Community Matters Calhoun County

This is the second in a series of interviews shedding light on The Haven of Rest's mission and programs ahead of its annual Roofsit fundraiser. The Haven marks its 70th anniversary in 2026. A lot of people talk about homelessness like it’s a single problem with a simple fix. Daniel Jones, Executive Director of the Haven of Rest in Battle Creek, talks about what’s really happening on the groun...

This is the first in a series of interviews shedding light on The Haven of Rest's mission and programs ahead of its annual Roofsit fundraiser. The Haven marks its 70th anniversary in 2026. The annual Roofsit, hosted by The Haven of Rest Ministries, aims to draw awareness and fundraise to help homeless families in Battle Creek. Lisa Foley, who oversees Operations at the Haven's Inasmuch H...

Technology can fix typos, but it can't replace the experience of staying calm and spelling a word out loud while people watch. Longtime Lakeview High School spelling bee volunteer Barb Galonsky and Lakeview senior Hanish Chintalapati talk about the upcoming Community Spelling Bee. They share how spelling can connect young and lifelong learners together in both fun and meaningful ways.  Episod...

What's the best way to get hazardous household waste out of your home without guessing, dumping, or risking your trash pickup rejecting it. Sarah Lundy from Calhoun County lays out what’s accepted at the upcoming Household Hazardous Waste, Appliances, Electronics, & Scrap Metal Collection.  Click to hear the details. Episode Resources Calhoun County Recycling and Solid Waste Website ABOUT...

This time on Wiggly Tail, meet Asha, a fluffy Great Pyrenees mix puppy at the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. HSSCM Executive Director Jessica Gilbert, talks about the what kind of home Asha would thrive in and explains why their schedule-based meet-and-greets help animals show their true personality.  Gilbert also discusses the benefits of the Canine Training Institute in helping train...

Returning to Community Matters , Michael Delaware from the Battle Creek Regional History Museum about a packed summer of living history, music, cars, and new exhibits. He also shares info about this year's Del Shannon Weekend - and what it takes behind the scenes to run programs, grow the collection, and keep renovating the museum.  Episode Resources Battle Creek Regional History Museum Websi...

$4,800 a day. That’s the operating reality behind a shelter that offers free, life-saving services to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. We’re joined by Ellen Lassiter Collier from S.A.F.E. Place in Battle Creek to put real numbers and real stories behind what “support” means in Calhoun County, from keeping the lights on to staffing an emergency shelter that’s often at or over c...

Colon cancer screening is one of those topics many of us avoid until we can’t. Michelle Redmond, coordinator for the Five C’s, and Angela Myers from the Battle Creek Community Foundation talk about how early detection and colorectal cancer prevention actually play out in real life across Calhoun County and Kalamazoo County.  In addition, they discuss their upcoming event, Get Your Colon Rolling on...

You can feel it when a community event is designed with real life in mind. Senior Expo does exactly that. Rebecca de Finta from the Calhoun County Senior Services Office talks to Community Matters about what to expect from this year's Senior Expo, taking place on Thursday, May 21 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the Kellogg Arena.  From estate planning attorneys and financial institutions to senior...

Voting logistics rarely make headlines until something feels different on Election Day, like a new polling place, a shorter line, or a smoother process than you expected. Battle Creek City Clerk Victoria Hauser unpacks what changed and why, using real numbers from early voting in Michigan to show how voter habits are reshaping local elections in Calhoun County. Hauser talks about what voting turno...

May gets busy fast in Battle Creek, and we love that. Annie Kelly from the Downtown Battle Creek Zine returns to discuss what to do, where to go, and how to make a full day of it downtown. If you’ve been searching for Battle Creek events, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, live music, or family-friendly things to do in Calhoun County, this guide is built for you.  Episode Resources Follow DBCZ on Faceboo...

$20 can become $40 at the farmers market, and that’s only one of the reasons we get excited for market season in downtown Battle Creek. We sit down with Maeve Feindt, who oversees operations at the Battle Creek Farmers Market, to map out what’s new, what’s returning, and what first-time visitors should expect when they step into Festival Market Square. Maeve also shares what makes a market morning...

An icon event in Battle Creek returns this month. Battle Creek Community Prayer Breakfast Co-Chairs Ryan and Esther Leonard share why the event has become one of the city’s most enduring gatherings: a room filled with neighbors choosing prayer, unity, and hope at Kellogg Arena. For a lot of people, it marks a turning point in the season, a way to step out of winter and into spring with a better ou...

Two years can fly by in local government and not in a good way. Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke and City Commissioner Jim Lance break down the May 5 election ballot question that would extend the mayor and city commission terms from two years to four, and why supporters say it’s about better governing rather than political advantage. If you’ve ever wondered how fast new officials are expected to le...

A disc golf tournament with a music pun might sound like a small thing, until you see what it’s really funding. Julie Green from the Lakeview Band Boosters talks about their upcoming fundraiser, Treble On The Fairway, and the behind the scenes costs of keeping a high school marching band strong in Calhoun County. From the stands, marching band can look effortless. Up close, it’s a year round machi...

Battle Creek’s new Fire Chief Bush McCarthy talks to Community Matters about what he thinks about leadership, service, and the real work behind the sirens. He breaks down what the department responds to most, why new fire station upgrades matter, and what every household can do today to be safer. Episode Resources Battle Creek Fire Department Website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Sho...

A fundraiser can be flashy and still be deeply practical, and Giving Table is built to do both. Teresa Allen from Charitable Union sits down with Community Matters to unpack the newly named event at FireKeepers Casino and Hotel and the real reason it exists: keeping vital nonprofit services stable while community need continues to climb. You’ll also hear how the table decorating tradition really w...

Kay Parker and Marsha Heath from the Battle Creek Optimist Club discuss how their Optimist Excellence in Art Competition grew into a 900-student showcase across Calhoun County. They talk to Community Matters about  how the judging works, what students and schools can win, and why seeing youth artwork on public display changes how a community values creativity.  The Optimist Club Excellence in Art...

The team behind Black Squirrel News is taking a cooperative approach to rebuilding trustworthy local reporting in Calhoun County through a volunteer-powered, community-led model. Jeremy Andrews, Nick Buckley and Lucy Hough talk to Community Matters about why news literacy matters now, how a co-op approach could fund long-term coverage, and how residents can help shape what gets reported. Episode R...

Your kid can do archery anywhere. The real question is whether they can look someone in the eye, handle a little boredom, and build friendships without a screen in their hand. Zach Klipsch, CEO of Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center, talks to Community Matters to unpack why a tech-free camp environment can flip that switch in minutes and why the growth shows up long after the week ends. A 365-acre ou...

Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek)  returns to Community Matters for a spring legislative update. From keeping doctors licensed to keeping ambulances on the road, Frisbie discusses why legislative deadlines and court fights in Lansing could turn into real-world shortages, higher costs, and longer wait times for your medical care.    Frisbie also discusses the idea of eliminating property taxes in...

Folks may want to help their community, but may not know where to start or how to make it fit into a busy week. Kara Beer from the Battle Creek Area Chamber talks about Community Impact Day on May 13, a three-hour burst of hands-on service designed to create visible change across Battle Creek and Calhoun County. Hear, too, about the Chamber’s  Business Excellence Awards  Eye Opener breakfast on Ap...

The Brass Band of Battle Creek recently landed a major invitation to perform at the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival in South Korea. Jerry Rose, Executive Director of the Brass Band Battle Creek, talks about how the invite came together, how the ensemble solves the logistics of rehearsing from many home bases, and why live music and youth education sit at the center of the mission. Episod...

Tornadoes in Michigan are no longer something only heard about in warm weather months. Calhoun County residents know the last few seasons have made that clear.  Chandler Bos, Vice President of Michigan Storm Chasers, unpacks what it really takes to track severe weather in real time and why the most important part of storm coverage isn’t the video, it’s the decisions people make before and during a...

Spring is in the air in Battle Creek. Annie Kelly from the Downtown Battle Creek Zine, rounds up the best local reasons to get out of the house. From lions at Binder Park Zoo to live music nights and a Symphony concert built around Ellis Island stories, we map out what to put on your calendar this April.  Episode Resources Follow DBCZ on Facebook ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show ho...