City of Battle Creek, MI Government

09/13/2026

Here are more pictures from the 2026 Puppy Plunge at Flash Flood Waterpark! 🐾💦 From brave first dips to enthusiastic games of fetch, these pups made the most of one last splash of the season.

Thanks to everyone who joined the fun! Spot your pup? Tell us their name in the comments!

09/13/2026

Check out these happy photos from this afternoon from Downtown Battle Creek Zine. 🐾💦

Check back tomorrow for more pictures of the very good boys and girls who took over Flash Flood for Puppy Plunge 2026.

09/12/2026

Sometimes you just gotta send it. 🐾💦

09/12/2026

The sun is out. The pool is open. The dogs have taken over.

If your dog’s not at Flash Flood for Puppy Plunge, where they at? 🐕💦

09/11/2026

📢 A quick location reminder for next week’s Neighborhood Planning Council 4 meeting.

NPC 4 will meet Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Willard Library 2nd floor large conference room.

This is the group’s current meeting location while members work to secure a new space, so be sure to check the city calendar for any future location updates.

If you live, work or worship in the Fremont, Verona or McKinley neighborhoods, you’re welcome to join the conversation.

09/11/2026

Good Friday morning, neighbors -

U.S. and State of Michigan flags are to be lowered to half-staff today, Friday, Sept. 11, by order of both President Donald J. Trump and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in honor and observance of Patriot Day and the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. 🇺🇸

On Sept. 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City at 8:46 a.m. United Airlines Flight 175 subsequently was flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center at 9:03 a.m. In Arlington, Virginia, the Pentagon was hit by American Airlines Flight 77 at 9:37 a.m. At 10:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 93 passengers forced the aircraft down in a field outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after learning of the other attacks. By 10:28 a.m., both towers of the World Trade Center had collapsed.

The terrorist attacks claimed the lives of 2,977 Americans, including first responders who showed bravery in responding to the attacks and aiding the victims. By a joint resolution approved Dec. 18, 2001, the U.S. Congress designated Sept. 11 of each year as Patriot Day.

“On Patriot Day, we remember those we lost in the terrorist attacks on 9/11, honor those who serve, and recommit ourselves to standing up for what's right...This day reminds us to come together and cherish the fundamental American values we all love, freedom and opportunity. Let’s continue to stand united and work towards a brighter future.”
-Gov. Whitmer

➡️ Read Gov. Whitmer's full statement here: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2026/09/10/whitmer-lowers-flags-to-honor-patriot-day

"...Amid the ashes of Ground Zero, we made a solemn vow to Never Forget — a vow that must be renewed in every American heart, taught in every classroom, and honored in every community across our land."
-Pres. Trump

➡️ Read the full proclamation by Pres. Trump, here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/patriot-day-2026-the-25th-anniversary-of-the-september-11-terrorist-attacks/

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.

Flags should be returned to full staff Saturday, Sept. 12.

On the city website: https://www.battlecreekmi.gov/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/2550

09/10/2026

Looking for something to put on your calendar?

We've got a dog pool party this weekend, a blood drive next week, a children's health fair a month from today, and plenty of other community events sprinkled in between.

🐾 Puppy Plunge (this weekend)
https://www.facebook.com/events/1751851282530767

🩸 BCPD Blood Drive (Sept. 15)
https://www.facebook.com/events/1457532006216897

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Calhoun County Children's Health & Wellness Fair (Oct. 10)
https://www.facebook.com/events/834813349600061

Which one is making it onto your calendar?

09/10/2026

⚠️ Heads up, neighbors! The Battle Creek Police Department is sharing the following service change, regarding the processing of licenses to purchase a firearm, in effect for tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 11. ⚠️

⚠️ The Battle Creek Police Department is sharing the following service change, regarding the processing of licenses to purchase a firearm, in effect for tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 11. ⚠️

The BCPD Administrative/Records Division will be unable to process licenses to purchase a firearm Friday, Sept. 11. Regular hours for processing firearm purchase licenses - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday - will resume Monday, Sept. 14.

ℹ️ For more information about the process to obtain a license to purchase a firearm from the BCPD, visit: battlecreekmi.gov/261/AdministrativeRecords-Division

On the city website: https://alrt.se/u/Nn55u3s59x2

09/09/2026

♻️🍂 The City of Battle Creek, in coordination with the Battle Creek Area Clean Water Partners, would like to share a reminder of upcoming fall environmental events for our neighbors to participate in. 🍂♻️

From recycling opportunities to environmental stewardship activities, we hope our neighbors will get involved to help make our Battle Creek community a safer, cleaner, and more environmentally-friendly place to live, work, and play.

1️⃣ City of Battle Creek environmental events:

🍂 Republic Services Curbside Fall Cleanup
📅 Monday, Sept. 14 - Friday, Sept. 18
⏰ Neighbors’ regular trash pick-up day
📍 All fall cleanup materials should be bagged and placed neatly at the curb for collection on neighbors’ regular trash pick-up day, during the fall cleanup week.
Eligibility: This cleanup opportunity is open to neighbors living within the City of Battle Creek only.

♻️ Scrap Tire Recycling Collection - Battle Creek
📅 Monday, Sept. 14
⏰ 4 to 6 p.m.
📍 135 N. Washington Ave., Battle Creek (NEW location)
Eligibility: This event is open to neighbors living within the City of Battle Creek only.

♻️ Krazy for the Kazoo Stewardship Day
📅 Saturday, Oct. 3
⏰ 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m./noon
📍 Volunteers will meet at the City of Battle Creek Department of Public Works - located at 150 S. Kendall St., Battle Creek
Eligibility: This event is open to the public.

♻️ Styrofoam (Polystyrene #6) Recycling Collection
📅 Saturday, Oct. 24
⏰ 9 to 11 a.m.
📍 City of Battle Creek Department of Public Works - located at 150 S. Kendall St., Battle Creek
Eligibility: This event is open to neighbors living within the City of Battle Creek only.

2️⃣ Calhoun County countywide environmental events:

♻️ Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Collection
📅 Monday, Sept. 14
⏰ 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
📍 Calhoun County Fairgrounds - located at 720 Fair St., Marshall
Eligibility: This event is open to all neighbors living within Calhoun County.

♻️ Scrap Tire Recycling Collection - Marshall
📅 Friday, Sept. 25
⏰ 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Collection may end early, if the trailer is full.)
📍 The specific location (in Marshall) will be shared with registered attendees.
Register: To register for this scrap tire recycling collection, either call, 269-969-6395, or visit: https://arcg.is/05Pim
Eligibility: This event is open to all neighbors living within Calhoun County.

♻️ Scrap Tire Recycling Collection - Tekonsha
📅 Monday, Oct. 26
⏰ 12 p.m./noon to 5 p.m. (Collection may end early, if the trailer is full.)
📍 Tekonsha Village Offices - located at 537 N. Church St., Tekonsha
Eligibility: This event is open to all neighbors living within Calhoun County.

For more information about these environmental events, including complete lists of items that are and are not accepted at each event, visit:
ℹ️ City of Battle Creek events: bcwater.org/events
ℹ️ Calhoun County events: calhouncountymi.gov/departments/recycling_and_solid_waste/events.php

Read more on the city website: https://alrt.se/u/YGYYCLs7lg6

09/09/2026

🦴 Meet Caveman. 🦴
Don't let the name fool you... this guy's manners are very much modern-day gentleman. ❤️

One of our city team members took Caveman out for a lunchtime stroll yesterday and reported back:
✅ Super sweet
✅ A little shy at first
✅ Great on a leash
✅ Extremely cute

Caveman is an adult shepherd mix currently waiting for his forever home.

If you've been thinking about meeting a shelter dog but aren't ready to adopt, consider taking one out for a walk. It's a great way to help dogs get some exercise, enjoy some one-on-one attention, and show off who they really are outside the kennel.

And if that walk accidentally ends with a new dog sleeping on your couch tonight...well, Caveman wouldn't be mad about it. 🐕❤️