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Hello Calhoun County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Inclusive bakery jobs, walk your dog or human hike, and a midwinter luau + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Calhoun County protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Safety for roadside responders: Calhoun County deputies boost March enforcement for Move Over or Get Pulled Over, reminding drivers to change lanes and slow at least 10 mph for authorized vehicles with flashing lights — see what the law requires.

Championing inclusive opportunities: In Battle Creek, DelectAble Treats and Sweets opens doors to jobs for people with disabilities, inspired by a local mom and her teens. Interest is strong there’s a waiting list — read the full story.

Cities capitalize on visitor momentum: Battle Creek has joined Michigan tourism leaders as US travel demand surges, with official reports highlighting fresh gains for local hotels, restaurants, jobs, and investment across the region — see how cities fit in.

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.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Albion Knitters gather at Stirling Books
• Craft, connect, and support Relay For Life
• Pitch, learn, and taste Michigan food
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Sweet pie fix: You don’t need an excuse, just swing by Continental Pastries and Deli for slices spanning the classics (apple, cherry, blueberry) and creamy day-makers (banana, chocolate, coconut). Ideal for weeknight desserts, subtle coworker bribery, or convincing yourself you really only wanted one bite.

Brighten up your week: Plumeria Botanical Boutique nails modern, artful arrangements and stocks a lively mix of houseplants. For birthdays, just because, or an emergency vibe upgrade, their designers turn vague ideas into spot-on blooms that feel personal and local, in the best way.

Need a vertical fix? If the climbing gym search comes up dry, Branch Gymnastics delivers obstacle courses, trampolines, bars, and enough hang-time to light up your forearms. Shake off winter energy, sneak in some grip work, and leave grinning. A solid stand-in for sending, and simply fun.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🎶 BCA Band Fundraiser @ Finley’s Grill & Smokehouse (Battle Creek, MI) | Thursday (3/12) at 4:00 PM – Skip cooking and head to Finley’s Gill & Smokehouse to feed yourself, and the BCA band’s tour fund. They need 30 folks, then 10% of profits go to the band; just say you’re there for the fundraiser, or call it in. Order ribs, underwrite culture.

🔬 Community Science Fair @ Innovate Albion | Thursday (3/12) at 5:30 PM – Science fair season is coming, and INNOVATE Albion has four kid-friendly workshops to help K to 8 students nail their projects, from hypothesis to presentation. Parents attend too, yes, you. It’s free with registration, which is required, and doubles as quality time disguised as science.

🐕 Walk Your Dog or Human Hike @ Historic Bridge Park (Battle Creek) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Leash up the pup, or convince your favorite human they need fresh air, for a 4 to 6 mile wander with the Chief Noonday crew. No racing, just trail chatter, wagging tails, and that smug “I earned my brunch” feeling.

🌺 Luau Party @ Horrocks & Company (Battle Creek) | Saturday (3/14) at 3:00 PM – Horrocks is turning the greenhouse into a midwinter luau, with a tiki bar, kids games, leis, and a DJ keeping the contests lively. Fuel up at Flying F Smoked Meats, catch Whiskey Before Breakfast inside, and wear your loudest shirt, because Michigan.

🏆 3rd Annual 3v3 Tournament @ Marshall High School | Sunday (3/15) at 9:00 AM – Think your kid’s crossover can still humble you? Marshall’s 3v3 youth tourney brings grades 3 to 8 to Marshall High for medals, T-shirts, and bragging rights, all supporting youth sports. Two games guaranteed, $120 per team, limited spots, sponsors welcome for $200.

⛸ Open Skate @ The Rink Battle Creek | Sunday (3/15) at 4:00 PM – Craving some ice time that doesn’t involve yelling at refs? Open Skate at The Rink in Battle Creek is easy fun, with rentals from toddler 8 to adult 13, and free skate aids for wobbly knees. Bring the kids, balance, and a sense of humor.

🥫 Clarence Township Fire Department Food Drive @ Clarence Township Hall (Albion) | Monday (3/16) at 9:00 AM – Do a pantry clean-out for good and drop nonperishables at Clarence Township Hall during regular hours. Thanks to South Michigan Food Bank, it stays local, and yes, there’s a free sticker. No cans handy? Chip in a few bucks, or sign up to volunteer.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Calhoun County report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 61°F – Low: 26°F – Precip: 86%

Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 61, with temperatures falling to around 43 in the afternoon. West southwest wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers before 7pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 7pm and 8pm. Mostly cloudy. Low around 26, with temperatures rising to around 28 overnight. West northwest wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 43°F – Low: 33°F – Precip: 4%

Sunny, with a high near 43. West northwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain and snow showers between 8pm and 2am, then rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Southwest wind 5 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

This house is wild

This brand-new single-story home in Albion delivers easy living with a primary suite, main-level laundry, and a sunny front porch. A full basement with an egress window invites future expansion, while a handy storage shed keeps gear organized. Fresh finishes, a thoughtful floor plan, and low-maintenance convenience make this smart and stylish.

Take a peek inside →