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Health officials say cases of a dangerous, drug-resistant fungus, are rising sharply in Michigan. M-Live reports that the state logged more than 110 cases in October, its highest monthly total since the fungus was first detected here in 2021. The fungus spreads easily in health-care settings, can survive on surfaces for long periods, and is often resistant to multiple antifungal drugs. People with serious medical conditions or who rely on breathing tubes, feeding tubes, or catheters are most at risk. Michigan has now identified more than 2,200 cases across 16 counties, with Detroit reporting the majority. The Charlevoix County Community Foundation has awarded nearly $185,000 in emergency relief grants to help Northern Michigan recover from last spring’s devastating ice storm. The funding supported food security, economic recovery, and rebuilding efforts across the region. Several Island organizations were among the recipients, including the Beaver Island Christian Church & Food Pantry and Patrons of the Arts in Rural Communities. Other grants went to local nonprofits, townships, arts groups, and service agencies working to repair damage, assist vulnerable residents, and restore essential services. After several weeks of snow almost every day, the region is headed for what could be a record setting weekend of low temperatures. While high temps would normally be in the mid-twenties to around 30 this time of year, this weekend will see highs in teens on much of the mainland, though the Island, apparently still blessed with the relative warmth of the lake will make it to the low to mid-twenties, but will be in the teens overnight.
NOAA predictions for high temps on Saturday. Image from NOAA The snow and cold have been great for Michigan ski areas, though. They say early-season conditions are the best they’ve seen in years. The Michigan Snowsports Industries Association told Bridge Michigan that while most resorts aren’t opening earlier than usual, but they’re opening more terrain than they typically can in early December. Boyne Mountain opened Friday with strong conditions, and other resorts from Caberfae Peaks to Bittersweet and Ski Brule are expanding as snowmaking ramps up. Industry leaders say if winter shapes up like last year, it could be a fantastic season statewide. No word on when the lifts for Mt. Pisgah will open, though. Tim Lamey is working to start a Christmas Bird Count on Beaver Island, aiming for enough volunteers to apply for an official Audubon count next year. He plans counts for December 14 and 21, with possible dates on the 28th and January 4. Participants can join group outings or simply count birds at their home feeders. Contact Tim for more information. A Northern Saw-whet Owl awaits a bird count. Photo from Tim Lamey’s Facebook post Finally, a reminder that the Wild Strawberry Café has adjusted its hours this week to accommodate the Great Lakes Island Alliance Basketball Tournament this weekend at school. They are open 10 to two today, nine to five on Friday and eight until two on Saturday. |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle… First your meeting planner… A-A meets tonight and Saturday at 6:00. That’s it on the meeting front through the end of the week. On the fun front today… Thursday, at 10:00, there’s pickleball in the theater and Tai Chi is in the Hangout both at the BIC Center and there is Women’s Bible Study at the Christian Church. Thursday evenings are Burger & a Beer Night at the Shamrock, plus Thursday Night is time for Euchre at Whiskey Point Brewery. Cards hit the table at 7:00. And, again, Pizza Kit pickup will be tomorrow from 2:00 to 3:30 at school. Friday gets underway with Senior + Vets Coffee + Donuts is on at the BIC Center from 9:00 to 11:00. Pickleball is at 10:00 in the Theater and Chair Strength Training is up in the Hangout at 10:30. And, over at school, the annual Great Lakes Islands Basketball Tournament gets underway at noon with teams from our fellow islands all headed here for action that will run through Saturday. [On the radio, Kick off your weekend with our fantastic Friday lineup! After the 6:00pm news, enjoy “That Thing with Rich Appel” featuring top forty hits from the 70s. At 9:00pm, tune into “The Titus Jennings Experience” offering music from all genres, followed by “The Midnight Special” with Marilyn Rea Beyer at 11:00pm for music, farce comedy, and late-night escape.] Highlights for the rest of the week include… On Saturday, the Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 1:00 with a new program alongside it called Girls that Code for girls in grades 3-12. At the BIC Center Saturday, movies are back as part of the library’s Big Read survival series. The 3:00 show is Lost on a Mountain in Maine. A boy gets separated from his family and fights to survive in the face of a fierce storm. Rated PG. Then at 6:00, it’s Arctic, the story of a plane crash, tough decisions and a trek to survive. It’s rated PG-13. Of course, both movies are based on books. You can check them out at the library. [On the radio, tune in for Country Classics at 5:00 Saturday evening with host Sheri Timsak. At 7:00, Jackson Smith and Steve Girbach are in with Songs from the Trail. Mark Beltaire takes over at 9:00 with Rockin’ the Boat and continues at 10:00 with the Blues Cruise. Cousin Dan wraps up the evening with the Too Good Radio Show starting at 11:00.] Sunday, there are services at the Christian Church at 10:00 and mass at Holy Cross at 12:15. Looking ahead to highlights for next week… Monday is all you can eat pizza and salad night at the Shamrock. Tuesday, there’s Pickleball at the BIC Center at 10:00, and Babes and Toddlers mix it up over at the library at 10:00. And in the Hang Out at the BIC Center, there’s Chair Strength Training at 10:30. Wednesday, there’s bingo at the BIC Center at 1:00 in the Hangout. Wednesday evening it’s a Candlelit Christmas with the NoMi String Collective at the BIC Center. There’s no charge for admission, but you do need to reserve a seat at tickets dot bic center dot org. Showtime is 6:00 p.m. Thursday, the TUNES Holiday concert is at the BIC Center at 7:00 p.m. And, next Friday is the last boat of the season. |
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NAME OF DAY: Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Maureen. If that’s your name, come into the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice, courtesy of your friends at the BIC Center and WVBI. BIRTHDAYS: Brogan Maudrie, Kaylee Timsak, Katie Donaldson and Melinda Burgess are on our list today. Happy Birthday to Melinda, Katie, Kaylee and Brogan and, if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at WVBI and your Beaver Island Community Center. |
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TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The Island Beltway is running smoothly and there are no bridge delays. But, the roads are super slick with yet another fresh coat of snow so, let’s be careful out there, especially in the school zone. |
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On this day in 2008, federal agents arrest billionaire financier Bernie Madoff at his New York penthouse. The arrest follows his sons alerting authorities to Madoff’s $65-billion Ponzi scheme — the largest financial fraud in U.S. history. Madoff was a trusted money manager for A-list clients. The unraveling of his scheme stunned Wall Street. He was later sentenced to 150 years in prison. |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is leviathan (noun) [luh-VYE-uh-thun]. It means something extremely large and powerful, and it originally referred to a giant sea creature from the Old Testament. The word entered English in the 1300s and later became a common name for massive sea animals — even appearing more than a hundred times in Moby-Dick. Today, you can use leviathan for anything huge and mighty, from ships to corporations. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Thursday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from Moby-Dick author Herman Melville: “Ignorance is the father of all fear.” |
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On a lighter note… Did you hear about the elf who got tangled up in sleigh bells on his way back to Santa’s workshop? They say he jingled all the way. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Thursday, December 11th, 2025. I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios wishing you a great day and asking you: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And thanks for listening. |
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Today Isolated snow showers before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 29. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 1pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 30. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Friday Night Snow showers, mainly before 1am. Low around 13. Wind chill values as low as -1. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible. Saturday A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 21. Breezy, with a west wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Saturday Night Snow showers likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Sunday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Blustery. Sunday Night A chance of snow showers after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 17. Breezy. Monday A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 26. Breezy. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Tuesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. Breezy. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Windy. Wednesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Breezy. |
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Air Quality Index this morning was 2. |
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Out on the Big Drink… |
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Today NNW wind 10 to 15 kt. A chance of snow showers, mainly before 10am. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Friday NW wind 10 to 15 kt becoming SW in the afternoon. A chance of snow after noon. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Saturday WNW wind around 20 kt, with gusts as high as 30 kt. Snow likely. Waves around 4 ft. Sunday N wind 10 to 20 kt, with gusts as high as 25 kt. A chance of snow before noon. Waves 4 ft subsiding to 1 ft. Monday SW wind 20 to 25 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 kt. A chance of snow. Widespread freezing spray between 7am and 8am. Waves 5 to 7 ft. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report… Health officials warn a dangerous, drug-resistant fungus is spreading fast in Michigan. The Charlevoix County Community Foundation sends nearly one-hundred-eighty-five thousand dollars in ice-storm relief across the region — including support for Beaver Island groups. A bitter cold snap is on the way, even as Michigan ski areas celebrate some of the best early-season conditions in years. We’ll also have details on plans for a Beaver Island Christmas Bird Count, and updated hours at the Wild Strawberry Café for the GLIA Basketball tournament weekend. All of those stories plus a run-down of local events, birthdays and more all after this global and national news update from F-S-N. It’s [timecheck]. |
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Today’s featured image: A Northern Saw-whet Owl awaits a bird count. Photo from Tim Lamey’s Facebook post |
