFTON A HIGH OF 64.

SANDY AT BLACKDUCK, PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 65.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 61.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD WITH A HIGH OF 64, SO WE'RE FALLING SHY OF THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

37 WAS OUR CHILLY TEMPERATURE THIS MORNING AND BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 62, THAT'S 6 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE AND OUR LOW THIS MORNING DOWN TO 33.

NOW AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE SUNSHINE, A FEW AREAS OF CLOUDS.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, WE COULD SEE SPOTTY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING.

THOSE WILL BE EXPIRING OR TAPERING OFF AS WE HEAD INTO THE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, IT LOOKS NICE WITH HIGHS IN THE MID TO UPPER 60s IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, MID TO UPPER 60s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, LOWS NEAR 38.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY TOMORROW WITH AGAIN THAT SLIGHT CHANCE OF AFTERNOON SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, HIGHS NEAR 67 WITH VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

FOR THE REST OF OUR HOLIDAY WEEKEND FORECAST, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE SUNDAY INTO MEMORIAL DAY.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT AND THAT SAME AREA, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, BUT THERE IS A CHANCE OF SOME ISOLATED TO SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY.

WE HAVE CHARLIE YAEGER WITH US AND I UNDERSTAND THAT BEMIDJI SOFTBALL HAS AN IMPORTANT GAME TO WIN.

>> Charlie: THEY DID HAVE AN IMPORTANT GAME TODAY, THEY WERE PLAYING SAUK RAPIDS RICE.

SO WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHT FROM THAT AND SOME MORE FROM THE AREA COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> AS THE SAYING GOES, WHEN YOU GET KNOCKED DOWN, YOU'VE GOT TO GET RIGHT BACK UP.

BEMIDJI SOFTBALL WILL HAVE TO DO JUST THAT AFTER SUFFERING A LOSS AT THE HANDS OF THEIR RIVAL BRAINERD YESTERDAY IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE SECTION 8-4A TOURNAMENT.

THE LUMBERJACKS RETURNED TO THE DIAMOND TODAY, HOSTING SAUK RAPIDS-RICE IN AN ELIMINATION GAME.

JACKS BEAT THE STORM 7-6 BACK IN APRIL.

BOTTOM OF THE 3RD, NO SCORE, TWO ON FOR CLARA SHERWOOD, HER GROUND BALL TOO HOT TO HANDLE, SCORES MCKENZIE JARENSON TO GET THE SCORING GOING.

JACKS LED 3-0 AFTER THREE.

THEN IN THE 4TH, RIDLEY HADRAVA WITH THE SOLO SHOT, GIVES THE LUMBERJACKS A 4-0 LEAD, BUT IN THE TOP OF THE 5TH, THE STORM HAVE STORMED BACK TO TIE THE GAME.

THAT'S WHEN ADDISON BRETH BREAKS OUT THE MUSTARD AND RYE BREAD, GRAND SALAMI MAKES IT 8-4.

BEMIDJI WAS NEVER ABLE TO RECOVER FROM THAT INNING.

THEIR SEASON COMES TO AN END, 11-6 AT THE HANDS OF SAUK RAPIDS RICE.

HERE ARE SOME OTHER SCORES FOR YOU.

>>> BRAINERD PLAYING IN THE QUARTER FINALS AFTER BEATING BEMIDJI YESTERDAY.

THEY BEAT SARTELL TODAY.

THEY WILL MEET THE NUMBER ONE SEED ON TUESDAY.

ALSO PLAYING TODAY IN SOME ELIMINATION GAMES, PIERZ WINS, SO THEY REMAIN IN CONTENTIOUS, BUT PEQUOT LAKES, THEIR SEASON COMES TO AN END.

BROWERVILLE MOVES TO THE ELIMINATION BRACKET.

IN BASEBALL, STAPLES MOTLEY BEAT PILLAGER.

AND THEN IN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL, THE 8-3A SEEDING -- SORRY, THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE BASEBALL.

IN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASEBALL, THIS IS THE SEEDING.

BEMIDJI GOT THE THREE SEED, THEY'RE HOSTING SAINT CLOUD.

BRAINERD IS AT ELK RIVER.

THOSE GAMES ARE PLAYED ON THURSDAY AT 4:30 P.M.

HERE'S VOLLEYBALL, SECTION 8-A QUARTER FINALS, BEMIDJI WILL GET TO HOST COON RAPIDS, THEIR SECOND HOME GAME OF THE SEASON.

THAT IS THURSDAY AT 6:00 P.M. MINNESOTA TWINS, THEY GET A WIN OVER THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS.

>>> BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY UNVEILED THEIR SCHEDULE FOR THE 2025-26 SEASON.

THE BEAVERS SLATE IS 34-GAMES LONG.

BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 26TH WITH A 2-GAME SERIES AGAINST THE REIGNING NATIONAL CHAMPION WISCONSIN BADGERS AT THE SANFORD CENTER.

THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND THEY'LL HOST NON-CONFERENCE ROBERT MORRIS BEFORE GETTING BACK TO WCHA PLAY.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THIS SEASONS HOME SCHOOL.

AMONGST THEIR 28 CONFERENCE GAMES, BEMIDJI STATE WILL PLAY TWO OTHER NON-CONFERENCE SERIES, ONE AT LINDENWOOD DURING THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, THE OTHER AT MERRIMACK THE FIRST WEEKEND OF THE NEW YEAR.

THE BEAVS FINISH THE REGULAR SEASON AT HOME VERSUS WCHA OPPONENT OHIO STATE CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS BEGIN THE FOLLOWING WEEK.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE ATHLETICS REVEALED THEIR 2025 ALUMNI B-CLUB ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME.

THIS YEAR THE BEAVERS WILL INDUCT FIVE FORMER BSU STUDENT-ATHLETES, ONE OF WHICH JUDITH SMITH-STOKER, AS A LEGACY INDUCTEE.

DOCTOR TOM RICHARD WILL BE INDUCTED AS THE JOHN S-GLAS HONORARY LETTER WINNER AND FOUR MEN'S HOCKEY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS FROM 1993, 94, 95, AND 97 WILL GO IN AS WELL.

>>> EARLIER THIS WEEK WE HEARD FROM STAPLES-MOTLEY'S AUDREY BROWNELL AND HER CHASE FOR HISTORY AT STATE BUT WE ALSO HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH A FEW OF THE BOYS AS WELL.

THE CARDINALS HAVE FOUR STATE ENTRANTS RETURNING FOR BOYS' TRACK AND FIELD.

THEY FINISHED 65TH OVERALL AT LAST YEAR'S STATE MEET BUT ARE LOOKING TO MAKE A BIGGER IMPACT THIS TIME AROUND, INCLUDING JUNIOR TURNER BEACHY WHO IS FRESH OFF SETTING A NEW SCHOOL RECORD IN THE POLE VAULT.

>> I'M FEELING CONFIDENT AND ENERGIZED, READY TO GET BETTER EVERY DAY.

DEFINITELY A FULL HEAD OF STEAM AFTER BREAKING THE SCHOOL RECORD.

>> WE HAVE BEEN ATHLETICS SINCE WE WERE YOUNG AND JUST BUILDING ON THAT.

IT'S FUN BEING ON TOP OF THE STATE WITH ALL YOUR BUDDIES, JUST FUN WALKING TO DO YOUR JOB AND WALK OUT.

>> WE HAVE STRONG INDIVIDUALS.

OUR BOYS TEAM HAS BEEN A GOOD TEAM ALL SEASON, IT'S BEEN GREAT TO SEE OUR LEADERS BE MENTOR TOSS THE YOUNGER KIDS BECAUSE OUR NUMBERS ARE UP AND I THINK WE JUST GOT SOME BRIGHT SPOTS HAPPENING IN TRACK AND FIELD RIGHT NOW.

>> Charlie: HE IS NOT WRONG BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT YESTERDAY'S WINNERS, THE BOYS HAD FOUR THAT FINISHED NUMBER ONE, THE GIRL'S SIDE, THEY WON TWO OF THE RACES AND THE BOYS, 17 TOP FIVE FINISHES AT THE SUBSECTION MEET AND THEY GOT THEIR SECTION MEET COMING UP NEXT WEEK.

>> Matthew: THAT'S IMPRESSIVE.

THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>>> THE CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS BEGAN ITS LATEST RUN OF PERFORMANCES LAST NIGHT WITH THEIR LATEST SHOW “THE EXONERATED”.

AUDIENCE MEMBERS WERE TREATED TO A Q AND A AFTER THE SHOW TO HELP THEM BETTER UNDERSTAND THE PERFORMANCE.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS.

>> Reporter: THE EXONERATED IS A PLAY THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE STORIES OF PEOPLE THAT WERE WRONGLY ACCUSED OF MURDER AND PLACED ON DEATH ROW.

>> THIS WAS WRITTEN, I THINK IN THE EARLY 2000s AND THE PEOPLE WHO PUT IT TOGETHER INTERVIEWED SORT OF A VAST NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF MURDER, SENT TO DEATH ROW, AND SUBSEQUENTLY EXONERATED BY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE INNOCENCE PROJECT.

>> Reporter: THE GREAT NORTH INNOCENCE PROJECT HELPS WRONGFULLY CONVICTED PEOPLE PROVE THEIR INNOCENCE AND HELP THEM RETURN TO THEIR NORMAL LIVES.

>> IT'S AN ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS TO FREE THE WRONGLY CONVICTED THROUGH LITIGATION AND WE WORK TO REFORM THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM TO MAKE IT MORE FAIR, MORE ACCOUNTABLE, MORE ACCURATE.

>> Reporter: THROUGHOUT THE SHOW, WE HEAR STORIES OF COERCION, MALPRACTICE, AND RACISM THAT LED TO THE ARRESTS OF THE CHARACTERS, WHO ARE BASED ON TRUE STORIES.

JIM MAYOR IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE PROJECT AND SAYS THE TALES IN THE STORE REPLICATES A LOT OF WHAT HE SEES IN REAL LIFE.

>> SEEING THE PLAY WAS AMAZING.

IT REMINDED ME SO MUCH OF THE WORK WE DO ON A DAILY BASIS.

A LOT OF THESE STORIES HAVE MANY SIMILARITIES, A LOT OF THE CAUSES OF WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS WE SEE OVER AND OVER AGAIN, SO THE THEMES THAT ARE EXPLORED IN THE PLAY ARE THEMES WE SEE IN THE REAL WORLD EVERY DAY.

>> MAYOR AND PAYNE AND TIMMONS, THE DIRECTOR OF THE SHOW, HELD A Q&A TO HELP AUDIENCE MEMBERS UNDERSTAND THE THEMES OF THE SHOW.

>> WE MAKE THE SYSTEM BETTER THROUGH THOUGHTFUL CRITICISM AND THIS WAS A TERRIFIC PLAY TO SHOW WHAT'S GOING ON AND PEOPLE SHOULD SEE IT.

>> Reporter: PROFESSOR PAYNE SAYS IT HELPS OPEN PEOPLE'S EYES.

>> IT BORDERS ON THE UNBELIEVABLE, WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU IF THE SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK RIGHT?

AND WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT HAS SOME GOOD THINGS GOING AND SOME THINGS THAT NEED WORK AND THIS REALLY POINTS IT OUT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE EXONERATED WILL RUN THROUGH SATURDAY, WITH SHOWS AT 2:00 AND 7:00 P.M. AT THE DRYDEN THEATER IN BRAINERD.

>>> WE HAVE A COUPLE EXTRA TIME SO WE WILL GO TO STACY WITH EXTRA DETAILS ON THE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING CHILLY TEMPERATURES TOMORROW, A FROST ADVISORY FROM 1:00 A.M. TO 9:00 A.M. FOR NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, SOME AREAS OF FROST IN THOSE REGIONS.

TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, AREAS OF FROST IN THE NORTHEAST, WITH LOWS NEAR 38.

SOME ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TOMORROW, OTHERWISE A PRETTY NICE WEEKEND.

>> Charlie: BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY HAS THEIR FIRST RACES THIS WEEKEND, AND THE MEMORIAL DAY ONE.

>> Matthew: WE WILL BE BACK ON MONDAY, STAY SAFE OUT THERE, GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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