Community Matters Calhoun County

Battle Creek Police Chief Shannon Bagley began his tenure in early 2023 as an interim chief, following the retirement of his predecessor. By mid-year, the "interim" was dropped and he assumed the chief's role on a permanent basis. In this episode, Bagley returns to look back on his inaugural year as chief, how his plans to expand community policing are going, how behavioral health c...

Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Vice-Chair Steve Frisbie tells Community Matters figuring out the road funding formula to keep repairing county roads will still be a priority in 2024. Frisbie also talks about budget adjustments in December 2023, as well as an appeal for safety on New Year's Eve. Episode Resources Calhoun County website Calhoun County Board of Commissioners website Calho...

Lakeview Ford President Vince Pavone joins Richard on Community Matters to look back on 2023 and some of the interviews and focuses on the program. The stage is set for a new year of episodes in 2024! Episode Resources All Community Matters episodes More podcasts produced by Livemic Communications ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Commun...

In this episode of Community Matters , The Center for Economic Accountability President John Mozena elaborates on bestowing Ford's BlueOval Battery Park Michigan as 2023's "Worst Economic Development Deal of the Year". Mozena discusses the basis for the distinction - comparing it to other similar projects -  as well as his overall belief that big subsidies are not the deal-clin...

Momo the cat, who has been a resident of the Humane Society of South Central Michigan for several years, might have a bit of a sourpuss when she's fitted with her Christmas hat. But, executive director Jessica Gilbert tells Community Matters she leads the charge when it comes to feline holiday festivities. Momo has the responsibility of receiving holiday cards from nearby - and even hundreds...

The $1.7 billion in state and local incentives Ford Motor Company was initially promised for the Marshall, Michigan BlueOval EV battery production facility has left many folks uncertain, at least, about the subsidies. Some say it's the cost of being competitive and keeping high-paying manufacturing jobs in Michigan. Others worry about how the subsidies will be paid for in the longrun - and wh...

"It never slowed down." That's the word from Battle Creek Unlimited President Joe Sobieralski during what may seem like an acceleration in the pace of new projects being announced in Battle Creek. Sobieralski offers perspective to Community Matters about the announcement of a new renaissance zone designation for WK Kellogg Co's Battle Creek manufacturing facility, as well as an...

Imagine the scenario: Family and friends gather for traditional holiday celebrations. Except, this year, you join relatives you haven't seen in months - and a loved one in attendance seems different. Could they be displaying symptoms of dementia? Miles for Memories founder Sherii Sherban comes back to Community Matters , saying such a situation isn't uncommon. Holiday gatherings where fo...

Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke sits down with Community Matters for an end-of-year look at the initiatives that served as priorities in 2023 - and a look ahead at the new year. Episode Resources Battle Creek Mayor and City Commission website City of Battle Creek website Battle Creek City Clerk Elections website More Community Matters: County Clerk Hinkley Discusses Early Voting ABOUT COMMUNITY MAT...

In his first legislative update to Community Matters since the Michigan House of Representatives left for the holiday break, 44th District Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) returns to discuss: The balance of power in the House after two Democrats' campaigns for mayor in the Detroit area are successful. Michigan's clean energy bills signed recently by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, which incl...

Calhoun County-based Starr Commonwealth - an organization intending to heal trauma and build resilience in children - has a vision for emerging young adults, as well. In this episode of Community Matters , Starr Commonwealth President and CEO Elizabeth Carey talks about the concept of the FOCUS Forward program (FOCUS stands for Forging Opportunities for Career Upskilling and Success). The State of...

Musician Barb Hibiske - longtime member of the Battle Creek's Cereal City Concert Band - returns to Community Matters to share holiday cheer. She's doing so by inviting the community to attend its annual holiday concert on December 10, 2023. Click to hear more about "the most wonderful time of the year" theme and the band's holiday concert plans! Episode Resources CCCB web...

As folks in Calhoun County consider their charitable giving during the 2023 holiday season, Battle Creek's Charitable Union is reflecting on another year of record need. CEO Teresa Allen joins Community Matters just head of "Giving Tuesday," a national post-Black Friday promotion meant to encourage charitable giving to non-profits during the holiday season. Allen talks about the loc...

Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce President Kara Beer joins Community Matters on "Small Business Saturday" to talk about the origins of the post-Black Friday retail theme. With Black Friday shopping mostly focused on larger national on-site and online retailers, the "Shop Small" effort the following day encourages holiday shoppers to make a conscious effort to support smaller, l...

Two members of the Marshall Retail Group join Community Matters on "Small Business Saturday" - the post-Black Friday appeal for shoppers to commit to spending some of their holiday shopping budget locally, at smaller businesses. Also known as "Shop Small," the promotion happens one day after the national "Black Friday" big retail push - and just days before "Cybe...

The November 2023 poster pup for adoptable pets at the Humane Society of South Central Michigan is Navy, a 6-month-old Aussie-Lab-Husky mix. In this Wiggly Tail update, HSSCM's Jessica Gilbert tells us the kind of home that would work best for Navy. She also offers some pet-friendly holiday advice. And, host Richard Piet shares some news about his tortoise shell cat Kitty Boo Boo. Episode Res...

With the cancellation of the second meeting in November, the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners will discuss the 2024 budget at a December meeting. As well, Calhoun County Board Vice-Chair Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek) - a seven-term incumbent on the panel - has announced his candidacy for the 44th District Michigan House of Representatives seat. The seat is currently held by Rep. Jim Haadsma...

Bells are ringing all around Calhoun County as the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign gears up for another holiday season. Battle Creek Captains Mika and Grace Ronilla tell Community Matters about their holiday festivities planned for this year, as well as their fundraising goals and impact on the community. Episode Resources Battle Creek Salvation Army website Register to Ring Kettle Bells...

After significant roadwork in 2023, the Michigan Department of Transportation is wrapping up its Calhoun County projects for the winter. MDOT spokesperson Nick Schirripa returns to Community Matters to update listeners on the projects that included repair or replacement for more than a dozen bridges along I-94 in Calhoun County. Episode Resources Mi-Drive construction interactive map MDOT construc...

After asking for nominations of military veterans in southwest Michigan, a local business chose a 90-year-old veteran from Marshall, Michigan to win its professionally installed holiday light display. Chuck Barnes of the west Michigan firm Decorate with Lights collaborated with the mother of a local veteran to choose the winner from a list of nominees in November 2023. Her son passed away - and th...

As Stephanie Cornish and her crew of volunteers from the Harper Creek Optimist Club prepare for the annual Battle Creek Christmas Parade, she made a decision: Let the entrant count go for a bit and see how many actually come in. Speaking to Community Matters a week ahead of the November 18, 2023 parade date in Battle Creek, Stephanie talks about how many they have confirmed - and how she determine...

You have no doubt heard about concerned folks at home, worried about their loved ones in Israel and Gaza when war broke out in the fall of 2023. That made us wonder what a travel professional would say to someone who might want to travel to the region. In fact, what advice would a travel agent give any traveler planning holiday or other excursions? We asked Shane Gray of Dream Vacations in Marshal...

The Battle Creek Community Foundation will find a successor for a 30-year CEO in 2024, after Brenda Hunt retires. After community listening sessions, the BCCF CEO Transition Committee has now formulated a job description and expects to interview and recommend finalists to the full board as the next steps in the process. BCCF Board Chair Linda Morrison and Transition Committee Co-Chairs Preston Hic...

In her October legislative update on Community Matters , Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) reflects on juvenile justice reform bills moving through the Michigan House and Senate. The package comes after the governor-appointed Juvenile Justice Task Force completed its work earlier in 2023. Lightner also discusses her view on a package of bills meant to increase solar power usage in Michigan. She a...

Moving prairie dogs from one zoo to another - and into a new habitat - means you might not see them much in the beginning. That's because they are busy underground setting up their new digs. But they're there. That's the word from Allie Stoddard of the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Michigan. The 18 black-tailed prairie dogs arrived in June 2023 - right into a newly prepared habit...