Battle Creek enterprise stories

At the Battle Creek Enquirer, I wrote weekly enterprise stories on a variety of topics from the growing marijuana industry to the struggles a private university faced and how it addressed them. 

The city of Battle Creek plans to remove the emblem inside a stained-glass window at city hall. 

City to remove stained-glass window depicting city's seal
The headline from a September 1967 Battle Creek Enquirer article posed the question: "Is City Seal Racist?"

To save itself, Albion College is investing in downtown Albion

When Mauri Ditzler became president of Albion College in 2014, enrollment had been declining for nine straight years and the college was spending millions more each year than it was taking in.

Under former CEO, Summit Pointe misspent millions
Erv Brinker admitted to taking $510,000 meant to serve the mental health needs of the most vulnerable members of the community and giving it to a psychic in Key West. But, according to a new audit from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, he misspent millions.

Marijuana investments are flowing into Calhoun County. Most communities want no part.
A decade after medical marijuana became legal in Michigan, residents and elected officials alike are still divided on the benefits and drawbacks of legalization. But for Marshall, allowing medical marijuana companies in its borders seems to be turning out well.

Does Calhoun County need a countywide transit system?
Riders in their safety glasses and steel-toe boots clutch their lunch boxes as they board the Fort Custer/VA Hospital Battle Creek Transit bus. The fare: $1.25. They straighten their company-branded hats and jackets and take their seats.

$400 million Marshall Energy Center on track and already promoting development
Scott Fleming understood from the start a $400 million natural gas-fired power plant would be a big deal.

Weed is legal. Now what?
Seth Miller voted to legalize recreational marijuana because he doesn't think anyone over the age of 21 "should have to go to jail or dirty up their resume to smoke a plant."

Battle Creek got $3.9 million more than it had budgeted for, then it got a lot less
Battle Creek got $3.9 million from the state in 2016 that the city hadn't budgeted for.

Calhoun County ranks 4th in the state for elevated lead tests
S.A.F.E. Place, a domestic abuse shelter in Battle Creek, got a citation from the city for the peeling and chipping exterior paint in May 2017. While getting quotes to have the paint issue addressed, a much larger issue cropped up.