Community Matters Calhoun County

First Aired July 1, 2023 Calhoun County has established a Broadband Task Force to help understand challenges residents have gaining reliable access to high speed internet. County spokesperson Lucy Blair discusses the two main reasons: Rural locations and cost. Blair also discusses Community Matters the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which can help low income residents lower their broadband...

First Aired June 24, 2023 This time on Wiggly Tail: A Feist-mix named Beauty, along with discussions of PFAS and dogs as well as fireworks and pets. Click to hear Jessica Gilbert at the Humane Society of South Central Michigan in this monthly update. Episode Resources HSSCM website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an...

First Aired June 24, 2023 The Battle Creek Salvation Army plans some fun events for the summer of 2023. Captains Mika and Grace Roinila talk about baseball, classic cars and more in this visit with Community Matters. Episode Resources Battle Creek Salvation Army website and events information ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community M...

First Aired June 24, 2023 In this month's Calhoun County Board of Commissioners update, Vice-Chair Steve Frisbie offers some county perspective on petitions filed - and rejected - in Marshall regarding zoning for the Ford BlueOval Battery Park project. Frisbie also offers advice on how residents can productively address the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners when they have input to offer....

First Aired June 17, 2023 Principal Tom McPherson discusses charter schools - specifically, the Endeavor Charter Academy in Springfield (Battle Creek). Charter schools, many of which now have established track records, are a school of choice for many parents. McPherson discusses what sets them apart, Endeavor's partnership with Grand Valley State University and the potential for students to q...

First Aired June 17, 2023 Kimberly Holley continues to get her footing as Battle Creek's first diversity, equity and inclusion officer - announced as such in December, 2022. She became the first person to step into such a role at the city and discusses the approach so far, as well as some perspective on diversity, equity and inclusion. Episode Resources City of BC announcement of Kimberly Hol...

First Aired June 17, 2023 Calhoun County Sheriff Steve Hinkley joins Community Matters to discuss his participation on a panel at the Mackinac Public Policy Conference focused on the approaches to school violence and prevention. He also discusses participation on the governor-appointed Juvenile Justice Task Force. Episode Resources Calhoun County Sheriff's Department website Sheriff Steve Hin...

First Aired June 10, 2023 In recent days, Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority alerted the community to an uptick in accidental calls to 911 emergency response - somehow thought to be related to the relative ease with which the calls can be made from smart phones. CCCDA Executive Director Michael Armitage tells Community Matters national authorities now believe the problem has to do with...

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...