Community Matters Calhoun County

First Aired March 4, 2023 *Note: The Michigan Legislature approved a $1.3B spending bill, including $630M for the BlueOval Battery Park at the Marshall Megasite. Read more here . Jim Durian, CEO with Choose Marshall - also known as MAEDA, the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance - tells Community Matters all land parcels needed for the Ford BlueOval Michigan Battery Plant have been purchase...

First Aired February 25, 2023 In his latest update from the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners, Vice-Chair Steve Frisbie offers his perspective on the planned BlueOval Battery Park Michigan at the Marshall megasite. Episode Resources Calhoun County Board of Commissioners website Calhoun County Board 2023 Agendas, Online Viewing Ford Motor Company press release about BlueOval Battery Park Michig...

First Aired February 25, 2023 Marshall, Michigan Mayor Jim Schwartz offers his thoughts on the planned BlueOval Battery Park Michigan announced for the Marshall megasite location. Among other things, Schwartz encourages residents to gather as much information as they can as details emerge. Episode Resources Marshall, Michigan website Marshall Township,  Michigan website Ford Motor Company press re...

First Aired February 18, 2023 Having existed under various names since 1987, the Cereal City Concert Band has performed many concerts with that moniker for some time, now. And, clarinetist Barb Hibiske tells Community Matters the band is "the best it's ever been" during this discussion about its special "Lift Every Voice" concert. Episode Resources Cereal City Concert Band...

First Aired February 18, 2023 Ford Motor Company's announcement of a $3.5 billion battery manufacturing plant in Marshall, Michigan on February 13, 2023 brought to light the results of a multi-year effort. In this episode, Battle Creek Unlimited President and CEO Joe Sobieralski offers the Battle Creek economic development perspective on this news (and an update on the remodeling of the downt...

First Aired February 18, 2023 Richard visits with Jessica Gilbert, executive director of the Humane Society of South Central Michigan - where the COVID-19 pandemic brought some changes in procedure. Some of those changes have lasted beyond the pandemic. Episode Resources HSSCM website HSSCM Volunteer Program More Community Matters ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet...

First Aired February 11, 2023 Battle Creek City Manager Rebecca Fleury checks in with Community Matters, discussing a variety of areas. Those include her perspective on the interim police chief, a study of the Battle Creek public safety service model and the potential for a citizens review board. Episode Resources Battle Creek City Manager Office website (Community Matters 6) Fleury Marks 8 Years...

First Aired February 11, 2023 Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce President Kara Beer visits Community Matters to discuss the 2023 "Love Battle Creek" nominating and voting. The online campaign, started during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeks to spread love to local businesses across Calhoun County by asking for nominations from locals in over 40 categories. Then, residents are asked to vo...

First Aired February 11, 2023 Community Matters asked Stacy Wines, CEO at Carewell Services Southwest in Battle Creek, to discuss the most common scams targeting senior citizens. Wines points out those who love and care for seniors should assist them in warding off scammers. Episode Resources Carewell Services website National Do-Not-Call Registry website Federal Trade Commission scam alert websit...

First Aired February 4, 2023 A free Kalsee Credit Union workplace program helps participants improve handling of their personal finances - while helping employers retain employees and improve their performance. Matt Duguid and Brian McDonald discuss KEEP: Kalsee's Employee Empowerment Program , which teaches the basics and some intricacies of managing personal finances, credit, and even safeg...

First Aired: February 4, 2023 Consumers Energy Executive Director of Customer Operations Brian Lewis encourages energy customers to reach out as soon as they know they won't be able to pay their bill. In this episode, he also discusses the programs in place meant to assist customers with energy bill payments when necessary. Episode Resources Consumers Energy Payment Assistance website Consume...

First Aired February 4, 2023 Rising energy costs mean more Michiganders are asking for help through various channels to pay their utility bills. In this episode, Bethany Stutzman discusses the United Way Program Assistance Center , which - at the time of the interview - was handing record amounts of applications for assistance. NOTE: After the interview was recorded, the United Way announced the C...

First Aired January 28, 2023 In his periodic Calhoun County Board of Commissioners update on Community Matters , Steve Frisbie discusses the process of being sworn in and the procedure to elect a chair and vice-chair. He also reflects on the time he has served as a commissioner, marking the start of his seventh term. Episode Resources Calhoun County Board of Commissioners website Calhoun County Bo...

First Aired January 28, 2023 Charitable Union CEO Teresa Allen encourages folks to donate unused blue jeans to help meet demand for them in its mission to contribute to human dignity. Charitable Union provides free of charge clothing, personal care items, steel-toed shoes and more. The organization, celebrating 136 years of service, assists Calhoun County residents living with Bridge, Medicaid and...

First Aired January 21, 2023 Peter Vogel joined the South Michigan Food Bank four years ago - just in time to face record demands for food assistance over the COVID-19 pandemic. In this discussion he talks about how they managed while demand was doubled. Looking ahead, Vogel sees other challenges, too, but remains energized and upbeat about the future. Click to hear his thoughts, along with a spec...

First Aired January 21, 2023 Calhoun County's behavioral health organization, Summit Pointe , announced in December 2022 it would move its medical services to 175 College Street in Battle Creek - on the opposite side of the First Step urgent care building. In this episode, Operations Director Jamie Schook discusses this change and the intent behind it. As well, Summit Pointe announced in Janu...

First Aired January 14, 2023 With the announcement that Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker will retire in early 2023, Deputy Chief Shannon Bagley has been tapped as interim chief. Bagley discusses his law enforcement career and priorities for the BCPD in this episode. Episode Resources Listen: (Community Matters 7) BC Police Chief Speaks Frankly About Effects of Mental Health on Policing Listen...

First Aired January 14, 2023 Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker announced his retirement in late 2022, with his last day on the job January 31, 2023. In this episode, Chief Blocker discusses whether his initial goals for the department have been met, what led to his decision to step down and the handoff to Interim Chief Shannon Bagley. Episode Resources Listen: (Community Matters 7) BC Police C...

First Aired January 7, 2023 With a significant Burmese American population settled in the Battle Creek area, the Burma Center initially helped support folks in their process to get settled in a new country, culture and community. Now, Burma Center Executive Director Tha Par discusses how the mission of the Burma Center has adapted to Burmese Americans' changing needs - along with the needs of...

First Aired January 7, 2023 MDOT spokesperson Nick Schirripa discusses the I-94/Capital Avenue bridge replacement scheduled for summer 2023, including special accommodations being made for pedestrians during the project. He also discusses several other bridge projects on the I-94 Battle Creek corridor, as well as how to view MDOT road cameras - especially in bad weather. Also discussed: Delays in...

First Aired December 31, 2022 in his first interview with Community Matters, Calhoun County Sheriff Steve Hinkley takes the opportunity to encourage safety on New Year's Eve - and while ice fishing. As well, he discusses the effects of the mental health crisis on the Calhoun County Jail. Episode Resources Calhoun County Sheriff's Department website Calhoun County Sheriff's Departmen...

First Aired December 31, 2022 Calhoun County Board Chair Steve Frisbie discusses the panel's accomplishments in 2022 and priorities for 2023. He also talks about the commission's first meeting January 5, 2023 - and whether or not he may continue as chair. Episode Resources Calhoun County Board of Commissioners website Calhoun County Board 2023 Meeting Schedule ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS For...

First Aired December 24, 2022 Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke discusses the new city commission and vice-mayor, now officially sworn in and ready to focus on 2023 priorities. Episode Resources City of Battle Creek website Battle Creek Mayor and Commission website Mayor Mark Behnke website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matter...

First Aired December 24, 2022 Battle Creek Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Robert Phillips notes the organizations accomplishments in 2022 as well as a look at what is to come. Episode Resources Battle Creek Habitat website Battle Creek Habitat ReStore Battle Creek Habitat ReStore location ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Commun...

First Aired December 17, 2022 Battle Creek Community Foundation President and CEO Brenda Hunt discusses the concept of the "enterprise zone" in the Foundation building in Battle Creek. The entrepreneurial concept paves the way for new social enterprises. Episode Resources BCCF website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community...