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Paving work continues today on East Side Drive. They are working on the topping coat, so there will only be one lane of traffic running south. You can get to Welke Airport, but only from the north. When you finish there, you’ll need to head south on East Side Drive, so down to McCauley. The crews urge you not to drive on the wet tar. It will mess up your vehicle and damage the road requiring expensive repairs, so don’t cross out of the traffic lane they have marked as open.
Paving work on East Side Drive will require one-way south-bound traffic today. Be prepared for slight delays. Phot by Mark Perrone Northern Michigan—including Charlevoix County—is experiencing elevated ozone forecasts and hot, humid summer conditions again today. The alert extends to the Island, but the forecast isn’t for it to be nearly as hot as on the mainland. However, the Weather Service says the Island is at risk for severe summer storms this evening from 6:00 until 4:00 a.m. Lightning, damaging winds, large hail, heavy rain and tornadoes are all possible.
The NWS says severe summer storms are possible this evening. Graphic from Gaylord NWS Office
Meantime, the heavy rain across Northwest Michigan on Monday has forced several road closures in the region, including some that could affect travel to and from Charlevoix County. M-66 south of East Jordan is closed because of a failed culvert, while multiple sections of M-88 in Antrim County remain closed due to washouts and high water. Drivers heading north should also avoid portions of M-119 in Emmet County, where flooding has closed several stretches of the scenic highway. MDOT says crews are still assessing damage and warns additional closures are possible.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame shows PFAS “forever chemicals” continue to build up in the Great Lakes food chain, reaching their highest levels in top predators like salmon and eagles. Researchers found one common PFAS chemical has declined since manufacturers phased it out, but levels remain stubbornly high in Lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior because those lakes hold water for decades. There’s a link to the full study in today’s script online as well as a link to information from the state on what fish are safe to eat. East Safe Fish Guide: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/topics/eatsafefish/guides
Health officials are investigating several cases of the intestinal infection cyclosporiasis in Shiawassee County. The illness is caused by a parasite commonly spread through contaminated food or water, with recent outbreaks often linked to fresh produce.
The Trump administration has sued Michigan and three other states to obtain five years of SNAP food assistance records, saying the data is needed to investigate fraud and overpayments. Michigan has refused, citing privacy concerns for the state’s 1.4 million SNAP recipients.
On the Island, the team that maintains the Wellness Garden at the Health Center is holding a Tomato Plant Sale today in the garden behind the Health Center. It will run from 10:30 until 1:00. All proceeds go to support Wellness Garden care.
Jump start your garden with tomato plants while supporting the Wellness Garden at the sale today from 10:30 to 1:00. Image from the Wellness Garden Team via Facebook
The Wild Strawberry has added a Happy Hour to the schedule. It runs 2:00 to 4:00 daily with draft beer and drink specials. They’ll be open from 7:00 to noon on July 4th. Island Energies will be open 8:00 to 6:00 on the Fourth, but closed from 12:30 to 2:00 for the parade.
And the Music Festival has published their full schedule. Things get underway on Thursday July 16th and run through the 18th. There’s a copy of the schedule in today’s script online and in the Community Calendar Entry for the festival.
The full schedule for the 2026 BIMF is out. Image from Beaver Island Music Festival via Facebook
And, finally, a reminder that this Independence Day celebrations this year will extend to the 5th with a fireworks display that evening. The rockets multi-colored glare will rise over Paradise Bay just after dusk settles in on July 5th. |
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Now here’s a look at other upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday a 6 PM at the Christian Church. A reminder that the school office is closed this week. That’s it on the meeting front through the end of next week.
On the fun front today…
Wednesday, there’s Summer Restorative Yoga BIC Center at 9:30, Seniors BINGO at 1:00 also at the BIC Center, and, also at 1:00 at the library, in Ms. Tara to find out how dinosaurs eat their food and then make pasta dinosaurs. And at 4:00 the Amik Cultural Preservation Center will be open to the public with a member of the Amik Circle Society present for tours and discussions.
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 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.
[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.]
Highlights for the rest of the week include..
Saturday, the Artisan’s Market is on at the Point starting at 10:00. The Tunes Music Program will rock their studio with music ahead of the parade. That will run from Noon to 12:345. The Independence Day Parade steps off at 1:00 on Saturday featuring an Island Airways Flyover, AMVETs, and lots of floats. Tune in to W-V-B-I for Float by Float coverage on hosted by Leila Freijy and Adam Pettigrew. 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. The E-M-S team is hosting a pancake breakfast at the Parish Hall from 8:00 until 11:00. And the Amik Cultural Center is open 1 to 3 PM.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday, at 8:40 Vacation Bible School gets underway at the G-F-C. [There’s still time to sign up with just an email. Send it to beaver island Christian church at g-mail dot com.] 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 the library, the Senior Digital Social Café with Greg Doig is at 11:00. Also, at 11:00, there’s Therapeutic Chair Yoga at the BIC Center. And Monday Funday at the BIC Center is a movie day this week. The 3:00 show is Hoppers. A young animal lover uses technology that places her consciousness into a robotic beaver to uncover mysteries within the animal world beyond her imagination. It’s the latest from Pixar, rated PG. At 6:00 it’s Remarkably Bright Creatures, based on the best-selling book, telling the story of an Octopus and its relationship with two caregivers at an aquarium. Sally Field stars. Rated PG-13. And, don’t forget, Monday evenings are All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Beachcomber.
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. At 7:00 at the library Acia Warmerdam will be there for a book launch for her latest novel. It’s entitled “If You had Chosen Me.” Also at 7:00 at thePrint Shop Museum, the Historical Society will Kick-off of their Incredible Islanders series. As part of the celebration of American’s 250th birthday, it’s a look at special Islanders who have made a difference in the history of our home. The first session will feature Walt Wojan with a presentation by Michelle LaFreniere. |
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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 ????. 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 are Craig Peirano, Jimmy Gillespie, Suzy Bonedeo, Loretta Slater and Cindy Hunting. Happy Birthday to Cindy, Loretta, Suzy, Jimmy and Craig, 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 municipal airport. Occasional slight delays on the way to Welke Airport and note that again today you can only get there headed south on East Side Drive. Otherwise, the Island Beltway is running smoothly. There will continue to be heavy truck traffic on Kings Highway, McCauley and East Side Drive between them as part of the paving project. So, the Island is busier than ever with all the construction traffic, bikers and hikers, walkers and phone gawkers, fawns and turtles and traffic in town when the ferry arrives, so let’s be careful out there. |
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In our countdown to 250, on this date in 1776, the Continental Congress opened the historic debate over Richard Henry Lee’s resolution declaring that the American colonies “are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states.” After hours of passionate argument, the delegates postponed the final vote until the next day, giving several colonies time to secure approval from their legislatures. That delay set the stage for the vote for independence on July 2 and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. Also on this date, in 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg began in Pennsylvania, the largest battle ever fought in North America and a turning point in the Civil War.
Painting showing the interior of Independence Hall in Philadelphia as they debate the United States Declaration of Independence. It includes portraits of most of the signers. Painting (unfinished) by Robert Edge Pine c. 1784 to 1788 from Wikimedia |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is nabob (noun) [NAY-bahb]. A nabob is a very wealthy or influential person. The word comes from the Urdu title nawāb [nah-WAHB], once used for provincial governors in India’s Mogul Empire. It later came to describe wealthy British officials returning from India. Many people know the word from Vice President Spiro Agnew’s famous 1970 phrase, “nattering nabobs of negativism,” aimed at his critics in the news media. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Wednesday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from John Adams, who spent July 1st and 2nd, 1776, passionately arguing that the colonies should break from Great Britain: “Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.” |
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On a lighter note… What do you call a nabob who loses all his money? |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Wednesday, July 1st, 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-Heat Advisory A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Tonight-Heat Advisory A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2am and 5am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5am. There is a risk of severe storms between 6:00 this evening and 4:00 in the morning. Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 65. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Thursday-Heat Advisory through 8pm A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then a slight chance of showers between 8am and 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 78 by the water, 83 inland. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday A chance of showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76/81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Friday Night A chance of showers before 8pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Independence Day A 30 percent chance of showers before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 77/84. Saturday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 79/80. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 78/85. |
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Air Quality Index at 7:30 AM was 53. |
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Fire Danger: Moderate |
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Out on the Big Drink…
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Today SW wind around 10 kt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Patchy fog before 2pm. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Thursday SW wind 10 to 15 kt. A chance of showers, mainly before 7am. Waves 2 to 3 ft. Friday SW wind 5 to 10 kt. A chance of showers between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Waves 1 ft or less. Independence Day N wind 5 to 10 kt. Partly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Sunday ENE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming N in the afternoon. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Water Temps: 61 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. 63 in Little Traverse Bay. At Sleeping Bear and at the Straits. |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Expect delays on East Side Drive today as paving crews apply the final surface. We’ll have the latest on the one-way traffic pattern and why you definitely don’t want to drive on the fresh tar. We’ll also tell you about the threat for severe storms tonight, road closures affecting travel through Charlevoix County, a new study on PFAS in Great Lakes fish, a tomato plant sale at the Health Center, Happy Hour at the Wild Strawberry and release of the Beaver Island Music Festival schedule.
…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: Jump start your garden with tomato plants while supporting the Wellness Garden at the sale today from 10:30 to 1:00. Image from the Wellness Garden Team via Facebook |
