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After hitting record levels across the state yesterday with a reading of 596 on the Island, the smoke started to clear yesterday afternoon with the sun eventually poking through. This morning the Air Quality Index stands at 152 on the Island, but it is well into the danger zone of the mainland with a reading of 344 in Charlevoix and 453 in Northport. Indeed, we are essentially surrounded by readings all well into the danger zone. The Canadian smoke forecasts show the smoke pulling away from us completely this evening around 11:00, but any respite will be brief with smoke returning at 4:00 am and some of the worst conditions yet arriving by 10:00 on Saturday morning. There’ll be some thinning Saturday afternoon, but smoke at significant levels remains through the current forecast period Saturday evening.
Image from firesmoke.ca showing projected smoke cover at 9:00 Saturday morning. Click the image to see an animated version of the forecast. Image capture from firesmoke.ca
Air Quality sensor map from PurpleAir shows our relief on the Island this morning is a mostly isolated event with dangerous air quality reported across the state and region. Image from WVBI PurpleAIr Sensor report
The smoke has caused schedule changeups and closings on the Island. The Historical Society closed its museums yesterday and the Health Center has canceled its Gratitude Gathering planned for Sunday because of smoke. By the way, if you need an N95 mask, they are available for the taking at the Health Center. The Music Festival continued with its schedule with a good turnout last evening. We have a full rundown of festival events coming up in our calendar report.
Michigan came up in the President’s national address last evening with him calling for the FBI to reopen its investigation into a 2020 Muskegon voter registration fraud case. He said the original FBI investigation found evidence that crimes had been committed, but that the Biden Justice Department failed to pursue the case. Michigan election officials dispute Trump’s characterization. They note that the suspicious voter registration forms were identified by the Muskegon city clerk before the election, none of the registrations resulted in ballots being issued, and the FBI ultimately closed the investigation without filing charges.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is now reporting four cases of Cyclosporiasis in Charlevoix County. Statewide, 2,640 cases have been reported in Michigan, with 44 indicating hospitalizations. Federal officials have traced a number of cases to lettuce served at Taco Bells, while state officials say that instead of purchasing chopped prepared salads you should buy heads of lettuce, wash them in running water, and throw away the outer layers. They also recommend washing fresh herbs, and avoiding raspberries because their bumpy surface makes them especially difficult to clean.
In Charlevoix, we have no reports of bridge issues yesterday, but we have learned that the bridge was shut down for about six hours Wednesday evening leaving the Emerald Isle and numerous other vessels stuck in the Pine River channel. No word on what caused the issue beyond the overheating reported yesterday.
The Emerald Isle and other vessels were stuck in the channel Wednesday evening awaiting opening of the stuck bridge. Image from marinetraffic.com
If you are across today and looking for something to do nearby, but away from the hustle of Charlevoix, East Jordan has Up North Busker Festival today and tomorrow. The family-friendly event features jugglers, acrobats, magicians, stunt performers, trained dogs, live music, food trucks, vendors, a kids’ area and a beer tent. Admission is free.
And, finally a reminder that Spotted knapweed is beginning to bloom on Beaver Island, and invasive species experts say now is the best time to remove it before it goes to seed. The Michigan Invasive Species Program recommends pulling or digging plants before seeds develop, making sure to remove as much of the taproot as possible while wearing gloves to protect against skin irritation. |
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Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets Saturday, at 6:00 at the Christian Church. Next week, A-A meets Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday same time and place. Also next week, Peaine Township Election Commission has a Public Accuracy Test at 3:00 on Monday and then at 4:00 their Planning Commission has a special meeting. Tuesday at 9:00 the Peaine Township Board of Review meets and at 5:30 the Peaine Township Board meets. Thursday and Friday the Peaine Township Planning Commission has meetings at 9:00 in the morning. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online. That’s it on the meeting front through the end of the week.
On the fun front today…
Friday, kicks off early with Omelette on the air from the Wild Strawberry on WKLT with Music Festival coverage. There’s Senior and Vets Coffee and Donuts from 8:30 to 10:30 in the Welcome Center at the BIC Center, plus Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at 9:30. Also at 9:30, there’s Summer Yoga in the Theater. And at 10:00 A-M Pickleball Outdoors on the Peaine Township courts. At noon. Music Festival mini-concerts continue with Charlsee & Cam at the Wild Strawberry and Sweet Megg up in the Hangout a the BIC Center live on W-V-B-I. At 2:00, Chris Winkleman plays at Whiskey Point Brewing Company. At 4:00, the Music Festival Stage comes alive on the Festival Grounds with The Legal Immigrants again kicking off the fun that will run non-stop until Midnight with Aqua Cherry last to the stage. There’s a full schedule for the Festival in today’s script online.
[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, starts off with the Dave & Kristi performing for the Breakfast Club on the Festival Grounds. The Artisan’s Market is on at the Point starting at 10:00. Tyler Gitchel plays at the Beachcomber at noon. South for the Winter is at Dady Franks at 1:00 and Hymn for Her is in the Hangout at the BIC Center live on W-V-B-I at 1:00 as well. The Festival Main Stage comes alive at 2:00 with an hour of Open Mic and non-stop music starts at 3:00 with Dave & Kristi. Gooseberry is last up at 11:00 Saturday night. 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. Sunday evening, Dave & Kristi play at the Beachcomber at 8:00.
The Beaver Island Music Festival has a bursting schedule of music you can hear at many locations on the Island. Image from Beaver Island Music Festival at bimf.net
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 10:00, the first day of the Historical Society Kids Camp kicks off with a day of Tie Dyeing. At the library, the Senior Digital Social Café with Greg Doig is at 11:00. Also, at 11:00, there’s Summer Therapeutic Chair Yoga at the BIC Center. And Monday Funday at the BIC Center is an evening of magic. Trino and Aerial Ashley will be on stage for a Magic Night Out. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org. And, don’t forget, Monday evenings are All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Beachcomber.
Tuesday, the Historical Society Kid’s Camp continues with Team Day. Campers compete with human tic-tac-toe or checkers. Camp starts at 10:00. 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. At 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library. At 5:00, there’s a National Security Seminar with Tom Ehrhard at the BIC Center. There’s lots going on in the world. Here’s a chance to talk with an expert about what might be next.
Wednesday, there’s Summer Restorative Yoga BIC Center at 9:30. At 10:00 there’s American Mah Jongg at the BIC Center in the Hangout, and at 1:00 there is Afternoon Bingo. Protar’s House will be open from 1:00 to 4:00. At 4:00 the Amik Cultural Preservation Center will be open to the public with a member of the Amik Circle Society present for tours and discussions. And Wednesday evening is a special night of horror at the BIC Center with two recent get-you-thinking horror blockbusters on the BIG SCREEN with the BIC Center’s BIG SOUND. At 6:00, its Obsession. Be careful what you wish for. And, at 8:00 its Nackrooms. Be careful where you look. Both are rated R.
Thursday, there’s Pickleball at Peaine Township Park at 9:00. The COA has a double feature at Peaine Twp Hall — Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00. Meanwhile, 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. Baroque on Beaver kicks off with Drinks, Desert and Discussion with Festival Music Director Robert Nording at the Print Shop at 7:30. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org. 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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On our Birthday List today is Garrett Cole. Happy Birthday to Garrett, 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 with no bridge delays. Still some heavy truck traffic coming up and down West Side Drive, and there is some project paving still ongoing with heavy equipment moving around. So, let’s be careful out there especially in town when the ferries arrive. |
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On this date in 1775, people in London were already predicting that the Continental Congress would soon issue a declaration explaining why the American colonies were separating from Great Britain and would seek support from other nations. At the time, independence had not yet been declared, but many on both sides of the Atlantic could see that reconciliation was becoming increasingly unlikely. Less than a year later, the Declaration of Independence would make that break official. And, on this date in 1955, Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California, launching what would become one of the world’s most famous theme parks.
Children run across a drawbridge into the Fantasyland castle during Disneyland’s opening day in Anaheim. Photo from Wikimedia Commons |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is obdurate (adjective) [AHB-duh-rut]. Obdurate is an adjective that describes someone who is stubbornly refusing to change their opinion or course of action, even when faced with reason, persuasion, or compassion. It suggests an especially hard-hearted or inflexible attitude. The word comes from the Latin obdūrātus (ob-doo-RAH-tus), the past participle of obdūrāre (ob-doo-RAH-ray), meaning “to harden” or “to make hard.” While being determined can be a strength, being obdurate means digging in your heels when flexibility or understanding might be the wiser choice. |
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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 Quincy Adams: “Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” |
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On a lighter note… The drawbridge in Charlevoix says it needs a break… It just can’t handle all the ups and downs for a while. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, July 17th, 2026. I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios wishing you a great day: why not go ahead and make today 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 slight chance of showers between 11am and 2pm. Widespread smoke. Partly sunny, with a steady temperature around 68 at the beach and up to 79 inland. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tonight A slight chance of thunderstorms, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Widespread smoke, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Breezy, with a southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Saturday Mostly cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 72/78. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 61. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 73/79. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Monday Showers likely, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76/82. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Monday Night Showers likely before 8pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Breezy. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71/76. Windy. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Breezy. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 70/75. Breezy. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 73/78. |
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Air Quality Index at 6:21am was 152. |
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Fire Danger: High |
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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 Variable winds 5 kt or less. A slight chance of showers after 5pm. Widespread smoke. Waves 1 ft or less. Saturday W wind 15 to 20 kt becoming NNW in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 kt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am. Waves around 3 ft. Sunday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Monday SSW wind 20 to 25 kt, with gusts as high as 35 kt. Showers likely, mainly after 1pm. Waves 3 ft building to 6 ft. Tuesday WNW wind 20 to 25 kt, with gusts as high as 35 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 4 to 5 ft. |
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Water Temps: 71 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island and in the Straits. 73 at Sleeping Bear and 72 in Little Traverse Bay. |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Smoke eases a bit on Beaver Island this morning, but much of Michigan remains under hazardous air, and forecasters say another thick wave arrives overnight. We’ll have the latest smoke forecast, local event cancellations, an update on the President’s call to reopen the Muskegon voter fraud case, and the latest on the Cyclospora outbreak.
Those stories, more local news, a run-down of local events, birthdays and more after this global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.] |
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Today’s featured image: Air Quality sensor map from PurpleAir shows our relief on the Island this morning is a mostly isolated event with dangerous air quality reported across the state and region. After some clearing late tonight, heavy smoke is expected to return tomorrow morning and though there will be some let up from that as the day progresses, smoke is expected to remain at significant levels through the rest of the day. The Health Center has N95 masks available for free if you need one. Image from WVBI PurpleAIr Sensor report |
