Community Matters Calhoun County

The second annual Mini Golf for Good event is just one way the Battle Creek Salvation Army is working to support its community programs. Captains Mika and Grace Roinilla are joined by event coordinator Cindy Older to talk about the 2025 short-game event with a long-drive opportunity. Find out, too, about the Army's "Christmas in July" campaign. Episode Resources Battle Creek Salvati...

Veterans Helping Veterans is an organization, says Vice President Rick Stover, that started with one vet going from homelessness to a new apartment - but he didn't have any belongings. That led to the organization providing donated furniture and other necessities to more than 3500 vets and their families who needed them. Now, the former Battle Creek Homeless Shelter at 209 East Michigan Avenu...

Several years ago, Morris - a friendly and loving white and grey cat - found what was to be his "forever home" with someone who chose him. Now, that person has passed away and without a family member or friend able or willing to take him in, the only option was for Morris to return to the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. In this Wiggly Tail episode, HSSCM Executive Director Jess...

When asked what things come to mind first as he considers what the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners is focused on now, Chair Derek King says "roads" without hesitation. There are other things on the agenda too, of course, but the warm weather season certainly brings out road crews to continue with more pavement repairs and upgrades. Episode Resources Calhoun County Board website Cal...

It's a summer staple in Battle Creek: The annual Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival. Thousands gather at the Battle Creek Executive Airport over the Independence Day weekend to marvel at the sight of U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force air shows and championship hot-air balloons. Event Executive Director Barb Haluskzka returns to Community Matters for a Field of Flight update - including...

Marking just over one year as president and CEO of the Battle Creek Community Foundation, Mary Muliett returns to Community Matters for an update. Reflecting on the fundraising climate and summer plans, whatever challenges she sees haven't affected her enthusiasm. Episode Resources Battle Creek Community Foundation website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (20...

The Battle Creek alternative high school - W.K. Kellogg Preparatory High School - will leave its standalone building in 2025 and move into a specially selected area inside Battle Creek Central High School. Some advocates of Kellogg Prep have concerns about the change, hoping it won't affect the experience students are receiving. BCPS Superintendent Dr. Kim Carter returns to Community Matters,...

Calhoun County's Binder Park Zoo celebrates its 50th season in 2025. President and CEO Diane Thompson returns to Community Matters to reflect on how the zoo has evolved over 50 years, as well as some of the special events and attractions that keep folks coming back. Episode Resources Binder Park Zoo website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns...

In one of his first interviews since becoming the city manager of Springfield, Michigan, Aaron Edlefson talks about what drew him to lead the city - and reflects on his service in the Veterans Affairs department in Calhoun County. Episode Resources City of Springfield ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview prog...

Marshall Mayor Scott Wolfersberger returns to Community Matters with updates on the master plan - and on work being done to the Brooks Memorial Fountain. He also comments on progress at the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan and more. Episode Resources City of Marshall BlueOval Community Matters episodes ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Com...

The United Way of South Central Michigan continues to study its "ALICE" data - ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. CEO Chris Sargent returns to Community Matters to offer some perspective on the numbers, as well as the overall fundraising outlook amidst more potential national cuts. He also underscores the commitment the organization and its partners have to off...

Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Pennfield) returns to Community Matters to update listeners on legislative activity in the Michigan House of Representatives. Frisbie discusses legislation to give volunteer emergency response workers in Michigan a tax break, restoring local control over energy policies, his attendance at the Mackinac Policy Conference, the Ford BlueOval plant and more. Episode Resources Rep....

Boxes and Boxes of cereal - and gallons and gallons of milk - are just part of Battle Creek's annual National Cereal Fest. There is entertainment, vendors, the traditional parade - and even a special cereal sale. Kellogg Arena's Kaycie Chrystan tells Community Matters all about the 2025 event and what's new for attendees. Episode Resources Cereal Fest ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former...

Honored in 2025 as the Star of the Year at the Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism, Calhoun County Visitors Bureau CEO Linda Freybler shares some perspective on visitors to our county. Freybler also offers insight about what fills hotel rooms in Calhoun County, how Battle Creek's downtown landmark hotel opening has helped - and what makes our area an attractive location for convent...

Singer and musician Del Shannon - born Charles Westover about 80 miles away in Coopersville, Michigan - is said to have adopted Battle Creek as his hometown. Hence, a growing celebration of the "Little Runaway" singer in the cereal city. West Michigan historian, podcaster and board member of the Battle Creek Regional History Museum Michael Delaware returns to Community Matters to talk ab...

For the third year in a row, the Calhoun County Land Bank Authority has received a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help move potentially contaminated land to new ownership. The City of Albion and Battle Creek Community Foundation are partners on the project, which seeks to "...address sites that have sat vacant or underused for years," according to Krista Trout-Edw...

Cass County native Aric Nesbitt, the Michigan Senate Minority Leader, has announced his intent to run for governor in 2026. Nesbitt, a conservative Republican, was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2010. Nesbitt joins Community Matters to talk about what motivates his run and why. Episode Resources Michigan Senate Republicans: Sen. Aric Nesbitt ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Forme...

When thinking about military appreciation observances during the month of May, you may think first of Memorial Day. While that is certainly true, we learn in this Community Matters discussion there are a lot more observances which constitute what is referred to as Military Appreciation Month. Summit Pointe Veteran Navigator Michele Pascoe joins Community Matters to help us understand. Episode Reso...

A planned meet-and-greet in April 2025 was supposed to give Battle Creek residents a chance to meet the finalists for city manager. That event was abruptly cancelled when one of the candidates withdrew from consideration. The search was described as "paused", giving a chance for Battle Creek City Commissioners and the hired search consultants to regroup. In this discussion, Mayor Mark Be...

Calhoun County Senior Services stages its annual Senior Expo to provide a one-stop resource event for those 60 and over. Set for May 22, 2025 at Kellogg Arena, the free event features a number of demonstrations, give-a-ways and access to vendors who provide different services. Rebecca de Finta shares more information in this discussion- including free parking and free transportation to and from th...

In this Wiggly Tail update from the Humane Society of South Central Michigan, Lacy and Jessica join Community Matters to talk about three big things: Whisker Mixer Fundraiser: The annual event is a major fundraiser for the HSCCM. Donations still accepted . Work at HSSCM: Have a calling to work with animals? The Humane Society is looking for its next great team members. Sophie: The latest adoptable...

Calhoun County does not generally have a significant amount of reported incidents of wrong-way drivers. But, many other counties do - particularly in higher-populated areas. That's the word from Calhoun County Sheriff's Department Lt. Curtis Smith. Still, an incident in spring 2025 involved a wrong-way driver on I-94 near Marshall, which resulted in a crash. Lt. Smith joins Community Mat...

Battle Creek's annual tradition - the Community Prayer Breakfast - seeks to bring all denominations together for a morning of inspiration and motivation. In its 43rd year, the longtime coordinator of the event, Helen Royal, joins Community Matters to talk about history, her favorite memories of the event, and the 2025 contributors. Episode Resources 43rd Annual Community Prayer Breakfast ABOU...

Every spring, Calhoun County dementia education organization Miles for Memories facilitates an information session with Michigan State University researchers meant to update attendees on research and other news about the disease. The 2025 event is set for Tuesday, May 6, 5:30 PM at the Kool Family Center in Battle Creek. The session is also a chance for future researchers - MSU students - to share...

FireKeepers Casino Hotel has evolved from a gaming institution to include a upscale hotel tower. Then another. Today, FireKeepers CEO Frank Tecumseh shares with Community Matters some perspective on how far the facility has come, as well as the overall "Vegas-style" experience - along with big-name performances and events - and some thoughts about what's to come. He also talks about...