Community Matters Calhoun County

First Aired June 10, 2023 The Battle Creek Public Schools announcement of a scholarship for graduates which can pay up to 100 percent of college tuition and fees for graduates has been met with much excitement. The program is supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, whose program officer Megan Russell Johnson talks with Community Matters about why the scholarship fits their mission. Episode Resou...

First Aired June 10, 2023 Binder Park Zoo President and CEO Diane Thompson and Marketing Manager Allie Stoddard talk about the zoo's new season, the first full one for the new SkyLark Ridge - as well as two new animal faces visitors will see. Episode Resources More about the Southern Cassowary from BBC Wildlife Magazine More about the Blue Duiker from Anamalia.bio Binder Park Zoo website Comm...

First Aired June 3, 2023 The Calhoun County Sheriff's Department and Solid Waste and Recycling Department are teaming up to clean up illegal dump sites in the county. And, as Calhoun County Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator Sarah Lundy tells Community Matters, piecing together clues to find the illegal dumpers can be very fruitful. Illegal dumpers are subject to fines and other costs, as...

First Aired June 3, 2023 Like most events, the COVID-19 pandemic sidelined a Battle Creek tradition - National Cereal Fest. But, Kelly Walden at Kellogg Arena tells Community Matters even the Friday night parade is back in 2023, set for Friday evening, June 9. Then, Saturday, June 10 at 8:00 AM, full Cereal Fest activities begin. Kelly even does a little dreaming about what National Cereal Fest co...

First Aired June 3, 2023 The City of Battle Creek is asking residents to complete an online survey about city parks. Community input on the survey will help parks and recreation officials shape the next master plan. Battle Creek Recreation Director Duska Brumm discusses the details in this Community Matters segment, saying the online survey will be active until late June, 2023. Episode Resources P...

First Aired June 3, 2023 Set for July 15 and 16, 2023, the 30th Annual Battle Creek Garden Tour benefits Leila Arboretum . Tickets purchased in advance save a buyer $5 per ticket ($10). Tickets are $15 on the tour weekend. Garden Tour Chair Sue Stetler, volunteer Cyndi Minear and Leila Arboretum Society Executive Director Brett Myers talk about this year's tour. With the theme "Summer So...

First Aired May 27, 2023 Veteran and Battle Creek-area entrepreneur Charles Solano - who owns five Biggby Coffee franchises in Calhoun County - has seen first hand that future leaders often just need some training and development to realize their skills. And some encouragement. In this episode, Solano talks about how he and business partner Carlos Fontana established a leadership training course t...

First Aired May 27, 2023 On May 17, 2023, Battle Creek Public Schools Superintendent Kim Carter announced a new college tuition scholarship for BCPS graduates - including those graduating in 2023. The partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is called Bearcat Advantage and provides tuition and mandatory fees to any Michigan college or university - or historically black institution nationwide....

First Aired May 27, 2023 Calhoun County Commissioner Steve Frisbie updates listeners on the April Calhoun County update about discussion of a possible transit authority establishment to help bolster public transit. The discussion was pulled from the county agenda in May due to lack of interest from county municipalities. Also, hear Frisbie discuss how to know where county roadwork is taking place...

First Aired May 20, 2023 In this segment of Community Matters week 32, Battle Creek Community Foundation President and CEO Brenda Hunt discusses the potential for Ford Motor Company's charitable involvement in Calhoun County as a result of the planned BlueOval Battery Park Michigan in Marshall. Episode Resources Battle Creek Community Foundation website BlueOval Battery Park Michigan website...

First Aired May 20, 2023 Calhoun County Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) tells Community Matters Michigan budget reconciliation will likely come right up to the July 1 deadline. Haadsma discusses some of the priorities he sees in the House version, emphasizing a yet-to-be-completed reconciliation between budgets proposed by the Michigan Senate and Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Episode Resources Mich...

First Aired May 20, 2023 In this month's Wiggly Tail update from the Humane Society of South Central Michigan features hound-dog mix Clifford. HSSCM Director Jessica Gilbert talks about his traits and what kind of home will suit him best. With better weather, Jessica also discusses some tips for taking your dog out in public. Episode Resources HSSCM website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK...

First Aired May 13, 2023 Various events at local breweries and a beer tourbus are all part of Battle Creek Beer Week, May 15-20, 2023. Jeremy Andrews of Penetrator Events tells Community Matters about all that is planned. The event is a collaboration between Penetrator Events and the City of Battle Creek Small Business Development Office . Episode Resources Battle Creek Beer Week website (Includin...

First Aired May 13, 2023 Established in 1997, the New Holland Brewing Company began in Holland, Michigan. Today, the company is well established as a craft brewer and distiller. With two brewpubs in Holland and Grand Rapids - and tasting rooms in Saugatuck and South Haven - the company chose downtown Battle Creek to open its third brewpub in spring 2023. Founder and CEO Brett Vanderkamp tells Comm...

First Aired May 31, 2023 Economic development entity Southwest Michigan First, focused on Kalamazoo and surrounding area, announced in 2023 confirmation of something that has been discussed for more than 20 years: A downtown Kalamazoo event center. CEO Jonas Peterson talks about that development and how it fits in the region. Peterson also tells Community Matters about a renewed focus at the organ...

First Aired May 6, 2023 The City of Battle Creek Water Division Director Perry Hart talks about the ongoing lead service water line replacements in the city. Specifically, he discusses the process utilized to assess water lines - including lines and meters in residents' homes - as well as the important role residents play in the process. Battle Creek observes Drinking Water Week May 8 - 12, 2...

First Aired May 6, 2023 Battle Creek Assistant City Manager for Community and Economic Development Ted Dearing talks to Community Matters about the city's development priorities, downtown development and the ripple effects of the Ford BlueOval Battery Park slated for Marshall. Episode Resources Battle Creek City Manager's Office website BlueOval Battery Park Michigan website Ford Careers...

First Aired April 29, 2023 The Battle Creek Women's Co-Op discusses their signature fundraising event - the Painted Chair Affair and More. Executive Director Teresa Mominee-Young and event co-chair Richard Schlatter talk about the group's mission, how artists come up with painted chairs and other artwork attendees can bid on, as well as some of the history of the event. This year's...

First Aired April 29, 2023 Battle Creek Unlimited CEO Joe Sobieralski discusses the economic development organization's new strategic plan, including a greater focus on community development. He also discusses progress on the downtown hotel renovation and other strategic progress. Episode Resources Battle Creek Unlimited website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Pi...

First Aired April 29, 2023 Michigan 42nd District Representative Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) checks in for a legislative update, and more. In this episode, he discusses his decision to vote in favor of the safe gun storage legislation, as well as working in the role of minority leader - leading Michigan House Republicans in Lansing. Rep. Hall also shared thoughts on working with the late David...

First Aired April 22, 2023 In the latest update from Calhoun County Government , Commission Vice-Chair Steve Frisbie and Administrator Kelli Scott discuss: The purpose of the Board of Commissioners Equalization Session in April and the overall equalization process to determine property values. A continuing focus on road repairs in the county - particularly in smaller townships where a need for rep...

First Aired April 22, 2023 David Renkiewicz had been a successful businessman. But, he had a dream to become a radio talkshow host. He listened a lot; even called in to Battle Creek's WBCK during some local shows. That was the start what led to a 16-year career on the air as "Live with Renk" - and, eventually, a simulcast in Kalamazoo and Lansing. He stepped away from radio in 2022...

First Aired April 15, 2023 Lt. Chris Young with the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department Office of Emergency Management talks about things residents should consider as severe weather season gets started in southwest Michigan. Episode Resources Calhoun County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Management website Calhoun County Rave Alerts-Smart 911 website Ready.gov ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Form...

First Aired April 15, 2023 The Wiggly Tail update for April 2023 includes beautiful, fuzzy Great Pyrenees-mix puppies (yep, they will be big dogs!). Jessica Gilbert with the Humane Society of South Central Michigan also shares with Community Matters some thoughts about the craze to give your indoor cats a little taste of the outdoors: The catio. We also talk about what vegetables you can plant in...

First Aired April 15, 2023 Earth Day is April 22, 2023, but Battle Creek has declared the entire week of April 17 Earth Week. Residents are able to volunteer to help clean up city parks and the Battle Creek Linear Park Trail. Bessie Stears, environmental program coordinator with the city's Public Works Department, shares some details in this episode of Community Matters . Episode Resources Ba...