WVBI

We start with an updated look at island road conditions. At last report yesterday afternoon from Peaine Township Supervisor Maria Dal Pra East Side Drive was still passable, but problems are worsening in spots. Washouts remain at Nomad’s Corner, with deeper water and damage reported north of Kilty’s Point, where a culvert is now exposed. Water is also covering the road near Wicklow Beach, with a submerged hole creating hazards. Reporting back from her review trip, Maria urged extreme caution, as conditions continue to change with ongoing snowmelt and recent rains.

Flooding on West Side Drive and the South End Lighthouse grounds yesterday afternoon. Photo by Maria Dal Pra posted on Facebook

In St. James Township, a concern has been the Font Lake drain. There were reports that it was blocked, but latest reports are that is open and flowing well.

On the mainland, flooding concerns continue. In Cheboygan where the dam has been causing concern, an evacuation order was issued Tuesday—but due to a levee breach along the Little Black River watershed, not the dam itself. Authorities ordered residents in low-lying areas to leave as water levels rose quickly. The Cheboygan Dam itself remains under close watch, with officials still urging residents nearby to be ready to evacuate if conditions worsen.

In Antrim County, crews are actively working on the Bellaire Dam after seepage was discovered at the base of the berm. Officials say water levels have risen, but remain below overflow, and sandbags and emergency repairs are in place while crews monitor conditions around the clock. Residents downstream are being urged to have evacuation plans ready as conditions remain unpredictable.

In Traverse City, flooding continues along the Boardman River, with damage reported at the FishPass construction site and nearby areas. Beitner Road is closed between River Road and U.S. 31 at Chums Corner, that after the bridge at Beitner Park failed. South Airport Road is also closed between Park and Cass. Officials say high water and runoff are straining infrastructure across the city.

In Emmet County, part of the Tunnel of Trees remains closed after a culvert failure washed out a section of M-119, with no timeline yet for repairs.

Amidst all of this, Bridge Michigan reports the problems at the Cheboygan Dam are being worsened by long-standing issues. The dam complex includes an aging structure and a privately owned powerhouse that’s been offline since a 2023 fire, cutting water flow capacity by up to 30 percent. Federal regulators ordered repairs and a plan to restore operations months ago, but repeated extensions delayed action. Now, with flooding nearing historic levels, crews are working around the clock to bring the powerhouse back online and increase flow, as officials warn the system was never designed to handle a flood of this magnitude.

#Government #Transportation #Mainland Travel

On the Island there at least one beaver seems to be enjoying the high water. Trish McMillan caught one taking a dip and nibbling on treats in high water at the corner of Donnel Mor’s Lane and Sloptown Road. There’s a link to the video she posted in today’s script online.

https://www.facebook.com/1038983835/videos/pcb.26769977502627631/2002455210345117
https://www.facebook.com/1038983835/videos/pcb.26769977502627631/4436705583314338

Mr. Beaver takes a dip in the floodwater. Watch out for him near the corner of Donnel Mor’s and Sloptown. Image capture from Trish McMillans video on Facebook

Now here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…

First your meeting planner…

Saint James Planning Commissions meets today at 10:00 a.m. Their township board has a special meeting set for tomorrow at 5:00. Library Board meets tomorrow as well at 4:30 as does the J-TAC, again at 4:30.  A-A meets Thursday and Saturday at 6:00. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.

On the fun front today…

Wednesday, there’s BINGO at 1:00 at the BIC Center. And at 5:00 it’s Time for Art, at the BIC Center.  This week the second of three sessions on creating plaster molds led by Cindy Ricksgers.

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. 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.]

Highlights for the rest of the week include…

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.

[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 Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 1:00. No movies at the BIC Center this Saturday, but it will be open for fun in the Hangout, snacks and meals. 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 evening is All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Shamrock.

Tuesday 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. Tuesday evening is trivia time at the BIC Center. Let’s Get Quizzical starts at 6:00 p.m. Sign your team up at tickets dot bic center dot org.

Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Carina. If that’s your name, come on it to the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice.

On our Birthday List today: Glen LaFreniere. Happy Birthday to Glen and if we missed you on the list Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at the BIC Center and WVBI.

TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The Island Beltway is still rough and there is the flooding plus the washouts on East Side Drive. But, no bridge delays. Let’s be careful out there, especially in the school zone.

On this date in 1865, Abraham Lincoln dies after being shot the night before at Ford’s Theatre. The president was attending the play Our American Cousin when actor John Wilkes Booth fires a single shot. Lincoln is carried across the street to a boarding house, where he passes away nine hours later. The nation mourns as the Civil War draws to a close, and Lincoln’s death leaves a lasting mark on American history—just days after he calls for healing and unity.

A lithograph depicting the death of Abraham Lincoln by F.P. Whiting. Image from Smithsonian Archives

Our Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is resilient (adjective) [rih-ZIL-yunt] meaning able to recover quickly from challenges. It’s a word we’re hearing a lot right now, as communities deal with high water and changing conditions, showing strength and the ability to bounce back.

Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Wednesday…

Here’s a thought for the day from President Lincoln on being resilient: “I am a slow walker, but I never walk back.”

On a lighter note: With all this high water… I tried to make a joke about flooding—but it just didn’t hold water.

That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Wednesday, April 15th, 2026. Until then, 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

A 10 percent chance of showers after 5pm. Widespread dense fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 43/48. East wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon.

Tonight

A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 2am. Patchy fog before 11pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.

Thursday

A 20 percent chance of showers after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44/48. North wind around 10 mph.

Thursday Night

Patchy fog after 11pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday

Partly sunny, with a high near 49/52. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night

Showers, mainly after 2am. Low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Saturday

Showers, mainly before 2pm. High near 47/49. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Saturday Night

A chance of rain and snow showers before 2am, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Breezy.

Sunday

A chance of snow showers before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34/36. Breezy.

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Blustery.

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 40.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Breezy.

Tuesday

Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Breezy.

Out on the Big Drink …

Today

Variable winds 5 kt or less. A slight chance of showers after 1pm. Areas of dense fog. Waves 1 ft or less.

Thursday

NNE wind 5 to 10 kt. A chance of showers, mainly between 7am and 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less.

Friday

Variable winds 5 kt or less. Partly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.

Air Quality Index at 6:30 this morning was 8.

Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org

Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…

High water contnues to cause problems on the Island and across northern Michigan—roads washing out, dams under pressure, and even evacuations on the mainland. We’ll have the latest conditions, closures, and what you need to know…that plus a run-down of local events, birthdays and more after global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.]

Today’s Featured Image: Mr. Beaver takes a dip in the floodwater. Watch out for him near the corner of Donnel Mor’s and Sloptown. Image capture from Trish McMillans video on Facebook

The melting snow and rain continue to present problems for East Side Drive near the south end. Peaine Township Supervisor Maria Dal Pra took a survey drive and found the road passable as of yesterday, but is some places only the drown of the road is visible, and there are places near Nomad’s corner where washout conditions are evident.
#Transportation

Washout on East Side Drive. Photo by Maria Dal Pra posted on Facebook

On the mainland, residents near the Cheboygan Dam are being told to prepare for possible evacuation as water levels continue to rise. The Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office says the situation has reached a “be ready” stage, urging people to pack go-bags, secure valuables, and avoid low-lying areas along the river. A cautionary zone has been identified downstream, where flooding is possible. Officials say conditions remain unpredictable, and if an evacuation is ordered, alerts will be sent directly to phones.

A recent view of the Cheboygan Lock and Dam on the Cheboygan River. Photo from Michigan DNR

This map from the Cheboygan County Sheriff’s office shows the current projected areas of potential flooding. Graphic from Cheboygan County Sheriff Facebook post

Meantime, in Antrim County, crews are monitoring seepage at the Bellaire Dam, with emergency repairs planned and evacuation plans urged for nearby residents. Officials say partially frozen ground is making flooding worse, with water unable to soak in and runoff increasing. In Traverse City, a retaining wall has failed near Union Street, allowing water to breach part of a cofferdam, raising further concerns as conditions continue to develop. A section of the Tunnel of Trees has collapsed after a culvert failure as airports, rivers, and dams across the region are seeing high water.

Now here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…

First your meeting planner…

Transportation Authority meets Tuesday at noon. Library Board meets Thursday at 4:30 as does the J-TAC.  A-A meets this evening, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.

On the fun front today…

Tuesday 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.  At 5:00 this evening it’s the ultimate puzzle showdown at the BIC Center. Form a team that is the fastest to finish a 500 piece puzzle to take home a basket full of fabulous prizes. Sign your team up at tickets dot bic center dot org.

Puzzle your way to prizes at the BIC Center tonight. Image from WVBI Community Calendar

Highlights for the rest of the week include…

Wednesday, there’s BINGO at 1:00 at the BIC Center. And at 5:00 it’s Time for Art, at the BIC Center.  This week the second of three sessions on creating plaster molds led by Cindy Ricksgers.

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. 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.

[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 Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 1:00. No movies at the BIC Center this Saturday, but it will be open for fun in the Hangout, snacks and meals. 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 evening is All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Shamrock.

Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Daniel. If that’s your name, come on it to the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice.

On our Birthday List today: Justin Martin and Jadyn Johnson. Happy Birthday to Jadyn and Justin and if we missed you on the list Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at the BIC Center and WVBI.

TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The Island Beltway is still rough, even after some initial grading on Monday. There are no bridge delays. But, hey, let’s be careful out there, especially in the school zone.

On this date in 1912, the RMS Titanic strikes an iceberg in the North Atlantic. The massive ship, considered unsinkable, begins to take on water and sinks in the early hours of the next morning. More than 1,500 people lose their lives, marking one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history.

The iceberg suspected of having sunk the RMS Titanic, photographed by the chief steward of the liner Prinz Adalbert on the morning of April 15, 1912, just a few miles south of where Titanic sank. The steward had not yet heard about Titanic’s sinking, and he noticed the smear of what appeared to be red paint along the base of the iceberg, suggesting it had collided with a ship sometime in the previous 12 hours. Photo from Wikimedia

Our Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is enjoin (verb) [in-JOIN]. It means to direct or order someone to do something—or to prohibit an action. For example, you might be enjoined to keep a secret, or enjoined from doing something. In legal use, it refers to a court order, called an injunction, that requires or forbids an action.

Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Tuesday…

Here’s a thought for the day: “Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working.”

On a lighter note: What did the clock do when it was hungry? It went back four seconds.

That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Tuesday, April 14th, 2026. Until then, 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

Rain likely, mainly before 8am. Widespread fog, mainly before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 44, 50 inland. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northeast in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tonight

Isolated showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday

A chance of showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44, 46 inland. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday

A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45, 48 inland. North wind around 10 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Friday

Partly sunny, with a high near 48, 52 inland.

Friday Night

Showers likely after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Saturday

Showers likely, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Breezy.

Saturday Night

A chance of rain showers before 11pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Breezy.

Sunday

A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Windy.

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Blustery.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Breezy.

Out on the Big Drink …

Today

E wind 5 to 10 kt becoming NE in the morning. A chance of showers, mainly before 7am. Patchy dense fog before 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less.

Wednesday

Variable winds 5 kt or less. A chance of showers between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Waves 1 ft or less.

Thursday

N wind around 10 kt becoming W in the afternoon. A chance of showers. Waves 1 ft or less.

Air Quality Index at 6:30 this morning was 2.

Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org

Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…

High water is creating problems across the region—from washouts on Beaver Island’s East Side Drive to potential evacuation warnings near the Cheboygan and Bellaire Dams, a culvert collapse on the Tunnel of Trees and problems in TC…

…all of those stories plus a run-down of local events, birthdays and more after global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.]

Today’s Featured Image: A recent view of the Cheboygan Lock and Dam on the Cheboygan River. Photo from Michigan DNR

The Emerald Isle’s first official roundtrip of the season leaves Charlevoix this morning at 8:30, and she heads back across at 11:20, her new earlier departure time from the Island. She headed out yesterday from the Island on a repositioning cruise to get ready for today’s trip. The 11:20 Island Departures are Monday, Wednesday and Friday through the rest of this month. The first half of May will have 1:20 departures on all days except Tuesday and Thursday. Double trips (and the 11:20 morning departures) start May 18th.

The Emerald Isle heads out yesterday for its first crossing of 2026 to be ready for round-trips starting today. Photo from WVBI Paradise Bay Webcam at the BIC Center

As we continue to deal with the remains of our mid-March blizzard, all the moisture and recent rain has parts of downstate Michigan dealing with severe flooding. Dozens of roads and bridges have been closed across central Michigan, with rivers like the Cass, Tittabawassee, and Bad River running high. In Frankenmuth, water levels rank among the highest ever recorded. Conditions are improving as waters recede, but officials warn drivers to avoid flooded roads and respect closures.

Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin says she’s considering a possible presidential run in 2028.

In the meantime, she’s taking her message to voters in places like Iowa, meeting with Trump supporters to better understand what Democrats need to do to win back the Midwest.

Slotkin says the party must reconnect with voters and chart a new direction ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

Michigan officials are exploring the use of artificial intelligence to flag potential fraud in the state’s food assistance program, but legal experts say the technology could misidentify people who actually qualify. Michigan News Connection’s Chrystal Blair has details…

They caution that many payment issues are not fraud at all. Michelle Gilman is a legal expert on public benefits law, and she says many cases labeled as fraud are actually overpayments.

“Overpayment and underpayment, which are also a problem – but one we don’t hear much about – are usually the result of innocent errors, given the complexity of these very complicated programs.”

A 2024 report from the nonprofit Food Research and Action Center pointed to the risks of using A-I to determine eligibility for SNAP benefits. One of them is the biases of the humans training the machines. The Michigan League for Public Policy reported that as of July 2025, over a million Michiganders participated in SNAP.

The state of Michigan has been down this road before – and not without consequences. A decade ago, the state’s unemployment system falsely accused tens of thousands of residents of fraud, leading to financial hardship and years of legal battles. Gilman points out the impact is still being felt.

“And the consequences of that were very dire, and people are still waiting for compensation for the damages that they suffered from that system.” Gilman says as A-I expands into public benefits, strong oversight is critical – noting people have a legal right to understand and challenge decisions that affect their access to food assistance.

“I mean, I encourage everyone to push for their rights to the fullest extent of the law, but that can be hard when you’re trying to work, and get child care, and struggling with transportation, and just the realities of trying to make it day to day.”

Rebakah Sager with The Michigan Independent contributed to this report.

Northwest Michigan Works! and Walstrom Marine have launched the region’s first federally registered marine services technician apprenticeship. The program combines hands-on training with classroom instruction, including 6,000 hours of on-the-job experience and more than 400 hours of coursework.

Organizers say the effort is designed to build a skilled workforce and open the door to long-term careers in the region’s marine industry. You can find more information about this and other registered apprenticeships AT n-w-m dot org forward slash apprenticeships.

https://nwm.org/apprenticeship 

If you’re heading up to Petoskey, you should plan for some construction detours downtown.

Work is set to get underway on Howard Street between Michigan and East Mitchell, including major upgrades to water and sewer lines, new pavement, sidewalks, and landscaping. The Howard and Mitchell intersection will be closed, with barricades in place at several nearby streets. On-street parking is also limited, but businesses remain open. The project is expected to wrap up by mid-June, and a full detour map is available at petoskey dot us.

Down in T-C, two new members are joining the planning commission, but not without debate.

One commissioner raised concerns about geographic, professional, and age balance on the board, while others pushed back—saying labeling candidates that way could discourage volunteers. Despite the discussion, commissioners voted six to one to approve the appointments, filling two open seats through 2028.

Now here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…

First your meeting planner…

B-I-C-S Committee of the Whole meets Wednesday at 5:30. A-A meets this evening, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.

On the fun front today…

Wednesday, there’s BINGO at 1:00 at the BIC Center. And at 5:00 it’s Time for Art, at the BIC Center.  This week the first of three sessions on creating plaster molds led by Cindy Ricksgers.

Highlights for the rest of the week include…

Thursday the robotics team is off for Ferris State and their second competition of the season. 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. 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, the robotics team is competing at Ferris State. Visit b-I-robot dot org for info on how to watch online. 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.

[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 Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 1:00. There are two movies showing at the BIC Center, both as part of the library’s Big Read project on Survival. The 3:00 show is the Disney classic Swiss Family Robinson. It’s rated G. Then at 6:00 it’s Tom Hanks in Cast Away. Hanks plays a FedEx exec who winds up on a deserted island after his plane crashes.

It’s rated PG-13. 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 evening is All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Shamrock. This week is international Dark Sky Week. Celebrate with special displays at the library and the BIC Center, and learn more about the importance of our Dark Skies at dark sky island dot org.

Tuesday 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.

Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Danielle. If that’s your name, come on it to the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice.

On our Birthday List today we have Adelaide McCafferty, Fletcher Randall, Conlan Wearn and John Campbell. Happy Birthday to Adelaide, John, Conlan and Fletcher and if we missed you on the list Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at the BIC Center and WVBI.

TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The Island Beltway is still rough, even after some initial grading on Monday. There are no bridge delays. But, hey, let’s be careful out there, especially in the school zone.

On this date in 1959, mathematician and computer scientist Grace Hopper meets with top programming experts at a two-day conference, helping shape the future of computing. The group builds on her earlier work to develop COBOL — a groundbreaking language that will make computers more accessible for business and government use.

Grace Hopper was a Navy Rear Admiral. Photo by US Navy from Wikipedia

Our Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is ephemeral (adjective) [ih-FEM-er-ul]. Something that is ephemeral lasts for a very short time — brief or fleeting. You might use it to describe a beautiful sunset or a moment that doesn’t last long. The word comes from the Greek ephemeros [eh-FEM-er-oss], meaning “lasting only a day.” It entered English in the late 1500s and has kept that meaning ever since.

Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Wednesday…

Here’s a thought for the day, from Admiral Grace Hopper: “A ship in port is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”

On a lighter note: Why do old programmers love COBOL? Because it still works… and nobody dares touch it.

That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Wednesday, April 8th, 2026. The Community Calendar will take a two-day break while we head out for robotics a competition at Ferris State. We’ll be back Monday. Until then, 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.

###

Today

Snow between 8am and 2pm. High near 44. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight

Rain, mainly before 2am. Low around 35. Breezy, with a southwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy through mid-morning, then becoming sunny, with a high near 39. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 30.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 40.

Saturday Night

A chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Sunday

Showers, mainly after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.

Sunday Night

Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 44. Breezy.

Monday

Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 48. Breezy.

Monday Night

Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 33. Breezy.

Tuesday

A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Breezy.

Out on the Big Drink …

Today-Gale Warning

SSE wind 15 to 20 kt. Snow showers likely before noon, then scattered rain showers between noon and 1pm. Waves 2 to 3 ft.

Thursday

WSW wind 10 to 15 kt. Mostly cloudy through mid-morning, then becoming sunny. Waves 2 to 3 ft.

Friday

Variable winds 5 kt or less. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.

Saturday

Variable winds 5 kt or less. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.

Sunday

S wind 15 to 20 kt. Showers. Waves around 3 ft.

Air Quality Index at 6:30 this morning was 18.

Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org

Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…

Ferry service resumes round-trip service today with new departure times for the Emerald Isle…

Downstate flooding is forcing road closures across central Michigan…

Senator Elissa Slotkin looks ahead to a possible presidential run…

And if you’re headed to Petoskey, expect construction delays downtown.

…all of those stories plus a run-down of local events, birthdays and more after global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.]

Today’s Featured Image: The Emerald Isle heads out yesterday for its first crossing of 2026 to be ready for round-trips starting today. Photo from WVBI Paradise Bay Webcam at the BIC Center

First some news…

With the start of its season set for tomorrow, the Emerald Isle headed out headed out for a test run yesterday, taking advantage of the area cleared by the Bristol Bay last Friday.  The first departure is set for 11:20 tomorrow.

One year after the devastating northern Michigan ice storm that left thousands without power, some residents are calling for changes to prevent future outages. That’s according to reporting from Interlochen Public Radio. The storm knocked out electricity for about 200,000 people and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage, with recovery costs still impacting utility bills today. Now, utilities and communities are weighing whether burying power lines—rather than stringing them overhead—could make the grid more reliable.  On the Island, proponents of a community owned fiber system for broadband are exploring whether some power lines could be buried as part of the project. Some providers have already begun installing new lines underground, but the cost can run hundreds of thousands of dollars per mile. As extreme weather becomes more common, officials say the challenge will be finding the right balance between reliability and affordability.

The U.S. Forest Service plans to close four research facilities in Michigan as part of a nationwide reorganization. The sites, located in East Lansing, Wellston, Houghton and L’Anse, will be phased out over the next year. Officials say the changes are aimed at cutting costs and streamlining operations, but critics warn the move could impact forest research, local economies, and partnerships across the state.

Michigan fans are happy this morning after the Wolverines beat UConn 69 to 63 to win their second title—and their first since 1989. Michigan became the first Big Ten team to win it all in over two decades, finishing the season 37 and 3. Despite a tough shooting night, Michigan held off a late UConn push to seal the victory.

Meantime, in Island sports news, the BIC Center has just announced its third annual Golf Tournament for Memorial Day Weekend. First tee is at 9:00 on May 23rd. Registration is $70 per player, with a $20 discount for golf course members, and includes lunch and prizes. You can sponsor a hole to help raise money for BIC Center programs. Contact Kevin Stipp for more info. By the way, he promises the snow will be gone by tee time.

<img width="495" height="479" style="width:5.1562in;height:4.9895in" id="Picture_x0020_8" src="https://wvbi.biccenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/image002.jpg" alt="May be an image of golf and text that says 'BIC Center 3rd Annual GOLF TOURNAMENT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND MAY 23 at 9:00M CONTACT US KevinStipp Kevin Stipp klstipp57@gmail.com klsti (951) 453-1367 $70 per player $50 member OUTING FEE INCLUDES •Round of Golf Lunch Prizes Individual & Team ASK US HOW YOU CAN BECOME A SPONSOR…'”>

Promo poster for the BIC Center 2026 Golf Tournament. Contact Kevin Stipp for sponsorship opportunities. Image from BIC Center Facebook post.

Over on the mainland, the 11th annual Autism Acceptance Walk is set for April 26 at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Boyne City. Registration opens at 9, with the walk beginning at 10. Hosted by North Country Community Mental Health, the event welcomes individuals, families, and community members to come together in support of autism awareness.

Now here’s alook at events happening on your Emerald Isle…

First your meeting planner…

Peaine Township Planning Commission meets this evening at 5:00. B-I-C-S Committee of the Whole meets Wednesday at 5:30. A-A meets this evening, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.

On the fun front today…

Tuesday 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.  And at 6:00 it’s trivia time at the BIC Center.  That’s right, Let’s Get Quizzical starts at 6:00. Sign your team up at tickets dot bic center dot org.

Image from WVBI Community Calendar

Wednesday, there’s BINGO at 1:00 at the BIC Center. And at 5:00 it’s Time for Art, at the BIC Center.  This week the first of three sessions on creating plaster molds led by Cindy Ricksgers.

Highlights for the rest of the week include…

Thursday the robotics team is off for Ferris State and their second competition of the season. 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. 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, the robotics team is competing at Ferris State. Visit b-I-robot dot org for info on how to watch online. 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.

[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 Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 1:00. There are two movies showing at the BIC Center, both as part of the libraries Big Read project on Survival. The 3:00 show is the Disney classic Swiss Family Robinson. It’s rated G. Then at 6:00 it’s Tom Hanks in Cast Away. Hanks plays a FedEx exec who winds up on a deserted island after his plane crashes.

It’s rated PG-13. 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 evening is All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Shamrock. This week is international Dark Sky Week. Celebrate with special displays at the library and the BIC Center, and learn more about the importance of our Dark Skies at dark sky island dot org.

Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Quincy. If that’s your name, come on it to the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice.

On our Birthday List today we have Maura Turner, Mike Weede and Frankie Lamb. Happy Birthday to Frankie, Maura and Mike and if we missed you on the list Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at the BIC Center and WVBI.

TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The Island Beltway is running smoothly and there are no bridge delays. But, hey, let’s be careful out there, especially in the school zone.

On this date in 1940, the United States issues a stamp honoring Booker T. Washington, its first postage stamp honoring an African American. Washington was an influential educator, speaker, and advisor to presidents, and a leading voice for Black Americans in the years after Reconstruction. The commemorative stamp was released 25 years after his death.

Booker T. Washington first day cover. Image from Smithsonian National Postal Museum

Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is laudable (adjective) [LAW-duh-bul]. Something that is laudable is worthy of praise or deserving approval. You might use it to describe a community effort or a person’s actions that really stand out in a positive way. The word comes from the Latin laudare [low-DAH-ray], meaning “to praise.” It entered English in the 1400s and has kept that meaning ever since. So when something’s laudable, it’s something worth recognizing—and maybe even celebrating.

Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Tuesday, …

Here’s a thought for the day, from Booker T. Washington: “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”

On a lighter note: Michigan just won the national championship…and even the power lines are celebrating—because they fall down under pressure.

That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Tuesday, April 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.

###

Today

A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 8am. Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 29. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 25. South wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday

A chance of snow showers before 2pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Increasing clouds, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday Night

Showers, mainly between 8pm and 2am. Low around 36. Windy, with a south wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Thursday

A 30 percent chance of showers before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Friday

Partly sunny, with a high near 39.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 40.

Saturday Night

A chance of showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Sunday

Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47.

Sunday Night

Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 41. Breezy.

Monday

Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 47. Breezy.

Out on the Big Drink …

Today

N wind 5 to 10 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.

Wednesday

S wind around 20 kt, with gusts as high as 25 kt. A chance of rain and snow showers before noon, then a chance of snow showers between noon and 1pm, then a slight chance of rain showers after 1pm. Waves around 3 ft.

Thursday

WSW wind 15 to 20 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 3 to 5 ft.

Air Quality Index at 6:30 this morning was 5.

Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org

Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…

The Emerald Isle heads out for a test run with the ferry season set to start tomorrow. One year after a massive ice storm, could burying power lines be the key to preventing future outages?

Plus, the U.S. Forest Service plans to shut down several Michigan facilities.

And, Michigan takes the national title—ending a decades-long drought for the Big Ten.

…all of those stories plus a run-down of local events, birthdays and more after global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.]

Today’s Featured Image: Golfers get ready! It’s time for the 3^rd Annual BIC Center Golf Tournament. Photo from BIC Center

The first ferry trip of the season is scheduled for Wednesday with a departure at 11:20. That looked in doubt last week with Paradise Bay still covered in ice, but the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay came to the rescue on Friday clearing a path for the Emerald Isle to sail. WVBI’s Paradise Bay webcam capture the action. There’s a link to the video and video from the Bristol Bay in today’s script online.

The Bristol Bay in action on Paradise Bay. See the full timelapse for the day here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1834966220516544. And the view from th eBristol Bay here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1885152562140760. Image from WVBI Paradise Bay Webcam from the BIC Center.

Michigan lawmakers have advanced a new online child-safety package of bills, this as a California jury found Meta and Google liable in a 6-million-dollar youth-harm case. Michigan News Connection’s Chrystal Blair has more on the proposal and a tragedy its backers say it would address…

The Michigan plan includes the Online Safety Act for Kids, the Kids Code, and SAFE for Kids Act – aimed at limiting addictive features, boosting privacy and giving parents more control of their kids’ online access. John DeMay, a West Michigan father and advocate, says his 17-year-old son Jordan died by suicide in 2022 after being targeted on Instagram, coerced into sending explicit images and then extorted.

ACTUALITY: Jordan quickly realized that the young lady that reached out to him on Instagram was actually an adult male from Nigeria that’s when the extortion happened. He ended up paying them $300 dollars one time, and tried paying them an additional $55, and drained his accounts.

DeMay’s case led to multiple arrests and federal convictions, but he says prevention is the real goal. Now, he believes the California court decision could mark a turning point by focusing on how the platforms are designed, not just what users post.

Supporters of Michigan’s online safety bills say while parents play a role, many online platforms are difficult to monitor and built to keep young users engaged. DeMay says families are up against systems that aren’t designed with safety in mind.

ACTUALITY: These companies are doing everything they can do to circumvent, and make it more difficult for parents to even monitor the platforms and their usage.

He adds that includes hard-to-find safety settings and algorithms that can push harmful content issues Michigan lawmakers say the new legislation is meant to address

Back on the Island, the roads down Island continue to be in rough shape.  Both East and West side drives are riddled with extreme wash boarding and parts of East Side near the south end were flooded this weekend. Road Crews have been out clearing drainage outlets, but so far there’s been little grading possible down Island.

Spring Break for B-I-C-S wraps up today with school back in session tomorrow. It was no break, though, for the robotics team. Some members of bIrobot worked every day last week and through the weekend on improvements to their robot. They leave on Thursday for a competition at Ferris State University in Cedar Rapids.  Visit TheBlueAlliance.com for links to the webcasts and find out more about BICS’s FRC team at birobot.org.

Ticket sales for the 2026 Warblers on the Water events, May 22-25, are now open. The festival features new field trips to celebrate Great Lakes Islands biodiversity. Visit store dot bic center dot org for more info and registration.

The America 250 Writing Challenge invites you to share your thoughts on America 250. Selected submissions will be compiled into a book. Check at the library for more information.

First your meeting planner…

Peaine Township Planning Commission meets Tuesday at 5:00. B_I_C_S Committee of the Whole meets Wednesday at 5:30. 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…

Monday evening is All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Shamrock. In our Dark Skies, tomorrow morning, the moon fresh from its first human fly-by in more than 50 years will be near the distinctive letter J – or fishhook – pattern of stars that makes up the constellation of Scorpius the Scorpion. Look for them before dawn. There’s more info at dark sky island dot org.

Tuesday 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.  And at 6:00 it’s trivia time at the BIC Center.  That’s right, Let’s Get Quizzical starts at 6:00. Sign your team up at tickets dot bic center dot org.

Image from WVBI Community Calendar

Highlights for the rest of the week include…

Wednesday, there’s BINGO at 1:00 at the BIC Center. And at 5:00 it’s Time for Art, at the BIC Center.  This week the first of three sessions on creating plaster molds led by Cindy Ricksgers.

Thursday the robotics team is off for Ferris State and their second competition of the season. 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. 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, the robotics team is competing at Ferris State. Visit b-I-robot dot org for info on how to watch online. 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.

[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 Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 1:00. There are two movies showing at the BIC Center, both as part of the libraries Big Read project on Survival. The 3:00 show is the Disney classic Swiss Family Robinson. It’s rated G. Then at 6:00 it’s Tom Hanks in Cast Away. Hanks plays a FedEx exec who winds up on a deserted island after his plane crashes.

It’s rated PG-13. 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…

Looking Ahead to next week

Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Nina. If that’s your name, come on it to the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice.

On our Birthday List today we have Karen Slanga, Nathan McDonough, Tucker Hogarth, Tina Carlton and Amor Legaspi. Happy Birthday to Tina, Karen, Amor, Tucker and Nathan and if we missed you on the list Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at the BIC Center and WVBI.

TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The Island Beltway is running smoothly and there are no bridge delays. But, hey, let’s be careful out there, especially in the school zone.

On this date in 1917, the United States declared war on Germany, entering World War One after years of neutrality. German attacks on American ships pushed Congress to act. Over the next year, two million U.S. troops would head to Europe—helping turn the tide of the war.

“Fast Convoy,” oil painting by Burnell Poole, 1918 (NH 42690-KN). Image from Naval History and Heritage Command

Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is the verb cotton (verb) [KAH-tun]. To cotton on to something means to begin to understand it, while cotton to something means to start liking it. The word comes from an Arabic term for the cotton plant and entered English as a noun in the 1300s. Before long, it became a verb—first meaning to form a soft, fuzzy texture on cloth.

By the 1600s, it had taken on a more figurative meaning—developing a liking for something. And by the early 1900s, it came to mean catching on or understanding. So if you’re starting to get it—you’re beginning to cotton on.

Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Monday…

Here’s a thought for the day, from Woodrow Wilson, who was president during World War One: If you lose your wealth, you have lost nothing; if you lose your health, you have lost something; but if you lose your character, you have lost everything.

On a lighter note: 6:30 is my favorite time of day… Hands down.

That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Monday, April 6th, 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?

###

Today

A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. Breezy, with a southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 15 to 25 mph in the morning.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Blustery, with a northwest wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. South wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday

A chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday Night

Showers, mainly after 8pm. Low around 39. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thursday

A 30 percent chance of showers before 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

Saturday Night

A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Sunday

Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 47.

Out on the Big Drink for the first day of the ferry season…

Today

WSW wind 5 to 10 kt becoming NNW 15 to 25 kt in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 30 kt. Waves 1 ft or less building to 4 ft.

Tuesday

NW wind around 10 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. Waves 1 ft or less.

Wednesday

S wind 15 to 20 kt. Waves 2 to 3 ft.

Air Quality Index at 6:30 this morning was 8.

Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org

Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…

The ferry season is back on—thanks to an icy assist from the Coast Guard. We’ve got the dramatic video from Paradise Bay. Plus, new Michigan legislation targeting social media safety for kids, rough road conditions down Island, and what the bIrobot team has been up to over spring break—details coming up.

…all of that along with a run-down of local events, birthdays and more after global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.]

Today’s Featured Image: The Bristol Bay in action on Paradise Bay. Image from WVBI Paradise Bay Webcam from the BIC Center.