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Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James clashed over affordability, tariffs and data centers in last night’s governor’s debate in Grand Rapids. Benson tied James to President Trump’s policies, while James blamed Democratic leadership for Michigan’s struggles. Bridge Michigan reports two shifts: Benson is now open to suspending the state gas tax, while James rejected a statewide data-center moratorium, favoring local decisions. Their next debate will be October 15. Tomorrow evening will see a debate between the candidates for U-S Senate. You can see it on 9 and 10 news or stream it from wood-T-V dot com.
#Election2026
Down in T-C, Traverse City commissioners have approved a prowling ordinance five to one after a heated debate over safety at Hull Park there. Interlochen Public Radio reports supporters cited drinking, drug use and violence. Critics warned the language is vague and could criminalize homelessness.
#PublicSafety
Jocelyn Benson and John James, the lead candidates for Michigan’s next governor, faced off in a debate last evening that saw both candidates change positions on key issues. Photos from campaign websites
Munson Healthcare’s drone delivery project is entering its second phase. Test flights scheduled through October 30 will carry laboratory samples about three miles between Munson Medical Center and Crystal Lake Health Center. The goal: reduce driving and speed deliveries across Munson’s rural healthcare network.
#Healthcare
Michigan will join the Island with a ban on untreated firewood starting January first. Firewood coming into the state will need approved treatment or certification to help prevent the spread of invasive pests and plant diseases. More than 140 can travel in infested wood. Transport of untreated firewood to the Island has been banned for years.
#Environment
On the Island…The Fall Sale starts today at McDonough’s. You can stock up for the winter with sale priced items.
Apex Insurance Services has announced plans for medicare enrollment and insurance info for October 22nd and 23rd. Open enrollment runs from the 15th of this month to December 7th. The sessions will be at the BIC Center.
#Seniors #Healthcare
The BIC Center got a much-needed sweep-down yesterday afternoon as Butch Hogarth volunteered time to take down the summer’s collection of spider-webs. He followed up with some repellant to keep them from coming back too soon.
#Volunteerism
Butch Hogarth at work casting out the spiders at the BIC Center. Screen capture from video provided by Butch Hogarth on Facebook
Have some apples you are willing to donate to make cider at the BIC Center on Saturday? You can start dropping them off at 4:00 Thursday afternoon, but before 4:00 Friday when folks will gather to cut them up to be ready for the cider press on Saturday.
#IslandEvents
The BIC Center is looking for apples for Johny Applesqueeze on Saturday. Graphic from BIC Center
Finally in our news, an opportunity to take a Beaver Island baby to the top. Seasonal resident Faye Rowland’s son is in a baby of the year contest that raises funds for other families in need of baby supplies. He’s now at number three in his group. You can help take him to number one by voting with the link in today’s script online.
https://babyoftheyear.org/2026/ryder-48e1
Ryland Rowland is in the running for baby of the year. Photo from babyoftheyear.org
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Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A will meet Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00 this week and next.
Looking ahead to next week’s meetings, the Beaver Island Transportation Authority Board will meet Wednesday, October 14, at noon. Thursday, October 15, the District Library Board and the Telecommunications Advisory Committee will both meet at 4:30.
That will take us through the end of next week. Locations and more details will be in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
American Mah Jongg will start at 10:00 in the BIC Center Hangout. All skill levels will be welcome; bring your 2026 Mah Jongg card if you have one. Afternoon Bingo will follow at 1:00. The Islander volleyball squad will head to Interlochen for a match listed at 4:00. The Amik Cultural Preservation Center will open from 4:00 to 7:00 for tours and discussions. At 5:00, Time for Art will return to the BIC Center with a screen-printing tutorial led by Bayard Kurth. The class will be free for those 60 and older and five dollars for everyone else.
Thursday, the BIC Center will start accepting apple donations for Johnny Applesqueeze at 9:00. You’ll have until 4:00 Friday to drop them off. Pickleball will start at 10:00 at Peaine Township Park. Women’s Bible Study will also meet at 10:00 at the Christian Church. The Immunization Clinic cancelled last week has been reset for Thursday and will run from 11:00 to 3:00 at B-I-C-S. Call the Health Department to set a time, or just walk in. At 5:00, Burger and a Beer Night will begin at the Shamrock.
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Friday and Saturday will bring the third annual Harvest on the Harbor, with local vendors, cider pressing, crafts and more fall fun.
Friday will begin with free Harvest Coffee and Donuts at the BIC Center from 8:30 to 10:30. Apple cider will be on offer, too, and the whole community will be welcome, whatever your age. Pickleball will start at 10:00 at Peaine Township Park, and Chair Strength Training will follow at 10:30 in the BIC Center Hangout. From noon to 4:00, the library will offer a drop-in perspective tree painting craft for all ages. Supplies will be provided, and no registration will be needed. Then, from 4:00 to 6:00, Kate Eisenmann and Pete Haak will lead the Great Apple Cut-Up in the BIC Center lobby. They’ll provide the tools to get apples ready for Saturday’s cider pressing. Bring yourself, a friend, and your favorite nibbles and sips.
[On the radio, our Friday lineup will kick off after the 6:00 news with “That Thing with Rich Appel,” featuring top forty hits from the 70s. At 9:00, “The Titus Jennings Experience” will offer music from all genres, followed by “The Midnight Special” with Marilyn Rea Beyer at 11:00 for music, farce, comedy and late-night escape.]
Saturday, the Islander soccer squad will compete in the Northern Lights League tournament. Pickleball will start at 10:00 at Peaine Township Park. The Artisan Market at the Point will run from 10:00 to noon at Whiskey Point Lighthouse. From noon to 4:00, Harvest on the Harbor will feature Artisan Alley at the BIC Center, with handmade goods, art, crafts and other creations from local makers. Johnny Applesqueeze will run during those same hours, with Kate and Pete pressing fresh cider for you to enjoy on site. There won’t be packaged cider to take home, so come enjoy a cup at the festival. Prime Rib Night will start at the Shamrock at 5:00.
[On the radio, Country Classics will start at 5:00 Saturday evening with host Sheri Timsak. At 7:00, WVBI’s Adam Pettigrew will take you 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. Mark Beltaire will take over at 9:00 with Rockin’ the Boat and continue at 10:00 with the Blues Cruise. Cousin Dan will wrap up the evening with the Too Good Radio Show starting at 11:00.]
Sunday, services will be at the Episcopal Mission at 9:00 and at the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass will be at Holy Cross at 12:15.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Tuesday, October 13, the Islander volleyball squad will travel to Boyne Falls for a match at 4:00. Earlier in the day, Babies and Toddlers Mix-Up will bring little ones and their grownups together at the library at 10:00. Pickleball will also get underway at 10:00 at Peaine Township Park. At 10:30, Chair Strength Training will meet upstairs in the Hangout at the BIC Center. The Dark Sky calendar will also feature “Moon, Jupiter, Twin Stars Mornings,” listed for Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:00 to 7:00 in the morning.
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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 Roslyn. 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: Melissa Smith is celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Melissa, 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. But it is busy in town when the ferry arrives and there are folks soon be out leaf peeping. So, let’s be careful out there.
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On this date in 1963, President John F. Kennedy signs the ratification of the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The agreement between the United States, Soviet Union and Britain bans nuclear explosions in the atmosphere, underwater and in space. Underground testing remains permitted, but the treaty marks an important step toward limiting radioactive fallout and easing Cold War tensions. Also on this date in 2023, Hamas-led terrorists attack southern Israel from Gaza, killing 1,209, most of them civilians, including 36 children. The attackers take 251 people hostage into Gaza, setting off the devastating war that follows.
President John F. Kennedy signs the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty ratification at the White House on October 7, 1963. Photo by Robert LeRoy Knudsen from Wikipedia
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is discreet [dih-SKREET], an adjective meaning careful about keeping something private or avoiding attention. For example: “She made a discreet inquiry about the surprise party, making sure the guest of honor couldn’t hear.” Don’t confuse our word today spelled D-I-S-C-E-E-T it with discrete, spelled D-I-S-C-R-E-T-E, which means separate or distinct. Both trace back to a Latin verb meaning to sift or distinguish. Here’s a spelling trick: in discrete, meaning separate, the letter T keeps the two E’s apart.
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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 President John F. Kennedy: “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
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And on a lighter note…
Vel-crows.
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Wednesday, October 7th, 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
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Air Quality Index this morning was 19.
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Fire Danger: Moderate
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Out on the Big Drink…
Photo from the North Lake Michigan Buoy. Provided by the National Data Buoy Center
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Today
NW wind around 15 kt becoming W in the afternoon. A chance of showers after 4pm. Waves 1 to 2 ft.
Thursday
WNW wind around 15 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves around 2 ft.
Friday
WSW wind around 10 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves around 1 ft.
Saturday
S wind 15 to 20 kt, with gusts as high as 30 kt. Sunny. Waves 2 to 3 ft.
Sunday
SSW wind 15 to 20 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 2 to 4 ft.
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Water Temps: 61 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island and at Sleeping Bear. In Little Traverse Bay, it’s 62. 60 in the Straits.
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Candidates clash in Michigan’s governor’s debate, Traverse City adopts a controversial prowling ordinance, and Munson tests drone deliveries. Plus, McDonough’s Fall Sale starts today, and the BIC Center ditches spiders, but needs your apples.
Those stories along with more local and state news, a run down of local events, birthdays, this date in history and more are up after this global and national news…
[Time check.]
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Today’s featured image: Jocelyn Benson and John James, the lead candidates for Michigan’s next governor, faced off in a debate last evening that saw both candidates change positions on key issues. Photos from Benson and James campaign websites
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