Ottawa Out Loud

Michael J. Fox once said, "Don’t spend a lot of time imagining worst-case scenario", and that's a great quote to live by-- life is a lot more enjoyable and fulfilling when you're thinking positive thoughts. Notice how he doesn't say "NEVER imagine the worst-case scenario", though? Having a plan for when things don't go according to plan is the most important...

Our friends at the Ottawa County Road Commission return to the podcast! Alex & Ken join us to talk about OCRC's summer road maintenance, covering gravel road maintenance, chip sealing, and more of the work that, while you might be inconvenienced for a bit, helps you reach your destination safely. Connect with the Road Commission for the latest updates to road construction, closures, and m...

Memorial Day weekend is here, and that means that summer is just around the corner! But the new season doesn't just bring new opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors-- it also brings new safety concerns that might make you want to just stay inside: -Ticks, mosquitos, and the diseases they carry -Water contamination -Food safety -Rip currents Thankfully, the Ottawa County Department of Publi...

If you've ever had to call 911, you may remember feeling scared, hurt, or confused about what to do. What you might not remember is the calm voice on the other end, laser-focused on figuring out the best way to help. Police, Firefighters, and EMTs/Paramedics save lives every day-- but without Ottawa County Central Dispatch, they wouldn't be able to do their jobs effectively.  We're...

Veterans Services Director Jason Schenkel returns with Greg Carlson, a member of the Veterans Services Committee. Jason and Greg give us the latest in Veterans Services news, an explanation of the committee's role in decision making and oversight, and practical ways that OCVS supports our Veteran population.  Make sure to subscribe to see new episodes of Ottawa Out Loud and follow us on socia...

We're bringing in Scott and Kirk from our Human Resources department to talk about how vital our staff is, what actions Ottawa County takes to be an incredible place to work, and why investing in our workforce creates the best value for taxpayers.  If you're inspired to come and work with us, visit miOttawa.org/apply to see our current openings and submit an application today! Visit miOt...

Water Resources Commissioner Joe Bush, Ben Jordan from Ottawa Conservation District, and Dan Callam from the Outdoor Discovery Center Network join us to dive into the groundbreaking Water Quality Monitoring Initiative, spearheaded by our Water Resources department. This initiative brings together experts from across the county to collect data from our streams, rivers, lakes, and watersheds to unde...

Cold weather got you feeling stuck indoors? We're kicking off season 2 of Ottawa Out Loud with an exciting look at winter recreation opportunities from Ottawa County Parks, including skiing, snowshoeing, birding, and more. Plus, a sneak peek at the new-and-improved 2026 Parks Challenge, featuring bigger and better prizes! ——————Links—————— Learn more about Parks & Recreation Programs: htt...

CEO Dr. Michael Brashears joins us to give you a deeper look into Community Mental Health, the philosophies that drive it, and the challenges that it faces in today’s complex environment. See how CMH administration and staff are preparing for changes at the federal, state, and county level while still providing top-notch comprehensive mental health services to our community.  “Did you Know?” Video...

In our most exciting episode yet, former interim administrator Gary Rosema and administrator Patrick Waterman join the podcast to talk about what administrators do, give their perspective on the last 12 months, and look toward the bright future of Ottawa County.  Make sure that you're subscribed so you don't miss anything from Ottawa County! ----------------Links from Announcements------...

Kendra, Bill, and Morgan join us to talk about just a handful of the many programs offered by Ottawa County's MSU Extension Office. Learn more about: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/ottawa/ Product Center: https://www.canr.msu.edu/productcenter/ Christmas tree farms in your area: https://mcta.org/choose-cut-farms-map/ Keeping your tree fresh all season long: https://www.canr.msu.edu/n...

Happy New (fiscal) Year! Thanks to Tyler and Sandi from Fiscal Services for joining us today to talk about our county budget: why it's necessary, how it's created, and what's new in fiscal year '26.  For more information on the Fiscal Services Department, visit https://miottawa.org/fiscal-services/ FY2025 Budget Book: https://stories.opengov.com/countyofottawami/62d95624-e0be-4...

Sheriff Eric DeBoer joins us to talk about some organizational changes, new technology, recruiting updates, and what makes the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office an incredible place to work.  Important Links:  The Ottawa Sands Project Documentary Award Press Release: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/bulletins/3f2dd96 Board Meeting Calendar: https://boards.miottawa.org/calendar/ S...

Daniel and Max from Community Mental Health sit down with Scott to talk about the options provided for those struggling with substance use, the live-saving impact these programs have, and details about RecoveryFest, a family-friendly event celebrating recovery and building community. Crisis Helpline: 866-512-4357 or call 911 if someone is actively endangered. Find SUD resources from CMH: https://m...

Newsflash--Ottawa County is one of the top agricultural powerhouses in the state. That means farming is literally (okay, figuratively) in our DNA. Julie Lamer and Becky Huttenga from the Department of Strategic Impact join the podcast to discuss how strategic, data-driven land planning is essential to the county's economic future, and how preserving and protecting farmland from being overdeve...

Jason and Caleb join us to chat about the philosophy driving the Ottawa County Veterans Services Department, the ways the team works to provide resources and community for local Veterans, and info about some big community events coming up! For more information about OCVS and everything we talked about: 1. visit https://miottawa.org/veterans-services/ 2. get in contact with the department by callin...

It's construction season, y'all-- the time of year where we all regret asking "when are they gonna fix this road????". Despite our grumbling, road maintenance is a necessary inconvenience and an essential part of our county's infrastructure. The Ottawa County Road Commission is hard at work making sure the roadways all across the county are maintained to a high standard, a...

Adam and Bekah from the Food Safety team join the pod to talk all about how restaurants, cafeterias, and food trucks in Ottawa County are inspected to keep YOUR dining experience safe! ---------------Announcement Links--------------- Veterans Services Coffee & Donuts Event (May 16): https://miottawa.org/events/coffee-donuts-at-renew-therapeutic-riding-center-05-16-2025/ Idema Explorers Camp Re...

On today's episode, we revisit the award-winning Ballots and Banter series as Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck and Elections Supervisor Katie Bard guest star to talk allllllllll about the upcoming May 6th Special Election. Plus, a special appearance from some unexpected guests, and a very entertaining game show! ------------Main Segment Links------------ More information on the May 6th Spec...

It's undeniable: Ottawa County is an incredible place to live. For decades, the dream of owning a home here has been attainable, but as the nationwide housing challenges persist and the county continues to grow, affordability is becoming a struggle for many.  The Department of Strategic Impact (DSI), alongside multiple community partners, has developed a concept that could alleviate the need...

Thanks SO much for listening to Ottawa Out Loud. We hope you learned and laughed. New episodes release every few weeks. Today, Jessica and Rylie join me to discuss the incredible Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission!  Ottawa County is known for its expansive, accessible, and biodiverse natural spaces, and it's the perfect time to start planning your next visit to a park.  In this p...

Thanks for listening to the very first episode of Ottawa Out Loud, the Official Podcast of Ottawa County! Jen Brozowski, Program Director of OCCAA (like mocha) and international icon, teaches us about OCCAA’s mission and the life-changing services they offer. We discuss how the department is organized and funded, and we spill all the details about the free, family-friendly, and overall incredible...