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Even as an evacuation order was lifted for some low-lying areas near Cheboygan Wednesday, concerns remain about high water across Northern Michigan. The earlier evacuation followed a levee breach in the Little Black River watershed—not the Cheboygan Dam—but water levels at the lock and dam complex continue to fluctuate. After rising overnight, levels dipped slightly by midday, then began climbing again by evening. Officials say the situation remains unpredictable.
Meanwhile, Cheboygan Area Schools canceled classes Wednesday, along with all after-school activities, as a precaution. Schools were also closed in T-C.
Water levels at the Bellaire Dam remain steady, but with more rain expected, officials are preparing for possible evacuations. Areas downstream are under “Ready” status, urging residents to pack essentials and be prepared to leave. No evacuation has been ordered yet, but centers at Bellaire High School and the Commission on Aging are ready if needed.
Near Glen Arbor, the Crystal River has flooded the lower level of the iconic Mill restaurant, though service continues upstairs. Residents near Black Lake are being urged to prepare for rising water, with some homes already affected. And in Ellsworth, an overwhelmed culvert is raising concerns about a potential failure that could trigger additional flooding and strain the Bellaire Dam.
T-C officials say it may take six months to get the bridge on Beitner Road repaired. That cuts off an important commuting route into T-C. Meantime, Airport Road by Logan’s Landing, which was threatened with a similar bridge collapse, seems to be surviving and could be open again within a week.
The National Weather Service says flooding risks will continue into Sunday with more rain in the forecast combining with the snow melt.
The NWS says additional rounds of rain chances through the rest of the week will keep flooding concerns in the forefront. Graphic from NWS Gaylord office
With all the flooding, health officials are warning that private well water may no longer be safe to use. They say that when floodwaters cover a well, bacteria, viruses, and chemicals can enter the water supply, increasing the risk of illness. Residents with private wells are urged to avoid drinking the water, use bottled water instead, and properly clean, flush, and disinfect their systems. If needed, water should be boiled for at least five minutes before use. For help with testing and next steps, call 800-432-4121.
As up north deals with flooding, downstate has been hit by tornados. The National Weather Service has confirmed seven tornadoes including an EF-1 tornado hit Ann Arbor with winds up to 110 miles per hour.
Even as the snow melt continues to cause problems across the region, a record winter is keeping skiing alive at Boyne Mountain Resort. Resort officials say a deep snow base and strong snowmaking have preserved enough coverage for spring skiing, with no flooding concerns on site. Limited lift operations are continuing on weekends, and the season could stretch toward May—making it one of the longest in the Midwest.
On the Island, the Wildlife Club is once again helping add plants to the Island with plans to distribute 350 trees and shrubs later this spring. Varieties include crab apples, Fuji apple, pear, silky dogwood, and cranberry trees. Pickup is tentatively set for April 26th at Levi’s on Paid Een Ogs Road and will continue while supplies last. Organizers ask participants to properly water and protect the plants to ensure survival. Trees are available by freewill donation, and no holds will be offered—so plan accordingly. |
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Now here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
Saint James Township board has a special meeting set for today at 5:00. Library Board meets today as well at 4:30 as does the J-TAC, again at 4:30. A-A meets this evening and Saturday evening at 6:00. Peaine Township Board has a special meeting set for Friday at 5:30 on township roads. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
Thursday Women’s Bible Study is on at 10:00 at the Christian Church. There’s Pickleball at the BIC Center at 10:00 in the Theater. At 10:30 up in the Hangout there’s Senior Tai Chi. Thursday evening, there’s Pickleball at 5:00 in the Theater at the BIC Center. Afterwards, you can grab the burger & a beer special at the Shamrock starting at 5:00, and its Euchre Night down at Whiskey Point Brewing. Cards hit the table at 7:00.
[Thursday evening on the radio, drop in for W-V-B-I’s newest music show. It’s The Underground with Leila Freijy. It’s the underground sound of grunge and more from the 80s and 90s with special features every week. Tune in at 7:00 for two hours Underground.]
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Friday, Senior + Vets Coffee & Donuts is at the BIC Center from 9:00 to 11:00. There’s Pickleball at 10:00 and Chair Strength Training at 10:30.
[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.]
Saturday, the Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 1:00. No movies at the BIC Center this Saturday, but it will be open for fun in the Hangout, snacks and meals. And, remember, Saturdays are Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock.
[On the radio, tune in for Country Classics at 5:00 Saturday evening with host Sheri Timsak. At 7:00, take a trip back to the best of the 80s and 90s with the Mix Tape show (that’s a 120-minute TDK cassette tape for those in the know) hosted by WVBI’s Adam Pettigrew. 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 evening is All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Shamrock.
Tuesday at 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library and there is Pickleball in the Theater at the BIC Center and, at 10:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout. At 2:15 there’s a Home School Meet-up at the library. Tuesday evening is trivia time at the BIC Center. Let’s Get Quizzical starts at 6:00 p.m. Sign your team up at tickets dot bic center dot org.
Wednesday, there’s BINGO at 1:00 at the BIC Center. And at 5:00 it’s Time for Art, at the BIC Center. This week the final session on creating plaster molds led by Cindy Ricksgers. Also Wednesday evening, dome students from B-I-C-S will head across for a dinner honoring career and technical education class leaders. Congratulations to them and their teachers. |
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Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Ian. If that’s your name, come on it to the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice. |
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On our Birthday List today: Mackenzie Cole, Deputy Neal Green, Kimberly Reed and Steve Rarionoff. Happy Birthday to Kim, Mackenzie, Steve and Neal and if we missed you on the list Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at the BIC Center and WVBI. |
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TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The Island Beltway is improving on the west side with some grading yesterday, but the issues at the south end of East Side Drive continue. There are no bridge delays. Still, let’s be careful out there, especially in the school zone. |
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On this date in 1964, The Rolling Stones burst onto the scene with their debut album, The Rolling Stones—released in the U.S. as England’s Newest Hit Makers. It topped the U.K. charts for twelve straight weeks and launched one of rock’s most legendary careers.
The Rolling Stones in July 1963. From left: Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richards. Image from Wikimedia Commons. |
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Our Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is brazen (adjective) [BRAY-zun]. It describes something done boldly and openly—without shame or embarrassment. Originally, brazen meant “made of brass,” from an Old English word. Over time, it took on a new meaning—from the hardness of brass—to describe someone with a “face of brass” … showing no shame at all. Today, it’s used for people—or actions—with a shameless boldness, like a brazen disregard for the rules. |
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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 Mick Jagger: “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.” |
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On a lighter note: How do the Rolling Stones keep their clothes wrinkle-free? They rock and roll all night and iron all day. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Thursday, April 16th, 2026. Until then, I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios wishing you a great day and asking: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And Thanks for listening. |
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Today A slight chance of rain before 8am, then scattered showers, mainly between 8am and 2pm. Areas of dense fog before noon. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 44/48. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Tonight Isolated showers before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. West wind around 5 mph becoming east in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 10%. Friday Partly sunny, with a high near 54/60. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday Night A chance of showers before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Low around 36. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Saturday Rain showers before 5pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. High near 42/44. Breezy, with a west wind around 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Breezy. Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 35/37. Breezy. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 30/26. Blustery. Monday Sunny, with a high near 40/42. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Breezy. Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Breezy. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. |
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Out on the Big Drink … |
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Today Variable winds 5 kt or less. Widespread dense fog, mainly between 7am and 8am. Waves 1 ft or less. Friday SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Areas of dense fog before 7am. Waves 1 ft or less. Saturday W wind around 15 kt. A chance of rain showers before 4pm, then a slight chance of snow showers. Waves 2 to 3 ft. |
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Air Quality Index at 6:30 this morning was 13. |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Flood concerns aren’t over yet across Northern Michigan—even as some evacuation orders near Cheboygan have been lifted. Water levels are still unpredictable, more rain is on the way, and officials say residents should stay ready. Plus, seven tornadoes touch down downstate, well water safety warnings are issued, and up north… ski season just keeps going.
…those stories plus a run-down of local events, birthdays and more after global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.] |
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Today’s Featured Image: There’s a lake out there somewhere, but it looks like another no-fly day. Image from WVBI webcam at the BIC Center |
