Hello Kokomo! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Dino STEM fun, handbells at the movies, and adoptable pets + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Investigation remains ongoing: Kokomo police were searching Monday after a Sunday shooting at The Greatt Escape left 31-year-old Braylen T. Johnson dead. Investigators say the case remains active and are seeking tips -- see the shooting details.
Cleaner parks, healthier gatherings: As summer events ramp up, Howard County’s 100 percent smoke‑exempt air ordinance protects everyone. Secondhand smoke harms hearts and lungs, and smoke‑less parks cut litter as quitting help is available -- learn more about quitting help.
Commencement milestone celebrated: IU Kokomo celebrated 302 May graduates, representing 33 Indiana counties, 10 states, and Canada, including Ryan P. Spillman, with degrees ranging from liberal studies to history and political science -- celebrate the graduates.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Your midweek reset spot: Weathered wood, stained glass, and a big community table set the tone at Cook McDoogal's Irish Pub, with hearty pub plates and an easy draft list. Grab a stool, trade stories with neighbors, and call it a small Kokomo victory.
Local legend alert: Highland Park packs plenty of low-key joy, from creekside strolls and a legit disc golf course to kid-approved playground time. Before you head home, swing by Old Ben and the Giant Sycamore Stump for that wonderfully weird Kokomo moment you somehow never tire of.
Pinball night, anyone? Kokomo’s home for shiny flippers and pixel nostalgia, Scanlines Arcade keeps the good times racking up with well-maintained pinball and classic cabinets, regular tournaments, and a laid-back, family-friendly vibe. Grab a buddy, chase a new high score, then brag shamelessly the rest of this week.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🦖 STEM-a-saurus @ Kokomo-Howard County Public Library Main | Wednesday (6/24) at 12:00 PM – Give your dino-obsessed kid a legit outlet with a weekly, one-hour STEM adventure, all summer, designed for ages 6 to 13. It is hands-on, curious, and blissfully screen-free, with a companion Tiny Trekkers option for the younger sibling who refuses to be left out.
🐾 June - Adopt Joy @ PetSmart | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Swing by PetSmart Kokomo to meet adoptable pets who come preloaded with loyalty, comic relief, and zero judgment about your lawn. Skip the algorithm, let a rescue pick you, and support local lifesaving while upgrading your couch companion, your step count, and your dinner cleanup.
🎤 Sally Duke Gospel Concert @ Kokomo Urban Outreach | Saturday (6/27) at 1:00 PM – Swing by Kokomo Urban Outreach for a summer gospel lift with Sally Duke and Matt Gerhard, plus Samuel Duke & Company, and Matt and Lindsay Droll. Expect spirit-raising songs and a nod to the red, white, and blue. A free-will offering keeps local programs humming.
🌴 Tropics Night - Creek Chubs @ Kokomo Municipal Stadium | Saturday (6/27) at 7:05 PM – Craving palm trees without leaving Kokomo? The Creek Chubs are going full Tropics, with Hawaiian shirts, leis, and fruity drinks, plus a themed jersey auction. Expect island vibes with your baseball, questionable floral prints, and the chance to outbid your neighbor for bragging rights.
🚗 2026 Hills/Taco Bell Spring Bash Cruise Night @ Rural King Supply | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 PM – Think you remember cruising the Hills to Taco Bell strip? Bring the family, the shiny ride, and your patience for nostalgia. Round 1 hits Rural King with a live DJ, cars and bikes welcome, and no burnouts, speeding, or trash if we want an encore.
🔔 Handbells At The Movies @ First EPC | Sunday (6/28) at 3:00 PM – Trade the streaming queue for real-life goosebumps as the Westminster Handbell Choir turns movie magic into shimmering chimes at First EPC. Expect Aladdin, Up!, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more, all delightfully ring-a-ding nostalgic. Summer welcome included.
🎆 Red, White and Boom @ Greater Life Church (Greentown) | Sunday (6/28) at 7:00 PM – Red, White and BOOM is lighting up Greater Life Church with food trucks, all-ages games, and a fireworks show fit for 250 years. Bring the people you actually like, a lawn chair, and your best oohs, aahs, and patience for parking.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Kokomo report Weather forecastToday — High: 77°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny. High near 77, with temperatures falling to around 75 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 0 to 7 mph. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2am and 5am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 79°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 50%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. West southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. This house is wildThis Ruble Stone ranch spreads across 1.10 acres, pairing city convenience with a wooded country backdrop. It offers 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, two fireplaces, and an updated kitchen with granite, tile backsplash, planning desk, and walk-in pantry. A heated inground pool, upper deck, lower-level rec room, second kitchen, and storm shelter round out the fun.
Take a peek inside → |
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