Community Matters Calhoun County
A community interview series focused on Calhoun County, Michigan, featuring voices from Battle Creek, Marshall, Albion and all around the county. Join host Richard Piet to discuss local events, non-profits, local schools, government and community leaders.
Underwritten by Lakeview Ford-Lincoln, Community Matters also airs as a radio program Saturday mornings on 95.3 FM in Battle Creek.
Episodes
522 episodes
(Community Matters 197) The Wall That Heals Returns to Battle Creek
The Wall That Heals returns to Battle Creek. Colonel Frank Walker and Dave Morgan from Calhoun County Red White Blue Foundation explain how they got it to come back to Battle Creek and how it moves people so deeply. Ep...
(Community Matters 197) First Home First Teacher Brings Stability To Early Educators
Kathy Szenda Wilson from Pulse talks about First Home First Teacher, a Battle Creek pilot program that provides free housing plus ongoing support for early childhood educators who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.
(Community Matters 196) B Squared Foundation Brings Pro Level Coaching to Local Kids
Brittney Dowdy returns to talk about two summer opportunities that put kids first: a free community flag football game and a Pistons Academy basketball clinic built to be affordable and high impact. Brittney shares how the B Squared Foundation ...
(Community Matters 196) How Using AI Helps Achieve Quicker Emergency Response in Calhoun County
Michael Armitage with the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority talks about “Callie,” a virtual assistant now answering Calhoun County’s non-emergency dispatch lines so telecommunicators can stay focused on urgent calls. He breaks down...
(Community Matters 195) Remembering Dr. Joe Schwarz: Governor Gretchen Whitmer
This discussion is part of a series of interviews remembering former Battle Creek mayor, lawmaker and statesman, Dr. Joe Schwarz who passed away in May, 2026. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joins Community Matters to pa...
(Community Matters 195) Remembering Dr. Joe Schwarz: Former Southwest Michigan Congressman Fred Upton
This discussion is part of a series of interviews remembering former Battle Creek mayor, lawmaker and statesman, Dr. Joe Schwarz who passed away in May, 2026. Former Congressman Fred Upton looks back at what made Dr. Joe Sc...
(Community Matters 195) Remembering Dr. Joe Schwarz: CEO Joe Sobieralski, Battle Creek Unlimited
This discussion is part of a series of interviews remembering former Battle Creek mayor, lawmaker and statesman, Dr. Joe Schwarz who passed away in May, 2026. Battle Creek Unlimited CEO, Joe Sobieralski, discusses what Dr. ...
(Community Matters 195) Remembering Dr. Joe Schwarz: Battle Creek Author, Communications Executive T.R. Shaw
This discussion is part of a series of interviews remembering former Battle Creek mayor, lawmaker and statesman, Dr. Joe Schwarz who passed away in May, 2026. T.R. Shaw, CEO of Shaw Communications and author of Defy the...
(Community Matters 195) Remembering Dr. Joe Schwarz: Businessman Vince Pavone
This discussion is part of a series of interviews remembering former Battle Creek mayor, lawmaker and statesman, Dr. Joe Schwarz who passed away in May, 2026. Vince Pavone from Lakeview Ford reflects on the life of Dr. Joe ...
(Community Matters 195) Remembering Dr. Joe Schwarz: Former State Representative Jim Haadsma
This discussion is part of a series of interviews remembering former Battle Creek mayor, lawmaker and statesman, Dr. Joe Schwarz who passed away in May, 2026. Former State Representative Jim Haadsma shares why Dr. Joe Schwa...
(Community Matters 195) Remembering Dr. Joe Schwarz: Michigan State Representative Steve Frisbie
This discussion is part of a series of interviews remembering former Battle Creek mayor, lawmaker and statesman, Dr. Joe Schwarz who passed away in May, 2026. Michigan State Representative Steve Frisbee recalls why Dr. Joe ...
(Community Matters 195) Remembering Dr. Joe Schwarz: Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke
This discussion is part of a series of interviews remembering former Battle Creek mayor, lawmaker and statesman, Dr. Joe Schwarz who passed away in May, 2026. Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke shares his memories of Dr. Joe Sc...
(Community Matters 195) DBCZ July Events Update: America's 250th in Calhoun County - and More
The Community Matters July events update from the Downtown Battle Creek Zine highlights America’s 250th celebrations across Battle Creek and Calhoun County, from the Field of Flight to parades, cars, and...
(Community Matters 194) Wiggly Tail: Meet Scottie! The Sweet Young Basset Doodle
This time on Wiggly Tail, meet Scottie, a sweet, high-energy young “Basset Doodle” at the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. Carrie Bammer, Animal Care Manager at HSSCM, talks about the ideal home for Scotty and shares an adoption update...
(Community Matters 194) Day Trip: Frederik Meijer Gardens Getaway
Charles Burke, president and CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, discusses why this day-trip Grand Rapids destination feels like a reset for your mind and a memory-maker for your family. Burke explains how the Gardens feels like ...
(Community Matters 194) Turning the Former Battle Creek Kmart Site into 80 New Homes
Joe Sobierakski returns from Battle Creek Unlimited to talk about the 8-year journey of turning an vacant site into new housing and why the financing is often the hardest part. He also discusses the recent WACO Aircraft closure at t...
(Community Matters 193) Scam Alert: Calhoun County Deputies Won't Call and Demand Payments - Hang Up and Verify
Detective Sergeant Kelson Gettel from the Battle Creek Police Department talks about a wave of phone scammers posing as Calhoun County deputies and pressuring people to pay fake fines. He lays out the red flags, why Bitcoin ATMs and gift cards ...
(Community Matters 193) BCCF Hands Off Beloved Kool Center to a New Owner
Mary Muliett with the Battle Creek Community Foundation talks about the recently announced Kool Family Community Center ownership transition and why Senior Care Partners P.A.C.E. is positioned to keep senior services stable and growing. Muliett...
(Community Matters 193) A State Mini-Grant Could Change How Kids Get To School at Pennfield and Marshall Schools
Marshall Public Schools and Pennfield Schools are two local recipients of a mini-grant from MDOT Safe Routes to School. Marshall Public Schools Superintendent Becky Jones and Pennfield Schools Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer, talk about how thi...
(Community Matters 192) Run-Up to Roofsit 5: A Safe Place to Start Over
This is the fifth and final in a series of interviews shedding light on The Haven of Rest's mission and programs ahead of its annual Roofsit fundraiser. The Haven marks its 70th anniversary in 2026."Sheree" talks about how incar...
(Community Matters 192) Run-Up to Roofsit 4: Receiving Help Comes Full Circle
This is the fourth in a series of interviews shedding light on The Haven of Rest's mission and programs ahead of its annual Roofsit fundraiser. The Haven marks its 70th anniversary in 2026.Rebecca, a Haven of Rest Case Manager, ...
(Community Matters 191) Run-Up to Roofsit 3: The Haven's Family Legacy Behind the Mission to Help the Unhoused
This is the second in a series of interviews shedding light on The Haven of Rest's mission and programs ahead of its annual Roofsit fundraiser. The Haven marks its 70th anniversary in 2026.Erika Bradshaw, a Haven of Rest Board M...
(Community Matters 191) GVSU Moves 'Black Boys and Men National Symposium' to Battle Creek
A single caring adult can change a life, but only if they know what to do after the inspirational moment passes. Dr. B. Donta Truss, Vice President of Enrollment, Development, and College Futures at Grand Valley State University, discusses the ...
(Community Matters 191) A Local Legislative Perspective on The Plan To Cut State Property Taxes In Michigan
Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek) returns to Community Matters to discuss plans to eliminate the state portion of property taxes and what it could mean for homeowners, schools, and local services. Frisbie also discusses the need for budget tr...
(Community Matters 190) Run-Up to Roofsit 2: Helping Remove Obstacles That Lead to Homelessness
This is the second in a series of interviews shedding light on The Haven of Rest's mission and programs ahead of its annual Roofsit fundraiser. The Haven marks its 70th anniversary in 2026.A lot of people talk about homelessness...