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About 25 Islanders braved the ice and cold to attend a meeting on the boat schedule last night at the BIC Center. The Transit Authority held the special meeting to discuss planned changes. Like last year, the Emerald Isle will be spending its nights in Charlevoix, a change up from many years where it started the day on the Island creating the opportunity for an early mainland start for folks traveling from the Island. Last year, one boat days departed the island at 1:30 a point of frustration for many travelers and concern for Island businesses for whom the schedule creates difficulties in accommodating guests. For 2026, almost half of those trips will depart the Island at 11:20, offering an earlier start for those boating from the Island. At the meeting, BIBCO presented survey data showing that reaction to the home port swap was pretty balanced with many favoring the change and, interestingly, a 50/50 split on whether the most important time was from the Island or from the mainland. There’s a link to the info presented at the meeting—both the planned departure times and survey results—in today’s script online. https://wvbi.biccenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-BIBCO-Schedule-Survey-from-January-12-2026-Meeting.pdf
President Donald Trump returns to Michigan today, revisiting a state where he promised an economic “miracle” in his run for a second term. So far, the picture is mixed according to an analysis by Bridge Michigan. The Great Lakes State has added jobs, but still has one of the nation’s highest unemployment rates. Inflation has slowed, yet everyday costs remain high. Trump’s tariffs rattled the auto industry, but haven’t delivered the collapse critics feared — or the boom he promised. As he speaks to business leaders in Detroit, Trump says Michigan can still lead. Critics say the verdict on that promise is very much unfinished.
And in other mixed bag news, the weather see-saw continues today, with temperatures on the Island climbing into the mid-30s. Some spots across Michigan may even top 40 degrees — but the warm-up won’t last long. An Arctic front sweeps in midweek, sending the entire state back into the deep freeze. Temperatures plunge, lake-effect snow ramps up, and gusty winds could create hazardous travel through the end of the week.
In Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan has named Kent Syverud [SIGH-ver-ud] as its next president — and he says the challenges are steep. In remarks made after the board appointed him, he said universities are fighting to keep America’s global leadership in higher education, while facing federal funding cuts, rising costs, athletic scandals, and rapid changes driven by artificial intelligence. A U-M alumnus, he becomes the school’s 16th president when he officially takes office July first. Syverud comes home from Syracuse University where he now serves as chancellor and president.
It’s New Year’s resolution time — and that means the annual Banished Words List from Lake Superior State University. The tongue-in-cheek list began as a New Year’s Eve joke in 1976, and this year’s number-one offender is the phrase “6-7.” LSSU says it’s overused, meaningless — and officially time to 86 “6-7.”
And one more language crackdown — this time on the road. Michigan’s list of banned personalized license plates just topped 30-thousand entries, with thousands added last year alone. Top among the newest rejects: “0FUX4U,” another creative attempt to sneak in the f-word. State officials say if it hints at profanity, crime, or bad behavior — it’s getting 86’d before it ever hits the highway. |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
The Transportation Authority has that meeting today at 5:30 about the Boat Schedule. Their regular monthly meeting is set for tomorrow at noon. School board meets this evening at 6:30. Thursday, the Emergency Services Authority meets at 2:00. J-TAC meets at 4:30 and the library board also meets at 4:30. A-A meets Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
Tuesday, Babes and Toddlers mix it up at the library at 10:00. AT the BIC Center, there’s Pickleball at 10:00 in the Theater and Chair Strength Training in the Hangout at 10:30. And Tuesday evening it’s trivia time. Let’s Get Quizzical is up in the Hangout at the BIC Center with the fun getting underway at 6:00. Sign your team up at tickets dot bic center dot org.
Wednesday, the Islander boys basketball squad is off to the U-P to play Paradise with a tip-off time of 10:30 in the morning. There’s BINGO at the BIC Center at 1:00 and at 5:00 its Time for Art, also at the BIC Cener. This week, it’s time to make Valentines Day Cards in a session lead by Leila Freijy. The class is limited to 12 students, so sign up in advance at the BIC Center Front Desk.
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Thursday evening, you can grab the burger & a beer special at the Shamrock starting at 5:00, and its Euchre Night down at Whiskey Point Brewing. Cards hit the table at 7:00.
Friday, Senior + Vets Coffee & Donuts is at the BIC Center from 9:00 to 11:00. There’s Pickleball at 10:00 and Chair Strength Training at 10:30. Friday, the basketball squads from Mackinac Island are here for home game stands with Islander girls and boys squads. They’ll play again Saturday morning.
[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.]
Also Saturday, the Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 1:00. There are two movies at the BIC Center Saturday as part of the library’s Big Read Project on Survival. At 3:00 it is Far From Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog. A young boy struggles in the Canadian wilderness with his new best friend. Rated PG. At 6:00 Liam Neeson takes on The Grey after an Alaskan plane crash. It’s rated R. Both film are based on books you can check out from the library.
[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, it’s All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Shamrock. |
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NAME OF DAY: Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Zander. If that’s your name, come into the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice. BIRTHDAYS: On our Birthday list today: Leaha Cary. Happy Birthday to Leaha, 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 1910, the Radio Telephone Company makes broadcasting history by transmitting live opera performances from New York City’s Metropolitan Opera House. The company sends the sound to receivers on ships in New York Harbor, in hotels, and across the city—creating the world’s first public wireless broadcast, featuring the voice of Enrico Caruso.
Metropolitan Opera House, Broadway and 39th Street, New York City, circa 1900–1905 Metropolitan Opera House, Broadway and 39th Street, New York City, circa 1900–1905. Image from Wikimedia Commons |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is umbrage (noun) [UM-brij], a noun meaning a feeling of offense or resentment—often heard in the phrase “take umbrage.” The word comes from the Latin umbra, meaning “shade” or “shadow.” While it once referred literally to shadow, by the 1600s it took on its modern meaning: taking offense at what someone has said or done. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Tuesday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from music legend Johny Cash, who on this day in 1968 recorded two live sets at Folsom Prison that become a smash hit album: “If you aren’t gonna say exactly how and what you feel, you might as well not say anything at all.” |
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On a lighter note… I tried to catch some fog once, but I mist. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Tuesday, January 13th, 2026. I’m Kevin Boyle 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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Today Rain and snow, becoming all rain after 3pm. High near 37. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Tonight A chance of rain and snow showers before 1am, then a slight chance of snow showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Wind chill values as low as -1. Windy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Wednesday A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 15. Wind chill values as low as -8. Windy, with a north wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. Wind chill values as low as -5. Blustery, with a north wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Thursday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Thursday Night A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 20. Friday A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 28. Friday Night A chance of snow showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Saturday A chance of snow showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. Saturday Night A chance of snow showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. Sunday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 17. Blustery. Sunday Night A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. Blustery. M.L.King Day A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 17. Breezy. |
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Air Quality Index this morning was 61. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Islanders turn out to sound off on ferry schedule changes, a brief warm-up gives way to another deep freeze, Donald Trump returns to Michigan to talk the economy, the University of Michigan names a new president, and Lake Superior State once again says it’s time to 86 “6-7.”
…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: Early morning scene from Charlevoix. Screen shot from BridgeCam by CharlevoixCam |
