Hello Calhoun County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Jack in the Box’s Michigan return, free housing for childcare teachers, and a dino-movie series + 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.
Fast-food chain comeback: Jack in the Box returned to Michigan with a Battle Creek opening June 15, the first of six planned. Opening-day photos highlight favorites like the Sourdough Jack and egg rolls -- see opening-day photos.
New housing takes shape: An 80‑unit, $30 million apartment complex broke ground at Battle Creek’s former Kmart site, with plans for on‑site childcare. The state committed $5 million toward the project -- follow the apartment build.
Housing as a pay boost: Battle Creek launched First Home, First Teacher, giving early educators free housing to boost pay. With median wages around $14 an hour and a 9,000-teacher shortage, stability is goal -- read how the program works.
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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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Go play, Calhoun County: When the kids are bouncing off the walls or your crew needs a midweek reset, Astro Fun World in Battle Creek brings go karts, laser tag, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, a ropes course with zip line, rock walls, VR rides, and a ticket-spewing arcade. Sanity restored.
Neighborhood park MVP: Bailey Park is where Battle Creek weekends just click, with ballfields buzzing, easy loops for a quick walk, kid-approved playground time, and plenty of space to picnic, toss a frisbee, or spectate a summer matchup.
Local plant pick-me-up: If your living room feels a little beige, Plumeria Botanical Boutique is the Battle Creek spot for happy houseplants, custom bouquets, and friendly advice that keeps them thriving. Swing by this week to find a leafy roommate or a gift that says I remembered and I have great taste.
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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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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.
🦖 Cretaceous Cineman: A Dino-Movie Series @ Albion District Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 2:00 PM – Need an excuse to sit in the A/C that doesn't involve pretending to organize the garage? The library’s rolling out free Wednesday afternoon dino movies all summer, big screen and bigger roars, ideal for entertaining grandkids, your inner eight-year-old, and avoiding yard work with dignity.
⚾ Battle Creek Battle Jacks vs. Royal Oak Leprechauns @ MCCU Field at C.O. Brown Stadium | Wednesday (6/24) at 7:05 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to swap yard work for baseball, here it is. The Battle Creek Battle Jacks host the Royal Oak Leprechauns at C.O. Brown Stadium, with peanuts, sunshine, and enough grumbling at the ump to feel like Cereal City summer.
🌍 Incredible Edible Earth @ Marshall District Library | Thursday (6/25) at 11:00 AM – Nothing beats geology you can eat, especially when the kids think it’s dessert. They’ll rebuild Earth’s layers from mantle to core with tasty treats, grades 2 to 5 welcome, younger with an adult, registration required, and you can pick from two time slots.
👨 Family Fun Day @ Battle Creek Central High School | Thursday (6/25) at 3:00 PM – Bring the crew to Family Fun Day, a free-for-the-whole-family shindig where the kids burn energy while you line them up for camp, guilt free. It's equal parts playtime and planning, with smiles, snacks, and that rare feeling of winning at parenting.
🧩 Lego Challenge @ Innovate Albion | Friday (6/26) at 1:00 PM – If your kid keeps engineering booby traps with bricks on the carpet, aim that genius at this LEGO SPIKE Prime challenge. For 3rd to 5th graders, it delivers a taste of FIRST Lego League teamwork, coding, and problem solving, minus the living room landmines.
🎨 Art Under the Albion Tower @ Crowell Park | Friday (6/26) at 4:00 PM – Whether you’re an art hoarder or just here for kettle corn, the 3rd annual Art Under the Albion Tower turns Crowell Park into a two-day neighborhood gallery, stage, and picnic. Local ceramics, prints, fabric arts, and live tunes, plus plenty of small-town people-watching.
🏃 Youth Village 5K Run/Walk @ New Level Sports Ministries (Battle Creek) | Saturday (6/27) at 8:00 AM – Battle Creek’s Youth Village 5K Run & Walk brings fitness, fellowship, and small-town cheer, perfect for trading chores for endorphins. Hosted by New Level Sports Ministries, expect a Kids 1-Mile, and a hot breakfast at awards, because pancakes beat PRs every time.
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 Calhoun County report Weather forecastToday — High: 75°F — Low: 57°F — Precip: 34%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. South southwest wind 1 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 77°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 23%
A slight chance of rain showers before 2pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. West southwest wind 5 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. This house is wildThis one-of-a-kind all-brick ranch offers over 4,000 finished square feet on 1.68 lush acres in the City of Marshall. Custom craftsmanship shines through rich woodwork, hardwood floors, walls of windows, and a dramatic spiral staircase. Multiple fireplaces, a finished lower level, heated garage, and fountain-lined courtyard add serious character and comfort.
Take a peek inside → |
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