The Lakeview Ford Christmas tree sale is underway! Vince Pavone and Brad Morris with Lakeview Ford talk about the annual sale that benefits the Harper Creek Optimists Club as well as what's ahead for Ford and the auto industry in 2026. 

Episode Resources
Lakeview Ford Lincoln

Harper Creek Optimists Club

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 Battle Creek Fire Department is hosting their annual Holiday Toy Drive to support the Salvation Army.  Battalion Chief Andre Doser talks to Community Matters about the program and how you can help. Visit any of the six Battle Creek Fire Department stations between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM through December 15 with a new, unwrapped toy to support local families in need. 

Battle Creek Fire Department Locations:

BCFD Station 1  -- 195 E. Michigan Ave.

BCFD Station 2 -- 145 N. Washington Ave.

BCFD Station 3 -- 222 Cliff St.

BCFD Station 4 -- 8 S. 20th St.

BCFD Station 5 -- 1170 W. Michigan Ave.

BCFD Station 6 -- 2401 Capital Ave. SW

Episode Resources

Battle Creek Fire 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!

Greensleeves, C’est Noël, and of course, Sleigh Ride are just of a few of the holiday hits you can expect to hear at The Gifts of Christmas, the upcoming holiday concert from the Cereal City Concert Band. Longtime CCCB musician Barb Hibiski talks to Community Matters about their upcoming concert and some of the interesting performances you'll hear from new CCCB Conductor Dr. Doris Doyon.  

Date/Time: Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, at 3:00 PM

Location: Pennfield Performing Arts Center - 8587 Pennfield Rd, Battle Creek

Get your Tickets here or at the door:

Adults $10 | Students/Seniors/Veterans $5 | Kids 5 & under free

Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots and participate in the 50/50 and poinsettia raffles at the event. 

Come to the Finley's fundraiser on Wednesday, December 10th, 2025 from 4:00 - 9:00 PM. Let them know you're there to support the Cereal City Concert Band and the CCCB will receive 10% of the proceeds. 

Episode Resources

Cereal City Concert Band 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.

The court battle surrounding the zoning of the Blue Oval battery plant continues to unfold in the Michigan Court of Appeals. Robby Dube with Eckland & Blando, who represents the Committee for Marshall - Not the Megasite, talks to Community Matters about the latest developments in the case and helps explain the complex zoning law issues involved and outlines the timeline for a potential decision. 

Episode Resources
BlueOval Battery Park Michigan website
Ford Careers website
Marshall, Michigan website
Marshall Township,  Michigan website
Ford Motor Company press release about BlueOval Battery Park Michigan
Choose Marshall-MAEDA website
CATL website
PA 425 Conditional Land Use Transfer Explained
Committee for Marshall – Not the Megasite website
Committee for Marshall – Not the Megasite Facebook page
Other battery plant and Community Matters 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 at 8:00 AM on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

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

The Calhoun County Youth Center is looking for your help to make the holiday season a little brighter for their residents. Tori Benden, who oversees operations at the Youth Center, talks to Community Matters about their Angel Tree program. She's joined by staff members James Mode and Nichole Bentley who share some of the useful (and sometimes unusual) items requested as well as how your holiday donations help their residents. 

Participating locations:

Ace Hardware- Battle Creek Location

BiggBy- West Columbia Location

Lux Cafe

The Cricket

The Milton

Gull Lake Distillery

Uproot Market and Eatery

Southern Michigan Bank and Trust

Biggby- Marshall Location

Hemmingsen Drug Store 

CAMP Barber

Cooper Athletic Club

West Columbia 7

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Calhoun County Public Health Department

Episode Resources

Calhoun County Youth 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!

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 Risk Factors for Dementia

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.

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 (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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.