Good morning, Battle Creek.

United Way of South Central Michigan will honor eight volunteers during National Volunteer Week this week, including two from the Battle Creek area, with awards in categories from young adult to lifetime service.

Local legislators have submitted signed resolutions to recognize their contributions.

The Battle Creek Community Prayer Breakfast is set for May 5 at Kellogg Arena downtown from 7:25–9 a.m. Former MLB star Darryl Strawberry will deliver the keynote and youth mentor Raul Maysonet will share his testimony; tickets cost $20 and donations of $100 or more offer a meet-and-greet (event draws over 1,000 attendees).

The Calhoun County Senior Expo will be held on May 21 at Kellogg Arena from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature 100 vendors offering education, interactive displays (including live animal encounters), free refreshments and lunch while supplies last, and raffle giveaways for adults 60 plus and their caregivers.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources unveiled a new interactive map that color-codes fishing regulations on state waterways as the trout, inland walleye and northern pike seasons open Saturday, Apr.

25 — a tool that helps anglers check the rules quickly.

Sen. Stephanie Chang introduced Senate Bill 922 on April 23, which would require private insurers to cover fertility treatments including diagnostic care, egg retrieval, preservation services and embryo transfer—aiming to ease financial barriers for family building.

The proposal now moves to the Senate Committee on Finance, Insurance & Consumer Protection.

Tick season is underway and local health officials advise residents to dress appropriately outdoors, use insect repellent, and check for ticks (to prevent Lyme disease) when hiking or working in their yards.

Battle Creek readers can vote in the Enquirer's Best of Battle Creek series as local high school softball teams feature top pitchers nominated by coaches (including Dakoda Carpenter and Layne Churchill) with online polls closing next Tuesday at noon.

Peyton Rhoades, a senior on Pennfield girls soccer, earned the Bronson Battle Creek Athlete of the Week honor for April 18 after winning 81% of fan votes and scoring 10 goals in her first three games of the season—her four-goal game helped secure a win.

The Joe League Basketball Tournament

10 AM – 4 PM — Kellogg Arena — General Admission $10 — Exciting basketball tournament returning to Battle Creek with team registrations available.