Hello Janesville! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: NeeDoh toy craze, touch-a-truck, and Great Scott magic for kids + 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.
Toy craze takes off: Earlier this month, Janesville kids lined up for NeeDoh, the trending squishy toy. Polyurethane covered and pliable, it began as a stress reliever and has grown into a summer craze -- see the NeeDoh craze.
Summer fun for everyone: Nearby Beloit Public Library is hosting more than 250 free summer events, from book clubs to live music and free meals. The Summer Reading Challenge runs through August 1 -- see the full lineup.
Expanding local homeownership: Habitat for Humanity received five Beloit residential lots from the Hendricks family to build affordable single-family homes in Rock County. Fundraising for construction is underway -- learn how to support it.
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.*
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Weekend bloom therapy: Clover Creek Gardens is a homegrown flower farm with a self-serve farm stand, grab-n-go bouquets, potted plants, and homemade goodies. When you need a mood boost, wander their u-pick field and butterfly meadow, a certified haven for monarchs and wildlife, then take home your DIY bouquet.
Claw-grab bragging rights: Whether you’re chasing plushies, trading cards, or odd little treasures, Goodtimes Clawcade lines up 20-plus claw machines, a few video games, and token-powered fun. Family friendly, low-key, and weirdly satisfying, it’s an easy micro-adventure right here in town.
Park day, nailed it: With the super-accessible CAMDEN playground, the refreshed Palmer Pool for splashy kiddos, courts to burn off energy, and shady spots perfect for snack diplomacy, Palmer Park is the easy win when you need low-effort, high-smile time this week. Pack sunscreen, maybe a frisbee.
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04 — Our recommendations
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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.
🚛 Touch-A-Truck @ Telfer Park (Beloit) | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – Whether your kids idolize dump trucks, or you secretly do, Telfer Park becomes a hands-on playground of honking, climbable rigs. It’s free, weather permitting, and this year adds a bike rodeo with local cyclists, because summer loves chain grease and torque talk.
🎆 Rock Aqua Jays Star Spangled Concert @ Traxler Park | Friday (6/26) at 7:00 PM – Summer kickoff by the river means lawn chairs, live sets from Jacks Basement Band and End Fight Scene, amusement rides, and food trucks, obviously. The kids get spins, you get music and curds, and everyone’s home before your back files a formal complaint.
🏃 Move Beloit - 5K Run/Walk + Family Fun Fest @ Harry C Moore Pavilion, Riverside Park | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’re chasing a PR or a stroll, this 5K loops Riverside Park, starting and finishing by the Harry Moore Pavilion. Free yoga after and a Family Fun Fest for kids, with proceeds helping keep Beloit’s kids healthy, active, and happy. Cardio, community, tidy conscience.
🎬 Community Movie Night @ Faith Community Church | Saturday (6/27) at 6:30 PM – Neighborhood movie night is screening David from Angel Studios, an inspiring pick that pairs nicely with familiar faces and no multiplex chaos. Expect fellowship, conversation, and that small-town vibe where you recognize half the crowd, then chat with the other half.
🏒 Girls Try Hockey For Free! @ Woodman's Sports & Convention Center | Sunday (6/28) at 12:50 PM – Got a kiddo who thinks the living room rug is center ice? Let her try the rink at Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center, where girls 4–14 skate for free, beginners welcome, gear provided, volunteers on the ice, and yes, a bike helmet works, plus gloves.
🧺 Palmer Park Picnic & Pool Party @ Palmer Park | Sunday (6/28) at 3:00 PM – Palmer Park is hosting a free picnic and pool party with a taco bar potluck, playground time, and the new pool’s zero-depth entry and splashy features. Low-key neighborhood hang where the kids wear out while you chat, swap salsa tips, and appreciate actual bathrooms.
🪄 Tuesday Fun: Great Scott It Must Be Magic @ Hedberg Public Library | Tuesday (6/30) at 2:00 PM – Great Scott, take the kids to a 'Magical Archaeology Adventure,' where artifacts appear, puppets crack jokes, and the soundtrack keeps them wiggling, not whining. Plenty of participation, so yours can be the assistant, not your phone. Walk in, watch jaws drop, leave heroes, no sign-ups.
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 Janesville report Weather forecastToday — High: 77°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 74%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 7am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 2pm and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. West wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 76°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 8%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. This house is wildThis 4-bedroom, 3-bath Janesville home pairs standout craftsmanship with a long list of smart upgrades. The kitchen brings abundant storage, generous counter space, and a bold center island, while the primary suite adds a soothing jet tub. A finished walk-out basement, dry bar, built-in stereo, central vac, and private treed deck round out the package.
Take a peek inside → |
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