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Several Michigan Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Debbie Dingell and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, were reportedly named in documents tied to a suspect accused of killing a Minnesota lawmaker. Authorities describe the list as a possible “hit list.” If you were hit by the late-March ice storms, some monetary help from the federal government is finally available. Charlevoix County residents can apply for low-interest federal disaster loans at the SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Center, open through June 21 at the Sheriff’s Office on Grant Street in Charlevoix. Hours are 8 to 5 weekdays and 10 to 2 Saturdays. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can book an appointment at appointment.sba.gov. Loans are available for homeowners, renters, small businesses, and nonprofits to recover and prepare for future storms. Get info on SBA loans online or in Charlevoix at the Sherriff’s office. North Lake Correctional Facility near Baldwin southeast of T-C has reopened—this time as an ICE detention center. The privately owned prison began receiving immigration detainees Monday. It will likely become the second-largest ICE detention center in the country creating a claimed 500 jobs in the region. Critics say the move profits private owner GEO Group at the community’s expense. A protest is planned Saturday by the Manistee Democratic Party near the site. Traverse City’s housing shortage is driving demand—and fueling a rise in online rental scams. More than 800 posts hit the city’s housing Facebook group last month, but many were fake. Scammers are using stolen photos and asking for payments upfront. Victims report losing hundreds, sometimes thousands. Police urge renters to verify listings, never send money before seeing a property, and trust their instincts. As the housing crisis grows, so does the risk say experts. If you are headed to the mainland today, you may encounter some pretty heavy rain this afternoon. Mid-Michigan could see up to two inches falling in just a few hours with up to four inches from the storm as it lumbers through the state. TC could see more than an inch with up to a half an inch on the Island.
Total rain forecast from the NWS. NOAA graphic |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle… First your meeting planner. Wednesday, the Heritage Group board meets at 5:30. Library board and Telecommunications Advisory Committee each meet Thursday at 4:30. That’s it for the week. On the fun front today… Wednesday, Summer Yoga at the BIC Center kicks off today at 9:30 with a restorative session. The library has plenty going on. There’s Kids Storytime, Drafts and Art for three years and up at 10:00 and then for 10 years and up at 11:00. At the BIC Center, there’s Bingo at 1:00 in the Hangout at the BIC Center. At 3:00 C-O-A has Fun & Gamers out at Peaine Township Hall. The sustainability Fair continues with a session on Green Innovations and Critical Hope. That’ll be out at the Bio Station at 7:00. Also at 7:00, there’s BINGO at the Gregg Fellowship Center. Doors open at 6:15 for fellowship. Thursday, at 10:00 there’s a lot going on: Pickleball is outdoors on the Peaine Township Courts, Tai Chi in the Hangout at the BIC Center, C-O-A Cardio Drumming is on out at the Peaine Township Hall and Women’s Bible Study is at the Christian Church. Again, all of those events starting at 10:00. The Sustainability Fair heads to Tara’s Meadow for a session at 1:00 on a sustainable, eco-friendly Sludgehammer Septic System. They will actually install such a system as part of the presentation. Thursday evening it’s Burger & a Beer at the Shamrock at 5 PM. In our dark sky, after sunset, the very thin waxing crescent moon will hang above the western horizon and will lie between Mercury and Pollux. And the other twin star of Gemini, Castor, will be nearby. There’s more info at dark sky island dot org. Highlights for the rest of the week include… Friday, there’s Senior + Vets Coffee + Donuts at the BIC Center from 9:00 to 11:00. Also at the BIC Center, Basic Flow Yoga at 9:30 in the Theater and Chair Strength Training in the Hangout at 10:00. And the C-O-A has a Walkersize walk from Heritage Park to the St. James Campground and back. At 11:00, the libraries seed program continues with a presentation by regenerative farmer Marica Coleman about growing tomatoes on Beaver Island. At 11:30 there’s an opportunity to meet five expert aurora chaser at Whisky Point Brewing Company. They’ll be talking about how to get to see the Northern Lights and discuss dark sky viewing opportunities for the coming days. At 3:00, there’s a reception at the Print Shop for John Two-Hawks. He’s a Grammy-nominated musician, storyteller, and keeper of Irish and Lakota heritage and traditions. Refreshments will be served. Then, at 7:00 John will perform in the Theater at the BIC Center with a pre-show starting at 6:30. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org. [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, you can learn about proposals for the Islan’s new ferry with an open house at the St. James Township Hall. Review designs and get a chance to talk to marine vessel experts. That’s from 9:00 to 11:00. Then from 1:00 to 3:00 you can check out and walk on a test bed for one of the new ferry hull options at Marina South. Also Saturday, the Sustainability Fair continues with a water blessing ceremony at Paradise Bay Park. It will blend native and Irish culture. At 10:00, there’s the Artisan’s Market out by the lighthouse at Whiskey Point. There’s Pickleball outdoors at 10:00. There’s a Print Shop Open House at 11:00 with some new exhibitions on tap. Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 2 PM. Saturday afternoon, the Chamber is sponsoring a touring party at the Boat Shop, Wild Strawberry Café, Whiskey Point Brewing Company and Gregg Graphics from 4 to 6. Drop by for refreshments and appetizers. Then at 6, it’s a Dads Rock Open Mic night at the BIC Center led by Paul Lamb and Herb Ledbetter. And 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, 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 and Episcopal Mission at 9:00 and the Christian Church at 10:00, and Mass at Holy Cross at 12:15. Looking ahead to highlights for next week… Monday, Summer Yoga is at the BIC Center at 9:30 in the Theater at the BIC Center. C-O-A has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and a Crafter’s Workshop at 11:00, both out at Peaine Township Hall. Monday evening is all you can eat pizza night at the Beachcomber. Tuesday, there’s Chair Strength Training at the BIC Center at 9:00. Also at the BIC Center at 9:00,. All are welcome to attend. Babes and Toddlers mix it up at the library at 10:00. Also, at 10:00, pickleball outdoors on the Peaine Township courts. At 10:30, there’s C-O-A Walkersize with a walk from Heritage Park out to the St. James Campground and back. At 2:00 the library’s summer reading parties continue. Treats, games, and crafts are included, and all ages are welcome! At 5:00, there’s a National Security Seminar with Tom Ehrhard at the BIC Center. Come for a non-partisan discussion of current national security issues with a policy expert. There’ll be lite bites from Bodega Catering. At 7:00, Magnetic North Author Tim Mulhern will be at the library for a book discussion. His book looks at a place so beautiful that people visit and stay. |
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NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is Jessica. If that’s your name, come on in to the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. BIRTHDAYS: Jewell Cushman and Slater Phillips are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Slater and Jewell, 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 with no bridge delays. Still, let’s be careful out there…especially around the school zone |
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On this day in 1855, the steamship Illinois is the first ship to pass through the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, which connect Lakes Huron and Superior via the St. Mary’s River. Workers spent two years building two 350-foot locks, which allow vessels to navigate the twenty-one-foot difference between the lakes. The state of Michigan operates the locks until 1881 when the federal government takes control. Today, the locks are the world’s busiest and carry more annual tonnage than the Panama and Suez Canals combined. Charles Parsons’ illustration of the U.S. Mail Steamship Illinois. Image from vallejogallery.com |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is jeopardize (verb) [JEP-er-dyze], which means to put something or someone at risk or in danger. Imagine you’re a contestant on a game show, and your task is to provide a question as a response to this statement from the host: “This word was once controversial, and in 1870 a grammarian called it ‘a foolish and intolerable word,’ a view shared by many 19th-century critics.” If you answered, “What is jeopardize?,” you might be going home with some money! The preferred word back then was jeopard, which first appeared in print in the 14th century. The upstart jeopardize didn’t arrive until the late 16th century, and took a while to catch on. |
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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 astronaut Sally Ride, who on this day in 1983 became the first American woman to fly in space: “Our future lies with today’s kids and tomorrow’s space exploration.” |
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On a lighter note… A newly arrived astronaut on the International Space Station says: “Hey, I can’t find any milk for my coffee.” His fellow astronaut says: “In space, no-one can. Here, use cream.” |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Wednesday, June 18th, 2025. I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios, wishing you a great day and asking you: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And thanks for listening. |
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Today A slight chance of showers between 11am and 2pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 66 by the lake, up to 73 inland. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tonight A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a chance of rain after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Juneteenth A chance of rain before 8am, then a slight chance of showers between 8am and 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 63 lakeside, 69 inland.. Northwest wind around 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Thursday Night A chance of showers between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Friday A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 67 on the shore, 74 inland. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Friday Night A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Saturday Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Breezy. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Breezy. Monday A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Monday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Tuesday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. |
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Fire Danger Level on the Island set at Moderate. |
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Out on the Big Drink… |
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Today Variable winds 5 kt or less. A chance of showers, mainly after 11am. Areas of dense fog before 8am. Waves 1 ft or less. Juneteenth WNW wind around 10 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. A slight chance of showers before 10am. Waves 1 ft or less. Friday SW wind around 10 kt. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then a chance of showers after 7am. Waves around 1 ft. |
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Water Temperature: It’s 50 in Little Traverse Bay. The North Lake Michigan buoy southwest of Gull is reporting 46 with waves less than one foot.
Mid Lake Michigan photo at time shown. Provided by NWS |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
