Community Matters Calhoun County

Bagel the orange tiger kitty is a story in resilience. Once severely injured in some sort of attack, he was most certainly in a life and death situation. Now, he's mostly recovered and looking for his family. Hear Bagel's story on this Wiggly Tail segment of Community Matters with Jessica Gilbert of the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. We also learn about how HSSCM handles these...

Jeremy Andrews tells Community Matters his dream for a downtown Battle Creek grocery and restaurant has taken 15 years to eventuate. The wait is nearly over. Andrews talks about what folks can expect when Uproot Market and Eatery opens in spring 2025 at Michigan and Carlysle. Episode Resources Uproot Market and Eatery ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) r...

NOTE: A hiring freeze implemented by the Trump Administration includes volunteers at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. However, this is viewed as temporary and the center is still accepting applications from prospective volunteers. Hundreds of people have committed to volunteering in various capacities at the Battle Creek Veterans Administration Medical Center. In fact, as we learn from the VA&a...

With Valentine's Day vibes in the air, it seemed timely to ask Derek King, chair of the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners, to talk about some current jewelry trends. He is the owner of King Jewelers in Battle Creek, after all. But, at least lately, no Calhoun County Board update would be complete without talk of road repair plans. The Board recently approved road repair agreements with ma...

After public events and an online submission portal provided a chance for Marshall residents to offer input on the city's future, the process will move ahead. Mayor Scott Wolfersberger tells Community Matters about the next steps in the city's master plan update, some of the feedback the public has offered, and what happens next in the process. Episode Resources City of Marshall BlueOval...

Road departments all around are having fun engaging the public in a game of 'name that snowplow.'  The City of Battle Creek started the process in the winter of 2024, finalizing the names of ten city plows - but they need ten more. City spokesperson Breanne Humphreys visits Community Matters to explain how the public can push the process over the snowy finish line before February 21, 202...

Waiting months for word from the Michigan Supreme Court as to whether or not it will hear the Committee for Marshall-Not the Megasite's legal case spurred by the Ford battery plant development, the wait goes on. Committee attorney Robby Dube returns to Community Matters to discuss why he sees some favorable signs the case will be taken up by the high court. Episode Resources BlueOval Battery...

Whether Michigan's minimum wage for tipped workers goes into effect as-is on Feburary 21, 2025 remains to be seen. Lawmakers have been attempting to push through some changes they say will take the edge off for businesses. Meanwhile, Rachel Plankenhorn - whose family has owned and operated the Village Hide-A-Way in Vicksburg for 40 years - says her wait staff want the tip wage left alone. She...

The images are stunning and heartbreaking. Entire neighborhoods eviscerated in the Los Angeles area by wildfires in January 2025. Community Matters turned to southwest Michigan fire safety expert and educator Michael McLeieer at ESCAPE to talk about the approach to fighting wildfires. He also discusses how firefighters are trained for such fast-moving infernos - and how they can happen almost anyw...

The Calhoun County Land Bank Authority is looking for contractors of all kinds to bid on various building and property maintenance jobs in the county in 2025. A informational event is planned for February 19, 2025 at which contractors can learn more about the bidding process, how to become licensed and more. The Land Bank also holds monthly networking sessions for contractors. Click to hear more i...

Very often in our Wiggly Tail segments on Community Matters, the Humane Society of South Central Michigan focuses on adult or senior animals awaiting adoption. This time, though, we're going for the full-on kitten experience! HSSCM Executive Director Jessica Gilbert tells us about the adorable and energetic 6-month-old Bosco (and his siblings!) who is searching for a permanent and loving plac...

Michigan's impending Earned Sick Time Act and changes to the tipped wage minimum have been the sticking point in Lansing between Democrats and Republicans. It even made for a less-than-productive lame duck legislative session at the end of 2024. Since the new legislature was sworn in early in 2025, Republicans in the Michigan House of Representatives have been working to tweak what they say a...

Would you expect to see a smoothie or other healthy choices on the menu at a high school concession stand? Probably not. But the Marshall High School basketball team snacks are including them. It's all part of a healthier eating initiative inspired by an Oaklawn Hospital doctor, a local chiropractor and a team of others. Dr. Abby Sirovica of Grassroots Family Chiropractic and Grassroots Cafe...

Chronicler of local history Michael Delaware - whose local spotlights are found in his books, his podcast and through his involvement with the Battle Creek Regional History Museum - joins Community Matters in this update. Hear more about the museum, Battle Creek connections to the famous, Michael's podcast and more. Episode Resources Battle Creek Regional History Museum Michael Delaware'...

Snow flurries and cold temperatures may be the norm when you are reading this, but the Calhoun County Veterans Affairs Office is ready to get vets thinking about summer. Director Aaron Edlefson tells Community Matters about the partnership between his office and the Battle Creek Battle Jacks baseball team - and how early in the year is the best time for veterans to choose dates for a free outing t...

A survey seeking input from Battle Creek city residents will be open until January 30, 2025. A December, 2024 deadline was extended by city officials in order to give more time for residents to comment about neighborhoods, housing and other focuses. In this episode, Helen Guzzo and Darcy Schmitt with the City of Battle Creek explain how the survey information will help shape the future in the city...

As Thanksgiving 2024 approached, the City of Battle Creek bade farewell to its longest-serving city manager, Rebecca Fleury, who served 10 years in the position. While preparing this year-end look back at the final Community Matters visit with Fleury from August 2024, a published report from Williamson County, Tennessee reveals she was a finalist for city manager of Brentwood - a town slightly sma...

In his first long form interview after his defeat in the November 2024 election, Michigan House 44th District Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) speaks with Community Matters about the post-election process to confirm the vote. A recount and canvass determined Haadsma received just 79 fewer votes than challenger, Republican Steve Frisbie. Haadsma asserts that Calhoun County Clerk Kim Hinkley, also...

In her first interview since beginning as the human resources director at the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan in Marshall, Amy Helner joins Community Matters to talk about the status of hiring employees at the plant. The battery production facility is expected to begin output in 2026. With salaried hiring started in later 2024, Helner discusses the next steps expected in the hiring process, includi...

The Kellogg Community College entrepreneurship program, of course, is seeking participants who want to realize a dream to own their own business. Now, the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp is offering a chance for some who meet income guidelines to get started at no cost. The Bootcamp is part of KCC's Innovative Accelerated Credentialed Training (iACT) initiative, with support from the W.K. Kellogg F...

Come February 21, 2025, all Michigan businesses will be required to convert to a sick time accrual system for their employees. An associated bill in Lansing would also change the pay scale for tipped-wage employees. Both have the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) concerned, particularly about what it sees as parts of the sick time proposal which do not require an employee to give notic...

**Note: An previous version of this information noted an earlier deadline for the survey. The deadline has been extended to January 30, 2025. An online survey for Battle Creek residents is active until January 30, 2025, seeking input about future community development and housing. In this episode, Battle Creek Community Development Director Helen Guzzo and Planning Supervisor Darcy Schmitt discuss...

Battle Creek's Cereal City Concert Band is full-speed-ahead with its Christmas concert and fundraising activities with six months to go until its big European trip. The band has been invited to perform at the 2025 Mid-Europe Wind Band Music Festival in Schladming, Austria in July 2025. The musicians will also perform in Prague during the trip. In this episode, band member and musician Barb Hi...

Even though the hazards of lead have resulted in years of education and remediation, cities with homes built before 1978 were commonly painted with lead paint. Leaded gas in the 1970s also had an effect that is still causing illness, particularly in young children. With a significant amount of homes in the city of Battle Creek built before 1978, the lead remediation effort has been ongoing - and p...

Battle Creek's Small Business Development Office is not something you see in many towns: A local investment to help potential small business owners navigate the sometimes-complicated process of starting a business. That's what we hear in this episode of Community Matters from the overseer of the SBDO John Hart. He also discusses the Small Business Saturday (and all month!) promotions to...