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Flooding concerns continue across Northern Michigan, though there are some signs of stabilization. On the Island, work on East Side Drive is progressing well with the road passable and residents in the area saying it no longer is a challenge to get through. At the Cheboygan Dam, water levels remain high with residents still in a “set” phase of ready, set, go for possible evacuation as the system stays under pressure. The Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office is also warning residents on the Alverno area to be ready to leave as high water begins to threaten a dam there. In Bellaire, water at the dam has steadied at about a foot below the top, offering cautious relief—but officials say the situation remains tense with more rain possible and say residents should be in ready mode. In Traverse City, the Boardman River recently hit record levels, washing out roads and forcing closures, with damage reported to bridges and riverfront areas. Across the region, flooded roads, culvert failures, and washouts continue to impact travel—even as some rivers begin to slowly recede.
The DNR posts info on the levels at the Cheboygan Dam and Lock Complex alongside a Statewide Severe Weather Dashboard. Image from Michigan DNR
Governor Gretchen Whitmer toured the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Thursday alongside State Senator John Damoose, getting an up-close look at flood control efforts. Crews continue working around the clock—placing sandbags, running pumps, and increasing water flow—to prevent a failure. Whitmer praised the response, calling workers exhausted but determined to protect lives and property.
While today will be clear, the next round of weather arrives late Friday into Saturday as a cold front brings showers and thunderstorms to northern Michigan. Rainfall of up to three-quarters of an inch is expected, which could worsen ongoing flooding. While severe storms are unlikely, a few stronger cells are possible. Flood Watches remain in effect for most of northwest lower Michigan and the eastern U-P. Behind the system, much colder air moves in, with highs in the 40s and even a chance of lake-effect snow. Drier weather returns early next week, offering some relief.
In other news, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians has finalized its $27 million purchase of the former Northwestern Michigan College Boardman Lake Campus. The tribe plans to convert the site into a central government hub, expanding services for members across the region.
The Beaver Island Irish Heritage Group has been awarded a $21,200 grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council to support the Emerald Isle Irish Féile. The funding will help continue celebrating the island’s Irish heritage through music, dance, storytelling, and workshops. Organizers are thanking the state council and the National Endowment for the Arts for supporting local arts and culture.
The Boat Company has added a second run for next Friday. The Emerald Isle will head back to the Island after its morning run leaving Charlevoix at 2:30 and heading back to the mainland at 5:20.
The Emerald Isle will make two round trips on April 24th. Image from BIBCO Facebook post |
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Now here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
Peaine Township Board has a special meeting set for Friday at 5:30 on township roads. A-A meets Saturday evening at 6:00. Next week, Waste Management Committee meets Tuesday at 1:30. BIA Board meets at 4:00. Heritage Group meets at 5:30 Wednesday. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
[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.]
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, students from B-I-C-S C-T-E programs will head across for a dinner honoring career and technical education class leaders. Congratulations to them and their teachers. Out in our Dark Skies, the Lyrid Meteor shower peaks tonight. There’s info on where to watch at dark sky island dot org.
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. |
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Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Jasper. 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: Duane Mooney, Nick Spanhak and Greyson Martell. Happy Birthday to Greyson, Nick and Duane 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…and today look slike a good day for flying. The Island Beltway continues to improve with lots of work from the road crews. 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 1961, the Bay of Pigs Invasion began, as a CIA-trained force of Cuban exiles landed on the island in an effort to overthrow Fidel Castro. Backed by the United States, the operation aimed to spark an uprising—but it quickly unraveled. Within three days, Cuban forces defeated the invaders, marking a major Cold War embarrassment for the U.S. and strengthening Castro’s hold on power.
The Bay of Pigs is on Cuba’s southern shore. Apparently, the name comes from a the translated (from Spanish) name of a triggerfish found in the bay. Image from Wikimedia Commons. |
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Our Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is postulate (verb) [POS-chuh-layt]. It means to suggest or assume something is true as a starting point for reasoning or discussion. The word comes from Latin postulare, meaning “to demand” or “to claim.” Over time, it evolved into a more thoughtful idea—something proposed, not proven. Scientists might postulate the existence of water on a distant moon… or you might postulate that ordering takeout just makes sense tonight. Either way, it’s where a good idea begins. |
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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 John F. Kenedy, who has President when the Bay of Pigs invasion was launched: “Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” |
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On a lighter note: Here’s a quote from Fidel Castro: “History will absolve me.” Hmmm. I postulate not. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, April 17th, 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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Today Widespread fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 53/62. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Tonight A chance of rain and thunderstorms, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 11pm. Low around 35. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Saturday A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then scattered snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 35 by 9am. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Saturday Night Scattered snow showers before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 34/37. Breezy, with a northwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Blustery. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 39/41. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Breezy. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 46/48. Breezy. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 46/49. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 48/51. |
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Out on the Big Drink … |
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Today SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Waves 1 ft or less. Saturday W wind 15 to 20 kt. Patchy fog before 8am. Waves 2 to 3 ft. Sunday NW wind 15 to 20 kt. Waves 2 to 3 ft. Monday NW wind around 10 kt becoming SW in the afternoon. Waves 1 ft or less. Tuesday SSW wind 10 to 20 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 kt. Waves 3 to 5 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…
Flooding concerns continue across Northern Michigan, with some stabilization—but high water still threatening areas like Cheboygan and Bellaire. More rain is on the way this weekend, and crews are working around the clock to hold the line. Plus, the Heritage Group scores a big grant and added boat trips next Friday.
…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: The NWS says more rain is on the way starting this evening, plus high winds. Image from NWS Gaylord office |
