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Michigan tribal leaders are condemning federal approval of a key permit for Enbridge’s proposed Line 5 tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac and say they’re exploring a legal challenge. The tribes argue the 1836 Treaty of Washington is federal law and guarantees continued fishing, hunting and other traditional uses of the Straits. They contend the federal government has a duty to protect those rights and that tunnel construction could permanently damage cultural resources and conditions necessary to exercise them. The Army Corps says the project would not impermissibly impair treaty rights and that they consulted with the tribes, but tribal leaders say consultation alone does not satisfy the government’s treaty obligations. Tribal attorneys say they’re now exploring legal options to challenge the permit. #Environment #Line5
Two Michigan Democrats are blaming Trump administration policies for the closure of a Bay County semiconductor plant. Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet and Senator Elissa Slotkin say tariffs, energy policies and eliminated incentives contributed to SK Siltron CSS’s decision to close its silicon carbide wafer plant. All 140 employees are being laid off. #Economy #Election 2026
The 120th Emmet-Charlevoix County Fair opens Monday for a week of livestock shows, 4-H projects, carnival rides and grandstand entertainment. Highlights include country star Travis Tritt Wednesday, a professional rodeo Thursday, monster trucks Friday and autocross Saturday. The fair runs through August 30th. Admission is six dollars, with kids 12 and under free.
The community is invited to a potluck picnic at the Beaver Head Lighthouse tomorrow at 1:00. Bring a dish and a chair and check out the newly reopened foyer and tower, including the restored fourth-order lens. Work on the lighthouse was done by Horst Blessing, Dan Runberg, Dave Derosia, Craig Turnbull, Mark Howie, Keith Brothers, Jamie Lapresto and Dave Case.
Volunteers were busy at the library yesterday after their board meeting cleaning up the fairy park behind the library and revitalizing it after a number of items were removed from it earlier this month. The area is now monitored with cameras. #Community
Volunteers at work restoring the garden and paths behind the library. Missing items were replaced, mulch refreshed and leaves removed. Photo by Kevin Boyle
The Eager Beaver Clean & Store has moved on to fall hours. They are now open Monday to Friday 8:30 to 6:00, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 3:00. #LocalBusiness
A model of the Emerald Isle is now displayed at the Seabaron, a famous restaurant in Reykjavik, Iceland. Islander Jackson Smith, who is a huge fan of the place, brought it there on a recent visit. So, now there’s a bit of the Emerald Isle on the isle of Iceland. #IslandCommunities The Emerald Isle (or a model of her) now sails in Iceland at the Seabaron. Jakson Smith made the delivery to Elisabet Skuladottir, who now owns the Seabaron. Photos by Lisa Smith provided by Jackson Smith |
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Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…a quite period coming up…
AA meets Saturday at 6:00 and next week Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday same time. All at the Christian Church.
…and that is it through the end of next week.
On the fun front today…
Friday, there’s Senior and Vets Coffee and Donuts from 8:30 to 10:30 in the Welcome Center at the BIC Center. At 9:00 A-M Pickleball Outdoors on the Peaine Township courts. Back at the BIC Center at 9:30, there’s Summer Yoga in the Theater plus Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout. At 1:00, the Stepping Stones Retreat kicks off at Tara’s Meadow. Check the calendar entry for sign-up information.
[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, at 9:00 there’s Mass at Holy Cross to celebrate The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. the Artisan’s Market is on at the Point starting at 10:00. Protar’s House will be open for tours from 1:00 to 3:00. And Saturday nights 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 Episcopal Mission at 9:00 and at the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass is at Holy Cross at 12:15. And the Amik Cultural Center is open 1 to 3 PM.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday, at 9:30, summer yoga is on at the BIC Center. It’ll be a session on Basic Flow. COA has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00 at Peaine Township Hall. At 11:00, there’s Summer Therapeutic Chair Yoga at the BIC Center. And, don’t forget, Monday evenings are All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Beachcomber.
Tuesday, at 9:00 there is Pickleball on the Peaine Township Courts. At 9:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at the BIC Center. C-O-A has COA Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00 at Peaine Township Hall. Also, at 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library. At 5:00, the 2026 Islander Volleyball and Soccer season gets underway as the squads takes on Munising Baptist at home. Play gets underway at 5:00. And at 6:00, it’s trivia time at the BIC Center. Let’s Get quizzical starts at 6:00 in the Hangout. Sign your team up at tickets dot bic center dot org.
Wednesday, the B-I-C-S volleyball and soccer squads play a second round of matches against Munising Baptist. Play starts at 8:30. There’s Summer Restorative Yoga BIC Center at 9:30 in the Theater. At 1:00 there is Afternoon Bingo up in the Hangout. Protar’s House will be open from 1:00 to 4:00. At 4:00 the Amik Cultural Preservation Center will be open.
Thursday, there’s Pickleball at Peaine Township Park at 9:00. There’s COA Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00, both at Peaine Township Hall. There’s Women’s Bible Study at 10:00 a.m. at the BI Christian Church and at 10:30, there’s Senior Tai Chi at the BIC Center. At 1:00, the B-I-C-S volley ball squad serves up again in a third day of games, this time a double match against Maplewood Baptist. The Weekly Bocce Ball roll is on at 4:00 on the courts at the Peaine Township Park. And, Thursday evenings are Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock. |
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Those are the highlights. Find a full listing of events at calendar dot W-V-B-I dot net. |
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Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Chantille. If that’s your name, come on down to the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. |
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On our Birthday List: Jessica Anderson and Buddy Martin are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Jessica and Bud, 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 running smoothly. There are no bridge delays. But it is busy in town when the ferries arrive and there are lots of folks out hiking and biking. So, let’s be careful out there. |
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On this date in 1959, Hawaii becomes the 50th state. President Dwight Eisenhower signs the proclamation admitting the islands to the Union, five months after signing the statehood bill and nearly two months after Hawaii voters overwhelmingly approve admission. Hawaii’s path to statehood follows decades of political struggle stretching back to the U.S. annexation of the islands in 1898. Its admission brings the United States to its current total of 50 states and leads to a new American flag with 50 stars, which officially begins flying the following Fourth of July.
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is rigmarole [RIG-uh-muh-rol], a noun for a long, complicated, and often annoying process or procedure. It can also mean a lengthy, confusing story or explanation. The word has a complicated history to match its meaning. It traces back to ragman roll, the name for a long roll or list in medieval Britain. Over centuries of speech, “ragman roll” eventually became “rigmarole.” You may also hear rigamarole, with an extra “a” sound. That came later, as speakers inserted a vowel to make the word easier to pronounce; today, dictionaries recognize it as a variant, while “r-i-g-m-a-r-o-l-e” remains the standard spelling. So if getting a simple permit requires three forms, four signatures and two trips to the office, you might complain about all the rigmarole involved. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Friday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from Babe Ruth: “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” |
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On a lighter note… |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Thursday, August 20th, 2026. 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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WEATHER |
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[Current Condition Report, then…] |
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Today A chance of showers before 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73 at the beach and 75 inland. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Saturday A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 71/73. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Saturday Night A 30 percent chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67/69. Breezy, with a northwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Monday Sunny, with a high near 71/76. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 74/76. Tuesday Night A chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Wednesday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 74/76. Wednesday Night A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 73/77. |
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Air Quality Index at 7:11 was 58. |
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Fire Danger: Moderate |
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Out on the Big Drink…
Photo from the North Lake Michigan Buoy. Provided by the National Data Buoy Center |
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Today S wind 10 to 15 kt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 3pm and 5pm. Waves around 2 ft. Saturday NNW wind 10 to 15 kt. A slight chance of showers before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 2pm. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Sunday NNW wind 15 to 20 kt, with gusts as high as 30 kt. Sunny. Waves 2 to 3 ft. Monday WNW wind around 10 kt. Sunny. Waves around 1 ft. Tuesday SW wind 10 to 15 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 to 2 ft. |
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Water Temps: 70 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. 72 at Sleeping Bear and in Little Traverse Bay. 70 in the Straits. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Michigan tribes say federal approval of the Line 5 tunnel violates treaty obligations, two Democratic lawmakers blame Trump administration policies for the closure of a Bay County semiconductor plant, the Emmet-Charlevoix County Fair gets ready for its 120th year and the Emerald Isle sails…in Iceland?
Those stories along with more local news, a run down of local events, birthdays, this date in history and more are up after this global and national news… [Time check.] |
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Today’s featured image: Volunteers at work restoring the garden and paths behind the library. Missing items were replaced, mulch refreshed and leaves removed. Cameras now watch over the Faries. Photo by Kevin Boyle |
