Community Matters Calhoun County

The gathering of two families in a Calhoun County courtroom just before Thanksgiving 2024 brought an official end to the process of adoption for four children and their parents. It doesn't take long - just a few minutes of ceremonial speeches before Judge John Hallacy signed the papers making it official. Then the celebrating can begin. Judge Hallacy shared his thoughts about the Adoption Day...

Joe Timmer and his wife are not unfamiliar with parenthood. With three biological children, they felt a calling toward foster care and adoption. Just before Thanksgiving 2024, the Timmer's were back in a Calhoun County courtroom to officially welcome two more children - a brother and sister - into their family. It was all part of an annual event called Adoption Day (the first one since the CO...

The return of Wiggly Tail - a periodic episode featuring an adoptable pet from the Humane Society of South Central Michigan - brings us Uno. Uno is a gray and white tabby cat with big paws and a big personality. He's the cat who dispels the myth that cats are aloof and unfriendly. HSSCM's Jessica Gilbert fills us in on Uno - and some thoughts about helping your pet get through holiday an...

After a two-year hiatus, Lakeview Ford Lincoln in Battle Creek will resume its on-the-lot Christmas tree sale to benefit the Battle Creek Optimist Club. Lakeview's Vince Pavone talks about the process of finding a tree supply, the impact to the community and the pricing for trees - which might surprise you. Also covered: How will a second Trump presidency potentially affect the electric vehic...

Certainly, many folks have heard businesses publicizing the discounts they offer to members of the military and veterans. But how does a person find a comprehensive list of them? The Marshall, Michigan-based Military Discount Society - a non-profit founded by two veterans - is seeking to fill that void. In this episode, Michael Buffington and Veronica Barba talk about the online resource they hope...

Plans for the building once known as the Kendall Center in Battle Creek will, once again, include a focus on education. The building was once the site of Western Michigan University's Battle Creek presence. Grand Valley State University's plans for the building as a food innovation hub is a partnership with W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek Unlimited and the Battle Creek Public Schoo...

Community Matters caught up with 44th District Representative-Elect Steve Frisbie less than a week after Election Day. At that point, results showed Frisbie having unseated Rep. Jim Haadsma by 58 votes. But, reports indicated an absentee ballot counting error was discovered during the typical post-Election Day auditing process. In this discussion, Frisbie recounts the events that led up to his lea...

For more than 40 years, the Harper Creek Optimist Club has supported the Battle Creek Christmas Parade. Except for the COVID-19 pandemic, that's been a consistent annual tradition many look forward to. Parade organizer Stephanie Cornish returns to Community Matters to talk about the 2024 event set for November 23 - along with a bit of history about the tradition. Episode Resources Battle Cree...

As part of the special Community Matters veterans observance ahead of Veteran's Day, the Calhoun County Veterans Affairs office has some info for vets: You may qualify for disability benefits through the VA. And they are waiting to assist you in finding out. Click to hear Aaron Edlefson talk about how they can help - and why you might be seeing green lights on certain buildings during the wee...

Honoring those members who have served the United States through military service is something that happens every day, on many occasions. Veteran's Day, though, sets aside a special time for that recognition nationally. But how did that start? And how does it differ from Memorial Day? Summit Pointe Veteran Navigator Michele Pascoe joins Community Matters to discuss that - along with how honor...

In 2024, the Battle Creek Veterans Administration Medical Center marked its 100th anniversary. As part of the 2024 special Community Matters episode ahead of Veteran's Day, BCVA spokesperson Brian Pegouske looks back on the center's origins in Battle Creek. Episode Resources Battle Creek VA Medical Center ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) retu...

November 22, 2024 is the deadline to nominate an area veteran to receive a professionally installed holiday light display on their home. Owner Chuck Barnes at Twinkle Holiday Lighting will, again this year, fulfill the wishes of the family of Marine Cpl. Josh Hoffman, who passed away in 2021 from injuries received while serving in Iraq. The family awards Josh's lights to a new veteran each ho...

Family and Children Services, an organization focused on supportive community action around children and families, is selling its building in Battle Creek at 778 W. Columbia Avenue. But, CEO Diane Marquess tells Community Matters, the sale will not lessen its commitment to its mission in Battle Creek. Instead, she says, it's more of a post-COVID change in work posture. With origins all the wa...

A bright, sunny October afternoon was the perfect backdrop for something a long-time coming: The official opening of the hotel in downtown Battle Creek. Community Matters visited the ribbon-cutting event on October 18, 2024 where community members, leaders and residents heard speeches marking the occasion - and got a chance to tour the new facility. Even all the way up to the 16th floor where they...

A November 1, 2024 wine tasting event is planned as a fundraiser for programs supported by the Cereal City Sunrise Rotary Club. Members Dick Schlatter and Cassie Scramlin join Community Matters to talk about the Sunrise Rotary and the programs "Wines from Around the World" will support. Learning about and tasting more than 25 different wines from all over the globe is the focus. a large...

After unsuccessful attempts to address what Superintendent Becky Jones says is more than $150 million in needed upgrades to the Marshall School District, the district is asking again on the November 2024 ballot. But, not before having surveyed voters in the district and making some adjustments. Still, the November ask totals about $90 million. Jones returns to Community Matters to talk about what...

Community Matters dropped by the Charitable Union October open house, where Executive Director Teresa Allen and her team greeted visitors to show them where they work best serving Calhoun County's underserved. As we learn from Teresa in this discussion, it's as much about recycling as it is about helping those who need it. Episode Resources Charitable Union ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former...

A repaving and bridge replacement project along I-94 in Calhoun County will be largely completed when the Michigan Department of Transportation packs up this fall. MDOT spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells Community Matters the project originally was expected to stretch into 2025, though some finishing work will continue. Episode Resources Mi-Drive construction interactive map MDOT construction info...

With uniform lower court decisions behind it, the Committee for Marshall-Not the Megasite lawsuit in Marshall now headed for the Michigan Supreme Court is not impressive enough for justices to take up the case. That's the opinion of attorney Richard Lindsey, a member of the legal team for the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA) - the other side in the case. While Lindsey initi...

Our Wiggly Tail update takes us back to the Humane Society of South Central Michigan where we find Executive Director Jessica Gilbert and Rocket - a wirehaired terrier. Now, you might be inclined to think Rocket is full of energy, based on his name. If you thought so, you would be right! Click to hear about Rocket - and about available dog training through the Humane Society. And, mark your calend...

Four Battle Creek-area school boards - including that of the Battle Creek Public Schools - are looking to their counterparts nearby to share information and knowledge. That's the word from Eric Greene, president of the Lakeview Schools Board, who joins Community Matters to talk about what the panels hope to gain from the collaboration. Episode Resources Battle Creek Public Schools Lakeview Sc...

Miles for Memories volunteers Sherii Sherban and Cassandra Lucas-Moore discuss two events coming in October 2024. One of them is a familiar favorite meant to help inspire movement - a bit part of the Miles for Memories mission. The other mixes food and fun, gala-style, to raise funds for the dementia education organization in Calhoun County. Episode Resources Miles for Memories website Miles for M...

Mini-magazines - known as "zines" - have begun to permeate as a means of promoting various endeavors. Now, there's one that's debuted in downtown Battle Creek. It's an effort to promote what's happening in downtown, where a growing energy can be felt. Former Battle Creek Enquirer reporters Nick Buckley and Annie Kelley say it's also a love letter for downtown Bat...

The good news? COVID-19 infections in summer 2024 mirrored those of the previous year, meaning there was not a notable increase in the average number of cases. That's the word from the Calhoun County Public Health Department. While updating the local COVID situation, Calhoun County Public Health Officer Eric Pessell takes an opportunity to talk about flu and RSV, as well, in this episode of C...

The Veterans Administration Battle Creek health care center is working alongside its counterparts across the country to engage with vets who may be having suicidal thoughts. Amanda Briggs coordinates local engagement efforts prompted by the national COMPACT Act, which passed in 2021 but only began ramping up in fall 2023. She talks to Community Matters about what is considered an epidemic of suici...