In 2025, Creating Dementia Solutions is looking deeper into what The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care has indicated are ways people can reduce their risk of dementia. Among those factors: Excessive Drinking In this episode, we continue our conversation with Recovery Coach Jennifer Dillion and Outpatient Clinician Kira Jones from Summit Pointe to understand what steps they recommend to curb excessive drinking. Episode Resources The Lancet Commission R...

Community Matters highlights upcoming events presented by the Downtown Battle Creek Zine (DBCZ)! In this update, Nick Buckley shares ideas for local events happening in October and December, 2025. Episode Resources Follow DBCZ on Facebook ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays at 8:00 AM on ...

Battle Creek Police Department Sgt. Cory Champlin talks to Community Matters about their upcoming Stuff the Truck holiday toy drive, a Toys for Tots event with the Marine Corp Reserves. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or monetary donation to Target at 5700 Beckley Road on Wednesday, December 3 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM if you'd like to donate. Episode Resources Battle Creek Police Department Stuff the Truck Toy Drive ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (201...

Established in 1954, The Arc of of Calhoun Country has a long tradition of helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live fulfilling, independent lives within their community. Executive Director Clare Tanner talks to Community Matters about how The Arc continues to evolve in providing advocacy and supports for this community. Episode Resources The Arc of Calhoun County Website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to h...

The Battle Creek Community Foundation has selected their 2025-2026 Peter J. Christ Leadership Leaders Fellow. Diop Harris II talks about his history with Battle Creek and his journey to becoming this years Fellow. Harris highlights what he hopes to learn and give back to the Battle Creek community along with plans for more civil engagement in the U.S. House of Representatives. Episode Resources Battle Creek Community Foundation Website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Sho...

The world's top brass musicians gather again this December for a special holiday concert at the W.K. Kellogg Auditorium. Jerry Rose, Executive Director of the Brass Band of Battle Creek, shares the unique history of the band with Community Matters and what to expect in their upcoming Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 6 @ 7:30 PM. Episode Resources Brass Band of Battle Creek Website W.K. Kellogg Auditorium Battle of the Brass Holiday Concert Website ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK ...

In 2025, Creating Dementia Solutions is looking deeper into what The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care has indicated are ways people can reduce their risk of dementia. Among those factors: Excessive Drinking In this episode, Recovery Coach Jennifer Dillion and Outpatient Clinician Kira Jones from Summit Pointe discuss what exactly is "excessive drinking" and why it's not a one size fits all answer. Episode Resources The Lancet Commission Risk Factors for D...

Anna Rogers, Marketing & Communication Engagement Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton in Battle Creek, reflects on the hotel's first year of operation, their successes and the importance of making people feel welcome. While discussing their event space resources and fine dining options, Anna is excited to announce a new change coming with reservations starting December 1, 2025. Check out the Double Tree by Hilton Battle Creek Facebook page for information on all their upcoming events, includi...

Tammy Mills, Director of Marketing and Communications for the United Way South Central Michigan (UWSCMI), joins us on Community Matters to discuss their end of year holiday fundraising campaign and how Calhoun County residents can help direct donations to impact their local community. Tammy also discusses resources available to residents through the UWSCMI, like the Program Assistance Center, and the launch of their new Community Connect online community which aims to bring together com...

The South Michigan Food Bank - which provides food to the hungry in 8 Michigan counties including Calhoun - continues to respond to a growing need while threats to federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding continue. The on-again, off-again potential cuts to the largest federal anti-hunger program in the U.S. has the State of MIchigan working to take up the slack. Still, the 2025 federal government shutdown and increasing costs overall have Executive Director Peter Vogel...

Summit Pointe, the Calhoun County Community Mental Health (CMH) organization which provides behavioral health care to some of the county's most vulnerable residents, is sounding an alarm over potential changes at the state level which could affect how it delivers care. Summit Pointe CEO Jeannie Goodrich joins Community Matters to discuss changes to how the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) organizes CMH sectors in the state, as well as the potential to privatize some fu...

We're not sure it's an actual word, but "floof" seems to describe best our good friend Gadget the cat, the focus of our Wiggly Tail update this time from the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. Gadget is a young, domestic long hair male cat who is black and white. He's all up to date on his vaccinations and he is neutered. HSSCM Executive Director Jessica Gilbert tells us all about him - and his perfect environment - in this Community Matters update. Episode Resources Humane Society of ...

It's a longstanding tradition in Battle Creek: The annual Christmas parade - a gift to the community by the Harper Creek Optimist Club. Folks line the streets on a Saturday in November (typically the Saturday before Thanksgiving) to watch the procession of local participants stir up the Christmas spirit - along with some hometown pride. After setting a participation record in 2023, Organizer Stephanie Cornish returns to Community Matters ahead of the 2025 event with news of how the parade con...

Veterans Helping Veterans in Battle Creek, the organization which cut the ribbon on the gift of a building at 209 East Michigan in summer 2025, has hit its stride helping veterans get set up in new residences after homelessness. Vice President Rick Stover returns to Community Matters to talk about their organized system of gifting donated furniture, housewares and toiletries to veterans who are reestablishing households after being homeless. Stover estimates more than 3500 veterans have been ...

While its students were settling back into their school-year routines in September 2025, Lakeview School District announced a national honor for Minges Brook Elementary School: The "America's Healthiest Schools" award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. At the same time, the district announced its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and its 2025 Community Spirit Award recipient. Superitendent Dr. William Patterson talks about all of it on this episode of Community Matters. Epi...

Saturday, November 8, 2025 is a good day to give a boost to Battle Creek Central High School Athletics. Come to Lakeview Ford that day between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM and test drive a new Ford. When you do, Bearcats Athletics will receive $30 and the American Red Cross gets $10. With enough test drives, Bearcats could receive as much as $6000! Coach and Athletic Director Lorin Granger joins Community Matters to talk about how your test drives will help. Episode Resources Bearcats Athletics ABOUT ...

West Michigan-based business Twinkle Holiday Lighting is again seeking a local veteran to receive a holiday light display installed on their home free of charge. Chuck Barnes, owner of Twinkle Holiday Lighting, returns to Community Matters to encourage nominations of local veterans to receive the gift. He also discusses the legacy behind the award, which carries on from a local veteran who passed away. Episode Resources ”Operation Josh’s Lights” Nomination Form ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former ...

It was July 2010 when a rupture in Enbridge pipeline 6B spilled oil into Talmadge Creek near Marshall, which feeds into the Kalamazoo River. The result was a cleanup effort along 35 miles of the Kalamazoo River until 2012. Further dredging continued beyond that time. In 2016, Enbridge paid $177 million in penalties as part of a settlement with the U.S. Government. In 2025, Enbridge Senior Advisor of Community Engagement Kirstie Staelens joins Community Matters to reflect on the spill, how it ...

Inspired by similar events in other counties, Calhoun County educators have planned a day-long professional development day for November 4, 2025. Community Matters spoke with Calhoun Intermediate School District Assistant Superintendent Carrie Johnson and Harper Creek Schools Assistant Superintendent Laura Williams about the impact of the event for local educators. Episode Resources Calhoun Intermediate School District Harper Creek Community Schools ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morni...

Battle Creek Salvation Army Captains Mika and Grace Roinila return to Community Matters to look back at a record-breaking year of giving in 2024 - along with the plans to help local folks in need in 2025. That begins with a holiday and Red Kettle Campaign kickoff on November 7, 2025. Episode Resources Battle Creek Salvation Army ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community lead...