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Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op customers are facing a $20 monthly rate hike starting this fall. The increase, approved this week, comes after March’s brutal ice storm racked up more than $100 million in damage across the nine northern Michigan counties in its service area. PIE&G says emergency loans taken for storm recovery now carry millions in interest, forcing the nonprofit co-op to pass costs on to members. Governor Whitmer has requested federal disaster relief, but President Trump has yet to act on the request. Without aid, co-op members are left footing the bill. Cleanup is expected to continue into early fall. New home energy rules set to take effect in Michigan this summer are now facing legal challenges. Two major building industry groups are suing the state to block the updated residential codes, which aim to make homes more energy efficient and cut utility bills. Builders argue the rules will raise construction costs and price out first-time buyers. But environmental advocates say long-term energy savings outweigh the upfront costs. The new codes are set to begin August 29—but the lawsuits could delay them once again. McLaren Health Care is notifying more than 740,000 patients that their personal and medical data was exposed in a ransomware attack last August. The breach disrupted care across McLaren’s 12 hospitals and revealed sensitive records, including Social Security numbers and treatment histories. Though the attack happened 10 months ago, McLaren says it only recently confirmed the scope. The hospital system is offering free identity protection. It’s McLaren’s second major cyberattack in less than a year. In more gentle news on the Island, the Pink Lady Slippers are in full bloom. You can see them along Kings Highway among other places. Remember to simply look and enjoy. Picking or moving them can earn you a hefty fine. And, while you are out and about, be on the lookout because it is road crossing season for the Island’s turtles. They are slow, but you’ve got time to watch them cross. DNR reminder about protecting the Pink Lady Slipper. Image from undn.net
Large Snapping Turtle on Donegal Bay Road. Photo by Richie Gillespie |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle… First your meeting planner. A-A meets tonight at 6:00 and next week Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday same time all at the Christian Church. Also next week, the Peaine Township Planning Commission has a meeting set for Tuesday at 3:30. And then there is a Community Meeting on main street next Friday to celebrate our Independence. On the fun front today… Friday, there’s Senior + Vets Coffee + Donuts at the BIC Center from 8:30 to 10:30. Also at the BIC Center, Basic Flow Yoga at 9:30 in the Theater. That’ll be in the Hangout again because C-M-U is busy with show prep in the theater. And, as a result, no Chair Strength training today, which would normally be at 9:00. The C-O-A has a Walkersize at 10:30, a walk from Heritage Park to the St. James Campground and back. Friday evening the BIC Center stage comes alive with theater as the C-M-U Summer Theater Program kicks off a two-night run. On stage Friday is the comedy Plotters. It’s grave business as a clandestine cabal of misfits attempt their ultimate heist. Will these agents of the night seize the coveted prize – or bury themselves? Then Saturday evening it’s the beloved musical You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Follow Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang as they explore life’s great questions as they play baseball, struggle with homework, sing songs, swoon over their crushes and celebrate the joy of friendship. Curtain time is 7:30 both nights. Tickets are at tickets.biccenter.org with special pricing for C-M-U students and kids. [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.] Before the play on Saturday, there’s the Artisan’s Market out by the lighthouse at Whiskey Point. That starts at 10:00. There’s also Pickleball outdoors at 10:00. Saturdays are Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock. And, in our Dark Skies, just after sunset the waxing crescent moon will lie between Mercury and Regulus, with Mars nearby and depending on when you look possibly hidden by the Moon. Details on that occultation and more info are at Dark Sky Island dot org. [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 and Episcopal Mission at 9:00 and the Christian Church at 10:00, and Mass at Holy Cross at 12:15. And at 6:00, there’s the annual Port Saint James Association Potluck at the Donegal Bay Pavillion. Looking ahead to highlights for next week… Monday, Summer Yoga is at the BIC Center at 9:30 in the Theater at the BIC Center. C-O-A has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and a Crafter’s Social at 11:00, both out at Peaine Township Hall. Monday evening is all you can eat pizza night at the Beachcomber. Tuesday, there’s Chair Strength Training at the BIC Center at 9:00. Babes and Toddlers mix it up at the library at 10:00. Also, at 10:00, pickleball outdoors on the Peaine Township courts. At 10:30, there’s C-O-A Walkersize with a walk from Heritage Park out to the St. James Campground and back. At 2:00 the library’s summer reading parties continue. Treats, games, and crafts are included, and all ages are welcome! Wednesday, Summer Yoga at the BIC Center is on today at 9:30 with a restorative session. The library has plenty going on. There’s Kids Storytime, Crafts and Art for three years and up at 10:00 and then for 10 years and up at 11:00. At the BIC Center, there’s Bingo at 1:00 in the Hangout at the BIC Center. At 3:00 C-O-A has Fun & Gamers out at Peaine Township Hall. At 7:00, there’s BINGO at the Gregg Fellowship Center. Doors open at 6:15 for fellowship. Thursday, at 8:00 the Beaver Island Golf Course annual 4th of July Golf Tournament tees off. There’ll be lunch and prizes. At 10:00 there’s a lot going on: Pickleball is outdoors on the Peaine Township Courts, Tai Chi in the Hangout at the BIC Center, C-O-A Cardio Drumming is on out at the Peaine Township Hall and Women’s Bible Study is at the Christian Church. Again, all those events starting at 10:00. At 11:00, the COA has a Crafter’s Social at the Peaine Township Hall. And it’s Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock. |
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NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is Misty. If that’s your name, come on in to the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. BIRTHDAYS: None on our list today, but if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you 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 with no bridge delays. Still, let’s be careful out there…especially around the school zone |
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On this day in 1972, Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, designers of the first arcade video game, ‘Computer Space,’ incorporate their new firm, Atari. It will help transform the industry as Atari’s design engineer Al Alcorn gets things rolling, or at least gliding, with his first creation, ‘Pong.’
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is oblige (verb) [uh-BLYJE]. To oblige a person or entity to do something is to require or force them to do it, either because of a law or rule, or because it is necessary. The idea of binding links oblige to its Latin source, ligāre, meaning “to fasten, bind.” But in other common uses, the idea of binding is somewhat masked: it is applied when someone is bound by a debt for some favor or service, as in “We’re much obliged to you for the help,” but in the phrase “happy to oblige” it simply expresses a willingness to do someone a favor. |
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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 Hellen Keller, who was born on this day in 1880: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” |
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On a lighter note… Greg Doig told me about a guy who sells a hack to make your pong paddle bigger. Sounds like a big racket to me. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, June 27th, 2025. I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios, wishing you a great day and asking you: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And thanks for listening. |
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Today Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2pm, then scattered showers. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 65 near the shore, 70 inland.. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Tonight Isolated showers before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Saturday Night A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Sunday A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73 by the lake, 80 inland. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Sunday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Monday A 30 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 74, 82 inland. Monday Night A chance of showers before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 73, 81 inland. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 74, 81 inland. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 72, 79 inland. |
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Fire Danger Level on the Island set at Low. |
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Out on the Big Drink… |
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Today SSE wind 10 to 15 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a chance of showers. Patchy fog before 2pm. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Saturday WNW wind around 10 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Sunday SW wind around 10 kt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Waves 1 ft or less. Monday SW wind around 10 kt. A chance of showers before 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less. Tuesday WSW wind around 10 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Water Temperature: It’s 55 in Little Traverse Bay. The North Lake Michigan buoy southwest of Gull is reporting 51 with two to three foot waves.
Mid Lake Michigan photo at time shown. Provided by NWS |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
