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…

Supporting Calhoun County veterans and their families is the goal of the Veterans Affairs office. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County, we learn from VA office Director Aaron Edlefson about the resources available for vets. He also focuses on some of the myths that may be keeping veterans from accessing them. Episode Resources Calhoun County Ve…

Calhoun County Sheriff's Deputies deal with significant challenges at the Calhoun County Jail. That is just the nature of the job. However, in this episode of Inside Calhoun County, we learn about a modern challenges being fought using modern technology. Also, Sheriff Steve Hinkley discusses the role of school resource officers and the impact they …

Welcome to the official podcast of Calhoun County, Michigan government: Inside Calhoun County. In the inaugural episode, Calhoun County Health Officer Eric Pessell discusses health clinic locations, available flu and COVID vaccines, and a special honor bestowed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Episode Resources Calhoun Count…