Is your network data safe? On this episode of Little Blinking Light, IT expert Roger Ferworn gives us some examples of how to make sure it is. Things like:

• BCDR
• The 3-2-1 Rule
• Immutability

Click to listen and better understand what these things mean - and how just backing up your data is not enough if you do not take special steps.

Episode Resources
AE Tech Design website
Book an Appointment with AE Tech Design

AE Tech Design, experts in effectively designing technology and managing technology implementation, share that expertise in the Little Blinking Light podcast.

This episode is produced by Livemic Communications.

Would you expect to see a smoothie or other healthy choices on the menu at a high school concession stand? Probably not. But the Marshall High School basketball team snacks are including them.

It's all part of a healthier eating initiative inspired by an Oaklawn Hospital doctor, a local chiropractor and a team of others.

Dr. Abby Sirovica of Grassroots Family Chiropractic and Grassroots Cafe in Marshall tells Community Matters the intent behind the idea - and how it all got started.

Episode Resources
Grassroots Family Chiropractic
Grassroots Cafe
Marshall High School Athletics

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 Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

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

Chronicler of local history Michael Delaware - whose local spotlights are found in his books, his podcast and through his involvement with the Battle Creek Regional History Museum - joins Community Matters in this update.

Hear more about the museum, Battle Creek connections to the famous, Michael's podcast and more.

Episode Resources
Battle Creek Regional History Museum
Michael Delaware's website
Order Michael's Book Victorian Southwest Michigan True Crime
LISTEN: Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past

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 Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

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

Snow flurries and cold temperatures may be the norm when you are reading this, but the Calhoun County Veterans Affairs Office is ready to get vets thinking about summer.

Director Aaron Edlefson tells Community Matters about the partnership between his office and the Battle Creek Battle Jacks baseball team - and how early in the year is the best time for veterans to choose dates for a free outing to the ballpark.

Episode Resources
Calhoun County Veterans Affairs
Battle Creek Battle Jacks

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.

A survey seeking input from Battle Creek city residents will be open until January 30, 2025.

A December, 2024 deadline was extended by city officials in order to give more time for residents to comment about neighborhoods, housing and other focuses.

In this episode, Helen Guzzo and Darcy Schmitt with the City of Battle Creek explain how the survey information will help shape the future in the city.

Episode Resources
Online Survey (open until January 30, 2025)

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 Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

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

As Thanksgiving 2024 approached, the City of Battle Creek bade farewell to its longest-serving city manager, Rebecca Fleury, who served 10 years in the position.

While preparing this year-end look back at the final Community Matters visit with Fleury from August 2024, a published report from Williamson County, Tennessee reveals she was a finalist for city manager of Brentwood - a town slightly smaller than Battle Creek - and a wealthy suburb of Nashville.

Reporting from the Williamson Herald indicates Fleury did not become the city manager in Brentwood - but she may very well have been the choice.

In this look back, the former Battle Creek city manager offered her perspective on municipal leadership careers and what strengths potential candidates to be her successor may wish to have.

Episode Resources
City of Brentwood, Tennessee: Meet Finalists for Brentwood City Manager During Oct. 30 Meet and Greet

Williamson Herald: Commissioners to restart city manager search

More Conversations with Rebecca Fleury

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.

In the final episode of Creating Dementia Solutions for 2024, Miles for Memories Founder Sherii Sherban reflects on the previous year. She also looks ahead to 2025 and how the Miles for Memories mission will gain momentum.

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.

In his first long form interview after his defeat in the November 2024 election, Michigan House 44th District Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) speaks with Community Matters about the post-election process to confirm the vote.

A recount and canvass determined Haadsma received just 79 fewer votes than challenger, Republican Steve Frisbie.

Haadsma asserts that Calhoun County Clerk Kim Hinkley, also a Republican, was not balanced in her communication about the post-election verification process between the campaigns.

"I received one communication from Clerk Kim Hinkley throughout this process," Haadsma told Community Matters. "That was...when she called to communicate the official outcome after the canvass," he said.

Haadsma spoke with Community Matters just one day after the lame duck Michigan House session came to an end amidst a walkout by the GOP caucus and one Democrat, said to be influenced by the Earned Sick Time Act and planned tipped minimum wage - both set to take effect in February 2025.

Episode Resources
Detroit Free Press: Hand recount confirms Republican Steve Frisbie's victory in Battle Creek House race
Community Matters: For Frisbie, Election 'Ups and Downs' Came After Election Day

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.

In her first interview since beginning as the human resources director at the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan in Marshall, Amy Helner joins Community Matters to talk about the status of hiring employees at the plant.

The battery production facility is expected to begin output in 2026.

With salaried hiring started in later 2024, Helner discusses the next steps expected in the hiring process, including how potential hourly employees can submit a resume.

Episode Resources
Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan

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 Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

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

Expanding access to specialists is the goal behind Oaklawn Specialty Care, a clinic on Beckley Road in Battle Creek. Ribbon was cut at the facility in November, 2024.

Located next to Oaklawn Express Care at 5352 Beckley Road, Oaklawn Specialty Care provides an option for patients to see a variety of specialists and receive x-rays and mammography.

In this episode, Oaklawn's Jamie Pierce and Liz Dalman talk about what patients should know about the new location - and how its spot next to Oaklawn Express Care is additionally helpful.

Episode Resources
Oaklawn Hospital website
Oaklawn Specialty Care Opens in Battle Creek
Schedule a Specialist Appointment

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.

Oaklawn Health Matters is produced by Livemic Communications.