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Governor Whitmer has declared a statewide energy emergency, temporarily allowing vehicles with farm or wood harvester plates to use dyed diesel on Michigan roads without state penalties. The fuel is normally reserved for off-road use and sold without highway fuel taxes. Whitmer cites soaring diesel prices tied to the Iran war. The relief follows federal action and ends no later than December 31st. The Michigan Farm Bureau welcomed the move during harvest season.
#Economy
Munson Medical Center is targeting long emergency room waits after summer E-R traffic rose six percent. The Traverse City Ticker reports new president Joe
Du Lac is assembling a 60-person team to improve patient flow. Some patients waited five to six hours during peak periods. His goal: continuous care with fewer delays.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is suing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, accusing the state’s largest health insurer of an illegal monopoly. The federal lawsuit alleges agreements with other Blue Cross companies limit competition and drive up costs for residents and state government. Blue Cross disputes that characterization, saying it faces strong competition statewide. The state seeks monetary damages and an end to the alleged anticompetitive practices.
#Healthcare
On the Island, we’ve had a series of almost summer like days, but change came late in the day yesterday as temperatures dropped. Today, Michigan gets a split personality today as a cold front divides the state. Highs across the U-P and Northern Lower Michigan stay in the 50s and 60s, while southeast Michigan could reach the low 80s, challenging records. Cooler air spreads statewide Wednesday, with widespread rain and strong winds arriving later this week.
#Weather
So, perhaps appropriately, the Beaver Island Golf Course is ending its season for 2026 tomorrow. It will be open for members only after that, and for walking play only unless you bring your own cart. They say the 2026 season was great and look forward to play in 2027.
#Recreation
The Charlevoix Community Foundation’s new Pick a Project Grant Catalog is now available online. It offers pre-vetted projects in their service area that you can elect to support. Projects include those from the Historical Society, the Health Center, the Library, Tunes and the Little Traverse Conservancy. There’s a link to the catalog in today’s script online.
https://cthreef.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/grant?grant_cycle_id=1165
#Fundraising
The Health Center has a Good Samaritan garage sale today from noon to five today, but it isn’t at the Health Center. It’s at 33090 East Side Drive. Park along the road. Proceeds help with medical treatment costs.
#Fundraising
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Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First, your meeting planner for the coming week…
Today, the Peaine Township Board meets at 5:30. Wednesday, the Beaver Island Transportation Authority Board meets at noon, and the St. James Township Board meets at 5:30. Thursday, the District Library Board and the Telecommunications Advisory Committee both meet at 4:30. A-A meets today, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00.
That’s the meeting lineup through the weekend. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
The Babies and Toddlers Mix-Up brings little ones and their grownups together at the library at 10:00. Pickleball starts at 10:00 at Peaine Township Park. At 10:30, Chair Strength Training meets upstairs in the Hangout at the BIC Center.
The Good Samaritan garage sale runs noon to 5:00 at 33090 East Side Drive. Please park along the road. Proceeds benefit the Good Samaritan Fund, helping with medical treatment costs.
This afternoon, the Islander volleyball squad travels to Boyne Falls for a match at 4:00.
In our Dark Sky, look for the Moon, Jupiter and the Twin Stars early Wednesday morning, from 3:00 to 7:00. More details at dark sky island dot org.
Wednesday, American Mah Jongg starts at 10:00 in the BIC Center Hangout. All skill levels are welcome; bring your 2026 Mah Jongg card if you have one. Afternoon Bingo follows at 1:00. The Amik Cultural Preservation Center opens from 4:00 to 7:00 for tours and discussions. At 5:00, Time for Art at the BIC Center features Pendant Necklaces with Cindy Ricksgers.
Looking ahead to highlights for the rest of the week…
Thursday, pickleball starts at 10:00 at Peaine Township Park. Women’s Bible Study meets at 10:00 at the Christian Church. There’s Chair Yoga at 11:00 in the Hangout at the BIC Center. It’s Burger and a Beer Day at the Shamrock, and Euchre is on at Whiskey Point Brewing Company. Cards hit the table at 7:00.
Friday, Senior and Veterans Coffee and Donuts is on at the BIC Center in the morning. There’s Pickleball outdoors at 10:00. Chair Strength Training at 10:30 in the Hangout. And board game fun at the library for after school at 3:30.
[On the radio, Friday’s lineup kicks off after the 6:00 news with “That Thing with Rich Appel,” featuring top forty hits from the 70s. At 9:00, “The Titus Jennings Experience” offers music from all genres, followed by “The Midnight Special” with Marilyn Rea Beyer at 11:00.]
Saturday, there’s Pickleball outdoors starting at 10:00.. The B-I-C-S volleyball squad heads off for Northern Lights League Tourney play. Movies are on at the BIC Center with the opportunity to see Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in both of the Practical Magic movies. The original is at 3:00 and the follow-on at 6:00. Both rated PG-13. And, it’s Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock
[On the radio, Country Classics starts at 5:00 Saturday evening with host Sheri Timsak. At 7:00, WVBI’s Adam Pettigrew takes you back to the best of the 80s and 90s with the Mix Tape show. 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, the Episcopal Mission has services at 9:00 and the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass is at Holy Cross at 12:15.
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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 Dana. 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: Our list is empty today. But, if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you 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 ferry arrives and there are folks soon be out leaf peeping. So, let’s be careful out there.
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On this date in 1792, the cornerstone of the White House is laid in Washington. Irish-born architect James Hoban designs the presidential home, built by a workforce that includes enslaved laborers and paid craftsmen. Eight years later, John Adams moves into the still-unfinished building. George Washington helps choose its location and design, but never lives there.
An architectural rendering showing the East front elevation of the White House. Drawing by Benjamin Henry Latrobe via Wikimedia
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is abscond [ab-SKAHND], a verb meaning to slip away secretly and go into hiding, often taking something along. It commonly describes someone fleeing with stolen money, but works for smaller capers, too: “The dog absconded with the last bratwurst while everyone watched the bonfire.” The word comes from Latin meaning “to hide away.”
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Tuesday…
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Here’s a thought for the day from John Adams, first resident of the White House: “A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”
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And on a lighter note…
The crossing gourd.
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Tuesday, October 13th, 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
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Air Quality Index this morning was 0.
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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
E wind around 10 kt becoming NW in the afternoon. A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11am, then a slight chance of showers between 11am and noon. Patchy fog between 10am and 11am, then Patchy fog between noon and 1pm. Waves around 1 ft.
Wednesday
NNW wind 10 to 15 kt. Mostly cloudy. Waves around 1 ft.
Thursday
SE wind 5 to 10 kt. A chance of showers after 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less.
Friday
NW wind around 30 kt, with gusts as high as 45 kt. Showers likely, mainly before 1pm. Waves 6 to 7 ft.
Saturday
NW wind around 15 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. Sunny. Waves around 2 ft.
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Water Temps: 61 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island and Sleeping Bear. 53 in the Straits. Little Traverse Bay not reporting.
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Diesel relief for farmers and loggers, a push to shorten Munson E-R waits, and a monopoly lawsuit against Blue Cross. Plus, Michigan’s temperature divide, the Island golf season winds down, and a garage sale helps neighbors with medical bills.
Those stories along with more local and state 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: A melanistic gray fox captured in a photo submitted to the Michigan D.N.R. after they asked for photos of the rare fax. Photo provided by Michigan D.N.R. via Facebook
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