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Today is election day. There is only one thing on the ballot for Islanders: that’s the renewal of the Career and Technical Education Millage that supports programs throughout the Char-em I-S-D. On the Island those programs include business and healthcare programs as well as special programs brought to the school from the mainland like the STEM trailer. Polls are open until 8 this evening.
Meantime, another election today could have major consequences for Northern Michigan—even though it’s happening downstate. Voters in Michigan’s 35th State Senate District are heading to the polls in a race that could shift control of the State Senate. The seat has been vacant for months after the governor delayed calling the special election—waiting 238 days before setting today’s vote. Democrats currently hold a one-seat majority. A Republican win would create a tie in the Senate—potentially reshaping budget decisions and policy priorities that affect the entire state.
Yesterday’s fire hazard conditions on the mainland unfortunately lead to at least one wildfire. Residents in Oscoda County along Camp 10 Road in Mio were told to leave immediately yesterday as a fire raged there. And, since major snowfall, record rain and flooding apparently aren’t enough fun, there was an earthquake downstate yesterday. A 2.7-magnitude tremor was reported last evening near Carleton in Monroe County, with dozens reporting they felt it. Happily, no damage was reported.
In Lansing, Michigan lawmakers are weighing a last-ditch effort to save Great Lakes whitefish, as populations in lakes Michigan and Huron continue to decline. A proposal in the state Senate would fund a program through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to raise and stock whitefish—though right now, it includes only a placeholder amount as budget talks continue. Biologists warn some genetic stocks could disappear within years, driven largely by invasive mussels that have disrupted the food chain. Whitefish remain a cornerstone of the region’s commercial fishery—and without action soon, experts say some populations may be lost for good.
Down near T-C, a federal judge has handed Peninsula Township a small win in its ongoing legal battle with wineries on Old Mission Peninsula—denying a request that would have blocked the township from enforcing some zoning rules. But the larger fight is far from over. The case now spans multiple lawsuits, with nearly $50 million in damages already awarded to the wineries and appeals still pending.
The Michigan Department of Transportation says the U.S. 31 drawbridge in Charlevoix will be inspected and cleaned May 20, with single-lane closures and traffic shifts throughout the day. Crews will be removing sand and salt buildup to help prevent corrosion, with one lane staying open in each direction. Similar work is also scheduled on the U.S. 31 bridge in Manistee May 18 and 19, and the U.S. 23 bridge in Cheboygan May 21 and 22. |
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Now here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
Peaine Township Planning Commission meets Tuesday at 5:00. St. James Finance Committee meets at 1:30 on Wednesday and the B-I-C-S Committee of the Whole meets at 5:30. St. James Board has a special meeting set for Friday at 1:00. 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…
Today is election day. Polls open at 7:00 and close at 8:00. At 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library and there is Pickleball in the Theater at the BIC Center and, at 10:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout. At 2:15 there’s a Home School Meet-up at the library.
Wednesday, there’s BINGO at 1:00 at the BIC Center. At 11:00 at the BIC Center, there’ll be a Microgreens Luncheon with Tacos, Tamales, Rice, Beans and desert. Three bucks for seniors and six for others. At3:00, C-O-A has At Therapy & Games at Peaine Township Hall. At 5:00, there’s a Free Throw Fundraiser at school, and at 5:30 the Currach Club will meet at the Boat Shop to plan for the coming season, collect dues and have a look at new boats in progress. In our Dark Skies, the annual Eta Aquariid meteor shower will be flying. There’s more info at Dark Sky Island dot org.
The Currach Club meets this Wednesday at 5:30 at Burton’s Boat Shop. Image from Beaver Island Irish Currach Club
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Thursday Women’s Bible Study is on at 10:00 at the Christian Church. There’s Pickleball at the BIC Center at 10:00 in the Theater. At 10:30 up in the Hangout there’s Senior Tai Chi. Meantime at 10:00 over at Peaine Township Hall, C-O-A has Cardio Drumming. Thursday evening, there’s Pickleball at 5:00 in the Theater at the BIC Center. Afterwards, 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.
[Thursday evening on the radio, drop in for W-V-B-I’s newest music show. It’s The Underground with Leila Freijy. It’s the underground sound of grunge and more from the 80s and 90s with special features every week. Tune in at 7:00 for two hours Underground.]
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. At 10:00, the Green Terra Sanctury is holding a meet and greet open house. Meet the owners and caretakers. They are on the south leg of Mrs. Reddings Trail by Oliver Point.
[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 B-I-C-S Track Team is off to Pickford for a meet. Talking Threads meets at 9:00 a.m. at Peaine Township Hall. The Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 1:00. The Queen of Hearts draw is at the Elks at 7:00 with all invited. And, remember, Saturdays 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 Christian Church at 10:00 and mass at Holy Cross at 12:15.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday kicks off a new series of Monday Funday programs start at the BIC Center. This week, it’s movies. The 3:00 show is GOAT. It’s fast paced animation about roar-ball where a small guy can beat the big boys. Rated PG. At 6:00, Leonardo DiCaprio stars in the award winning One Battle After Another. When their enemy resurfaces after 16 years, a group of ex-revolutionaries reunite to rescue the daughter of one of their own. It’s rated R. After fun at the BIC Center, head over to the Beachcomber where Monday’s are All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night.
Pizza Night has moved back to the Beachcomber where the kitchen is open once again. Put the feed bag on from 5 to 8 on Mondays. Graphic from the Beachcomber on Facebook |
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Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Svetlana. If that’s your name, come on it to the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice. |
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On our Birthday List today: Pam Moxham, Heather Gillespie, Doug Meaney and Shannon Dutk are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Shannon, Heather, Pam and Doug, 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. There are no bridge delays. Still, let’s be careful out there, especially in the school zone. |
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On this date in 1961, American astronaut Alan Shepard becomes the first American in space, launching aboard Freedom 7. Just weeks after Yuri Gagarin orbits Earth for the Soviet Union, Shepard’s 15-minute suborbital flight marks a major step for NASA in the Space Race. He reaches 116 miles high, tops 5,000 miles per hour—and even takes manual control in flight. Shepard would go on to walk on the moon, the only astronaut of the Mercury 7 to do so.
Alan Shepard Jr. sits in his Mercury Freedom 7 capsule during a preflight test. Photo from NASA |
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Our Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is augur (verb) [AW-gur]. Augur is a verb meaning to predict or foretell a future event, often based on signs or omens. It can also be used more generally to suggest that something indicates how things will turn out—good or bad. The word comes from ancient Rome, where an augur was a religious official who interpreted the will of the gods by studying the flight of birds—literally trying to read the future in the sky. |
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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 astronaut Alan Shepard Jr.: “You may not have any extra talent, but maybe you are just paying more attention to what you are doing.” |
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On a lighter note: Two guys walk into a bar. Neither of them saw it coming. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Tuesday, May 5, 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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Today Sunny, with a high near 45 by the shore and 50 inland. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 35. West wind around 5 mph. Wednesday Sunny, with a steady temperature around 40/47. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. West wind around 5 mph. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 44/47. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 46/51. Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 48/51. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 47/51. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 48/51. |
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Town: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-85.52&lat=45.748 |
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Out on the Big Drink … |
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Today WNW wind around 10 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. Sunny. Waves around 1 ft. Tonight NW wind 5 to 10 kt becoming ESE after midnight. Partly cloudy. Waves 1 ft or less. Wednesday WSW wind 5 to 10 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Wednesday Night Variable winds 5 kt or less. Partly cloudy. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday WSW wind 5 to 10 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Midway to Charlevoix: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-85.384&lat=45.532 |
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Air Quality Index at 7:00 this morning was 41. |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Today is Election Day. C-T-E is on the ballot here and control of the State Senate rests on th eoutcome of a downstate race. We’ve got details.
Fire danger turned real yesterday, with evacuations near Mio, and to add to the fun, there was even a small earthquake.
Lawmakers are weighing a last-ditch effort to save Great Lakes whitefish, while a major winery zoning case near Traverse City continues in court.
And drivers should plan ahead for delays on the mainland—bridge work is coming to Charlevoix later this month.
…those stories plus a run-down of local meetings and events, birthdays, our word of the day and more after global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.] |
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Today’s Featured Image: The Beaver Island Currach Club is set to get ready for the season with a meeting tomorrow at the Boat Shop at 5:30. Photo from Beaver Island Currach Club via Facebook |
