Community Matters Calhoun County

Recycling isn't just about cardboard, cans and plastic.  Charitable Union CEO Teresa Allen talks to Community Matters about their textile recycling program which gives your old, soiled clothes (including athletic shoes) a new life in some unexpected ways to benefit the planet.  Episode Resources Charitable Union Website To make a donation to Charitable Union Click Here ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS...

Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek) looks back at his first full year in office in the Michigan House of Representatives, including the struggle to pass the state budget as well as the current attempt to cut up to $645M in work project funds. Frisbie also looks ahead to 2026, discussing ways Michigan can be more competitive in economic and business development.  Episode Resources Rep. Steve Frisbi...

For 30 years, the SHARE Center of Battle Creek has been helping the homeless residents struggling with mental health or addiction issues. Robert Elchert, Executive Director of the SHARE Center, talks to Community Matters about their facility, services and struggles they face going into the new year.  Episode Resources SHARE Center Website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richa...

Milton is a grey and white striped kitten who loves to cuddle and is the focus of our Wiggly Tail update from the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. HSSCM Executive Director Jessica Gilbert tells us all about him, his perfect environment, as well as discusses their adoption process for ensuring a forever home.  Jessica also talks to Community Matters about what happens when animal facilitie...

The Lakeview Ford Christmas tree sale is underway! Vince Pavone and Brad Morris with Lakeview Ford talk about the annual sale that benefits the Harper Creek Optimists Club as well as what's ahead for Ford and the auto industry in 2026.  Episode Resources Lakeview Ford Lincoln Harper Creek Optimists Club ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to...

The court battle surrounding the zoning of the Blue Oval battery plant continues to unfold in the Michigan Court of Appeals. Robby Dube with Eckland & Blando, who represents the Committee for Marshall - Not the Megasite, talks to Community Matters about the latest developments in the case and helps explain the complex zoning law issues involved and outlines the timeline for a potential decisio...

Greensleeves , C’est Noël , and of course, Sleigh Ride are just of a few of the holiday hits you can expect to hear at The Gifts of Christmas, the upcoming holiday concert from the Cereal City Concert Band. Longtime CCCB musician Barb Hibiski talks to Community Matters about their upcoming concert and some of the interesting performances you'll hear from new CCCB Conductor Dr. Doris Doyon.  ...

The Battle Creek Fire Department is hosting their annual Holiday Toy Drive to support the Salvation Army.  Battalion Chief Andre Doser talks to Community Matters about the program and how you can help. Visit any of the six Battle Creek Fire Department stations between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM through December 15 with a new, unwrapped toy to support local families in need.  Battle Creek Fire Department...

The Calhoun County Youth Center is looking for your help to make the holiday season a little brighter for their residents. Tori Benden, who oversees operations at the Youth Center, talks to Community Matters about their Angel Tree program. She's joined by staff members James Mode and Nichole Bentley who share some of the useful (and sometimes unusual) items requested as well as how your holid...

Community Matters highlights upcoming events presented by the Downtown Battle Creek Zine (DBCZ)! In this update, Nick Buckley shares ideas for local events happening in October and December, 2025. Episode Resources Follow DBCZ on Facebook ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leade...

Established in 1954, The Arc of of Calhoun Country has a long tradition of helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live fulfilling, independent lives within their community. Executive Director Clare Tanner talks to Community Matters about how The Arc continues to evolve in providing advocacy and supports for this community. Episode Resources The Arc of Calhoun County Websit...

The Battle Creek Community Foundation has selected their 2025-2026 Peter J. Christ Leadership Leaders Fellow. Diop Harris II talks about his history with Battle Creek and his journey to becoming this years Fellow. Harris highlights what he hopes to learn and give back to the Battle Creek community along with plans for more civil engagement in the U.S. House of Representatives. Episode Resources Ba...

The world's top brass musicians gather again this December for a special holiday concert at the W.K. Kellogg Auditorium. Jerry Rose, Executive Director of the Brass Band of Battle Creek, shares the unique history of the band with Community Matters and what to expect in their upcoming Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 6 @ 7:30 PM. Episode Resources Brass Band of Battle Creek Website W.K. K...

Battle Creek Police Department Sgt. Cory Champlin talks to Community Matters about their upcoming Stuff the Truck holiday toy drive, a Toys for Tots event with the Marine Corp Reserves.  Bring a new, unwrapped toy or monetary donation to Target at 5700 Beckley Road on Wednesday, December 3 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM if you'd like to donate.  Episode Resources Battle Creek Police Department Stuff the...

Anna Rogers, Marketing & Communication Engagement Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton in Battle Creek, reflects on the hotel's first year of operation, their successes and the importance of making people feel welcome. While discussing their event space resources and fine dining options, Anna is excited to announce a new change coming with reservations starting December 1, 2025. Check out the...

Tammy Mills, Director of Marketing and Communications for the United Way South Central Michigan (UWSCMI), joins us on Community Matters to discuss their end of year holiday fundraising campaign and how Calhoun County residents can help direct donations to impact their local community.  Tammy also discusses resources available to residents through the UWSCMI, like the Program Assistance Center, and...

Summit Pointe, the Calhoun County Community Mental Health (CMH) organization which provides behavioral health care to some of the county's most vulnerable residents, is sounding an alarm over potential changes at the state level which could affect how it delivers care. Summit Pointe CEO Jeannie Goodrich joins Community Matters to discuss changes to how the Michigan Department of Health and Hu...

The South Michigan Food Bank - which provides food to the hungry in 8 Michigan counties including Calhoun - continues to respond to a growing need while threats to federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding continue. The on-again, off-again potential cuts to the largest federal anti-hunger program in the U.S. has the State of MIchigan working to take up the slack. Still, the...

We're not sure it's an actual word, but "floof" seems to describe best our good friend Gadget the cat, the focus of our Wiggly Tail update this time from the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. Gadget is a young, domestic long hair male cat who is black and white. He's all up to date on his vaccinations and he is neutered. HSSCM Executive Director Jessica Gilbert tel...

It's a longstanding tradition in Battle Creek: The annual Christmas parade - a gift to the community by the Harper Creek Optimist Club. Folks line the streets on a Saturday in November (typically the Saturday before Thanksgiving) to watch the procession of local participants stir up the Christmas spirit - along with some hometown pride. After setting a participation record in 2023, Organizer...

Veterans Helping Veterans in Battle Creek, the organization which cut the ribbon on the gift of a building at 209 East Michigan in summer 2025, has hit its stride helping veterans get set up in new residences after homelessness. Vice President Rick Stover returns to Community Matters to talk about their organized system of gifting donated furniture, housewares and toiletries to veterans who are re...

While its students were settling back into their school-year routines in September 2025, Lakeview School District announced a national honor for Minges Brook Elementary School: The "America's Healthiest Schools" award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. At the same time, the district announced its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and its 2025 Community Spirit Awar...

Saturday, November 8, 2025 is a good day to give a boost to Battle Creek Central High School Athletics. Come to Lakeview Ford that day between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM and test drive a new Ford. When you do, Bearcats Athletics will receive $30 and the American Red Cross gets $10. With enough test drives, Bearcats could receive as much as $6000! Coach and Athletic Director Lorin Granger joins Community...

West Michigan-based business Twinkle Holiday Lighting is again seeking a local veteran to receive a holiday light display installed on their home free of charge. Chuck Barnes, owner of Twinkle Holiday Lighting , returns to Community Matters to encourage nominations of local veterans to receive the gift. He also discusses the legacy behind the award, which carries on from a local veteran who passed...

It was July 2010 when a rupture in Enbridge pipeline 6B spilled oil into Talmadge Creek near Marshall, which feeds into the Kalamazoo River. The result was a cleanup effort along 35 miles of the Kalamazoo River until 2012. Further dredging continued beyond that time. In 2016, Enbridge paid $177 million in penalties as part of a settlement with the U.S. Government. In 2025, Enbridge Senior Advisor...