LGBTQ2+ AKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

>> SOURCEWELL; COOPERATIVE PURCHASING FOR GOVERNMENT NONPROFITS AND EDUCATION.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF LOCAL NEWS FOR BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER AND CHARLIE YAEGER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

[♪♪♪] >> Matthew: HEY EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING AND HAPPY EARLY EASTER.

MY NAME IS MATTHEW FREEMAN FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> ON MARCH 18TH, BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOLS HELD A BOARD MEETING THAT WAS FILLED WITH CONCERNED STUDENTS AND STAFF WHO NOTICED PRIDE FLAGS DISAPPEARING FROM BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOMS.

STUDENTS AND MEMBERS FROM THE LGBTQ2+ COMMUNITY ATTENDED THE MEETING LOOKING FOR ANSWERS.

REPORTER ZY'RIAH SIMMONS HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE USE TO SEEING PRIDE FLAGS THROUGHOUT BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL BUT JUST RECENTLY, THOSE PRIDE FLAGS WERE TAKEN DOWN.

MEMBERS OF LGBTQ2+ COMMUNITY HAD STRONG REACTIONS.

>> TO SEE SOMETHING JUST AS SIMPLE AS BEING ABLE TO DISPLAY A PRIDE FLAG, BEING ATTACKED, I GUESS, IS JUST REALLY CONCERNING IN REGARDS TO WHERE WE ARE AS A SOCIETY AND WHAT THE FUTURE OF OUR DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE.

>> Reporter: SOME STUDENTS SPOKE ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH THE HARASSMENT FOR BEING PART OF THE LGBTQ2+ COMMUNITY WHILE ATTENDING THE MEETING.

>> I THINK IT ALL STARTED VERY NORMAL FOR ME, UP UNTIL SOPHOMORE YEAR WHEN I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE HARASSMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS AS A QUEER AND TRANS PERSON IN THE TOWN, IT'S RAMPANT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IT.

IT MADE ME LEAVE OUR SCHOOLS BECAUSE I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE.

I STARTED ATTENDING SCHOOL ONLINE AND WAS STRIPPED OF A LOT OF MY HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE FOR IT.

>> Reporter: SO OUR EXPECTATIONS IS THAT THE BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOL WILL NOT HAVE SYMBOLS, FLAGS THAT WOULD SIGNAL A VIEWPOINT.

WE KNOW THAT SOCIAL ISSUES, POLITICS, AND RELIGION IS AT TIME NECESSARY TO DISCUSS AS PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS, HOWEVER THIS SHOULD ALWAYS BE DONE IN A VIEWPOINT NEUTRAL MANNER.

OUR MISSION IS TO EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS AND TO ENSURE ALL STUDENTS FEEL A SENSE OF BELONGING AT BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOLS.

SOME WHO ATTENDED THE MEETING WEREN'T TOO HAPPY WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT'S STANCE.

>> I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND IN WHAT WORLD BEING VIEWPOINT NEUTRAL IS THE RIGHT APPROACH TO THIS WHEN THESE ARE VERY MARGINALIZED STUDENTS AND WE'RE GOING TO JUST CONTINUE MARGINALIZING THEM, TAKING AWAY THEIR SOCIAL SAFE SPACE, AND YOU HAVE HIGH SCHOOLERS GOING TO SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS TO BE A MONSTER TO THE MONSTERS?

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

THEY SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON BEING CHILDREN AND ENJOYING HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: LGBTQ2+ COMMUNITY MEMBERS SAY THAT HAVING VISUAL CUES HELPS PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR THE STUDENTS AND THE SCHOOL.

>> MULTIPLE STUDIES SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING SAFE SYMBOLS AND YOU CAN LOOK UP THE EFFECTS.

IT REALLY IS -- WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO IS KNOWING AS A STUDENT, WHERE I CAN BE SAFE, WHO I CAN TALK TO, AND KNOWING THAT THERE IS SOMEBODY THAT CARES ABOUT ME.

>> REFUSES TO SUPPORT THE QUEER COMMUNITY, HIS LGBTQ2+ STUDENTS.

THEY'RE THERE.

THEY WILL ALWAYS BE THERE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M ZY'RIAH SIMMONS, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE NEXT BEMIDJI SCHOOL BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD, MONDAY APRIL 15TH AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE.

>>> THE BEMIDJI RENTAL DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF A POTENTIAL RENT SCAM IN THE BEMIDJI AREA.

SCAMMERS ARE USING PHOTOS OF HOMES THAT ARE LISTED FOR SALE AND POSING AS THE OWNER, AND SOMETIMES EVEN USING THE OWNERS REAL NAME, TO POST A FOR RENT LISTING ON FACEBOOK MARKET PLACE AND/OR CRAIG'S LIST.

THE SCAMMERS TYPICALLY ASK FOR ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF FIRST MONTH'S RENT AND DEPOSIT TO GIVE THE TENANT THE KEYS.

SCAMMERS MAY ALSO ASK FOR A LARGE DEPOSIT FOR A BACKGROUND SCREENING.

AMOUNTS REQUESTED FROM THE TENANTS ARE TYPICALLY BETWEEN $150 AND $450 USING CASH APP.

THE CITY SUGGESTS TO ALWAYS VIEW A RENTAL UNIT PERSONALLY BEFORE EXCHANGING FUNDS.

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE LEGITIMACY OF A RENTAL, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO THE CITY OF BEMIDJI RENTAL INSPECTOR AT 218-759-3585.

>>> THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A ROUNDABOUT PROJECT TO BE CONSTRUCTED AT THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTH SIXTH AND WILLOW STREETS IN BRAINERD.

THE PROJECT WILL BEGIN IN 2025 AND THE CITY RECEIVED $750,000 IN A HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT GRANT.

THE CITY WILL STILL HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT.

MANY FACTORS WENT INTO DECIDING WHETHER A ROUNDABOUT WOULD BE THE BEST FOR THE INTERSECTION, WITH SAFETY BEING THE BIGGEST FACTOR.

>> THE NICE THING ABOUT A ROUNDABOUT IS THAT IT TAKES AWAY SOME OF THE REALLY BAD TYPES OF CRASHES.

WHERE A STREET LIGHT, YOU CAN HAVE THE T-BONE CRASHES, WHICH IS THE MAJORITY OF WHAT WE SEE NOW.

A ROUNDABOUT ALMOST ELIMINATES T-BONE CRASHES.

>> WITH THE PROJECT STILL A WAYS AWAY, A DETOUR PLAN HAS NOT BEEN FINALIZED.

CITY ENGINEER AND PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, JESSIE DEHN, BELIEVES THAT A FULL STREET CLOSURE WOULD BE THE BEST ROUTE AT THIS TIME.

>>> MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON HAS JOINED A COALITION OF 13 ATTORNEY GENERALS IN SENDING A LETTER THAT TELLS GLOCK INCORPORATED TO PRESERVE ALL EVIDENCE RELATED TO ITS LINE OF GLOCK PISTOLS, WHICH CAN BE EASILY CONVERTED INTO AN ILLEGAL MACHINE GUN WITH JUST ONE SMALL AND EASY-TO-MAKE MODIFICATION.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON AND THE COALITION SENT A LETTER TO GLOCK IN THE WAKE OF THE GUN MAKERS BEING SUED BY THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

IN THAT LAWSUIT, FILED ON MARCH 19TH, CHICAGO ALLEGES THAT GLOCK HAS KNOWN THAT THE GUNS CAN BE EASILY ADAPTED INTO A MACHINE GUN WITH THE ADDITION OF AN AUTO SEAR, OR A GLOCK-SWITCH, AND HAS REFUSED TO MAKE MEANINGFUL CHANGES TO FIX THAT PROBLEM.

ACCORDING TO CHICAGO'S COMPLAINT, GLOCK SWITCHES ALLOW PISTOLS TO FIRE UP TO 1,200 ROUNDS PER MINUTE, WHICH IS AS FAST OR FASTER THAN MANY FULLY AUTOMATIC FIREARMS USED BY THE UNITED STATES MILITARY.

CHICAGO IS SEEKING A COURT ORDER REQUIRING GLOCK TO END THE SALE OF THESE EASILY CONVERTED PISTOLS TO CHICAGO CIVILIANS, AND TO PUT IN PLACE REASONABLE CONTROLS, SAFEGUARDS, AND PROCEDURES TO PREVENT THEIR UNLAWFUL POSSESSION, USE, AND SALE.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON AND THE COALITION ARE ASKING GLOCK TO PRESERVE ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO: THE MODIFICATION OF THE HAND-GUNS, THROUGH THE USE OF SWITCHES.

TO FIRE AUTOMATICALLY; HOW GLOCK PISTOLS ARE DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED TO FUNCTION AS A SEMI-AUTOMATIC WEAPON AND ANY EFFORT GLOCK MAY HAVE TAKEN TO REDUCE THE CAPABILITY OF BEING CONVERTED EASILY; GLOCK'S KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ALL STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS RELATING TO GLOCK SWITCHES AND CONVERTED GLOCK MACHINE GUNS AND THEIR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THOSE GUNS; FINANCIAL DETAILS ABOUT GLOCK PISTOLS; AND ANY PUBLIC MARKETING OR ADVERTISING RELATED TO GLOCK PISTOLS.

>>> THE HEARTLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS A COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA BASED IN BRAINERD AND LITTLE FALLS.

THE ORCHESTRA WILL BE HOLDING TWO CONCERTS NEXT WEEKEND AS PART OF THEIR SPRING SERIES AND BOTH CONCERTS WILL FEATURE THE WORLD PREMIERES OF ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS.

THE FIRST PIECE, “WINGS OF FREEDOM, ” IS A CINEMATIC AND EPIC PIECE PER H.S.O.

MUSIC DIRECTOR RYAN WEBBER.

THE SECOND PIECE, “THE LETTER AND THE ENVELOPE, ” IS A TRIBUTE PIECE WRITTEN IN MEMORY OF AN ORCHESTRA MEMBER'S MOTHER.

ORCHESTRAS LIKE THE H.S.O.

AIM TO PROVIDE A PROFESSIONAL SHOW WHILE UPLIFTING THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> COMMUITY ORCHESTRA IS THAT PEOPLE ARE THERE NOT FOR THE MONEY, BUT THEY'RE THERE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE THERE.

FOR MANY, THIS IS THEIR OUTLET TO RELEASE SOME STRESS.

I FEEL THAT THE ORCHESTRA TAKES A BIT MORE PRIDE IN BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT THEIR COLLEAGUES.

>> THE FIRST PERFORMANCE WILL TAKE PLACE ON APRIL 6TH AT 7:30 P.M. AT THE CHARLES D. MARTIN AUDITORIUM AT LITTLE FALLS HIGH SCHOOL.

THE SECOND CONCERT WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 7TH AT 2:30 P.M. AT THE GICHI-ZIIBI CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN BRAINERD.

THE PERFORMANCES ARE FREE TO ATTEND, BUT GOODWILL DONATIONS ARE ACCEPTED AND APPRECIATED.

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

>> Stacy: SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION WILL LINGER IN MINNESOTA TONIGHT BUT MAINLY QUIET WEATHER IS ON THE WAY FOR THE EASTER WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE COLLEGE PARTNERING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF WOMEN AND THE WE ARE CLINIC TO HOLD AN EVENT CELEBRATING WOMEN'S >> 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE PARTNERED WITH THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN AND THE WEARE CLINIC TO HOST AN EVENT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.

REPORTER MILES WALKER WAS IN ATTENDANCE YESTERDAY FOR THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: THE THEME OF YESTERDAY'S WOMEN'S HISTORY EVENT AT CLC WAS STANDING IN YOUR OWN POWER.

>> TO ME, IT'S ABOUT BEING ABLE TO USE MY VOICE AND ALSO BEING AN AUTHENTIC WOMAN, MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, EDUCATOR, LEADER, COMMUNITY MEMBER AND NOT NEEDING TO COMPROMISE THAT.

>> Reporter: AND IT'S EASY FOR WOMEN TO SEE THE VALUE OF THEIR VOICES IN A WORLD THAT SPENT CENTURIES TRYING TO SILENCE THEM.

>> I BELIEVE THAT EVERYBODY HAS A VOICE AND THERE WAS A GREAT WOMAN WHO SPOKE TODAY WHO TALKED ABOUT HOW YELLING CAN BREAK GLASS, BUT YELLING AS A GROUP CAN BREAK THE GLASS CEILING.

I REALLY RESONATE WITH THAT.

EVERYONE HAS A VOICE AND EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE HEARD.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR EDUCATIONAL BODIES LIKE CLC TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN CELEBRATION OF WOMEN'S HISTORY.

>> IT'S A WELCOMING COMMUNITY AND THEY ARE OPEN TO SHARE STORIES AND BRING THESE IDEAS AND THESE CONCEPTS TO THE FOREFRONT AND IN A PUBLIC SETTING.

IT JUST SHOWS SUPPORT FOR WOMEN.

IT SHOWS SUPPORT FOR MINORITIES.

IT GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO VOICE OUR CONCERNS AND OUR TRIUMPHS.

>> Reporter: WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH DEDICATED TO PAYING HOMAGE TO THE MANY INFLUENTIAL WOMEN WHO TRAIL BLAZED THE PATH FOR WOMEN IN THIS WORLD.

WHILE WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY, WE STILL HAVE PLENTY OF WORK LEFT ON THE TABLE.

>> THERE'S BEEN GREAT STRIDES IN THE PAST 100 YEARS, BUT IT'S 100 YEARS IN TERMS OF MODERN SOCIETY IS A MINUSCULE OF A SECOND.

I HEARD PEOPLE CALLING IT STUPID, WHY DO WE NEED THIS EVENT?

THE WOMEN'S PAY GAP IS A THING.

SEXISM IS A THING.

AS LONG AS THAT'S A THING, IT NEEDS TO BE HEARD.

>> Reporter: THAT BARELY SCRATCHES THE SURFACE OF WHERE CHANGE IS NEEDED.

>> THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE, PARTICULARLY ON THE SCHOOL BOARD, TOWNSHIPS, AND CITY LEVELS.

THE MORE WOMEN THAT WE CAN HAVE IN THOSE POSITIONS SPEAKING UP, NOT ONLY ABOUT WHAT MAY BE DEEMED WOMEN'S ISSUES, CITY ISSUES, SCHOOL POLICIES, WOMEN DESERVE AN EQUAL AND STRONG VOICE IN.

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

>> AND WE HERE AT LAKELAND NEWS ARE WISHING A HAPPY WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH TO THE MANY STRONG, RESILIENT, AND INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN OUR LIVES.

>>> NOW IT'S TIME TO HEAD TO ONE OF OUR INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN THIS LAKELAND NEWS STUDIO, STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: WE'RE SEEING MIXED PRECIPITATION TONIGHT, SOME OF IT COULD LINGER OVERNIGHT BUT THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND WILL BE MAINLY QUIET AND WE SHOULD BE SEEING SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ACCESS MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY 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, LAND SURVEYORS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME AREAS OF LIGHT SNOW AND SOME FLURRIES, SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION MOVING ACROSS THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

SOME OF THAT COULD LINGER IN EASTERN MINNESOTA.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO CLEAR OUT IN TIME FOR THE WEEKEND, SO A NICE QUIET WEEKEND.

WE WILL SEE WARMING TEMPERATURES WITH HIGHS IN THE 40s THROUGH THE FIRST PART OF NEXT WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 29.

AT THE AIRPORT, WE HAVE A LIGHT EAST WIND AT OUR STUDIO, THE DEW POINT IS 29, A DUSTING OF SNOW IN THE BEMIDJI AREA TODAY.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 34 DEGREES, 30 IS OUR DEW POINT, WE HAVE A STEADY BAROMETRIC PRESSURE WITH EAST WINDS AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, WE HAVE THAT SYSTEM CONTINUING TO MOVE OFF TO THE EAST.

IT DID BRING SOME AREAS OF SNOW AND FLURRIES THROUGH NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.

WE DID HAVE SOME REPORTS OF SOME THUNDER SNOW, SOME THUNDER IN THE AIR IN CASS COUNTY, BUT ALL OF THIS WILL MOVE TO THE EAST.

THERE IS A CHANCE THAT A FEW AREAS OF MIXED PRECIPITATION COULD LINGER IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE VIEWING AREA, BUT THAT WILL BE MOVING OUT AND LEAVING US WITH QUIET WEATHER AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

A LOT OF CLOUD COVER, NOT MUCH IN THE WAY OF SUNSHINE FOR TOMORROW, BUT IT DOES LOOK LIKE TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE 30s AGAIN WITH HIGHS MAINLY IN THE 40s EARLY NEXT WEEK.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

IT WAS A GORGEOUS SUNRISE THIS MORNING OUT THERE.

WE HAVE PHOTOS FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA, DEBRA AT LAKE ADA AND DIANE AT RED LAKE WITH PICTURES OF THE SUNRISE.

WE HAVE A PHOTO FROM DARBY IN BEMIDJI.

A SQUIRREL CHECKING OUT THE WEATHER.

WE HAD SOME CLOUDS AND SOME AREAS OF SNOW.

ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF CASS LAKE.

THERE IS A BALD EAGLE IN THE TREE CHECKING OUT THE WEATHER AS WELL AND SANDY SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF RABIDEAU LAKE.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT ARLENE REPORTING A LIGHT BREEZE THIS MORNING.

DEBRA IN PINE RIVER, 16.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, OVERCAST TONIGHT, HIGH OF 41.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY SKIES WITH A FEW FLURRIES.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 42, THE HIGH TEMPERATURE IN BRAINERD IS STILL A LITTLE SHORT OF THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, BUT WE ARE GETTING CLOSER.

10 FOR THE LOW, SUNSET AT 7:42.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 34, SO WE ARE STILL BELOW AVERAGE.

7 DEGREES, A COLD START THIS MORNING, SUNSET AT 7:46.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, IT IS QUIET BUT IT WILL BE CLOUDY ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE UPPER 30s, CLOSE TO 40 IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE VIEWING AREA.

ALSO GOING TO BE SEEING THE CLOUD COVER ACROSS CENTRAL MINNESOTA, UPPER 30s, SOME LOW 40s OUT THERE.

SO WE ARE STARTING TO SEE WARMING TEMPERATURES AND IN FACT THE WARMING TREND SHOULD CONTINUE INTO NEXT WEEK.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, CLOUDY SKIES, THE SLIGHT CHANCE OF SNOW, FREEZING RAIN OR DRIZZLE LINGERS IN EASTERN MINNESOTA WITH LOWS NEAR 26.

TOMORROW, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, HIGHS NEAR 38 AND NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF THE WEEKEND FORECAST, VARIABLE CLOUDS ON SUNDAY WITH A HIGH OF 39 AND INTO THE 40s EARLY NEXT WEEK.

THERE IS A CHANCE OF SOME SCATTERED SNOW IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA ON MONDAY, AND THEN MAYBE SOME ISOLATED RAIN OR SNOW SHOWERS IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA ON TUESDAY.

OTHERWISE IT LOOKS QUIET THROUGH THE FIRST PART OF NEXT WEEK WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES TOWARDS MIDWEEK, HIGHS NEAR 49 ON WEDNESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY.

NOW WE HAVE CHARLIE WITH HOCKEY, BUT A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE'RE USE TO SEEING.

>> Charlie: THE HOCKEY SEASON IS PRETTY MUCH OVER FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND FOR SOME OF THE PEE WEE HOCKEY LEVELS AS WELL, THE YOUTH HOCKEY.

THERE ARE SOME OLDER GENTLEMEN, THE OLD-TIMERS THAT PLAY AT THE BCA ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS.

I HAD A CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH THEM AT ONE OF THEIR GAMES.

WE HAVE A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS; NORTHERN MINNESOTA'S CERTIFIED APPLE SERVICE CENTER, OFFERING REPAIR SERVICES ON APPLE PRODUCTS AND P.C.S.

PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND GRAND RAPIDS, IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> DURING THE WINTER ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS AT 2:00 P.M. YOU WILL FIND THE BEMIDJI OLD TIMERS PLAYING HOCKEY AT THE BCA.

THE GROUP WAS CREATED THREE YEARS AGO FOR HOCKEY PLAYERS AGED 60 AND OLDER THAT WANTED TO CONTINUE PLAYING THEIR FAVORITE PASTIME BUT TO SOME, THE OLD TIMERS HAS COME TO REPRESENT A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN JUST TIME SPENT ON THE ICE.

>> THE BEMIDJI OLD-TIMERS MAY BE OLD IN AGE, BUT THEY ARE STILL YOUNG AT HEART, ENJOYING THE GAME THEY GREW UP LOVING, WITH THE FRIENDS THEY GREW UP WITH.

THERE IS ONE SKATER HOWEVER THAT HAS BEEN NOTABLY ABSENT AS OF LATE.

HOWIE BORDEN.

>> THE LAST TIME I PLAYED HOCKEY WITH ALL OF THESE GUYS HERE THAT WAS BEFORE COVID.

2015 I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BLADDER AND PROSTATE CANCER.

THEY OPERATED, TOOK THEM BOTH OUT.

>> Reporter: INITIALLY RECOVERY LOOKED GOOD BUT IN 2017, THEY FOUND CANCER IN HIS STOMACH AND IT WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH UNWELCOME NEWS.

>> THEY WENT THROUGH ALL THE TESTING AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD A YEAR TO LIVE.

>> Reporter: BUT HOWIE WAS NOT READY TO GIVE UP, MOTIVATED BY TWO THINGS.

>> FAMILY, HOCKEY, MAINLY FAMILY AND HOCKEY.

>> Reporter: HE CHOSE FOR CHEMOTHERAPY AND SURGERIES THAT REMOVED MOST OF HIS STOMACH, GALLBLADDER, SPLEEN, AND A NUMBER OF TUMORS BEFORE HE COULD FINALLY REST EASY.

>> I WAS JUST RECUPERATING AND IT TOOK ME A WHOLE YEAR BUT NOW I HAVE BEEN CANCER-FREE FOR TWO YEARS.

>> Reporter: AFTER DEFYING THE ODDS, HOWIE DECIDED HE WOULD TRY TO FIND SOME NEW ODDS.

>> I REALLY WANTED TO GET OUT AND TRY SKATING AGAIN.

I CAME OUT IN MY SKATES AND I WAS ABLE TO GET AROUND A LITTLE BIT SO I THROUGH MY EQUIPMENT ON AND IT'S BEEN GREAT.

>> Reporter: IT WAS GREAT FOR HIS FELLOW SKATERS AS WELL, GRATEFUL TO HAVE HIM BACK, AMAZED BY WHAT HE WAS DOING.

>> FOR HIM TO COME BACK FROM A BOUT WITH CANCER IS REMARKABLE.

FOR A LOT OF US, YOU WILL GET ACHES AND PAINS AND SICK AND YOU ARE THINKING WE CAN'T PLAY ANYMORE.

HOWIE IS HERE, WE'RE GOING TO PLAY.

>> Reporter: MANY OF THEM ARE PART OF THE BEMIDJI SENIOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.

WITH THE FUNDS THEY RAISED THIS YEAR, THEY DONATED $1,500 TO THE CANCER CENTER.

>> I GOT THE CALL FROM THE CREW DONATING AND THE MEANING BEHIND IT IS SO SPECIAL THAT ONE OF THEIR OWN HAD CANCER AND WAS TREATED HERE.

MY FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB IS BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH AMAZING PEOPLE THAT WANT TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY AND HOSPITAL SYSTEM BETTER.

IT GENERALLY STEMS FROM FRIENDSHIPS AND FAMILY AND SADLY LOSSES, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD STORIES THAT BRING HOPE AND HEALING TO A LOT OF US IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: AND THE BEMIDJI OLD TIE -- TIMERS WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER BY THE GAME OF HOCKEY.

>> IT MEANS A LOT TO HAVE THESE GUYS, THEIR FAMILY.

WHEN YOU LOSE A PART OF YOUR FAMILY, IT HURTS.

>> Reporter: BUT THEY DID NOT LOSE HOWIE.

NOW THAT HE'S BACK, IT'S LIKE HE NEVER LEFT, ENJOYING THE GAME HE GREW UP LOVING, WITH THE FRIENDS HE GREW UP WITH.

>> YOU CANNOT DESCRIBE THE FEELING.

I'VE BEEN IN HOCKEY ALL MY LIFE, SINCE I HAVE BEEN A LITTLE KID AND PLAYING WITH THESE GUYS, IT'S JUST GREAT.

>> Charlie: WELL, THEY ONLY HAVE A FEW WEEKS LEFT THIS SEASON BEFORE THEY ARE DONE AT THE BCA AND HAVE THE END OF THE SEASON TOURNAMENT.

IT WAS FUN WATCHING THEM THROW THE PUCK AROUND THE ICE A LITTLE BIT.

>> Matthew: YEAH, I WAS PART OF THE SENIOR HOCKEY TOURNAMENT.

THAT WAS MY PACKAGE.

I WAS THERE AND IT WAS IMPRESSIVE WATCHING THEM.

>> Charlie: IT WAS, AND THEY GET AROUND THE ICE PRETTY GOOD.

THEY OFFERED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO GO OUT THERE AND PLAY ON THE ICE BUT I TOLD THEM I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SKATE.

>> Matthew: I'M SURE THEY WOULD HAVE MOPPED THE FLOOR WITH YOU.

>> Charlie: ABSOLUTELY.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>>> FOR THIS WEEKS IN-FOCUS, THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY THEATER INVITED US INTO A PREVIEW OF THE MUSICAL “ALICE IN WONDERLAND ”, THE STORY OF A GIRL NAMED ALICE, WHO FALLS DOWN A RABBIT HOLE, AND IS INTRODUCED TO A WORLD OF CATS WHO CAN'T STOP GRINNING, A RATHER THREATENING QUEEN OF HEARTS, AND A MAD HATTER WHO ENJOYS TEA PARTIES.

>> Reporter: THE ORIGINAL STORY OF ALICE AND WONDERLAND IS NEARLY 160 YEARS OLD.

EVEN IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK OR SEEN THE MOVIES, YOU MORE THAN LIKELY KNOW THE STORY OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND.

WHAT MAKES IT SO WONDERFUL ARE ALL THE ICONIC CHARACTERS IN THE STORY.

>> EVERYONE HAS HEARD OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND.

YOU READ THE BOOK OR WATCHED THE MOVIE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER.

IT'S FUN TO DO THAT ON STAGE AND BRING YOUR CHILDHOOD TO LIFE.

>> IT'S A LOT OF FUN.

IT'S AN ACTING STRETCH.

MY GRIN MUSCLE GETS VERY WELL USED BECAUSE THE CAT ALWAYS GRINS.

>> THEY ARE BIG SHOES TO FILL, IT'S INTIMIDATING ALMOST.

IT'S A WELL-KNOWN SHOW AND EVERYONE HAS THEIR IDEAS OF WHO ALICE IS.

YOUR INTERPRETATION OF IT COULD BE DAUNTING TO TAKE ON.

>> Reporter: SOME PEOPLE MAY SAY THEY'RE MAD THEY ARE GETTING IN FRONT OF STAGE.

THE PERFORMERS WOULD ARGUE DIFFERENT.

>> I COME OUT AND IT'S USUALLY THE FIRST NIGHT WHERE YOU ARE FREAKED OUT BUT ONCE YOU GET ON THERE AND YOU START DOING YOUR LINES, IT REALLY FEELS NATURAL.

>> I ALWAYS GET A LITTLE BIT OF NERVES, A LITTLE BIT OF BUTTERFLIES, BUT THE AUDIENCE ENERGIZES YOU.

THEY'RE GETTING ALL THE JOKES AND RESPONDING TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING ON STAGE, IT JUST EGGS YOU ALONG AND MAKES YOU DO A BETTER JOB.

>> Reporter: HAVING THIS INTERACTIVE STAGE REALLY HELPS THE PERFORMERS.

>> THE SET REALLY BRINGS EVERYONE TO CHARACTER I THINK.

THEY GET BETTER AND BETTER.

THEY REALLY BRING EVERYONE'S CHARACTER OUT.

IT BRIDGE IT IS STORY TOGETHER AND THAT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY THEATER, HOW WELL THEIR SETS ARE DESIGNED.

>> OH, THIS IS GREAT.

THIS IS MY TREE.

THAT'S THE CAT'S SPOT.

I HAVE A LITTLE DEN THROUGH THE HOLD UP THERE.

IT'S FUN TO GET ON THE SET AND HAVE ALL OF THESE WONDERFUL THINGS TO INTERACT WITH AND MAKE THE WORLD REALLY COME ALIVE.

>> Reporter: AND JUST BECAUSE MOST OF THE ACTORS ARE KIDS, DOESN'T MAKE THEM LESS EXPERIENCED.

>> I LOVE WORKING WITH THE KIDS.

THEY THINK DIFFERENTLY THAN THE ADULTS DO.

THE ADULTS WHEN THEY ARE DEVELOPING THEIR CHARACTERS AND THEY ARE WORKING ON THEIR VOCALS, THEY ARE MORE TYPICAL ABOUT IT.

THE KIDS WILL BE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

WHAT IF I DO THIS OR THIS?

IT'S COOL TO SEE THEIR IMAGINATION AND THEIR CREATIVITY.

>> PERFORMANCE DATES ARE SET FOR APRIL 5TH, 6TH, 12TH, AND 13TH AT 7:00 P.M. AS WELL AS APRIL 7TH AND 14TH AT 2:00 P.M. >>> NOW IT'S TIME -- WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME SO WE WILL HEAD TO STACY WITH WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE COULD SEE LINGERING MIXED PRECIPITATION TONIGHT, OTHERWISE CLOUDY SKIES, LOWS NEAR 26.

TOMORROW, IT LOOKS QUIET BUT IT IS GOING TO BE CLOUDY, TEMPERATURES SHOULD TOP OUT NEAR 38, NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15 AND WARMER TEMPERATURES NEXT WEEK.

>> Charlie: T WOLVES JUST BEAT THE NUGGETS.

SO A BIG WIN FOR THEM OVER THE TEAM THAT WAS IN FIRST PLACE.

>> Matthew: THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR, THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES GETTING THE WIN.

>> Charlie: THEY HAVE HAD A GOOD SEASON SO FAR.

>> Matthew: LET'S HOPE THEY KEEP IT THAT WAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

WE HOPE YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC EASTER WEEKEND AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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