Inside Calhoun County

Judge Tracie Tomak from the Calhoun County 10th District Court talks about the county's Driver’s License Restoration Court and how it helps eligible people turn a criminal traffic charge into a real plan to get legally licensed again.  Episode Resources Road to Restoration Website Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications .

Calhoun County Clerk/Register Kimberly Hinkley returns to Inside Calhoun County, providing a refresher for those intending to vote early in the 2026 election season. Hinkley also discusses how early voting is changing turnout, planning, and voter confidence across the county.  Episode Resources Calhoun County Clerk Website Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications .

A calm day on the water can turn serious in seconds, and most of the time it is not “bad luck”, it is one missing piece of prep. This time on Inside Calhoun County, Deputy Matthew Schimmel from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department Marine Patrol provides clear, practical answers on boating safety in Michigan, especially the rules that people misunderstand on inland lakes, rivers, kayaks, and can...

On this episode of Inside Calhoun County, Andrea Aguilar maps out what the Calhoun County Public Health Department Clinic does and how residents can use it.  Andrea explains services, locations, privacy protections, and why the clinic can be a fast option even if you do not have a primary care doctor.  Episode Resources Calhoun County Public Health Department Clinic Calhoun County Government Insid...

This time on Inside Calhoun County, Director David Makled discusses how Calhoun County’s Public Defender Office is expanding holistic defense so courts can see the person behind the case.  Makled also talks about the meaning behind Calhoun County's participation in the Michigan Holistic Defense Fellowship Program - one of only 5 public defender's offices in Michigan to do so. Episode Res...

This time on Inside Calhoun County: Assistant Director of Community Development Lucy Hough talks through the surprising ways Calhoun County parks support research, conservation, and everyday recreation, from rare turtle surveys to creek level data you can text in.  Also hear updates on what millage funding and DNR Trust Fund grants are bringing to Kimball Pines, Historic Bridge Park, Menwabic Mead...

This time on Inside Calhoun County, Road Department Director Kristine Parsons discusses how the county shifts from a heavy winter response into pothole season and a packed summer construction schedule.  Episode Resources Calhoun County Road Department website Calhoun County Government website More: Here's How to Track Road Work Online Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produced by Livemic Commu...

Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott participated in the annual State of the Community address. The event was recorded in late February 2025 at AccessVision and included representatives from Albion, Battle Creek, Marshall, Springfield and Calhoun County. Hear Administrator Scott's remarks in this episode. The full event is able to be viewed via the link below. Episode Resources...

This time on Inside Calhoun County , Assistant Director of Community Development Lucy Hough discusses a practical plan to build a drive-through recycle center.  The proposed center expands hours, adds year-round drop-offs for hard-to-recycle items, and boosts Calhoun County’s diversion rate. Lucy also explains the state mandate, site choice, funding, and the steps to opening day. Episode Resources...

On this Inside Calhoun County, an update on the Calhoun County Broadband Task Force and its efforts to make high speed internet access available and more reliable. Communications Specialist Lynn Meikle traces how a grassroots effort grew into a county-backed plan to bring high-speed internet to 12,000 unserved and underserved addresses across Calhoun County. Also explained: BEAD funding, mapping,...

Calhoun County Medical Director Dr. William Nettleton answers nuanced questions parents often have about childhood vaccines, busts myths, and shares five key facts every family should know. Dr. Nettleton unpacks the federal cut from 17 to 11 recommended childhood vaccines, why no new evidence drove the change, and why Calhoun County recommends following the American Academy of Pediatrics schedule....

This time on Inside Calhoun County , a look at how the county manages 750 miles of drains and ten court-ordered lake levels while juggling property rights, budgets, and rising infrastructure demands.  From beaver dams to fiber optic crossings, Calhoun County Water Resources Commissioner Tommy Miller discusses how data, diplomacy, and hard work keep water where it belongs. Episode Resources Calhoun...

Commissioner Dan Strowbridge visits Inside Calhoun County, offering his view on county priorities, from public safety funding and health department cuts to how culverts and brush become the biggest road complaints. He shares why civic education matters, how to engage with the Board, and why the county’s AA bond rating signals resilience. Commissioner Strowbridge serves District 4, including Bedfor...

In this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Emergency Manager Lt. Chris Young shares practical steps to avoid cold injury, reduce crash risk on icy roads, and prepare your car so a long wait for help stays safe.  Episode Resources Calhoun County Government Calhoun County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Management Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications .

In this episode of Inside Calhoun County , an understanding how lead exposure still affects families in Calhoun County and what actually works to protect kids.  Lead Case Nurse Heather Schumacher explains how to spot risks, get children tested, and tap local programs that remove hazards at the source. Episode Resources Calhoun County Public Health Department Calhoun County Lead Testing Information...

Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert joins Inside Calhoun County to discuss Michigan’s Safe Storage Act, why youth access drives harm, and how layered defenses reduce theft, suicide, and accidental shootings. Clear rules, real penalties, and simple tools like safes and free locks can change outcomes. Episode Resources Guide to Responsible Gun Ownership Calhoun County Office of the Prosecuting A...

Calhoun County Road Department Executive Director Kristine Parsons returns to Inside Calhoun County to discuss the preparations for winter road conditions.  She also recommends residents shake their roadside mailboxes before the snow flies. Episode Resources Calhoun County Road Department website Calhoun County Government website More: Here's How to Track Road Work Online Inside Calhoun Count...

The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management division is focused on an all-hazards emergency management program. In doing so, Emergency Manager Lt. Chris Young returns to Inside Calhoun County to help dispel common myths and misunderstandings about readiness and preparation for evacuation, if necessary. Episode Resources Calhoun County Government Calhoun County Sheriff's Offi...

"These changes are not just about bricks and mortar," Calhoun County Youth Center Director Tori Bendon said on ribbon cutting day. "They are about people," she said. After a lengthy, $13 million renovation approved by the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners in 2022, the ribbon was cut on September 23, 2025. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County, Director Bendon discusses t...

The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners approved more than half a million dollars from opioid settlement funds in September 2025. The funds were awarded to seven Calhoun County organizations after a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott returns to Inside Calhoun County to discuss the opioid settlement funds from which these awards we...

Calhoun County Commissioner Matt Saxton, elected in 2024, is no stranger to the workings of county government. Saxton served as Calhoun County Sheriff for eight years, also working for the sheriff's office since the mid-1990's. Saxton also serves as the executive director of the Michigan Sheriff's Association, a post he has held since 2020. Commissioner Saxton joins Inside Calhoun C...

Lt. Chris Young oversees the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Management, which helps various county entities plan for and respond to emergencies. On this episode of Inside Calhoun County, Lt. Young talks about the three things parents should know when preparing to get their kids back to school. Some of them may not be what you expect. Episode Resources Calhoun County Office of Em...

In this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Commissioner Gary Tompkins offers some insight on what motivates him to serve in District 7.  First elected in 2016, Commissioner Tompkins discusses his three-pillars view of service, priorities he sees in the district and county, as well as how to sign up for his newsletter. Episode Resources Calhoun County Board of Commissioners website Calhoun County G...

Brent Thelen, Calhoun County GIS manager, visits with Inside Calhoun County to talk about how the Geographical Information System is used in the county. GIS has been integral in advancing reference information beyond the "flat map" for a number of years in Calhoun County. Episode Resources Calhoun County GIS website Calhoun County Government website Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produ...

Calling it a critical upgrade, the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority (CCCDA) completed an upgrade of the countywide public safety radio system. The launch "...represents a major step forward in ensuring that all our emergency responders can communicate seamlessly, regardless of jurisdiction,” said CCCDA Executive Director Michael Armitage. “This is a game-changer for public safet...