Community Matters Calhoun County

Many school districts - unlike decades of the past - have returned teachers and students to the classroom before Labor Day. Among them, Battle Creek's Pennfield Schools. Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer joins Community Matters grateful for school building improvements voters got behind by approving a bond request. She also echoes her counterparts in other districts by voicing concerns about th...

July 1 has come and gone and MIchigan lawmakers still have not passed a state budget. By law, the budget should be passed by that date, but the law holds no teeth should that not happen. Meanwhile, Michigan public schools are welcoming students back without knowing what their state-funded budget numbers are. Lakeview Schools Superintendent Dr. William Patterson and Board of Education Chair Eric Gr...

Community Matters welcomes back Jessica Gilbert from the Humane Society of South Central Michigan for a Wiggly Tail update. This time, we highlight Scout, a terrier mix ready to find his family. If you're looking for a low-key, loving dog, he may be the one! We also discuss the Canine Training Institute, an affordable training for dogs - as well as how some folks leave a final gift to the Hum...

Know someone who has consistently shown community service toward older adults in Calhoun County? Perhaps they are a professional - or a volunteer. Calhoun County Senior Services encourages you to nominate them for the Joanne Konkle Leadership Award. Accepting nominations until August 21, 2025, Senior Services will reivew nominations and determine a professional and volunteer to receive the honor,...

Jim Haadsma was defeated in the November, 2024 election by a narrow margin. Now, after some reflection, the Battle Creek Democrat has decided he wants another shot at representing the Cereal City in the Michigan House of Representatives 44th District. Republican Rep. Steve Frisbie defeated Haadsma by just 79 votes. Haadsma returns to Community Matters to talk about his decision and what motivated...

They are calling it "Friday Night De'Lights" - a spin on Friday night high school football season - with drinkable treats. Matt Lemmer, a Battle Creek-area Biggby Coffee franchisee, joins Community Matters to talk about the enticements he and fellow franchisee Charles Solano are planning in order to share proceeds from Friday sales with local high school marching bands. Follow Battl...

Calhoun County still remains in the top-five Michigan counties with significant rates of domestic violence - sometimes called intimate partner violence.  That's the word from Ellen Lassiter Collier, executive director of Battle Creek's SAFE Place, a 54-bed emergency shelter. The shelter exists for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sex trafficking. Now, SAFE Place has opened...

Back in 2023, Starr Commonwealth President and CEO Elizabeth Carey told Community Matters about a groundbreaking idea for a new program: Target young "opportunity youth" who have had a "failure to launch" - a lack of momentum toward their life goals. In 2025, Carey returns to Community Matters to report back on the progress FOCUS Forward has made in just a couple of years. Epis...

Battle Creek's Cereal City Concert Band, fresh back from performances in Prague, Czech Republic and Schladming, Austria in summer 2025, announced a new conductor: Dr. Doris Doyan. Doyan joins Community Matters for this community introduction, along with longtime CCCB musician Barb Hibiske. The pair also discuss a call for new musicians to join the band. Episode Resources CCCB Website Communit...

Kalamazoo Democrat Sean McCann - term limited in the Michigan House of Representatives - wants to unseat Republican U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga of Holland. Huizenga represents Michigan's 4th Congressional House District in Washington, a district redrawn in 2022 to include a portion of Calhoun County including the city of Battle Creek. McCann will need to win a primary challenge first, f...

The search for Battle Creek's next city manager reached a point previously where finalists for the job were set to meet with the public. Then, after one of the candidates withdrew, the city stopped the process temporarily. That was back in April 2025; now, a new set of finalists is ready to meet the public on August 6, 2025. The event will bring four finalists to the public where folks can in...

Someone calling you claiming to be a federal law enforcement agent demanding to be paid in gift cards or cryptocurrency is a fraudster. That's the word from Battle Creek Police Community Services Sgt. Cory Champlin, who joins Community Matters to remind listeners how to recognize such calls as scams. Episode Resources BCPD Scam Alert ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richa...

A U.S. Housing and Urban Development grant totaling $90,000 for Battle Creek's Haven of Rest Ministries Life Recovery Program is being cut.  In an open letter to the community, Haven Executive Director Daniel Jones says the cut is "..a threat to the viability of the entire program." The 12-month, in-residence programs are "designed for individuals battling substance use disorde...

Lakeview Ford's Vince Pavone returns to Community Matters to celebrate the dealership's 15th anniversary in downtown Battle Creek. He also shares some information about how some Calhoun County residents spoke up in Washington D.C. against changes to the Production Tax Credit in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act . Their efforts were successful in helping to maintain the PTC's affect on...

Calhoun County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol Coordinator, Deputy Matthew Schimmel, joins Community Matters to offer input after multiple drownings and incidents on state waterways. A Detroit Free Press report quoted a Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project tally at 31 great lakes drownings shortly after Independence Day 2025. Deputy Schimmel discusses water safety as it relates to both swimming and...

Earlier this year, Brittney Dowdy and her son - 9-year-old Bentley - challenged each other to raise money to send young people to the Detroit Lions Football Camp in Battle Creek in July 2025. After raising enough to send more than 30 kids to camp, the two planned a free community football game for July 13 at Battle Creek Central High School. The game pits young players against first responders fro...

Every year, the City of Battle Creek looks for photo submissions from residents who have taken snaps of wildlife and other scenes in the Calhoun County watershed. Their submissions could end up featured in the following year's calendar. And, potentially win them some money. Rough weather and other challenges have postponed the Battle Creek Public Works Open House. This time, coordinators are...

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...