Subscribe | Get featured

Hi Calhoun County, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Jack in the Box comeback, a former Kmart reborn as housing and childcare, and the VA’s new records system + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next 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.

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

First of five planned: Jack in the Box plans an April 2026 comeback on Capital Avenue SW in Battle Creek, though date remains uncertain. Construction caused lane closures by Country Inn and Suites — see where else it’s planned.

Transformative project takes shape: Battle Creek’s $30.2 million Blue Light project will turn the former Kmart site into housing and childcare, including an 80-unit building. The city approved a 50-year PILOT to support it — get all the details.

Seamless care for veterans: Congressman Tom Barrett is overseeing the VA’s new electronic health record rollout as Battle Creek, Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Saginaw VA hospitals prepare to go live on April 11 — see how the transition 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.

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.

All the crowd favorites:

• Create stunning crushed glass resin art
• Read in cozy silence at Anne-Marie’s
• Join the library’s Yarn Craft Club
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 This week’s top finds

Make movie night easy: Bohm Theatre pairs new releases with the occasional throwback or live event, split between the historic main room and Bohm II. When your couch gets judgy, trade sweatpants for popcorn and let this hometown spot give your week a low-key win.

Saucy midweek upgrade: When cravings strike, Time To Wing It fries in beef tallow and drenches wings in Gold Digger and Whata Jerk, with legit loaded fries and creamy mac on the side. Ideal for game night, couch night, or that oops-you-skipped-the-grocery-run evening.

Freshen up, all‑in‑one: Running low on haircare or beauty staples and craving a quick trim? Superior Beauty Supply & Barber Salon is part beauty supply, part barbershop, under one friendly roof, so you can restock and refresh in one stop… perfect for a midweek reset without trekking across town.

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. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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.

🔬 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.

🎨 Crushed Glass Crafting Party @ Plumeria Botanical Boutique (Battle Creek) | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – Plumeria Botanical Boutique in Battle Creek is hosting a crushed glass and resin crafting party, no experience required. Think stained glass’s cousin, and someone else handles the mess. Pick a butterfly, hummingbird, or sunflower, with guidance from Art Bend’s Julian, and grab a spot.

🔨 Oaklawn Benefit Auction @ Venue 19Zero9 (Marshall) | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Two weeks of online bidding, then a Friday the 13th gala that’s more good karma than bad luck. Strolling apps, a carving station, an open bar, games, JimJam’s acoustic set, and bids that fuel Oaklawn’s Oncology and Hematology care, because this town shows up.

🎭 “Disaster!” @ Binda Performing Arts Center (Battle Creek) | Friday (3/13) at 7:30 PM – KCC Theatre is unleashing “Disaster!”, a jukebox romp where a floating casino opens, calamity ensues, and ’70s anthems from Queen to Stevie trail you to your seat at the Binda Performing Arts Center. Think vintage disaster movies, polyester, and guilty-pleasure singalongs, minus the actual evacuation.

🐕 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.

🧈 How to Make Butter Class @ Cornwell’s Turkeyville (Marshall) | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Ever wanted to churn your own butter without moving to a farm? This hands-on class takes you from cream to spread, includes lunch in the restaurant, and runs $65 per person. Simple, fun, and your toast will never be the same.

☘ Battle Creek Master Singers @ First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek | Sunday (3/15) at 4:00 PM – St. Patrick’s Day at First Presbyterian means one thing, the Battle Creek Master Singers filling the sanctuary with Irish tunes, and no green beer in sight. Dr. Clayton Parr keeps it classy, Trillium Irish Band brings the jig, and tickets are $15 adults, $12 kids.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Calhoun County report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 57°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 1%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Southwest wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Southwest wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

—

Tomorrow – High: 67°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 67. Southwest wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

Most popular house this week

This 4,500 sq ft retreat commands over 100 feet of all-sports Lyon Lake frontage, with sweeping water views from multiple rooms. A magnificent game room sets the stage for epic gatherings. A massive 5-car pole barn houses boats and ATVs, and two private pickleball courts bring the fun outside, creating a true lakeside playground.

Take a peek inside →