Community Matters Calhoun County

Harper Creek Community Schools Superintendent Rob Ridgeway returns to Community Matters to discuss how the district would use the resources of a bond request on May 7, 2024. He also discusses what it means for homeowners in the district, as well as how teachers and students have been managing. Episode Resources Harper Creek Bond Proposal FAQs ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host R...

It's a first for our Wiggly Tail updates from the Humane Society of South Central Michigan : Spotlighting a pet we've shared with you before who still hasn't been adopted. Enter Sid. In September 2023 on Community Matters , we told you about this Austrailian Cattle Dog/Terrier mix who, according to Executive Director Jessica Gilbert, is a great dog. He's even the favorite among...

Former U.S. Representative Mike Rogers from Michigan chaired the House Intelligence Committee from 2011 to 2015. Rogers, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024, talks about how national intelligence is viewed now compared to then, given the cyber threats posed online. Episode Resources Mike Rogers' Legislative History National Security Institute Mike Rogers' Bio ABOUT COMMUNITY M...

Event: 42nd Annual Community Prayer Breakfast Kellogg Arena 1 McCamly Square Battle Creek, Michigan Program: 7:25 AM Doors Open: 6:45 AM Tickets: $15 each (link below) Keynote: Coach Mike Singletary Theme: "Greatness in You" Prayer Breakfast co-chairs Meghan and Rolly Taft join Community Matters to discuss the history of the event in Battle Creek, special local participants in the progra...

Five hundred ambulances sit idle in Michigan because there aren't enough medical first responders to operate them. So says Clark Imus, who oversees the Kellogg Community College Emergency Medical Services education. But, KCC is putting state grants to use to encourage EMTs to level-up to paramedic status - and encourage new interest in EMT careers. For some, it will mean tuition and other exp...

Michigan 45th District Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) returns to Community Matters for an update on legislative activity. In particular, Lightner discusses the beginning of the state budget process. The state must pass a balanced budget by July 1 every year. Lightner serves as the minority vice chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee.   Lightner also expresses continued concern ab...

Back in January 2024, Battle Creek City Manager Rebecca Fleury told Community Matters the Beckley Road corridor would be studied in the coming months. Now, the public may offer input at a session set for Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Lakeview Square Mall from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. In this episode, listen back to Fleury's comments about the study and overall renewed retail interest in the Battle Creek...

Calling all household hazardous waste, old unused electronics, scrap metal and more: Earth Day wants you! Calhoun County's Earth Day recycling event will happen Monday, April 22, 2024 from noon to 5:30 PM at Bailey Park , 1350 Capital Avenue NE in Battle Creek, near C.O. Brown Stadium. Click to hear Sarah Lundy, Calhoun County solid waste and recycling coordinator, explain what will be accept...

Once per year, county municipalities in Michigan are required to assemble an equalization report. The report serves as a determination that "...real and personal property in the respective Townships and Cities has been equally and uniformly assessed" in Calhoun County. Calhoun County Vice-Chair Steve Frisbie discusses the equalization report and some overall real estate perspective in th...

Calhoun County's dementia awareness organization Miles for Memories has set its annual research update event for April 30, 2024. The free event seeks to provide an update from Michigan State University researchers on the latest dementia drugs and treatments, as well as provide a forum for attendees to ask questions. The event is set for April 30, 5:30 PM at the Kool Family Community Center in...

The owner of Battle Creek's Ford and Lincoln dealership tells Community Matters EV sales might not be what was initially predicted, but the market is there. Vince Pavone, whose Lakeview Ford store sponsors Community Matters, also discusses his view on how this might affect the planned EV battery output at the Marshall, Michigan BlueOval plant Ford is currently building. He also discusses the...

The Humane Society of South Central Michigan in Battle Creek renews calls for pets to be spayed and neutered, using the springtime "kitten season" to bolster the point. HSSCM Executive Director Jessica Gilbert returns to Community Matters for another Wiggly Tail update - highlighting a poster pet for adoption. Along with that, she issues an appeal for folks to do what they can to, as the...

Many millions are said to be affected by an online data breach at AT&T in 2019 - which was announced in 2024. Community Matters asked southwest Michigan online security expert Larry Deniston of CMIT Solutions to talk about a few things consumers and businesses could do to shore up the forcefields around their data. Click to hear his advice. Episode Resources CMIT Solutions website Bitwarden Pa...

Fifteen-year veteran city attorney Jill Steele will retire from Battle Creek City Hall in the summer of 2024. City officials are beginning to cement a process to find her replacement. Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke and Vice-Mayor Sherry Sofia discuss the impact of the office on city operations - as well as the process Battle Creek City Commissioners expect to follow in the search. Episode Resource...

A new website featuring a Calhoun County, Michigan-focused podcasts plans to be a hub for local discussions. BattleCreekPodcast.com features locally produced discussions with Calhoun County community voices - or those from elsewhere with relevant infomation to the region. Livemic Communications, producer of several podcasts including Community Matters , brings together several more in a single web...

Question, Persuade, Refer. That's what QPR stands for and it's "an emergency response to someone in crisis," says the QPR Institute . In a training as short as a lunch-and-learn, community members can become "gatekeepers" able to respond to a person in crisis who may be exhibiting signs of suicide. Like CPR, QPR can save a life. In Calhoun County, QPR gatekeeper train...

With almost a full school year behind them since the announcement of the Bearcat Advantage scholarship program, Battle Creek Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kim Carter returns to Community Matters. Carter comments on a newly announced alliance to try and cover more higher education expenses for Battle Creek graduates taking advantage of the opportunity. She also gives input on the observations t...

Battle Creek-area realtor Al Morehart with Coldwell Banker Morehart Realty joins Community Matters, offering some perspective on real estate news, including: A recent National Association of Realtors legal settlement proposal to change the way a buyer's agent commission is paid. The current market in Calhoun County, which remains a "seller's market". How much value Calhoun Coun...

After a rare wintertime tornado in February 2024, Calhoun County Emergency Management officials are reminding residents how to be alerted to severe weather. They are also reminding folks that 911 is for emergencies, not information. Michael Armitage, director of the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority, returns to Community Matters with information critical to staying safe during severe...

Calhoun County Commissioner Vice-Chair Steve Frisbie updates Community Matters listeners with news of revenue sharing from FireKeepers Casino. The $6M+ amount is the second-largest revenue sharing amount received by Calhoun County from FireKeepers Casino. Frisbie also discusses an update to accounts payable policy and pothole patching and other roadwork. Episode Resources Calhoun County Board of C...

Battle Creek's Binder Park Zoo is readying for its 2024 season with several job fairs set for March and April, 2024. Spokesperson Allie Stoddard joins Community Matters in this episode to talk about the seasonal positions they would like to fill. Episode Resources Binder Park Zoo Employment website Binder Park Zoo website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (201...

Renovations to some public areas at Battle Creek City Hall are bringing modern upgrades to the facility, built in 1914. Facilities Manager Katie Norton tells Community Matters the process also includes moving the main entrance to the building back to its original location. As well, she discusses the historic nature of the building and how that affected the process. Episode Resources City Hall Reno...

Marshall, Michigan attorney Richard Lindsey, a member of the legal team representing the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance and Ford Motor Company, expects a lawsuit against them navigating the system now will be decided by the Michigan Supreme Court. The suit, brought by the Committee for Marshall - Not the Megasite is ultimately aiming for a referendum on the BlueOval Battery Park Michi...

With springlike conditions prevailing in Michigan in the 2023-2024 winter season, how does that affect the Michigan Department of Transportation's typical roadwork schedule? Community Matters caught up with MDOT spokesperson Nick Schirripa to talk about the answer to that question - especially as it relates to Battle Creek and Calhoun County. Episode Resources Mi-Drive construction interactiv...

You may have heard of the Calhoun Intermediate School District - or CISD. You may have also heard of the Calhoun Area Career Center, which it operates. But, are you familiar with the resources provided there - and how CISD supports local school districts? Community Matters decided to ask Jerry Johnson, CISD Assistant Superintendent - Legislation and Education Policy to explain. Episode Resources C...