Community Matters Calhoun County

In one of his first interviews since becoming the city manager of Springfield, Michigan, Aaron Edlefson talks about what drew him to lead the city - and reflects on his service in the Veterans Affairs department in Calhoun County. Episode Resources City of Springfield ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview prog...

Marshall Mayor Scott Wolfersberger returns to Community Matters with updates on the master plan - and on work being done to the Brooks Memorial Fountain. He also comments on progress at the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan and more. Episode Resources City of Marshall BlueOval Community Matters episodes ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Com...

The United Way of South Central Michigan continues to study its "ALICE" data - ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. CEO Chris Sargent returns to Community Matters to offer some perspective on the numbers, as well as the overall fundraising outlook amidst more potential national cuts. He also underscores the commitment the organization and its partners have to off...

Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Pennfield) returns to Community Matters to update listeners on legislative activity in the Michigan House of Representatives. Frisbie discusses legislation to give volunteer emergency response workers in Michigan a tax break, restoring local control over energy policies, his attendance at the Mackinac Policy Conference, the Ford BlueOval plant and more. Episode Resources Rep....

Boxes and Boxes of cereal - and gallons and gallons of milk - are just part of Battle Creek's annual National Cereal Fest. There is entertainment, vendors, the traditional parade - and even a special cereal sale. Kellogg Arena's Kaycie Chrystan tells Community Matters all about the 2025 event and what's new for attendees. Episode Resources Cereal Fest ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former...

Honored in 2025 as the Star of the Year at the Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism, Calhoun County Visitors Bureau CEO Linda Freybler shares some perspective on visitors to our county. Freybler also offers insight about what fills hotel rooms in Calhoun County, how Battle Creek's downtown landmark hotel opening has helped - and what makes our area an attractive location for convent...

Singer and musician Del Shannon - born Charles Westover about 80 miles away in Coopersville, Michigan - is said to have adopted Battle Creek as his hometown. Hence, a growing celebration of the "Little Runaway" singer in the cereal city. West Michigan historian, podcaster and board member of the Battle Creek Regional History Museum Michael Delaware returns to Community Matters to talk ab...

For the third year in a row, the Calhoun County Land Bank Authority has received a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help move potentially contaminated land to new ownership. The City of Albion and Battle Creek Community Foundation are partners on the project, which seeks to "...address sites that have sat vacant or underused for years," according to Krista Trout-Edw...

Cass County native Aric Nesbitt, the Michigan Senate Minority Leader, has announced his intent to run for governor in 2026. Nesbitt, a conservative Republican, was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2010. Nesbitt joins Community Matters to talk about what motivates his run and why. Episode Resources Michigan Senate Republicans: Sen. Aric Nesbitt ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Forme...

When thinking about military appreciation observances during the month of May, you may think first of Memorial Day. While that is certainly true, we learn in this Community Matters discussion there are a lot more observances which constitute what is referred to as Military Appreciation Month. Summit Pointe Veteran Navigator Michele Pascoe joins Community Matters to help us understand. Episode Reso...

A planned meet-and-greet in April 2025 was supposed to give Battle Creek residents a chance to meet the finalists for city manager. That event was abruptly cancelled when one of the candidates withdrew from consideration. The search was described as "paused", giving a chance for Battle Creek City Commissioners and the hired search consultants to regroup. In this discussion, Mayor Mark Be...

Calhoun County Senior Services stages its annual Senior Expo to provide a one-stop resource event for those 60 and over. Set for May 22, 2025 at Kellogg Arena, the free event features a number of demonstrations, give-a-ways and access to vendors who provide different services. Rebecca de Finta shares more information in this discussion- including free parking and free transportation to and from th...

In this Wiggly Tail update from the Humane Society of South Central Michigan, Lacy and Jessica join Community Matters to talk about three big things: Whisker Mixer Fundraiser: The annual event is a major fundraiser for the HSCCM. Donations still accepted . Work at HSSCM: Have a calling to work with animals? The Humane Society is looking for its next great team members. Sophie: The latest adoptable...

Calhoun County does not generally have a significant amount of reported incidents of wrong-way drivers. But, many other counties do - particularly in higher-populated areas. That's the word from Calhoun County Sheriff's Department Lt. Curtis Smith. Still, an incident in spring 2025 involved a wrong-way driver on I-94 near Marshall, which resulted in a crash. Lt. Smith joins Community Mat...

Battle Creek's annual tradition - the Community Prayer Breakfast - seeks to bring all denominations together for a morning of inspiration and motivation. In its 43rd year, the longtime coordinator of the event, Helen Royal, joins Community Matters to talk about history, her favorite memories of the event, and the 2025 contributors. Episode Resources 43rd Annual Community Prayer Breakfast ABOU...

Every spring, Calhoun County dementia education organization Miles for Memories facilitates an information session with Michigan State University researchers meant to update attendees on research and other news about the disease. The 2025 event is set for Tuesday, May 6, 5:30 PM at the Kool Family Center in Battle Creek. The session is also a chance for future researchers - MSU students - to share...

FireKeepers Casino Hotel has evolved from a gaming institution to include a upscale hotel tower. Then another. Today, FireKeepers CEO Frank Tecumseh shares with Community Matters some perspective on how far the facility has come, as well as the overall "Vegas-style" experience - along with big-name performances and events - and some thoughts about what's to come. He also talks about...

Voters in Emmett Township will decide on May 6, 2025 whether to continue support of a millage Supervisor Tracy Myers says will help pay for new emergency equipment. Myers tells Community Matters it is an effort to save funds for new public safety vehicles and other equipment - and avoid having a bond request when needs are more urgent. Myers also discusses the search for a new public safety direct...

When Brian and Joleen Robins learned their teenage daughter might be facing a lifetime of health challenges, they braced for what that could mean. But, as Brian tells Community Matters , what happened next was not the outcome that was expected. In fact, it resulted in the Rings Ministries free transportation program. It provides free refurbished vehicles to needy families - especially single moms...

Michigan's 45th District Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) chairs the House Judicial Committee, this after Republicans regained control after the November 2024 election. In this update with Community Matters, Lightner talks about the role of the Judicial Committee, and her view as chair. Lightner also touches on the continued fight against Fentanyl, the House GOP roads plan and her trip to t...

Marshall's Dark Horse Brewing plans its annual Spring Smokeoff around BBQ, beer and a charitable connection. That's the plain again in 2025, with a portion of the $25 entry fee to support Marshall Area Community Services (MACS) on May 3. Now under the Livonia-based Benchmark Beverage umbrella, Dark Horse will also be the brew site for its sister brewery Brew Detroit.  Benchmark Director...

Battle Creek's S.A.F.E. Place - which stands for secure area family environment - has evolved over the years to meet the immediate daily and safety needs of those escaping intimate partner violence. CEO Ellen Lassiter Collier underscores that the organization's mission also includes helping those who have escaped a human trafficking situation. That's exactly the type of organization...

In a wide-ranging interview, Battle Creek Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kim Carter returns to Community Matters. This time, Carter offers insight into how possible department of education restructuring at the national level could affect Battle Creek. The superintendent also updates listeners on a bond request which will not result in a tax increase, as well as a new school building set to open...

Battle Creek's Trinity Community Development and Neighborhood Center has a mission to "improve the quality of life" in the Trinity neighborhood. That means doing so simply by providing a place for various groups to meet. It also means connecting the underserved with what they need, such as food. Trinity Executive Director Jessica Lamson visits Community Matters to talk about a benef...

Battle Creek's Cereal City Concert Band will play in Schladming, Austria in July 2025 on the invitation of the 2025 Mid-Europe Wind Band Music Festival. The band plans two more fundraising events to support the trip: Finley's restaurant in Battle Creek on April 30, 2025 will donate a portion of its proceeds that night for 30 or more tables. Another event is planned for May 31, 2025 at th...