Consumers Energy today announced plans to provide more electric vehicles for its employees -- a major step toward a clean energy future for Michigan.

Consumers Energy President and CEO Patti Poppe said this morning that the company is now buying or leasing electric vehicles instead of purchasing new sedans that rely on gasoline. Poppe and an official from General Motors also announced the start of a pilot program to test smart charging for electric vehicle owners.          

Blains Farm & Fleet is delighted to announce the grand opening celebration of its first new full-service Michigan store on September 20-22.

Please come tour the new store and see firsthand what makes this community focused, family-owned and operated store so unique. Meet Jane Blain Gilbertson, the 2nd generation CEO of Blain’s Farm & Fleet, who can can share more about Blain’s history and Midwestern roots – as Blain’s has been serving Midwest families and communities since 1955 with 39 stores in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa… and now Michigan! Blain’s is proud that in six decades it has never left a community where it has built a store.

The Jackson Tractor Supply store is partnering with Saving Innocent Souls (SIS) to support the rescue's animal adoption program.  

The rural lifestyle retailer, which is a one-stop shop for all things pet, including a wide variety of food, treats, toys, crates, carriers, training tools and health supplements, will help alleviate needs and support important program initiatives.

The community is invited to participate in the 34th  annual Henry Ford Allegiance Race to Health and Step by Step Family Wellness Day on Saturday, September 22. Our vision is to create Michigan’s healthiest community through exceptional health care and inspiring a passion for wellness. This special community event supports that vision by encouraging people of all ages to develop healthier lifestyles through physical activity.

Saturday, September 29th marks the 6th annual Unleash Your Heart Gala for Cascades Humane Society. The Gala is Cascades Humane Society’s largest fundraiser of the year. As the name implies, it is a lovely evening out, featuring dinner, dessert, musical entertainment by Big Foot Bob, silent auction, raffles, and a live auction featuring Scott Clow as our auctioneer. The Gala is in its third year at the Country Club of Jackson.

The members of the Grand River Environmental Action Team (G.R.E.A.T.) have the next activity scheduled for Saturday, September 8. This will be a Clean-up of the Grand River and will run from at 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM starting and ending in downtown Jackson.

Jackson, MI – American 1 Credit Union and Jackson School of the Arts “go way back.” According to Jackson School of the Arts Executive Director Kim Curtis, “American 1 Credit Union was our first Corporate Sponsor. It began when American 1 chose us as the benefactor for the funds raised by their high school talent competition called American 1 Teen Idol.  Our partnership began in 2007 and has continued to grow since then.”

Jackson, Michigan—Henry Ford Allegiance Health will host a community celebration to celebrate its centennial anniversary and the grand opening of its new patient tower. The three-story, 59,000 square-foot tower, located above the existing Heart & Vascular Center, creates a total of 66 new private rooms to provide a quieter, more healing environment for a truly patient-centered experience.

The NASCAR Foundation is bringing its Speediatrics Fun Day Festival, which is dedicated to inspiring children to lead a healthy lifestyle, to Michigan International Speedway for the first time. Children in attendance will be treated to NASCAR-themed field day activities and driver meet-and-greets. In addition, children will be provided healthy snacks as a reminder about the importance of healthy eating habits and physical fitness. The festival will be at Graves Farm Campground (12626 US-12 Brooklyn, Michigan) on Friday, Aug. 10; 9 a.m.-11 a.m.