Community Matters Calhoun County

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...

First Aired April 15, 2023 The Cereal City Concert Band 's spring concert, set for April 30, 2023, will feature some familiar pieces from stage and screen. The concert, called Fantastical Features: Music of Stage, Screen and Imagination" promises symphonic dances from "Fiddler on the Roof", A Disney Spectacular and John Williams' Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, among others...

First Aired April 8, 2023 A W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant to help stimulate the Calhoun County building trades workforce has brought together partners working to do just that. Amy Rose Robinson with the Calhoun County Land Bank Authority and Eric Cunningham with LISC - the Local Initiatives Support Corporation - to discuss upcoming events meant to attract those in the building trades for monthly n...

First Aired April 8, 2023 Ford's BlueOval Battery Park Michigan is expected to open in 2026 at the Marshall Megasite. But, as we hear from Marshall Township resident Glenn Kowalske - part of an environmental conservation group called Seedkeepers - some are against the development. Kowalske says the group is most concerned about a lack of information readily provided to residents, the large si...

First Aired April 1, 2023 As MDOT spokesman Nick Schirripa jokes, Michigan's spring "flower" - the orange construction barrel - has started to "bloom" in Calhoun County. Specifically, construction has begun on I-94 between Helmer and 17 1/2 Mile Roads, where repaving and bridge repairs are the focus. Episode Resources Mi-Drive construction interactive map MDOT construction...

First Aired April 1, 2023 In continuing coverage of the Ford Motor Company Blue Oval Battery Park Michigan  slated for the Marshall Megasite, Community Matters visits, this time, with Ford directly. In this episode, Ford Regional Government Affairs Manager Stephanie Fries discusses several aspects of the project, including employment opportunities and upcoming communication sessions with the commu...

First Aired April 1, 2023 In the first of his periodic check-ins with Community Matters, Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-44th District) discusses his impressions of the Ford BlueOval battery plant slated for the Marshall Megasite. He also discusses recent legislative action in the Michigan House, including repeal of Right-to-Work. Episode Resources Michigan House of Representatives website Rep. Jim Haadsma we...

First Aired March 25, 2023 Jeremy Andrews with Battle Creek's Penetrator Events talks about The Big Cheese Mac and Cheese Fest set for April 15, 2023. He also talks about other events and their inspiration. Jeremy also talks about an upcoming co-op grocery planned for downtown Battle Creek. Episode Resources Penetrator Events website Sprout Co-Op website Food Co-Op Hopes to Bring More People...

First Aired March 25, 2023 Calhoun County Board Vice Chair Steve Frisbie offers a periodic update on commission business on Community Matters . This time, he discusses an ordinance Calhoun County municipalities can elect to enact - or not. As well, he discusses FireKeepers Casino revenue sharing which was recently allocated. Episode Resources Calhoun County Board of Commissioners website Calhoun C...

First Aired March 25, 2023 Calhoun County dementia research and programming organization Miles for Memories plans its annual research update for April 25, 2023 at the Kool Family Community Center in Battle Creek. Lead volunteer Sherii Sherban discusses the intent of the event, as well as when and where - and what folks should do if they would like to attend. Sherii and Richard also discuss the new...

First Aired March 18, 2023 In this discussion, Keiara Gladney with Goodwill Industries discusses the significant connection the organization plays with Battle Creek Central High School. Specifically, she discusses career readiness and summer work programs which connect students with paid work opportunities at Calhoun County businesses. The program is also seeking more Calhoun County business to pa...

First Aired March 18, 2023 One of the concerns about electric vehicles is for owners to have the same confidence in reliability they have with their gas-powered cars. Will we eventually be able to charge an EV just as quickly as we fill the tank with gas? In this episode, Dr. Qingliu Wu, a Western Michigan University researcher working on a federal grant to improve the safety and quality of EV bat...

First Aired March 18, 2023 Krista Trout-Edwards, executive director of the Calhoun County Land Bank, discusses a shift in recent years to fewer demolitions of derelict properties in the county. Instead, she says, they are focused on turning challenged properties around and stabilizing neighborhoods. Episode Resources Calhoun County Land Bank website Land Bank available properties in Calhoun County...

First Aired March 11, 2023 Every month, Community Matters partners with the Humane Society of South Central Michigan to feature a pet available for adoption. Discussions also include a pet-related subject. In this episode, HSSCM Executive Director Jessica Gilbert introduces us to Oreo, a Beagle/Australian Shepherd mix. The discussion also pivots to heartworm and how HSSCM assures its population is...

First Aired March 11, 2023 The Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce "Love Battle Creek" social media campaign brought its greatest participation ever in 2023. The nominating and voting for local businesses in 43 different categories - conducted online - ran from mid-February to early-March. Chamber President Kara Beer brings us up to date in this episode. Episode Resources Battle Creek...

First Aired March 11, 2023 The Battle Creek Area Association of Realtors plans another in its quarterly Homeowners Workshops on March 14, 2023. Others are planned each quarter for the remainder of 2023. BCAAR CEO Amanda Lankerd discusses the intent behind the workshops, as well as some perspective on the current housing market in Battle Creek and Calhoun County. Episode Resources BCAAR website Hom...

First Aired March 4, 2023 In this episode of Community Matters , Dr. Nakia Baylis discusses the intent of Battle Creek's collective of non-profits called The Village Network . Collaborating to achieve equity among Battle Creek's communities of color, TVN has three main pillars: economic justics, education justice and social justice. Click to hear more. Episode Resources The Village Netwo...

First Aired March 4, 2023 A Battle Creek collective of musicians - Blvcksheep - has been invited to perform at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas in mid-March. Their challenge is coming up with the funds to get there. Battle Creek Hip Hop artist James McGee - known as The Allah - talks about his passion for the community, the support from Blvcksheep fans - and the sponsorship o...