With an economic development organization that is the envy of many communities, Battle Creek is a city building on its food industry roots and the land area is the third largest of Michigan cities. For fun, each year the Cereal City, headquarters to the Kellogg Co., celebrates the significance of the most important meal of the day with the World’s Longest Breakfast table. Bikers, cyclers and joggers take in the parks, forests and streams linked by a 24-mile linear park. Campers and outdoor lovers visit Fort Custer Recreation area for fishing, hiking, cross country skiing and boating. For animal lovers, African creatures, like giraffes, and Asian animals, like snow leopards, make the Binder Park Zoo a must. The Battle Creek Art Center and Battle Creek Symphony stoke the city’s cultural offerings and the Firekeepers Casino adds to the city’s fun side. B.C’s Math and Science Center is acclaimed, and secondary education needs are accommodated by Kellogg Community College, Robert B. Miller College and a branch of Western Michigan University. And Sojourner Truth, who lived here, watches over downtown from the memorial in her honor.
Cuban immigrant Ariel Martinez Ochoa of Battle Creek was honored for his work in healthcare after just three years in the U.S., but his dreams are on hold as he awaits a long-delayed Green Card. Despite the recognition, immigration backlogs threaten to stall his next steps.
“We are the only Veterans organization in Southwest Michigan doing what we’re doing. I like to call us a neutral spot. We don’t care what branch of the service you were in or what your discharge status is. People I’ve talked to have said it’s about time."
A $1.5 million EPA Brownfield grant will help revitalize vacant and contaminated properties in Calhoun County. Led by the Calhoun County Land Bank and its partners, the initiative aims to pave the way for future housing and commercial development, particularly in Battle Creek and Albion.
Bridgett Blough and Trent Thompson of Of The Land in Battle Creek are redefining weddings with their June 7 Elopement Day, offering intimate ceremonies for just $2,900 — well below the national average.
Antiques expert Jack Girsbach will speak at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum on May 10, sharing tips on spotting valuable finds and stories from his collection. The event explores the evolving appeal of collecting across generations.
“The development of Ott Biological Preserve has been a labor of love for the County Parks Department for years. This grant allowed us to really establish a strong trailhead at this location, rather than just a dirt lot."
Thanks to a service learning history course at Kellogg Community College, students get hands-on experience bringing history to life at the Kimball House Museum.
Social emotional learning, violence disruption, and financial education are some of the youth programs that will be expanded at R.I.S.E. Battle Creek thanks to a $250,000 W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant.
“It’s quite a coup that we were able to bring (Anderson & Roe) here,” says BCSO Director Anne Harrigan of the well-known piano duo. "The way they play and interact with each other is something you don’t see every day.”
On the Ground Project Editor Jane Parikh and OTG Photographer John Grap headed out this past Saturday to find out why people were participating in the Hands Off! Rally in Battle Creek. See also the video interviews that demonstrate the wide variety of reasons people chose to protest.
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