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Governor Gretchen Whitmer is urging Michigan lawmakers to temporarily delay new minimum wage and sick leave laws if they fail to reach a deal this week. Whitmer proposed pausing the laws until July 1 to give leaders more time for negotiations during budget talks. The laws, set to take effect February 21, would raise Michigan’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028 and require employers to offer five to nine paid sick days annually. The base wage for tipped workers would also gradually increase to match the standard minimum wage. House Republicans and Senate Democrats are pitching competing plans. House Republicans propose exempting small businesses with fewer than 50 workers from some sick leave rules and retaining the tipped credit with a base wage increase to 50% of the regular minimum wage. Senate Democrats propose raising the tipped wage to 60% by 2035. The Senate committee has advanced the sick leave proposal, with a vote on the minimum wage plan expected soon. Image from Michigan DNR The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is seeking public help with a wolf survey in the Northern Lower Peninsula from February 17 to March 10. Residents can report sightings and submit photos on the D-N-R’s Eyes in the Field webpage. Wildlife technician Tim Riley says public participation helps the D-N-R broaden their survey reach. The last survey in 2019 found credible wolf activity in Kalkaska and Montmorency counties. Riley encourages people to check trail cameras and submit evidence like tracks or fur to aid in the study.
Wolf paw print. Image from Michigan DNR Cynthia Pepin, behavioral health director at East Jordan Family Health Center, has received the Michigan Primary Care Association’s Distinguished Service Award for her leadership in expanding behavioral health services. A key achievement under Pepin’s direction was securing federal funding to expand care for veterans, at-risk youth, and workplace wellness programs. The grant will also support services for veterans’ families, addressing critical mental health needs. Last night’s snow storm on the mainland has closed schools all over the southern part of the state. The National Weather Service is predicting intense snow squalls today in southeast Michigan that they say can quickly blind drivers. They are especially dangerous on highways where visibility can go from fine to zero in an instant in a squall. Parts of downstate will also get a little more accumulation today, adding to travel issues. So, if you are headed that way, take note. |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle… First your meeting planner for the week… A-A meets at the Christian Church Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at 6:00. That’s it on the meeting front. More details are in the calendar entries online. On the fun front today… Thursday, there’s Cardio Drumming at 10:00, Pickleball at 10:00…both at the BIC Center… and Women’s Bible Study at the Christian Church at 10:00. At 11:00 back at the BIC Center, there’s Chair Yoga. Island Treasures is open noon to 4:00. And they have a Valentine’s Sale going on: half off all red and pink clothing. They’ll be open Friday and Saturday same hours. Thursday evening it’s Burger and a Beer night at the Shamrock. Euchre is on at 7:00 at the Whiskey Point Brewing Company. And at 7:00 over at school, Medical First Responder Class sessions continue at 7:00. Friday, Senior and Vets Coffee and Donuts is at the BIC Center from 9:00 to 11:00. Pickleball is from 10:00 to noon in the theater at the BIC Center. The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is on at 10:30 in the Hangout. At 11:30 there’s a C-O-A Valentines Day Luncheon at the Gregg Fellowship Center. There’ll be chicken piccata, roasted potatoes, carrots and rolls plus a flourless chocolate cake with strawberries …all prepared by Bodega Catering. And, Cynthia and Bob Pryor will be there to provide music. You need to sign up in advance with a call to 231-237-0103. Friday evening, there’s a special Valentine’s Day movie at the BIC Center: Moulin Rouge! Shows at 6:00. There’ll be special treats to enjoy with the movie. Also Friday, the Islander basketball teams head off to Escanaba for the Northern Lights League Tournament and their last games of the season. They’ll be back on Saturday. [On the radio, you’ll hear our fantastic Friday evening lineup of shows to kick off the weekend. Right after the news at 6:00 there’s That Thing with Rich Appel, that top-down top forty sound from the 70s that so much fun. He’s followed at 9:00 by Titus Jennings with the Titus Jennings experience and lots of fine music from all genres and then is music and farce comedy and escape with Marilyn Rea Beyer and the Midnight special starting at 11:00.] Highlights for the rest of the week include… On Saturday, the Fiero Coding Club is at the Library at 2:00 and it’s Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock. On the BIG screen with the BIG sound at the BIC Center, it’s time for the throwback movies of the month. And our fans have picked a perfect one for the day after valentine’s day. It’s 10 Things I Hate About You. Showtime is 6:00 p.m. If you are a Shakespeare fan, you’ll discover or already know that it’s a modern day take on the Bard’s famous play. Great fun and reviews. It’s rated PG-13. [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 brings folks together for worship, with services at the Christian Church at 10:00 and Mass at Holy Cross at 12:15. And, at 4:00, the Cancer Support Group meets at the Health Center. Looking ahead to next week… Monday, there is Cardio Drumming at the BIC Center at 10:00. At 5:00 this evening, there’s Qigong [chi gong] practice lead by Tina Carlton. It’s a traditional, ancient Chinese medicine practice using gentle movement, meditation, and breathing to promote mental, physical, and spiritual health. That’s at the BIC Center, up in the Hang Out. And, in our Dark Skies, the Moon reaches is apogee, it’s farthest point from Earth at 8:00 p.m. this evening when it will be 251,582 miles away. Tuesday, the threads will be yacking and crafting out at Peaine Township Hall starting at 9:30. At the library at 10:00 there’s a Babes and Toddlers Mix-up. Pickleball is on at the BIC Center in the theater at 10:00 and the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is at 10:30 in the Hangout followed by C-O-A Senior Tai Chi at 11:30. Then at 2:30 it is Story Time at the library. And, at 5:30, the Improv Club meets on the stage in the BIC Center Theater. Wednesday…there is C-O-A Bingo at 1:00 at the BIC Center in Hangout. At 3:00 at the Library, it’s time for the Bobi Book Club and a discussion of this months book: James by Percival Everett. And, Wednesday evening at 5:00, it’s time for Art at the BIC Center. This week it is knit and crochet time with experts on hand to help out with a current project or suggest a new one. Meantime, over at school, Medical First Responder Class sessions continue at 7:00. |
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NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is Regina. If that’s your name, head on down to the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice. BIRTHDAYS: Robert Cole, Andi Kohls, Addie Stein, Roger Anderson and Tasha Runberg are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Tasha, Addie, Andi, Roger and Robert and, if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you, too, from everyone at WVBI and your Beaver Island Community Center! [And, here’s a way to send special birthday wishes to someone on the island: The B-I-C-S National Honor Society will put up a sign in their yard in exchange for a donation of $10 or more to the Build a Cure for Cancer fund. Contact N-H-S president Alyssa Martin for more details. You can reach her through the front desk at school.] |
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TRAFFIC: None. But the roads are super slick after the snow and glaze of icing yesterday. So, let’s be careful out there. Especially in the school zone. |
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On this day in 1855 the Michigan Legislature moves to protect escaped slaves. To counter the harsh provisions of the 1850 federal Fugitive Slave Law, which forced the return of African Americans who had escaped the horrors of slavery, the Legislature prohibits the use of county jails for the detention of escaped slaves. The measure also directs county prosecuting attorneys to defend the recaptured slaves. Also on this day in 1633 Galileo Galilei arrives in Rome to stand trial for advocating that the Earth revolves around the Sun, a criminal heresy to the Roman Catholic Inquisition. Galileo will be found “vehemently suspect of heresy” and sentenced to indefinite house arrest, where he will remain until his death.
An abolitionist cartoon takes to task Northern states that complied with the Fugitive Slave Law. Image from Michigan Day-by-Day |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is Gallant (adjective) [GAL-unt], which very courageous and brave. Gallant is also sometimes used to mean “large and impressive” (as in “a gallant ship”), or to describe someone who has or shows politeness and respect for women. Curiously, gallant comes from the Middle French verb galer, meaning “to squander in pleasures.” |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Wednesday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from Galileo who bucked the scientific consensus of his time: “All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.” |
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On a lighter note… What’s the sun’s favorite kind of candy? Sunbursts! |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar for this Beaver Island Thursday, February 13th, 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 A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 23. Light northwest wind increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -2. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday Increasing clouds, with a high near 23. Wind chill values as low as -4. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Friday Night Snow showers. Low around 19. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of around 3 inches. Saturday A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 27. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. Sunday A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 18. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 1. Washington’s Birthday Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 9. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 0. Tuesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 13. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 3. Wednesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 15. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
