|
|
|
Will she or won’t she run for president in 2028? After telling a Detroit television station Thursday morning that she had no plans to seek the White House, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer later softened her stance, saying, “Never say never.” Speaking at the Mackinac Policy Conference, the governor said her focus remains on finishing her final term, passing a state budget, and advancing priorities including housing, education, jobs, and roads.
As for who might be the state’s next governor, it turns out that Republican gubernatorial candidate Perry Johnson has been certified for Michigan’s August primary ballot despite allegations that campaign petitions were altered after voters signed them. State election officials said Johnson submitted more than enough valid signatures, and the Board of State Canvassers unanimously approved his candidacy. Separate allegations of petition tampering are reportedly being reviewed by law enforcement.
The Michigan DNR is warning of elevated wildfire danger across much of the state this weekend. Hot temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds could allow fires to spread quickly if they start. Officials say dry pine needles, leaves, and grass are creating unusually dangerous conditions, especially in Northern Michigan, where forests damaged by last year’s ice storm could provide additional fuel. On the Island, fire chief Tim McDonough has set the fire danger to Very High. That means no outdoor fires.
The DNR is warning of high and very high fire danger levels across much of the state. A burn ban is in effect on the Island. Graphic from DNR
Island tick watchers say the warm weather has really accelerated their activity and, as a result the danger for pets and humans. The veterinary clinic has a special going on now for treatment to protect from them, and Nurse Practitioner Kim Wysocki says you should check carefully for ticks after spending time outdoors. Ticks can transmit diseases within 24 to 48 hours of attachment, and the risk increases the longer they remain attached. If you find a tick, remove it promptly without digging into the skin. Doctors say preventive antibiotics may be an option if a tick was attached for more than a day. Permethrin-treated clothing can also help reduce tick bites.
If you are on the mainland next weekend and see emergency vehicles at North Central Michigan College on June seventh, don’t be alarmed. The college is hosting a large emergency preparedness exercise involving the Michigan National Guard and local first responders. Officials say no live weapons, sirens, or flashing lights will be used, and signs will clearly mark the training area.
In our signs of summer department, the Beaver Island Studio and Gallery is opening for the season today at 11:00. Drop by to check out their new collections. They’ll be open until 4:00 with the same hours tomorrow. In our missing pets department, Heidi Bearss and Jon are still missing their little orange cat named Phoebe. Phoebe lives on Barney’s Lake Road and was last seen Sunday night.
In our corrections department, in our report yesterday on Secondary Awards at school, we got the Middle School Student of the year mixed up and identified one of the nominees as the winner. In fact, the winner was Jamison Abbo who was lauded for his never-ending enthusiasm and always being willing to help out. Congratulations to Jamison. |
|
Now here’s a look at other upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets Saturday at 6:00 and next week Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday same time. Peaine Township Planning Commission meets next Monday at 5:00. B-I-C-S Committee of the Whole meets Wednesday at 5:30. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front…
Friday, there’s Senior and Vets Coffee and Donuts from 9:00 to 11:00 in the Welcome Center at the BIC Center, plus Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at 9:30. The Beaver Island Studio &* Gallery opens for the season at 11:00 and will be open until 4:00 this afternoon. Then, at 1:00, there’s a Grand Slam Ice Cream Social for seniors and vets. There’ll be a great selection of frosty treats with all the fixins’. Brought to you by the Beaver Island Senior Advisory Committee. And, the library has afterschool board game fun starting at 3:30. [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 Artisan’s Market is on at the Point starting at 10:00. Fiero Code Club is at the library at 1:00. It’s Prime Rib night at the Shamrock. And, back at the library, it’s Teen Art Night starting at 5:00. Kids 13 and up create a painting of their own under the guidance of Island artist Lois Stipp.
[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 Missiojn at 9:00 and at the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass is at Holy Cross at 12:15. Also, at the BIC Center there’s a Bake Sale to support Basketball Camp. There’ll be cakes, cookies, chocolates, brownies, cupcakes and donuts. It gets underway at 10:00.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday, Open Hands has breakfast at the GFC from 8:00 to 11:00. COA has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00 at Peaine Township Hall. The Beachcomber has All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night.
Tuesday 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 and there is Pickleball outside on the township courts. At 2:15 there’s a Home School Meet-up at the library.
Wednesday, the Open Hands Café: Breakfast Club runs 8:00 until 10:00 a.m. at Gregg Fellowship Center. At 1:00, there’s Seniors BINGO at the BIC Center.
Thursday, 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. And, Thursday evening is Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock.
[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.]
Next Friday, the Island’s Lilacs and Lyrics weekend gets underway. There’ll be music, an Irish Currach Workshop and a Painting Petals art class, restaurant specials, guided lilac tours and raffle prizes at local gift shops. |
|
Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Sophie. If that’s your name, come on down to the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. |
|
On our Birthday List: Josh Garrett, Coulter Thurston and Jared Cole are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Jared, Coulter and Josh, and if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at the BIC Center and WVBI. |
|
TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The Island Beltway is running smoothly save for occasional culvert digging delays on East Side Drive. There are no bridge delays. But, hey, let’s be careful out there as traffic increases with seasonal residents returning every day and the kids and all out enjoying the warmer weather. |
|
On this date in 1848, Wisconsin became the thirtieth state in the Union after voters approved statehood. The region’s European history dates back to 1634, when French explorer Jean Nicolet arrived at Green Bay, becoming the first European known to visit the area. Following the French and Indian War, Wisconsin passed from French to British control in 1763. In this image from a mural in the rotunda of the Brown County Courthouse, in Green Bay, in Wisconsin, Jean Nicolet is depicted landing at the Bay of Green Bay in 1634. He wears a Chinese damask tunic strewn with flowers. Image of mural Painted by Franz Edward Rohrbeck from Wikimedia Commons |
|
Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is cohort (noun) [KOH-hort]. A cohort is a group of people who share something in common, such as age, occupation, or interests. The word comes from ancient Rome, where a cohort was one of ten military units in a legion. Today, it most often refers to a group of people connected by a common characteristic or experience. |
|
Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Friday… |
|
Here’s a thought for the day from Edmund Hillary, who on this day in 1953 was the first to summit Mount Everest with Tenzing Norgay: “With practice and focus, you can extend yourself far more than you ever believed possible.” |
|
On a lighter note… |
|
That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, May 29th, 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. |
|
### |
|
WEATHER |
|
[Current Condition Report, then…] |
|
Today Sunny, with a high near 64 by the shore and 76 inland. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Breezy, with a north wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 61/73. East wind 10 to 15 mph. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 47. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 61/72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Monday Sunny, with a high near 67/79. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 68/77. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 66/76. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67/78. |
|
|
|
Air Quality Index at 6:30 was 0. |
|
Out on the Big Drink… |
|
Today WSW wind 5 to 15 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Saturday NE wind 10 to 15 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Sunday S wind 5 to 10 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Monday NE wind 5 to 10 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Tuesday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. |
|
Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
|
Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Will Gretchen Whitmer run for president in 2028? After saying no Thursday morning, she later changed her tune to “never say never.” We have that and more from the Mackinac Policy Conference. Plus, Perry Johnson remains on Michigan’s governor’s race ballot despite petition-tampering allegations. On the Island, a burn ban is now in effect on Beaver Island as wildfire danger reaches Very High with elevated levels statewide. And, tick activity is surging across the Island. We have some local tps on handling that.
…all of that plus a run-down of local events, birthdays and more after this global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.] |
|
Today’s featured image: The DNR is warning of high and very high fire danger levels across much of the state. A burn ban is in effect on the Island. Graphic from DNR |
