|
From Lansing, a bipartisan effort to encourage construction of smaller apartment buildings is now law in Michigan. Our rep Parker Fairbairn sponsored one of two House bills in the package, while Democratic Representative Stephen Wooden sponsored the companion measure. The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support, including a yes vote from State Senator John Damoose. It allows qualifying apartment buildings to be built with a single staircase if they meet tougher fire safety standards, a change supporters say could reduce construction costs and encourage more housing. #Housing
Our skies were clear of smoke yesterday, mostly, and that looks to be the case for today as well. The A-Q-I this morning was 18 with the air quality also good state-wide. We could see some haze return tomorrow mid-day. #Environment
The smoke forecast shows clear skies for us through midday tomorrow when some light haze might return. Image capture from firesmoke.ca
The new asphalt is down at the St. James Township Government Center, but you’ll have to wait a few more days to use it. The parking lot remains closed through Sunday to allow the pavement to cure and is expected to reopen Monday, July 27. #Roads
Smoke free skies and a freshly paved parking lot at the St. James Governmental Center. No more trapsing through the mud to meetings. Photo by Bobbi Welke provided by St. James Township on Facebook
The Little Traverse Conservancy has broken ground on its new headquarters. The Malcolm Center, at the Offield Family Viewlands, will serve as both the conservancy’s home and a community gathering place. Officials say the organization has grown from protecting 1,400 acres with two employees to conserving nearly 84,000 acres. The project also launches a fundraising campaign, with gifts to the center being matched dollar for dollar. #RegionalNews
Today we wrap up our look at the candidates seeking their party’s nomination for Michigan’s First Congressional District in the August 4 primary. On the Republican side, Justin Michal of Grayling is an Army veteran and entrepreneur making his first run for Congress. He says his campaign focuses on veterans, government accountability, border security and reducing federal spending. Michal has kept a lower public profile than his opponents and did not respond to several media candidate questionnaires. On the Democratic side, Wayne Stiles of Traverse City is an industrial designer and small business owner. He says he wants to bring a problem-solving approach to Washington, with priorities that include expanding rural health care, strengthening telehealth and broadband, protecting the Great Lakes, and pursuing immigration reform while supporting democracy and fiscal responsibility. Voters will choose one Republican and one Democrat in the August 4 primary, with the winners advancing to the November general election. Polls open next Tuesday at 7:00 and will close at 8:00. Interlochen public Radio has an in-depth profile of the Republican and Democrat candidates in the primary for the First District seat. There’s a link to that in today’s script online. #StatePolicy #NationalPolicy #Election2026
A grain freighter that ran aground Tuesday on the St. Clair River near Sarnia is back underway. The 740-foot Algoma Equinox was refloated Wednesday afternoon with assistance from tugs. The Canadian Coast Guard says there were no injuries, no pollution and no reported damage to the vessel. #MaritimeNews
A Novi man is recovering after being bitten by a rare eastern massasauga rattlesnake at Proud Lake Recreation Area. He was hospitalized in Ann Arbor for antivenom treatment. #Healthcare
Finally, a reminder that a Go-Fund-Me campaign is underway to help the family of Kim Connaghan Jones as she recovers from emergency surgery following a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. There’s a link in today’s script online. |
|
Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets tonight and Saturday at 6:00. Today and Friday the Peaine Township Planning Commission has meetings at 9:00 in the morning at the township hall.
On the fun front today…
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 now at the Beaver Island Callery rather than the Print Shop. Things get underway at 7:30. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org. And, Thursday evenings are Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock.
There’s been a venue change for Drinks, Desert & Discussion with Robert Nordling. The event has moved to the Beaver Island Gallery. Image from Baroque on Beaver on Facebook
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Friday, 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. And, at 11:00, the Rita Gillespie Memorial Blood Drive gets underway at the G-F-C. Every year, almost, the Island does better than the last. Help make that true by signing up to give the gift of life at versiti dot org slash M-I. That’s V-E-R-S-I-T-I dot org slash M-I.
[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. Saturday night, Baroque on Beaver concerts launch with their Opening Night Benefit this year featuring Island favorite Martha Guth with Erika Switzer and Andrea Yun. They’ll perform a selection of Schubert songs alongside contemporary works including the recently commissioned Love, Loss, and Exile by Juhi Bansal. Showtime is 7:30. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org. 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.
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 11:00, there’s Summer Therapeutic Chair Yoga at the BIC Center. Baroque on Beaver events continue with Brass on the Grass out at Whiskey Point. Bring a chair and something to enjoy with music from the Great American Songbook. Then at 7:30, get a taste of the latest in classical music with New & Next on stage at the BIC Center. Brass on the Grass is a free-will donation event. Tickets for New & Next 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, 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. Baroque on Beaver continues with Chamber Music Waterside at the C-M-U Biological Station. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org.
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. Also at 4:00 the Amik Cultural Preservation Center will be open. at 1:00, Baroque on Beaver continues with Music al Fresco at the Beaver Island Gallery featuring the Donegal Bay Winds. At 3:00, Whiskey Point Brewing Company comes alive with jazz with the St. James Jazz Ensemble playing there a spart of Baroque. And at 7:30 it’s the Baroque on Beaver Founders Concert at the Biological Station featuring Vox G-R. Music al Fresco is open to all with a free-will donation. Tickets are necessary for the St. James Jazz Ensemble and Vox G-R. Get them and make donations at tickets dot bic center dot org. |
|
Those are the highlights. Find a full listing of events at calendar dot W-V-B-I dot net. |
|
Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Alice. If that’s your name, come on in to the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. |
|
On our Birthday List today are Lindsay Gorlewski, Levi Connor and Aria Halpin. Happy Birthday to Aria, Lindsay and Levi, 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 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. |
|
On this date in 1775, George Washington arrives at Cambridge to take command of the Continental Army. And in 1903, Ford sells its first automobile—the original Model A. Built in a small wooden factory on Detroit’s Mack Avenue, the two-seat runabout costs $750. Henry Ford has just $224 left in the bank, but within months his new company is profitable.
A magazine ad for the Model A from December of 1903. Note that the price has increased to $800 ($900 with a roof) and that lamps, horn and brass trim are all extra. No indication of whether they were included in the Platinum trim level. Image from Wikimedia |
|
Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is maverick (noun) [MAV-rik]. A maverick is someone who thinks and acts independently, refusing to follow the crowd or the usual rules. You might call an inventor with unconventional ideas a maverick, or a politician who regularly breaks with their own party. The word has a uniquely American origin. In the 1800s, Texas rancher Samuel Maverick refused to brand his cattle. As a result, any unbranded cow came to be known as a maverick, and before long the word was applied to people who wouldn’t be “branded” by convention or expected ways of thinking. |
|
Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Wednesday… |
|
Here’s a thought for the day from Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” |
|
On a lighter note… The Model A had a wooden body and wooden wheels, but what would have happened if it also had a wooden engine? It wooden start. |
|
That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Wednesday, July 22nd, 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. |
|
### |
|
WEATHER |
|
[Current Condition Report, then…] |
|
Today Sunny, with a high near 70 at the beach and 74 in the woods. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 69/76. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 66. South wind around 15 mph. Saturday A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 75/78. Breezy, with a southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Saturday Night A chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 78/78. Sunday Night Showers likely. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Monday A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77/77. Monday Night A chance of showers before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 74/74. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 75/75. |
|
|
|
Air Quality Index at 6:50am was 19. |
|
Fire Danger: Moderate |
|
Out on the Big Drink…
Photo from the North Lake Michigan Buoy. Provided by the National Data Buoy Center |
|
Today WSW wind 10 to 15 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Friday SW wind around 10 kt. Sunny. Waves around 1 ft. Saturday SW wind 15 to 20 kt, with gusts as high as 30 kt. A chance of showers, mainly before 1pm. Waves 3 to 4 ft. Sunday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Partly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Monday WSW wind around 10 kt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Waves 1 to 2 ft. |
|
Water Temps: 61 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. 68 at Sleeping Bear and in the Straits, and 70 in Little Traverse Bay. |
|
|
|
Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Michigan has a new housing law on the books that supporters say could make it less expensive to build smaller apartment buildings. We’ll explain what it does and whether it could have any impact here on Beaver Island. We’ll also have the latest on our stretch of smoke-free skies, we’ll wrap up our series introducing the candidates for Northern Michigan’s congressional seat ahead of next week’s primary and we have word on a freighter run aground and a venomous snake bite.
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.] |
|
Today’s featured image: Smoke free skies and a freshly paved parking lot at the St. James Governmental Center. No more trapsing through the mud to meetings. Photo by Bobbi Welke provided by St. James Township on Facebook |
