Voting logistics rarely make headlines until something feels different on Election Day, like a new polling place, a shorter line, or a smoother process than you expected. Battle Creek City Clerk Victoria Hauser unpacks what changed and why, using real numbers from early voting in Michigan to show how voter habits are reshaping local elections in Calhoun County.

Hauser talks about what voting turnout patterns mean for staffing, how early voting can take pressure off precincts, and why wait times can drop when voting is spread across multiple days. Hauser also explains the layers of election accuracy testing, public tests, audits, and recounts that help verify voting machine results. Need to confirm your polling place, check your registration, find drop boxes, or preview your ballot? Use the Michigan Voter Information Center website, or call the Battle Creek City Clerk’s office at 269-966-3348.

Episode Resources

Michigan Voter Information Center Website

Battle Creek City Clerk's Office 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.

An icon event in Battle Creek returns this month. Battle Creek Community Prayer Breakfast Co-Chairs Ryan and Esther Leonard share why the event has become one of the city’s most enduring gatherings: a room filled with neighbors choosing prayer, unity, and hope at Kellogg Arena. For a lot of people, it marks a turning point in the season, a way to step out of winter and into spring with a better outlook on our community and each other.

We also reveal this year’s keynote speaker: Major League Baseball legend. His talk goes far beyond stats and championships, tracing a path from public success to addiction, loss, recovery, and a faith-centered purpose.

Get tickets, donate, or reserve a table and consider the reception the night before as a way to help send area high school students to the breakfast at no cost.

The Battle Creek Prayer Breakfast is Tuesday, May 5 at 7:25 AM at the Kellogg Arena in downtown Battle Creek. Doors open at 6:50 AM

Episode Resources

Battle Creek Prayer Breakfast 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.

$20 can become $40 at the farmers market, and that’s only one of the reasons we get excited for market season in downtown Battle Creek. We sit down with Maeve Feindt, who oversees operations at the Battle Creek Farmers Market, to map out what’s new, what’s returning, and what first-time visitors should expect when they step into Festival Market Square.

Maeve also shares what makes a market morning more than a shopping trip: live music, free samples, and cooking demonstrations that help you turn seasonal produce into real meals. Plus, we look at the Friday night markets that lean into a more social, party-style vibe while staying family friendly.

And if you’ve got kids, the Kids Market Bucks program is a standout: complete a simple activity, earn $5, then spend or save it with no weekly cap.

If you care about shopping local, small business connections, and building a stronger Calhoun County food community, this one is for you.

Episode Resources

Battle Creek Farmers Market Website

Battle Creek Farmers Market Facebook Page

Battle Creek Farmers Market takes place every Wednesday starting May 13 from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM at Festival Market Square in Downtown Battle Creek.

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.

May gets busy fast in Battle Creek, and we love that. Annie Kelly from the Downtown Battle Creek Zine returns to discuss what to do, where to go, and how to make a full day of it downtown. If you’ve been searching for Battle Creek events, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, live music, or family-friendly things to do in Calhoun County, this guide is built for you.

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

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

A disc golf tournament with a music pun might sound like a small thing, until you see what it’s really funding. Julie Green from the Lakeview Band Boosters talks about their upcoming fundraiser, Treble On The Fairway, and the behind the scenes costs of keeping a high school marching band strong in Calhoun County. From the stands, marching band can look effortless. Up close, it’s a year round machine powered by student grit and a serious amount of parent volunteer work.

Treble on the Fairway is Saturday, May 2 at Territorial Brewing Company.

Registration is from 8:00 - 9:00 AM or follow the link to register early on the Lakeview Spartan Marching Band Facebook Page. The cost is $60 per team of two to register in the tournament.

Episode Resources

Battle Creek City Clerk's Office 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.

Two years can fly by in local government and not in a good way. Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke and City Commissioner Jim Lance break down the May 5 election ballot question that would extend the mayor and city commission terms from two years to four, and why supporters say it’s about better governing rather than political advantage. If you’ve ever wondered how fast new officials are expected to learn budgets, procedures, and the realities of running a large city, this conversation makes the learning curve feel very real.

Episode Resources

Battle Creek City Clerk's Office 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.

Kay Parker and Marsha Heath from the Battle Creek Optimist Club discuss how their Optimist Excellence in Art Competition grew into a 900-student showcase across Calhoun County. They talk to Community Matters about how the judging works, what students and schools can win, and why seeing youth artwork on public display changes how a community values creativity.

The Optimist Club Excellence in Art Competition will be at Lakeview Square Mall in the store front next to Barnes & Noble starting Sunday, April 19 through Friday, April 24. Awards will be given out on Friday, April 24 starting at 5:15 PM. The event is free to the public.

Episode Resources

Battle Creek Optimist Club Facebook Page

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.

A fundraiser can be flashy and still be deeply practical, and Giving Table is built to do both. Teresa Allen from Charitable Union sits down with Community Matters to unpack the newly named event at FireKeepers Casino and Hotel and the real reason it exists: keeping vital nonprofit services stable while community need continues to climb.

You’ll also hear how the table decorating tradition really works. From witches to circuses to Kentucky Derby ideas, creativity becomes the conversation starter that brings people together.

Then we get to the heart of it: Charitable Union’s free store model and how donated jeans, T-shirts, steel-toed boots, and scrubs turn into real relief for neighbors who need to prioritize rent, utilities, and food. Teresa explains what it means to serve nearly 9,000 people in a year, why shopping visits are rising, and why flexible fundraiser dollars matter when grant funding is restricted, flat, or decreasing.

The Giving Table Fundraiser is Thursday, April 30 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at FireKeeper Casino, 11177 East Michigan Ave in Battle Creek

Tickets for the event are available through the Charitable Union website or in-person at the Charitable Union gift shop located at 85 Calhoun Street in Battle Creek

Episode Resources

Charitable 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.