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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a bill allowing Northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula schools to forgive up to four additional weather-related closure days from this spring’s severe storms. Supporters, including our representative Parker Fairbairn, say the move will help districts avoid extending the school year deeper into summer after heavy March snowfall, flooding, and impassable roads forced multiple cancellations.
Interlochen Public Radio is continuing its investigation into the placement of Northern Michigan youth in out-of-state treatment facilities. I-P-R reports today that a Kingsley mother repeatedly warned Grand Traverse County court officials about abuse allegations tied to Missouri’s Lakeland Behavioral Health facility before her fifteen-year-old son was sent there anyway. The mother says her son later reported threats from staff and access to marijuana while at the facility. Lakeland’s parent company declined comment. There’s a link to I-P-R’s coverage in today’s script online.
Meanwhile, Interlochen Center for the Arts says it will tear down their Green Lake Lodge, a guest housing facility once named for Jeffery Epstein who was summer camper at the storied academy. Interlochen says there is no evidence that Epstein committed any crimes in his visits back as an adult.
A new Northern Michigan economic report says staffing shortages, affordable housing, and childcare remain the biggest barriers to business growth. Employers say they could add more than three-hundred-twenty jobs over the next two years if more workers were available. The report was released at the recent Northern Lakes Economic Alliance annual meeting.
Island staff of Charlevoix State Bank are calling for those on the Island stamping 8647 on paper money to knock it off. It makes the currency unusable for the bank and it violates laws against defacing currency.
The County Road Commission is working on getting dust control on the roads. Donegal Bay Road will be treated today midday and Sloptown’s turn is Thursday about the same time. The dry conditions creating the dust have also notched up the fire hazard on the Island. It is now set at Very High, which means no outdoor fires.
Boyne Mountain Resort wrapped up its latest ski season ever on Memorial Day, keeping one run open for skiers into late May. Resort officials say upgraded snowmaking and a snowy winter helped make the record-breaking season possible. Perhaps we can now finally close the book on winter. |
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Now here’s a look at other upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets Thursday and Saturday same time. Joint Telecommunications Advisory Committee meets Thursday at 4:30. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front…
Wednesday, the Open Hands Café: Breakfast Club runs 8:00 until 10:00 a.m. at Gregg Fellowship Center. At 1:00, there’s Seniors BINGO at the BIC Center. And at 2:00, there’s an awards ceremony for secondary students at school.
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.
[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, 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. Then, at 1:00, there’s a Grand Slam Ice Cream Social for seniors and vets. There’ll be a great selection of frosty treats with all the fixins’. Brought to you by the Beaver Island Senior Advisory Committee. And, the library has afterschool board game fun starting at 3:30. [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, Fiero Code Club is at the library at 1:00. It’s Prime Rib night at the Shamrock. And, back at the library, it’s Teen Art Night starting at 5:00. Kids 13 and up create a painting of their own under the guidance of Island artist Lois Stipp.
[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 Missiojn at 9:00 and at the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass is at Holy Cross at 12:15.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday, Open Hands has breakfast at the GFC from 8:00 to 11:00. COA has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00 at Peaine Township Hall. The Beachcomber has All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night.
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 2:15 there’s a Home School Meet-up at the library. |
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Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Wesley. 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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On our Birthday List: John Runberg III is celebrating today. Happy Birthday to John 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 culvert digging delays on East Side Drive. There are no bridge delays. But, hey, let’s be careful out there as traffic increases with seasonal residents returning every day and the kids and all out enjoying the warmer weather. |
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On this date in 1937, after four years of construction, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge officially debuts. About 200,000 people walk across the 4,200-foot-long suspension bridge to celebrate. It will open to vehicles the following day. The Golden Gate Bridge and historic Fort Point as seen in the last golden rays of a December 2006 evening sunset. Photo by David Ball from Wikimedia Commons |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is benevolent (adjective) [buh-NEV-uh-lunt]. Benevolent describes someone who is kind and generous and genuinely wishes others well. The word comes from Latin roots belle meaning “good” and velle meaning “to wish.” Its opposite is malevolent — meaning harmful or wishing ill toward others. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Wednesday… |
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Here’s a thought for this Memorial Day from architect Frank Gehry: “The Golden Gate Bridge is a living example of the extraordinary things we can achieve when we dream big.” |
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On a lighter note… |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Wednesday, May 27th, 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 65 by the lake and 78 in the woods. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the morning. Tonight Clear, with a low around 47. North wind around 15 mph. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 61/73. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind around 5 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 62/73. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 63/75. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 61/70. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Monday Sunny, with a high near 63/73. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 62/72. |
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Air Quality Index at 6:30 was 10, down from 48 yesterday. |
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Out on the Big Drink… |
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Today Variable winds 5 kt or less. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday NNE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming WNW in the afternoon. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Friday SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Northern Michigan schools are getting extra snow day forgiveness after Governor Whitmer signed a bill backed by Representative Parker Fairbairn. Interlochen Public Radio continues investigating abuse allegations tied to out-of-state youth treatment facilities. On the Island, Charlevoix State Bank wants people to stop stamping “8647” on currency, and plus word dust control work and a very high fire danger. And yes, winter is officialkly over — with Boyne Mountain finally wrapped up ski season on Memorial Day.
…details on those stories plus more local and regional news, 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: The Mighty Macs glows in the morning sun on this anniversary of the opening of its almost as lovely forerunner, the Golden Gate in San Francisco. Photo from Mackinac Bridge Authority webcam |
