If you're a fan of the Livemic Communications-produced program called Community Matters - and you're wondering why you can't find it on the Livemic Communications Podcast Network - we have answers!

Click to hear Richard Piet talk about how to find Calhoun County, Michigan's only local interview program.

Episode Resources
BattleCreekPodcast.com

Brian Pegouske with the Battle Creek VA Medical Center talks to Community Matters about what to expect when a new electronic health record system for veterans launches April 11. Pegouske explains how the new system will improve the care patients receive wherever they go and the role AI will play in helping to analyze healthcare. 

During the transition, veterans will continue to use the My Healthe Vet for their online care and messaging their providers. Pegouske advises that veterans plan ahead for their prescription needs as they approach the April 11 launch date as communication with pharmacies will be temporarily impacted while they complete the transition. 

Episode Resources

Battle Creek VA Medical Center Website

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, 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Do you have a non-profit you'd like to hear highlighted on Community Matters? Go to our website and let us know!

Representative Sarah Lightner, who represents the 45th District in the Michigan State House of Representatives, returns to Community Matters with a legislative update and to discuss the latest developments in the state's budget process. In addition to her reaction to Governor Whitmer's recently proposed $88.1 billion dollar budget for 2027, Lightner talks about a recently law passed that would ban cell phones in the classroom starting this fall and the importance of civility in politics. 

Episode Resources

Sarah Lightner's Website

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, 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Do you have a non-profit you'd like to hear highlighted on Community Matters? Go to our website and let us know!

In the next series of Creating Dementia Solutions episodes, we explore the real-life experiences of individuals and families affected by dementia. 

Through intimate conversations, each episode shares a unique story — from early memories and the moment of diagnosis to the challenges, small victories, and emotional journeys that follow. Also discussed is the caregiving component - and how folks have stepped into the caregiving role in support of a loved one with dementia.

Miles for Memories founder Sherii Sherban begins this seriea of episodes, discussing her personal experiences with dementia and caregiving which led her to found the organization.

Episode Resources

Miles for Memories website
Miles for Memories technology
Sherii Sherban talks to Community Matters about MFM technology
More Creating Dementia Solutions episodes

ABOUT MILES FOR MEMORIES

Miles For Memories is a Calhoun County, Michigan organization created in 2013 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Disease. Later in 2014, the vision was expanded to include all types of dementia. MFM raises money each year through sponsorships, community events, and grants to gather funds to create local programming for both the person living with dementia and the caregiver. Along with local efforts, 20% of the funds to prevention-related dementia research. Miles for Memories is a committee of 70-plus volunteers and are always looking for more to get involved.

When most people think of hospice, they think of end of life care, but that's not the full scope of services they provide. Carolle Hicks from Oaklawn Hospice discusses what other services they provide and how they can help people with a terminal diagnosis take control of the time patients have left. 

Episode Resources

Oaklawn Hospice

13444 Preston Drive
Marshall, MI 49068

Phone: (269) 789-3939

About Oaklawn

Oaklawn was founded in 1925 as a 12-bed hospital in a residential home, funded by a group of visionary philanthropists. Now, almost ten decades later, we’ve evolved into a highly regarded regional health care organization, licensed for 77 acute care beds and a 17-bed inpatient psychiatric unit. We’ve continued to be an independently owned not-for-profit hospital, with our main campus residing on the same site as the original hospital, providing facilities, equipment and technology that are usually only found at larger health systems. We enjoy a reputation for advancing medicine and providing compassionate, personal care. Our service area includes Calhoun County and parts of Branch and Eaton counties with a medical staff of more than 300 providers representing over 55 specialties. For information, visit www.oaklawnhospital.org.

What happens when four former Michigan Governors come together on one stage to discuss civility in politics? Tonya Schuitmaker, a Republican from Van Buren County, and Rebekah Warren, a Democrat from Washtenaw County join Community Matters on behalf of Michiganders for Civic Resilience to discuss a recent event calling for more civil political engagement.

Episode Resources

Michiganders for Civic Resilience Website

Watch: A Defining Moment for Civility: A Forum with Four Governors

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, 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Do you have a non-profit you'd like to hear highlighted on Community Matters? Go to our website and let us know!

The 2018 Battle Creek Housing Master Plan gathered a lot of data to direct policy and decision making in the city. Now, eight years later, it's time to revisit the topic and see how things have changed. Darcy Schmitt from the City of Battle Creek talks to Community Matters about how you can help provide input toward updates to the Master Plan and the future of housing in the city. 

The next public input session will be held on Thursday, February 19 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM at the City of Battle Creek Department of Public Works in Conference Room 214, located at 150 S. Kendall St. Food and beverages will be served. 

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, 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Do you have a non-profit you'd like to hear highlighted on Community Matters? Go to our website and let us know!

What does it take to keep the roads safe across Calhoun County during a record-breaking winter? Kristine Parsons with the Calhoun County Road Department provides a look behinds the scenes at how they keep roads clear for your daily commute. Parsons tells Community Matters it doesn't just take a lot of salt to melt the ice, they have other things they can use including... beet juice. 

Episode Resources

Calhoun County Roads Department Website

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, 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Do you have a non-profit you'd like to hear highlighted on Community Matters? Go to our website and let us know!

The U.S. Government recently announced it will stop minting the penny. How does that decision impact you and how you do business? Chris Harris, Chief Financial Officer with Kellogg Community Credit Union, talks to Community Matters to discuss what this means for you and how you do your day-to-day business.

Episode Resources

Kellogg Community Credit Union Website

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, 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Do you have a non-profit you'd like to hear highlighted on Community Matters? Go to our website and let us know!

Roger is an adult Shih Tzu mix who is very playful, curious and loves belly rubs and the focus of this month's Wiggly Tail update from the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. HSSCM Executive Director Jessica Gilbert tells us all about him and his perfect environment. 

Jessica also offers tips for how you can keep your pets safe when going for walks on the snow and ice. 

Episode Resources

Humane Society of South Central Michigan Website

Roger on Petfinder

More Wiggly Tail episodes

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, 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Do you have a non-profit you'd like to hear highlighted on Community Matters? Go to our website and let us know!