Community Matters Calhoun County

First Aired December 17, 2022 Battle Creek's Charitable Union Director Teresa Allen talks about the three ways the organization offers clothing and other essentials to those in need in Battle Creek. She notes that in 2022, there has never been a higher demand for their assistance. Episode Resources Charitable Union website Donate to Charitable Union Charitable Union donation location ABOUT CO...

While The Haven of Rest in Battle Creek has been providing helpful services for the homeless since 1956, Executive Director Daniel Jones tells Community Matters the COVID-19 pandemic helped pave the way to adapt and expand. Click to hear him also provide an understanding for the three general categories of people The Haven serves. Episode Resources The Haven of Rest website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS...

Summit Pointe CEO Jeannie Goodrich discusses First Step, Calhoun County's behavioral health urgent care center opened in 2021. She also offers input on Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker's perspectives about societal mental health issues overall. Episode Resources Summit Pointe website Summit Pointe podcast series hosted by Richard Piet Summit Pointe First Step: 5K Visit in First 18 M...

First Aired: November 26, 2022 Battle Creek Fire Chief Bill Beaty, who assumed his position in October 2022, introduces himself to the community and discusses some important holiday fire safety tips. ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle...

First Aired November 26, 2022 Calhoun County Board Chair Steve Frisbie discusses the main focus for commissioners in December 2022. As well, the Battle Creek Optimist Club and Lakeview Ford Lincoln plan their annual Christmas Tree sale. Brad Morris and Vince Pavone have details. Battle Creek Christmas Parade Update The 2022 Battle Creek Christmas Parade was postponed in November due to inclement w...

First Aired November 19, 2022 Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker speaks optimistically about a largely new staff of officers at the BCPD. He also offers frank perspective on the role of mental illness-related calls the force deals with regularly. Episode Resources Battle Creek Police website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community...

First Aired November 19, 2022 Salvation Army corps officers in Battle Creek, Captains Mika and Grace Roinilla, visited with Community Matters just ahead of the 2022 Battle Creek Christmas Parade. They discuss the assistance efforts of the Christmas Kettle campaign, a bit of Salvation Army history and Sally's Kitchen (which has nothing to do with Sally!). Episode Resources Battle Creek Salvati...

First Aired November 12, 2022 Battle Creek City Manager Rebecca Fleury gives her perspective on the challenges and progress the city has undertaken since she joined the city eight years ago. Episode Resources Battle Creek City Manager Office website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on comm...

First Aired November 12, 2022 Battle Creek Public Schools Superintendent Kim Carter and Communications Manager Nathan Hunt offer some post-pandemic perspective on district goals. Episode Resources Battle Creek Public Schools website BCPS Bond Update information About Battle Creek Public Schools ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community...

First Aired November 5, 2022 On this episode of Community Matters, Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke offers his view on current and upcoming priorities for the city. Click to hear Mayor Behnke discuss safety, housing and more. Episode Resources City of Battle Creek website Battle Creek Mayor and Commission website Mayor Mark Behnke website Vince Pavone discusses the intent of Community Matters ABOUT...

First Aired November 5, 2022 PROGRAMMING NOTE: After this episode was recorded, the Battle Creek Christmas Parade, scheduled for November 19, 2022, was postponed due to expected inclement weather. Stephanie Cornish and her husband Zack are among the co-chairs of the 2022 Battle Creek Christmas Parade . They have picked up where Stephanie's late father, Jim Demarest, left off after his more th...

First Aired October 29, 2022 Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Chair Steve Frisbie talks about the county budget process - and an initial $4 million gap which, he says, will be closed to present a balanced budget for approval. Episode Resources Calhoun County Board of Commissioners website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community...

First Aired October 29, 2022 Battle Creek's Miles for Memories - a volunteer organization working to change the trajectory of those impacted by dementia locally - has helped make some significant technological advances. Specifically, the organization has worked with partners to develop a tech method to help someone with dementia safely return. Click to hear Sherii Sherban discuss those advanc...

First Aired October 22, 2022 Binder Park Zoo President and CEO Diane Thompson and Director of Marketing and Development Leslie Walsh reconnect with Richard. On the agenda: How the zoo roared back after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to offer new exhibits and experiences. One of them is SkyLark Ridge, billed as a ropes course and zipline adventure. Click to hear the details! Episode Resources...

First Aired October 22, 2022 Calhoun County Clerk Kim Hinkley joins Richard to talk about her top three choices for what voters should know before Election Day. Episode Resources Calhoun County Clerk website Calhoun County Clerk elections page Michigan Voter Information Center ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an inter...

First Aired October 22, 2022 It has been years since Battle Creek attorney John Macfarlane started leading the charge to restore a more natural waterway along the city's downtown flow of the Kalamazoo River. Currently, the river flows on a concrete channel built around 1960. Now, the effort to naturalize the area is picking up momentum. In this episode, Macfarlane discusses the steps remainin...

First Aired October 15, 2022 Battle Creek Unlimited's Joe Sobieralski talks with Richard about the top 3 priorities for Battle Creek at BCU right now - including the new Battle Creek Doubletree hotel remodeling project. Episode Resources Battle Creek Podcasts: www.battlecreekpodcast.com Battle Creek Unlimited website Battle Creek Enquirer story about Viking Cives Viking Cives website Battle C...

First Aired October 15, 2022 The United Ways of South Central Michigan - the newly merged entity from the UWs of Battle Creek/Kalamazoo, Lansing and Jackson - have kicked off their annual fall campaign. This is the first for the group as a merged organization. President Chris Sargent talks with Richard about the merger, the campaign - happening amidst tougher economic times - and his optimism in s...

First Aired October 8, 2022 In the debut episode of Battle Creek's "Community Matters" program, Lakeview Ford's Vince Pavone discusses why he is opening his own wallet to support community-related radio and podcast interviews. ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on communi...

First Aired October 8, 2022 Former WBCK morning host Dave Eddy (1960-2008) helps listeners remember the valuable effects of local programming and its ability to connect with listeners. We also reminisce a little about Dave's years as the "Morning Mayor". ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview pro...