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There was a demonstration of the Fire Department’s new thermal drone Saturday at the Resale Shop. Sheriff Neal Green says it will be useful for a variety of missions including searching for missing persons. It could also be used to drop supplies in remote locations a a life vest to someone in the water. Jason Selby, who just completed his first year in N-M-C’s remote aerial vehicle program and who has earned his F-A-A drone operator’s license flew the drone to just below 400 feet over the resale shop where it’s high-resolution camera could identify people at the Whiskey Point Light. The Beaver Island Fire Auxiliary, which operates the resale shop, funded the purchase.
Two significant developments shook up the race to replace term-limited Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Monday. President Donald Trump endorsed Congressman John James for governor, calling him his choice to lead Michigan. Just hours later, State Senator Aric Nesbitt suspended his campaign and endorsed James. The moves come just days before absentee voting begins and less than six weeks before the August 4 Republican primary, where James still faces businessman Perry Johnson and former Attorney General Mike Cox.
Over in Charlevoix, a new workforce housing development will officially open tomorrow. Pinebridge Place Apartments includes six two-bedroom units designed for local workers, families, and retirees. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 4 p.m. Wednesday on Bridge Street, followed by tours of the new cottages.
A long tradition of boat building in Cadillac is coming to an end. Groupe Beneteau plans to close its Cadillac manufacturing operation, resulting in 239 layoffs beginning August 15. The plant has built recreational boats in the community for more than 50 years and produces the Four Winns, Glastron, and Scarab brands. Company officials cite a sharp downturn in the boating market, declining orders, and continuing financial losses as reasons for the closure.
Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop is again in the news. A defamation lawsuit against her husband’s radio program and the station she owns was settled yesterday, just before trial. The case stemmed from on-air claims that an Onaway businessman employed illegal immigrants. A judge had already found them liable. Settlement terms were not released.
Munson Healthcare is reminding residents and visitors to use urgent care or walk-in clinics for non-emergency medical needs as Northern Michigan enters its busy summer tourism season. The region’s population can swell by as much as 75 percent, increasing demand on hospitals. Munson says using the right level of care can reduce wait times for all.
Michelle LaFreniere is organizing an effort to hang banners honoring Island veterans on the lamp posts around the harbor. The work will get underway this evening. It’s part of a library project to honor incredible Islanders. Michelle will present a series of sessions on Island veterans and their service as part of the Historical Society’s America 250 celebrations.
And, finally, a reminder that the Community Meeting on Broadband that was set for this evening has been postponed. It will be rescheduled to a date after the Independence Day holiday. |
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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 Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday same time all at the Christian Church. That’s it on the meeting front through the end of next week.
On the fun front today…
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. In our Dark Skies this evening, watch the waxing gibbous moon near Spica, the brightest star in Virgo the Maiden. You can catch them until after midnight.
Wednesday, the Open Hands Café: Breakfast Club runs 8:00 until 10:00 a.m. at the G-F-C. At 1:00, there’s Seniors BINGO at the BIC Center. And at 4:00, the Amik Cultural Preservation Center will be open. Wednesday evening at the C-M-U bio station, there’ll be a presentation on Dunes: the landscapes that inspire. It’s a presentation by Dr. Tiffany Schriever from Western Michigan University running from 7:00 until 8:00 in the academic center there.
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
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.
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. At 7:00, the library will feature author Steve Brown in a discussion about his book with a reading and signing.
[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. At the library, there’ll be a writer’s workshop from noon to 4:00 on writing poems about the real world. It will be led by author Steve Brown. At 3:00 at the CMU biological station, there’s a Plant and Horticulture Seminar with a look at Strategies for Conservation and Landscaping in Residential Design. And at 6:30, dinner will be served at the BIC Center ahead of a performance by Michael Carlucio with Proud to be an American. Classic songs. Timeless charm and a delicious dinner worthy of a New York supper club. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org.
[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 Sunday is the Summer Solstice.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday, Open Hands has breakfast at the GFC from 8:00 to 11:00. At 9:30, the first session of 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 the library, the Senior Digital Social Café with Greg Doig is at 11:00. And, don’t forget, Monday evenings are All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Beachcomber. |
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Those are the highlights. Find a full listing of events at calendar dot W-V-B-I dot net. |
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Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Francis. If that’s your name, come on down to the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. |
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Our Birthday List today is Darryl Mooney. Happy Birthday to Darryl, and if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at the BIC Center and WVBI. |
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TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The Island Beltway is running smoothly save for occasional paving delays on East Side Drive and hauling delays by the municipal airport. There are no bridge delays. But, the Island is busier than ever with all the construction traffic, bikers and hikers, fawns and turtles and traffic when the ferry arrives, so let’s be careful out there. |
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In our countdown to 250, on this date in 1780, during the American Revolution, American troops and militia fought British forces at the Battle of Springfield, New Jersey. The battle is remembered for the cry, “Give ’em Watts, Boys!” According to tradition, when soldiers ran short of musket wadding, Reverend James Caldwell handed out pages from Isaac Watts hymn books to use in their muskets. The Americans held their ground, the British withdrew, and the battle became one of the last major Revolutionary War engagements fought in the North. A painting depicting Springfield minister James Caldwell handing out pages from Isaac Watts hymn books when militiamen ran short of wadding for their muskets. “Give ’em Watts, Boys!” painting by John Ward Dunsmore image from Wikimedia Commons |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is quail (verb) [KWAIL], not the noun, but the verb. To quail is to shrink back or cower in fear. Despite sharing the same spelling, the verb has no connection to the noun quail, the small game bird. Instead, think of someone quivering with fear. Quailing goes a step further—it suggests visibly recoiling or losing courage when faced with something frightening. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Monday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from Thomas Jefferson: “When angry count to ten before you speak. If very angry, count to one hundred.” |
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On a lighter note… Because the point to which “they’ve had it up to here” is much lower. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Tuesday, June 23rd, 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. |
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WEATHER |
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[Current Condition Report, then…] |
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Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 68 at water’s edge and 75 inland. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Tonight Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 53/68. West wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight. Wednesday A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 62. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Wednesday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 57. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Thursday A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64/70. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67/66. Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70/74. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Sunday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71/71. Sunday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Monday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 70/70. |
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Air Quality Index at 6:35 was 15. |
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Fire Danger: Moderate |
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Out on the Big Drink…
Image from National Data Buoy Center buoy halfway between North Manitou and Washington Islands (Station 45002) |
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Today N wind 5 to 10 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Wednesday Variable winds 5 kt or less. A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday ENE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming N in the afternoon. Partly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Water Temps: 55 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. 59 at the straits. |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
A new thermal drone is now part of the Beaver Island Fire Department’s toolkit. We have details. Michigan’s race for governor took a dramatic turn Monday as Congressman John James earned two endorsements. A new workforce housing development opens tomorrow in Charlevoix, while Cadillac is preparing for the loss of nearly 240 jobs as a boat-building operation with more than 50 years of history shuts down.
We’ll also have the latest on a defamation lawsuit involving Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop, Munson Healthcare’s summer care recommendations and plans to honor Beaver Island veterans with banners around the harbor…
…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.] |
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Today’s featured image: The Fire Department’s new thermal drone takes flight under the control of Jason Selby. Photos provided by Island Treasures Resale Shop |
