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
541 episodes
(Community Matters 205) Candidate Interview: Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke Seeks Another Term
Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke discusses his bid for re-election and explains why he sees housing, public safety, and tax relief as the city’s most urgent priorities. Episode ResourcesBattle Creek Mayor <...
(Community Matters 205) A Community Stroll that Funds Dementia Support Returns to Battle Creek
Miles for Memories founder Sherii Sherban talks about their annual Community Stroll and why Calhoun County keeps showing up to build Dementia awareness, reduce risk through movement, and fund programs that help families. She digs into the real ...
(Community Matters 205) What To Do to Halt Surging Car Theft in Battle Creek
Battle Creek Police Department Sergeant Corey Champlin talks about a recent spike in vehicle thefts and why certain cars are getting targeted right now. He walks through practical car theft prevention steps you can take today to reduce your ris...
(Community Matters 204) How to Keep Your SNAP Benefits When Work Requirements Change in Michigan
Jen Hsu-Bishop with the United Way of South Central Michigan breaks down what Michigan’s SNAP work requirements mean right now and what Medicaid work requirements could mean starting in January 2027. She offers some simple things you can do to ...
(Community Matters 204) DBCZ September Events Update
Annie Kelly from the Downtown Battle Creek Zine bringing list of fun-filled events around Battle Creek this September. Everything from Battle of the Bands, fiestas, and Fantasia!Episode Resources
(Community Matters 204) Msaga Shamba at the Binder Park Zoo
Allie Stoddard from Binder Park Zoo talks about Maaga Shamba, a complete reimagining of the former Forest Farm space that will soon feature a redesigned cheetah habitat plus new species. She explains how exhibit decisions get made, what fall lo...
(Community Matters 204) Last Chance This Year to Recycle Hazardous Waste in Calhoun County
Sarah Lundy from the Calhoun County Household Hazardous Waste Department discusses what you can and can not bring to the county's last household hazaradout waste collection pick up for 2026, on September 14. Lundy offers tips on how you can mak...
(Community Matters 203) Kellogg Community College Marks 70th Anniversary
Eric Greene at Kellogg Community College talks about KCC's big 70 year anniversary serving Battle Creek and the region. He digs into what community college does best right now: affordable access, job-ready programs, smoother transfer paths, and...
(Community Matters 203) Back to School at BCPS with Literacy and Attendance Priorities
Battle Creek Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kim Carter talks about what it really takes to start the year strong, from daily attendance to student well-being. She shares the district’s biggest moves for reducing chronic absenteeism, improvin...
(Community Matters 202) Calhoun County Seeking Applications for New Programs Benefiting Seniors
Rod Auton talks about how Calhoun County’s Senior Services Millage turns local tax dollars into real support that helps older adults stay at home. Auton also discusses new “incubator” ideas that fight loneliness, build tech confidence, and conn...
(Community Matters 202) Your Comments Can Still Change Battle Creek’s Housing Plan
The clock is ticking on a decision that will shape what Battle Creek looks like for years: how the city grows housing that people can actually find, afford, and live in. Darcy Schmitt, Planning Supervisor for the City of Battle Creek, talks thr...
(Community Matters 202) Wiggly Tail: Mutt Market In Battle Creek
Thirty vendors. A dog-friendly market. Free crafts for kids and even paw painting for your pup. Executive Director Jessica Gilbert, explains what you'll see at the Mutt Market at the Humane Society of South Central Michigan.Episode R...
(Community Matters 201) Calhoun County Roads Update: From Summer Paving to Winter Plows
Christine Parsons from the Calhoun County Road Department talks about where summer road work stands, what projects are finishing up, and why planning and partnerships matter as much as asphalt. She explains bridge replacement realities, how the...
(Community Matters 201) Michigan Road Work Updates and What's Ahead for Next Year
Road construction season always tests your patience, especially when you don’t know what’s changing day to day. Nick Schirripa from the Michigan Department of Transportation gives an update on the 2026 Michigan construction season and wha...
(Community Matters 200) How A Local Breast Cancer Walk Turns Into Real Localized Support
Columbia Avenue filled with pink is hard to ignore, and that is exactly the point. Angela Myers from the Battle Creek Community Foundation and Stephen Titus from Lucky Rooster Kitchen and One Nation talk about Walk The Walk for Breast Cancer an...
(Community Matters 200) Transitional Housing for Pregnant Women Facing Homelessness
Daniel Jones from The Haven of Rest shares how the new Haven Maternity Housing program gives homeless pregnant women a safe home, life skills, and support through pregnancy and early parenting. Episode ResourcesThe Hav...
(Community Matters 199) Presidential Portraits Built From Their Own Words
Battle Creek artist Dick Schlatter talks about his “U.S. Presidents In Their Own Words” exhibit at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum. Schlatter discusses his process and how he turns inaugural addresses into striking typographic presiden...
(Community Matters 198) DBCZ August Events Update: Color the Creek and More Local Festivals
Annie Kelly from the Downtown Battle Creek Zine bringing a tight list of can’t-miss events around Battle Creek. Everything from murals, music, fair food, and even a dog-centered mini fair. Episode Resources
(Community Matters 198) Improving Pregnancy Outcomes with Rx Kids
Leaders from the Battle Creek Community Foundation, the United Way of South Central Michigan, Grace Health and Rx Kids statewide explain how no-strings cash support during pregnancy and early infancy can improve newborn health and reduce long-t...
(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...