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Michigan health officials are warning of a “disaster unfold[ing] in slow motion” as cases of the flu, RSV, measles, and pertussis surge across the state. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, hospitalizations have increased by approximately 40% compared to this time last year, a trend experts attribute to declining vaccination rates. The situation is further complicated by a recent overhaul of the U.S. vaccine schedule by federal health authorities, which state officials criticize for lacking transparency and scientific consultation. With flu vaccination rates sitting at just 24% statewide, health leaders are urging residents to follow established clinical guidelines to alleviate the strain on overflowing intensive care units.
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00. At the Christian Church
Thursday
10:00am Women’s Bible Study at Christian Church
On the fun front today…
Thursday
10:00am Pickleball at BIC Center
10:00am Senior Tai Chi at BICC
3:30pm S.T.E.M. Club on Thursdays after-school program at BI Library
3:30pm Virtual Hoop Shoot Tournament at the school
5:00pm Burger & a Beer at the Shamrock
7:00pm Euchre Night at WPBC
7:00pm Dark Sky Event: Jupiter Reaches Opposition
Friday
9:00am Senior + Vets Coffee & Donuts
10:00am Pickleball at BIC Center
10:30am Chair Strength Training at the BICC
3:30pm Board Game Fridays after-school program at the library
[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.]
On Saturday,
1:00pm Fiero Code Club
2:00pm Author talk- Acacia Warmerdam- Part 2 at the library
3:00pm Sarah’s Oil Movie at the BICC
PG | 1h 43min | Biography, Drama, History
The remarkable true story of eleven year old Sarah Rector, an African American girl born in Oklahoma Indian Territory in the early 1900s, who believes there is oil beneath the barren land she’s allotted and whose faith is proven right.
5:00pm Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock
6:00pm Frankenstein movie at the BICC
R | 2h 29min | Horror, Fantasy
Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist, brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.
Darksky Events
6:30pm Dark Sky Event: Find the Bear – 2
1:00pm Dark Sky Event: Last Quarter Moon
7:30pm Dark Sky Event: Moon and Spica
[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 – All You Can Eat Pizza & Salad
Mon Jan 12 @ 5:00pm
Shamrock Bar & Restaurant
6:30pm School Board Meeting
Tuesday
10:00am Babies and Toddlers Mix-Up
10:00am Pickleball at BIC Center
10:30am Chair Strength Training
12:00pm Beaver Island Transportation Authority Board Meeting
6:00pm Beaver Island AA Meeting
6:00pm Let’s Get Quizzical! – Trivia Night
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NAME OF DAY: Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Jennifer. If that’s your name, come into the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice.
BIRTHDAYS: Tim Gerace and Denise Tester are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Tim and Denise 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 day in 1877 Crazy Horse and his men fought their final battle against the U.S. Cavalry in Montana. This battle followed their victory over Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, which led to a U.S. Army campaign against the tribes.
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is gumbo, Gumbo refers to a soup thickened with okra pods or filé and containing meat or seafoods and usually vegetables. The word is also used figuratively to refer to a mixture or blend of something.
// The reputation of the family’s gumbo guaranteed them an invitation to any and all neighborhood potlucks.
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Thursday…
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On a lighter note… A friend asked me the other day where I got so much candy. I said, “I always have a few Twix up my sleeve.”
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Thursday, January 8th, 2026. I’m Greg Doig reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios asking you: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And thanks for listening.
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Thursday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. South wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night
Showers. Low around 35. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Friday
A 40 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. Breezy, with a northwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming east after midnight.
Saturday
Snow showers likely, mainly after 1pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a high near 31. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night
Snow showers likely, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 20. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. Blustery.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.
Monday
Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Breezy.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33.
Tuesday Night
A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27.
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Air Quality Index this morning was 53.
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  Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
…plus a run-down of local events, birthdays and more after global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.]
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Today’s featured image: The harbor is icing up earlier than it has for several years. Photo from WVBI Paradise Bay Webcam
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(upnorthlive.com by Marc Schollett) In summary: