Inside Calhoun County

The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners approved more than half a million dollars from opioid settlement funds in September 2025. The funds were awarded to seven Calhoun County organizations after a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott returns to Inside Calhoun County to discuss the opioid settlement funds from which these awards we...

Calhoun County Commissioner Matt Saxton, elected in 2024, is no stranger to the workings of county government. Saxton served as Calhoun County Sheriff for eight years, also working for the sheriff's office since the mid-1990's. Saxton also serves as the executive director of the Michigan Sheriff's Association, a post he has held since 2020. Commissioner Saxton joins Inside Calhoun C...

Lt. Chris Young oversees the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Management, which helps various county entities plan for and respond to emergencies. On this episode of Inside Calhoun County, Lt. Young talks about the three things parents should know when preparing to get their kids back to school. Some of them may not be what you expect. Episode Resources Calhoun County Office of Em...

In this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Commissioner Gary Tompkins offers some insight on what motivates him to serve in District 7.  First elected in 2016, Commissioner Tompkins discusses his three-pillars view of service, priorities he sees in the district and county, as well as how to sign up for his newsletter. Episode Resources Calhoun County Board of Commissioners website Calhoun County G...

Brent Thelen, Calhoun County GIS manager, visits with Inside Calhoun County to talk about how the Geographical Information System is used in the county. GIS has been integral in advancing reference information beyond the "flat map" for a number of years in Calhoun County. Episode Resources Calhoun County GIS website Calhoun County Government website Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produ...

Calling it a critical upgrade, the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority (CCCDA) completed an upgrade of the countywide public safety radio system. The launch "...represents a major step forward in ensuring that all our emergency responders can communicate seamlessly, regardless of jurisdiction,” said CCCDA Executive Director Michael Armitage. “This is a game-changer for public safet...

Quality of life through community open space is important for residents in Calhoun County. The Calhoun County Parks Commission mission, vision and guiding principles - along with the parks millage - support these community assets. Calhoun County Assistant Director of Community Development Lucy Hough joins Inside Calhoun County to look into the overall view of parks - as well as some new things for...

Participation in jury service is a supportive function citizens provide in a free society. But, it can be intimidating for some - and the process may not be clear. Calhoun County 37th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Sarah Lincoln provides perspective - and encouragement for jury service in this episode of Inside Calhoun County . Episode Resources Calhoun County Jury Services Information Inside Calhou...

In the warm weather months, risks of disease spread by mosquitos and ticks have the greatest impact. Those can include Lyme Disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Calhoun County Public Health Department experts Eric Pessell and Stephanie Hanchett discuss how monitoring for these insects is done locally, as well as precautions every resi...

Potholes. Cold mix asphalt. Hot mix asphalt. Those are some of the words you start to hear when spring starts to make itself known - and Calhoun County Road Department crews get busy. But, in this episode of Inside Calhoun County , we learn from Road Department Director Kristine Parsons the planning for pothole patching and summer road projects starts long before potholes start popping up. Episode...

Another in the so-called "problem-solving" courts in Calhoun County, the Sobriety Court is one that seeks to help some who are battling addiction - and who qualify - a chance to change their lives. On this episode of Inside Calhoun County , we learn from Judge Jason Bomia and Treatment Court Coordinator Zachary Knaus about the process, who qualifies, and the potential for a life-changing...

On the cusp of severe weather season, springtime is typically when emergency preparedness experts talk about how to get ready for situations in which people may have to evacuate their homes. But, the infomration is good any time of the year. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County, Lt. Chris Young - who oversees the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Management - discusses five thi...

Before her annual report to the community on the state of the county on February 20, 2025, Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott looked back at 2024 and ahead to 2025 with Inside Calhoun County. The highlights include the county's ability to be agile with turnover, both among county staff and the Board of Commissioners. Administrator Scott also discussed the county's strong...

The Calhoun County Land Bank Authority's Calhoun Builders Connection began, through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, as a way to encourage BIPOC contractors to bid on local projects. It has developed into not only that, but a wider effort to help local contractors advance their businesses and careers while also tending to the growing local need. In this episode of Inside Calhoun Coun...

Calhoun County's Board of Commissioners is elected by local voters who serve seven different districts. In 2025, Inside Calhoun County is spending time with each of them in order to introduce them to listers and residents. Dr. Monique French, pastor of the Washington Heights United Methodist Church and Community, serves as the Calhoun County commissioner in District 2. In this episode, we lea...

What are the road clearing priorities in Calhoun County in wintertime? What happens when it is too cold for salt to melt snow and ice on roads? Calhoun County Road Department Interim Executive Director Kristine Parsons and Interim Deputy Director Kori Albrecht answer those questions and more in this episode of Inside Calhoun County. Episode Resources Calhoun County Road Department website Calhoun...

After the November 2024 election, some voters in Calhoun County may be wanting to better understand the election process, given two recounts which took place. Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds Kimberly Hinkley returns to I nside Calhoun County to talk about the preparation, execution and post-election steps - including when a recount is requested. Episode Resources Calhoun County voting i...

Following the November 2024 election, several new Calhoun County commissioners-elect were readying to be sworn in and begin service - as were a couple of incumbents. The 2024 Calhoun County Board Chair Derek King joins Inside Calhoun County to share perspective on how commissioners - especially new ones - get oriented and hit the ground running once sworn in. Episode Resources Calhoun County Board...

For more than a decade, police officers in Calhoun County have participated in an effort to take local young people Christmas shopping who otherwise may not have the chance. As we learn from Calhoun County Undersheriff Tim Hurtt and Emmett Township Public Safety Lt. Tony Geigle, the event involves a lot of support from many folks - and can make longstanding connections in a child's formative...

The Calhoun County Treasurer's Office understands that when you are facing a potential property foreclosure, it is scary. This might cause the property owner to "freeze" and not respond to outreach from the Treasurer's office. As we learn in this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Deputy Treasurer Melinda Weaver shares why reaching out to the Treasurer's office can help re...

Absentee voting. Early voting. Voting on Election Day. it's all possible in Calhoun County! But, as Calhoun County Clerk/Register of Deeds Kim Hinkley points out, there are important things to know before you choose and go ahead with your voting plans. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Clerk Hinkley talks about those she views as the top five. Episode Resources Calhoun County voting...

Sometimes called "problem-solving" courts, treatment courts are specialized to help individuals receive treatment they need in order to provide a new path. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Judge Mike Jaconette and the Mental Health Treatment Court team discuss the goals of the court, how it works and how lives can be changed. Episode Resources Calhoun County Mental Health Treat...

In a previous Inside Calhoun County episode, we learned about opioid settlement funds and how distributions of them will help fight the opioid epidemic in Calhoun County and elsewhere. Now, Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott returns with County Commissioner Steve Frisbie to discuss the process of choosing local non-profits to receive grant awards from the funds - which are meant to put more reso...

Don't wait until an emergency to try and cobble together a plan for your family. That's the advice from the Calhoun County Emergency Management Office and its director, Lt. Chris Young. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Lt. Young discusses further useful information for residents as they consider emergency preparedness for themselves and loved ones. Episode Resources Calhoun Cou...

Could a person who has perpetrated domestic violence see the error of their ways? Calhoun County 10th District Court Judge Tracie Tomak has already seen it happen through the Domestic Violence Intervention Court. In this episode Inside Calhoun County , Judge Tomak talks about the approach and the outcomes which have changed lives. Episode Resources Calhoun County DVIC website SAFE Place Battle Cre...