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An arctic chill has settled over the Island this morning with the temperature at the BIC Center at -3 at 8:00 this morning and a wind chill at -22. Some cancellations are the result. School is closed today and the away games at Big Bay planned for tomorrow are off (that more a function of continued lake effect snow in the forecast than the cold). The Transfer Station will be closed today and Saturday due to potential impacts of extreme cold on its heavy equipment. The Open Mic and Karaoke night at the BIC Center tonight. But, Senior + Vets Coffee & Donuts will proceed as will exercise events at the BIC Center. The Resale Shop will be open, but the barn won’t be staffed.
The National Weather Service has issues and Extreme Cold Warning that will remain in effect through tomorrow morning at 11:00 with windchills on the Island predicted to be as low as -26 today. Up in the U-P, the Weather Service issues a Blizzard warning for last evening on the Keweenaw peninsula urging folks to stay off the roads. Today’s script has a NOAA satellite image that shows the Island and the entire state covered in snow and clouds.
Winter storm conditions as seen from a NOAA satellite yesterday. Image from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The abrupt closure of the United We Smile dental clinic has sparked concern among Grand Traverse County officials over a growing gap in care for veterans and other vulnerable residents. Clinic leaders say the program was financially self-sustaining and question why funds were redirected while the clinic shut down. United Way of Northwest Michigan says rising costs and capacity limits forced the decision. Meanwhile, nearly three million dollars in state funding approved last fall remains on hold in Lansing as leaders weigh whether another organization can take over the services.
Cruise ships will be barred from mooring at a key dock on Mackinac Island for at least the next several years after a judge ordered restrictions due to dock disrepair. The ruling blocks cruise ships from tying up at the island’s main ferry dock until repairs are completed — a timeline that could stretch to 2029 or later. Dock owner Arnold Transit Co. has agreed to the ban while appealing the decision.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is suing some of the world’s largest oil companies, accusing them of working for decades to block renewable energy and electric vehicles. The lawsuit, expected to be filed today, seeks damages and forfeiture of profits, while industry groups call the action an overreach and vow to fight it.
Voters in Charlevoix, Emmet, and northern Antrim counties will decide May 5 on a one-mill levy to continue funding career and technical education through Charlevoix‑Emmet ISD. The measure would raise about $8 million a year to support 23 high school career-tech programs and K-12 initiatives through 2029. On Beaver Island, the millage supports hands-on programs tied to skilled trades, health careers, and digital media.
The Michigan State Police Gaylord Post has welcomed K9 Siren, a gun- and shell-casing detection dog assigned to Trooper Jeffrey Turnquist. Siren, a lab, joins Turnquist’s first K9 partner, Rip, and will assist law enforcement agencies across northern Michigan and statewide.
Siren has joined the State Police in Gaylord. Good dog! Photo from Michigan State Police
There’s a dispute brewing over a state investigation into Native American boarding schools. Michigan spent three years and more than a million dollars studying the state’s boarding schools — but the report has not been released to the public. State officials with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights say the study was too flawed to publish, while the Native American firm that produced it accuses the state of whitewashing history. Tribal leaders say survivors were promised transparency. Meanwhile, Dana Nessel has launched a separate criminal investigation into abuses at Michigan boarding schools.
If you are looking for some artwork to tie your home back to Arranmore, you might want to check out some photos or prints from Taoide [Tee-je], a newly opened shop there. Burtonport is the port from which you sail to get to Arranmore. They have scenic photography, sporting gift frames, digitised artistic prints and some knit items, too. There are a few samples and a link in today’s script online. Order via email to taoidecrafts@gmail.com, Facebook messenger or via Whatsapp 087 773 0727
The Beaver Island Irish Heritage Group kicks off its annual Calling of the Clans on February 1st. The fundraiser invites families, friends, and community groups to form a clan and support Irish heritage on the Island. Clans donating over a thousand dollars will have their crest displayed during the Irish Féile in September. |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets Saturday at 6:00 at the Christian Church.
On the fun front today…
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. The open mic and karaoke night planned for this evening has been called off due to the cold.
[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 basketball trip up to Big Bay has been cancelled, but the Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 1:00. At 3:00 at the library there’s a planning session set for the next Beaver Tales show. This time the theme is Surviving on the Island as part of the library’s Big Read Project. They are targeting a show date in April. Meantime, over at the BIC Center, it’s a Wicked Double Trouble Double Feature. See Wicked at 3:00 and Wicked for Good at 6:00 with some special treats at the concession stand. Wands are optional. Both shows rated PG. 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, 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, it’s All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Shamrock. The library has a visit with the author of the NEA BIG READ book The Bear set for 7:00 p.m. Monday evening. You can come to the library or join from home. The author, Andrew Krivak, will read some of his book before answering any questions. There’s a link to the Zoom in today’s script online.
Tuesday kicks of with home basketball games as the Islanders take on Munising Baptist with an 8:30 tip-off. 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 6:00, put your thinking cap on and come out for trivia. Let’s Get Quizzical is back for a second January round. Sign your team up at tickets dot bic center dot org.
Wednesday, there’s BINGO at the BIC Center at 1:00. At 5:00 it’s Time for Art, also at the BIC Cener. That’ll be the first of three sessions on making Madi Gras masks lead by Cindy Ricksgers. In our dark skies, the moon will reach perigee for the second time this month. That’s its closest point to us in its elliptical orbit around Earth. At 9:00 this evening it’ll be 227,341 miles (365,871 km) away…just waiting for the first human mission to the moon to launch in February.
Thursday Women’s Bible Study is on at 10:00 at the Christian Church. There’s Pickleball at the BIC Center at 10:00. That’s in the theater. At 10:30 up in the Hangout there’s Chair Strength Training. Thursday evening, 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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NAME OF DAY: Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Larissa. If that’s your name, come into the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice.
BIRTHDAYS: On our Birthday list today: Haley Peitras. Happy Birthday to Haley, 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, hey, let’s be careful out there, especially in the school zone. |
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On this date in 1813, the Battle of the River Raisin ends near present-day Monroe, then known as Frenchtown. It remains the bloodiest battle ever fought on Michigan soil. Nearly all of the 900 American troops were killed or captured, and many wounded prisoners were later massacred by Native Americans allied with the British. The tragedy sparked the rallying cry “Remember the Raisin!” during the War of 1812. Illustration of the Massacre of American Prisoners at Frenchtown on 23 January 1813. Image from Wikimedia Commons |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is astrolabe (noun) [A-struh-layb]. A-struh-layb. An astrolabe is an early scientific instrument used to measure the positions of stars and planets, centuries before the sextant. In the Middle Ages, poet Geoffrey Chaucer even wrote a how-to guide on using one for his young son, helping bring astronomy into everyday English.
Photo of an Astroblade. Photo by Sage Ross from Wikimedia Commons |
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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 author J.R.R. who was born on this day in 1892: “The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.” |
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On a lighter note… How does one astronaut on the moon tell another astronaut that he is sorry? He Apollo-gises. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, January 23rd, 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-Extreme Cold Warning A 50 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 4pm. Areas of blowing snow. Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 5. Wind chill values as low as -25. Windy, with a west wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Tonight-Extreme Cold Warning A 10 percent chance of snow showers before 7pm. Patchy blowing snow before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 1. Wind chill values as low as -18. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Saturday-Extreme Cold Warning to 11:00am Partly sunny, with a high near 12. Wind chill values as low as -14. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5. Wind chill values as low as -5. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Sunday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 13. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5. Monday Partly sunny, with a high near 16. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. Breezy. Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 15. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 6. Wednesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 14. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 3. Thursday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 13. |
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Air Quality Index this morning was 1. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
An arctic chill has taken hold on Beaver Island this morning, with dangerous wind chills and a number of closures and cancellations — we’ll have the latest on what’s open and what’s not.
…all of that along with a run-down of local e vents, birthdays and more after global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.] |
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Today’s featured image: Winter storm conditions as seen from a NOAA satellite yesterday. Image from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
