Black Squirrel News
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Barefoot Blonde keeps Calhoun County dancing
By Nick J. Buckley for Black Squirrel News BATTLE CREEK — The first time Julie Lahr sang professionally, she kicked off her shoes. Nervous and tangled in microphone cords while performing in heels, Lahr decided she would feel more comfortable…
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Bombshell finds freedom in rock music
By Nick J. Buckley for Black Squirrel News PENNFIELD TWP. — As the opening riff of Kiss’ “Rock and Roll All Nite” echoed through a pole barn, the members of Bombshell rehearsed in a circle surrounded by amplifiers, cables and…
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Calhoun County nonprofits feel pressure amid funding uncertainty
Survey offers snapshot of challenges facing local service organizations By Nick J. Buckley for Black Squirrel News BATTLE CREEK — The nonprofits many Calhoun County residents rely on for food, child care, housing, health care, transportation and other needs are…
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May 7, 2026
Battle Creek storm cleanup goes citywide May 11 Source: City of Battle Creek The citywide storm debris cleanup begins the week of May 11. This is when neighbors are invited to present their finest fallen shrubbery for pickup. Pregnant in…
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Cinco de Mayo 2026
Hundreds attended the annual Battle Creek Cinco de Mayo celebration at Festival Market Square in downtown Battle Creek on Saturday, May 2, 2026. The event is hosted by the nonprofit Voces. Photos by Nick J. Buckley / For Black Squirrel…
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For the history books: Genealogical Society dissolves after nearly 40 years
The Calhoun County Genealogical Society connected family history researchers across the county and helped preserve local records. Nick J. Buckley for Black Squirrel News Historian Brenda Leyndyke stood before a crowd at Willard Library on April 28, sharing stories from…
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Apr. 30, 2026
BC Regional History Museum expands exhibits After years of volunteer work and hundreds of thousands in donations, they now have the space to bring items out of the vault, including a kettle used to produce some of Battle Creek’s first…
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7 fun facts about the animals at Binder Park Zoo
By Annie Kelley / For Black Squirrel News BATTLE CREEK — Binder Park Zoo opened on Earth Day. The good weather over the weekend had the animals out and active – especially the giraffes, who wanted lots of romaine lettuce.…
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Apr. 23, 2026
Albion moves forward on trees: Community, college and city join forces Source: Albion Recorder On April 1, a community email landed in dozens of inboxes with a subject line that pulled no punches: “Albion Tree Apocalypse Now!” — residents packed…
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Victim advocacy at the heart of Kayla Davis’ local true crime podcast
Calhoun County Storytellers: Kayla Davis By Lucy Hough / For Black Squirrel News BATTLE CREEK — When Kayla Davis couldn’t find a true crime podcast about the Battle Creek area, she started thinking about making one herself. “Well, could I…