Commissioner Dan Strowbridge visits Inside Calhoun County, offering his view on county priorities, from public safety funding and health department cuts to how culverts and brush become the biggest road complaints. He shares why civic education matters, how to engage with the Board, and why the county’s AA bond rating signals resilience. Commission…

In this episode of Inside Calhoun County, Emergency Manager Lt. Chris Young shares practical steps to avoid cold injury, reduce crash risk on icy roads, and prepare your car so a long wait for help stays safe. Episode Resources Calhoun County Government Calhoun County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Management Inside Calhoun County Podcast is produce…

In this episode of Inside Calhoun County, an understanding how lead exposure still affects families in Calhoun County and what actually works to protect kids. Lead Case Nurse Heather Schumacher explains how to spot risks, get children tested, and tap local programs that remove hazards at the source. Episode Resources Calhoun County Public Health De…

Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert joins Inside Calhoun County to discuss Michigan’s Safe Storage Act, why youth access drives harm, and how layered defenses reduce theft, suicide, and accidental shootings. Clear rules, real penalties, and simple tools like safes and free locks can change outcomes. Episode Resources Guide to Responsible Gun Ow…

Calhoun County Road Department Executive Director Kristine Parsons returns to Inside Calhoun County to discuss the preparations for winter road conditions. She also recommends residents shake their roadside mailboxes before the snow flies. Episode Resources Calhoun County Road Department website Calhoun County Government website More: Here's How to…

The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management division is focused on an all-hazards emergency management program. In doing so, Emergency Manager Lt. Chris Young returns to Inside Calhoun County to help dispel common myths and misunderstandings about readiness and preparation for evacuation, if necessary. Episode Resources Calhoun County …

"These changes are not just about bricks and mortar," Calhoun County Youth Center Director Tori Bendon said on ribbon cutting day. "They are about people," she said. After a lengthy, $13 million renovation approved by the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners in 2022, the ribbon was cut on September 23, 2025. In this episode of Inside Calhoun Count…

The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners approved more than half a million dollars from opioid settlement funds in September 2025. The funds were awarded to seven Calhoun County organizations after a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott returns to Inside Calhoun County to discuss the …

Calhoun County Commissioner Matt Saxton, elected in 2024, is no stranger to the workings of county government. Saxton served as Calhoun County Sheriff for eight years, also working for the sheriff's office since the mid-1990's. Saxton also serves as the executive director of the Michigan Sheriff's Association, a post he has held since 2020. Commiss…

Lt. Chris Young oversees the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Management, which helps various county entities plan for and respond to emergencies. On this episode of Inside Calhoun County, Lt. Young talks about the three things parents should know when preparing to get their kids back to school. Some of them may not be what you expect. …

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…

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 websit…

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 Armit…

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 over…

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 Calho…

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 i…

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 star…

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…

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…

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 …

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…

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 commis…

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 Resourc…

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 Inside Calhoun County to talk about the preparation, execution and post-election steps - including when a recount is req…

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 onc…

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 lon…

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 Treasu…

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 fi…

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 Resou…

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…

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 lo…

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 …

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 hom…

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 Com…

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 …

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 informat…

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 Co…

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 - whi…

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, a…

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 b…

Calhoun County's Community Development department is the focus of this episode of Inside Calhoun County. Community Development Director Jen Bomba discusses the multiple areas that encompass community development - and how staffers often become the "thinktank" for new ideas. Episode Resources Calhoun County Community Development website Inside Calho…

Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott and Amy Dolinky with the Michigan Association of Counties join host Richard Piet to discuss the Calhoun County Opioid Settlement Steering Committee and its focus. Calhoun County is slated to receive approximately $11 million in opioid settlement funds over the next two decades. Scott and Dolinky c…

Inside Calhoun County visits with Kristine Parsons, interim executive director of the Calhoun County Road Department. She shares pertinent information related to road work in 2024, including: How the warm winter has affected planned road work in 2024. The many considerations involved during the planning process for road projects. Some of the road p…

Calhoun County residents - just like anywhere else - must feel assured their emergency response operations are in good working order. An integral component is emergency dispatch, where 9-1-1 calls are routed. Michael Armitage, director of the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority joins Inside Calhoun County to talk about how his team has k…

Registered Michigan voters have the first chance ever to cast ballots before the state primary election with the implementation of early voting. Voters passed a ballot proposal in 2022 adding 9 days of early voting ahead of many Election Days. In this episode, Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds Kimberly Hinkley discusses the process her off…

In her inaugural visit with Inside Calhoun County, Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott helps listeners understand her role, as well as how it relates to other management roles in Calhoun County. As well, Kelli looks back at 2023 and the County's emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic and the priorities in 2024. Among them, transportation and access …

Calhoun County Treasurer Brian Wensauer joins Inside Calhoun County to talk about some accomplishments he is particularly proud of during his tenure. Not the least of which is the Primary Residential Exemption Tax Repayment Program. Imagine: COVID caused an interruption or reduction in your personal income. But, property tax bills continue to arriv…

First elected by Calhoun County voters in 2012, David Gilbert began leading the office of the prosecuting attorney in early 2013. That length of service, along with prior service as an assistant prosecutor and a defense attorney, has afforded Prosecutor Gilbert some perspective on a number of legal issues. In this episode, Prosecutor Gilbert will d…

Calhoun County Chief Judge Michael Jaconette is joined by court administrators Kate Ambrose and Kris Getting in this update from the Calhoun County courts. The trio discusses how the courts have adapted since COVID, along with other operational changes including technological updates. Also discussed: Chief judge appointments and what you should kno…

Making sure Calhoun County residents are protected against flooding and other drainage and water-related concerns is the job of the Water Resources Department. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County, Water Resources Commissioner Ron Smith talks about how they go about accomplishing that job, as well as how residents can get involved. Episode Reso…