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Hi Janesville, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Former GM site redevelopment debate, beloved bar demolished for an $8B data center, and women’s history panel + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Wisconsin drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Next chapter up for debate: The future of Janesville’s former GM and JATCO site remains uncertain after city officials and residents met Feb. 24 to discuss potential redevelopment and possible new uses for the property — see what’s being discussed.

Early detection saves lives: Free cancer screenings will be offered in Janesville on April 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. at HealthNet of Rock County, with walk-ins welcome and appointments available by phone — get all the details.

Beloved bar’s bittersweet farewell: The Zoxx Social Club next to the former GM Janesville plant was demolished on February 26 as the city pursues an $8 billion data center after seizing property last summer — read the full story.

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.*

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Quilt Black Diamonds with Bill Hoernke
• Daddy Daughter Dance benefits Janesville Community Center
• Celebrate Pokémon with crafts and games

💎 This week’s top finds

Chicago-dog cravings, solved: JD’s Lunchbox rolls out jumbo all-beef Chicago dogs, chili dogs, and Italian beef that hits the nostalgia button. Low-key, friendly vibes, big flavors, and zero fuss… the perfect midweek or weekend pick-me-up when dinner needs to be easy.

Time for a slice: Road Dawg Family Restaurant dishes up from-scratch comfort and homemade pies that taste like your neighbor’s grandma still runs the kitchen. When a sweet finish sounds right, a slice after lunch hits the spot, and another travels well for later.

Upgrade your sandwich game: Janesville’s Sandwich Bar turns the humble handheld into a small celebration. Think inventive combos, crispy fries you’ll “share,” and a friendly bar when the day calls for calm. Ideal for midweek moods, it’s easygoing, flavorful, and a little cheeky without trying too hard.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 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 →

Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →

Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →

Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →

📆 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.

🌿 Lunch & Learn: Maximizing Sensory Engagement in the Garden @ Edgerton Hospital | Wednesday (3/18) at 12:00 PM – Bring your lunch, and let Healing Garden manager Mark Dwyer show you how to make the backyard work all five senses, not just the mower. Think color, birdsong, fragrance, nibbles, and textures, turning pretty into therapeutic, and your stress into mulch.

🛍 Spring Sip & Shop @ The Coffee Depot (Beloit) | Saturday (3/21) at 8:00 AM – Take a breather from chores and pop into The Coffee Depot for a Spring Sip & Shop with Misty Creek Boutique. Sip the new spring drinks, browse easy layers and soft hues that whisper functional adult, enjoy coffee, community, and a little retail therapy.

🛍 Easter Market Vendor Fair @ Mount Calvary Lutheran Church | Saturday (3/21) at 9:00 AM – Spring cleaning can wait, the Easter Market at Mount Calvary is stacked with makers, handmade décor, gifts, and dangerously good baked treats. Shop small, bump into half the neighborhood, and feel smug knowing proceeds support education and faith programs for kids and families. Bring coffee.

🐰 Easter Photo Day Fundraiser @ Rock County Honda | Saturday (3/21) at 10:00 AM – Rock County Honda is leaning into spring with an Easter Bunny photo day that does some good. Hunt eggs between shiny SUVs, get a donation-based family pic with the fluffy celebrity, and meet some four-legged VIPs, all benefiting the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin.

♀ Women’s History Panel @ Milton House Museum | Saturday (3/21) at 11:30 AM – If you’ve been meaning to trade your podcast queue for real people, head to Milton House Museum’s first-ever Women’s History Panel for an afternoon of sharp stories and perspective. Four speakers, four topics, no fluff. Five bucks includes a light lunch, and conversation.

🎗 Meat Raffle and Bake Sale Benefit for Corrie “Shorty” Johnson @ Alona’s Alibi (Beloit) | Saturday (3/21) at 2:00 PM – Small-town kindness pairs with big appetites at a meat raffle and bake sale helping Corrie “Shorty” Johnson’s family with funeral expenses. Bring cash, a sweet tooth, and a cooler, because doing good while winning steaks and snagging cookies is peak community, no dress code required.

🍞 Sourdough Basics @ Fermenting Cellars Winery | Sunday (3/22) at 2:00 PM – Retire the grocery-store doorstop loaf, and let a pro walk you through starter care, shaping, and that glorious bake. You leave with goodies for home, real know-how, and a support group that sticks around longer than a New Year’s resolution.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Janesville report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 53°F – Low: 16°F – Precip: 99%

A slight chance of rain before 7am, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and a slight chance of rain between 7am and 8am, then rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 53. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: Rain and a slight chance of sleet and a slight chance of thunderstorms before 7pm, then sleet and rain between 7pm and 9pm, then snow and sleet between 9pm and 10pm, then snow and areas of blowing snow. Cloudy, with a low around 16. North wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 21°F – Low: 3°F – Precip: 92%

Snow and areas of blowing snow. Cloudy, with a high near 21. Northwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible. Later: A chance of snow and patchy blowing snow before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 3. Northwest wind 5 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Most popular house this week

Bright ranch with vaulted ceilings and abundant windows feels airy. Newer flooring and fresh paint set a modern tone. Breakfast-bar kitchen opens to a west-facing patio for sunsets, and perennial beds bring color. Primary suite, lower-level family room and full bath add flexibility. Tucked away near the edge of town with access to Hwy 51, Hwy 11, and the Interstate.

Take a peek inside →