Inside Calhoun County provides Informative and engaging discussions from inside Calhoun County, Michigan government. From administration to veteran's affairs, host Richard Piet introduces listeners to the people building a better Calhoun County through responsive leadership.
Brent Thelen, Calhoun County GIS manager, visits with Inside Calhoun County to talk about how the Geographical Information System is used in the county. GIS has been integral in advancing reference information beyond the "flat map" for a number of years in Calhoun County. Episode Resources Calhoun County GIS website Calhoun County Government website Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications ....
In this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Commissioner Gary Tompkins offers some insight on what motivates him to serve in District 7. First elected in 2016, Commissioner Tompkins discusses his three-pillars view of service, priorities he sees in the district and county, as well as how to sign up for his newsletter. Episode Resources Calhoun County Board of Commissioners website Calhoun County Government website Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications ....
Calling it a critical upgrade, the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority (CCCDA) completed an upgrade of the countywide public safety radio system. The launch "...represents a major step forward in ensuring that all our emergency responders can communicate seamlessly, regardless of jurisdiction,” said CCCDA Executive Director Michael Armitage. “This is a game-changer for public safety in Calhoun County.” Armitage tells us why in this episode of Inside Calhoun County . Episode Resources ...
Quality of life through community open space is important for residents in Calhoun County. The Calhoun County Parks Commission mission, vision and guiding principles - along with the parks millage - support these community assets. Calhoun County Assistant Director of Community Development Lucy Hough joins Inside Calhoun County to look into the overall view of parks - as well as some new things for 2025. Episode Resources Calhoun County Government Calhoun County Parks and Recreation Inside Calhou...
Participation in jury service is a supportive function citizens provide in a free society. But, it can be intimidating for some - and the process may not be clear. Calhoun County 37th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Sarah Lincoln provides perspective - and encouragement for jury service in this episode of Inside Calhoun County . Episode Resources Calhoun County Jury Services Information Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications ....
In the warm weather months, risks of disease spread by mosquitos and ticks have the greatest impact. Those can include Lyme Disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Calhoun County Public Health Department experts Eric Pessell and Stephanie Hanchett discuss how monitoring for these insects is done locally, as well as precautions every resident should know. Episode Resources Calhoun County Public Health Department Inside Calhoun County Po...
Potholes. Cold mix asphalt. Hot mix asphalt. Those are some of the words you start to hear when spring starts to make itself known - and Calhoun County Road Department crews get busy. But, in this episode of Inside Calhoun County , we learn from Road Department Director Kristine Parsons the planning for pothole patching and summer road projects starts long before potholes start popping up. Episode Resources Calhoun County Road Department (Construction project tracking and other info) Inside Calh...
Another in the so-called "problem-solving" courts in Calhoun County, the Sobriety Court is one that seeks to help some who are battling addiction - and who qualify - a chance to change their lives. On this episode of Inside Calhoun County , we learn from Judge Jason Bomia and Treatment Court Coordinator Zachary Knaus about the process, who qualifies, and the potential for a life-changing outcome for graduates. Episode Resources Calhoun County Sobriety Court Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produ...
On the cusp of severe weather season, springtime is typically when emergency preparedness experts talk about how to get ready for situations in which people may have to evacuate their homes. But, the infomration is good any time of the year. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County, Lt. Chris Young - who oversees the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Management - discusses five things to know about preparing for an emergency. Episode Resources Calhoun County Government Calhoun County ...
Before her annual report to the community on the state of the county on February 20, 2025, Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott looked back at 2024 and ahead to 2025 with Inside Calhoun County. The highlights include the county's ability to be agile with turnover, both among county staff and the Board of Commissioners. Administrator Scott also discussed the county's strong financial position. Episode Resources Calhoun County Government website Inside Calhoun County Podcast is prod...
The Calhoun County Land Bank Authority's Calhoun Builders Connection began, through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, as a way to encourage BIPOC contractors to bid on local projects. It has developed into not only that, but a wider effort to help local contractors advance their businesses and careers while also tending to the growing local need. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County, the Land Bank's Krista Trout-Edwards and Amy Rose Robinson discuss the Builders Connection, how it he...
Calhoun County's Board of Commissioners is elected by local voters who serve seven different districts. In 2025, Inside Calhoun County is spending time with each of them in order to introduce them to listers and residents. Dr. Monique French, pastor of the Washington Heights United Methodist Church and Community, serves as the Calhoun County commissioner in District 2. In this episode, we learn about Commissioner Dr. French's perspective as a commissioner, how she connects with residents in her ...
What are the road clearing priorities in Calhoun County in wintertime? What happens when it is too cold for salt to melt snow and ice on roads? Calhoun County Road Department Interim Executive Director Kristine Parsons and Interim Deputy Director Kori Albrecht answer those questions and more in this episode of Inside Calhoun County. Episode Resources Calhoun County Road Department website Calhoun County Government website More: Here's How to Track Road Work Online Inside Calhoun County Podcast i...
After the November 2024 election, some voters in Calhoun County may be wanting to better understand the election process, given two recounts which took place. Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds Kimberly Hinkley returns to I nside Calhoun County to talk about the preparation, execution and post-election steps - including when a recount is requested. Episode Resources Calhoun County voting information Michigan Voter Information Center Michigan Secretary of State Early Voting Information Si...
Following the November 2024 election, several new Calhoun County commissioners-elect were readying to be sworn in and begin service - as were a couple of incumbents. The 2024 Calhoun County Board Chair Derek King joins Inside Calhoun County to share perspective on how commissioners - especially new ones - get oriented and hit the ground running once sworn in. Episode Resources Calhoun County Board of Commissioners More episodes of Inside Calhoun County Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produced b...
For more than a decade, police officers in Calhoun County have participated in an effort to take local young people Christmas shopping who otherwise may not have the chance. As we learn from Calhoun County Undersheriff Tim Hurtt and Emmett Township Public Safety Lt. Tony Geigle, the event involves a lot of support from many folks - and can make longstanding connections in a child's formative years. It also does a cop good. Episode Resources Calhoun County Sheriff's Office Emmett Township Public ...
The Calhoun County Treasurer's Office understands that when you are facing a potential property foreclosure, it is scary. This might cause the property owner to "freeze" and not respond to outreach from the Treasurer's office. As we learn in this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Deputy Treasurer Melinda Weaver shares why reaching out to the Treasurer's office can help resolve the situation. Episode Resources Calhoun County Treasurer's Office More episodes of Inside Calhoun County Inside Calhou...
Absentee voting. Early voting. Voting on Election Day. it's all possible in Calhoun County! But, as Calhoun County Clerk/Register of Deeds Kim Hinkley points out, there are important things to know before you choose and go ahead with your voting plans. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Clerk Hinkley talks about those she views as the top five. Episode Resources Calhoun County voting information Michigan Voter Information Center Michigan Secretary of State Early Voting Information Site I...
Sometimes called "problem-solving" courts, treatment courts are specialized to help individuals receive treatment they need in order to provide a new path. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Judge Mike Jaconette and the Mental Health Treatment Court team discuss the goals of the court, how it works and how lives can be changed. Episode Resources Calhoun County Mental Health Treatment Court Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications ....
In a previous Inside Calhoun County episode, we learned about opioid settlement funds and how distributions of them will help fight the opioid epidemic in Calhoun County and elsewhere. Now, Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott returns with County Commissioner Steve Frisbie to discuss the process of choosing local non-profits to receive grant awards from the funds - which are meant to put more resources on the street. Episode Resources Calhoun County Opioid Settlement Funds website Calhoun County...
Don't wait until an emergency to try and cobble together a plan for your family. That's the advice from the Calhoun County Emergency Management Office and its director, Lt. Chris Young. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Lt. Young discusses further useful information for residents as they consider emergency preparedness for themselves and loved ones. Episode Resources Calhoun County Sheriff Office of Emergency Management Ready.gov OSHA Emergency Preparedness Michigan Prepares Inside Calh...
Could a person who has perpetrated domestic violence see the error of their ways? Calhoun County 10th District Court Judge Tracie Tomak has already seen it happen through the Domestic Violence Intervention Court. In this episode Inside Calhoun County , Judge Tomak talks about the approach and the outcomes which have changed lives. Episode Resources Calhoun County DVIC website SAFE Place Battle Creek website MIchigan Domestic Violence Hotline: 866.864.2338 (text 866.238.1454) National Domestic Vi...
In this episode of Inside Calhoun County, Rod Auton tells us about the Calhoun County Senior Services office and how it assists older adults. It is not just a minor list, either. In fact, we learn about how the Senior Millage helps Calhoun County partner with various organizations to help older adults locally with everything from meals to minor home repairs. Episode Resources Calhoun County Senior Services website Calhoun County Senior Services Facebook page Senior Services Phone: 269.781.0846 I...
What are the public health concerns you see as a resident of Calhoun County? That is the intent behind Calhoun County's most recent, periodic Community Health Survey. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County, Community Health Officer Eric Pessell explains how they use public input to understand health priorities in the county. Episode Resources Community Health Survey link (available until August 16, 2024) Public Health Department website Calhoun County website More episodes of Inside Calhoun Co...
You may know that, somehow, FireKeeper's Casino and Hotel provides a portion of annual net winnings to local governmental units. But, how does that happen? Who decides where the money goes? How does it help? In this episode of Inside Calhoun County , Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott and current FireKeeper's Local Revenue Sharing Board Chair Deb Belles provide answers to those questions - as well as a better understanding about how discretionary grants from those funds are awarded. Episode Re...
Calhoun County voters will be asked to renew the parks and recreation millage first approved in 2020. That question will appear on the August 6, 2024 primary election ballot in the county. Click to hear Calhoun County's Doug Ferrall discuss how millage funds have been put to use since the 2020 approval by voters, as well as other pertinent information - such as the fact that the renewal question does not represent an increase. Episode Resources Calhoun County Parks Millage website Inside Calhoun...
This time on Inside Calhoun County , Deputies Matt Burpee and David Winder talk about the role of K9 officers in Calhoun County. They also help us understand the process to bring a K9 officer to the force, the training involved - and, yes, the bond with their human partners. Episode Resources Calhoun County Sheriff's Office website Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications ....
This time, Inside Calhoun County visits with David Makled, who oversees the Calhoun County Public Defender's Office. Created in 2019, the office was created after a state commission charged with studying the state of public defense called for reforms. Click to listen to how that affected those in need of legal representation in Calhoun County - which, as you'll hear, is significant. Episode Resources Calhoun County Public Defender's Office website Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produced by Liv...
This time on Inside Calhoun County , we hear from Krista Trout-Edwards. executive director of the Calhoun County Land Bank Authority. The CCLBA is working from many angles to keep neighborhoods stable, particularly when properties become foreclosed. Trout-Edwards discusses how properties become foreclosed upon, efforts to mitigate such situations, as well as how the Authority takes ownership of such properties and put them back on the tax rolls. Episode Resources Calhoun County Land Bank website...
Once known as the "juvenile home", the Calhoun County Youth Center has adopted an outlook more befitting of its mission: To bring a positive difference in the lives of young people who visit. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County, Youth Center Director Tori Benden talks about how the team works to help young people make a course correction and become successful and law-abiding citizens. Episode Resources Calhoun County Youth Center website Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produced by Livemic ...
