David Mitchell
Lead Editor
David Mitchell is the lead editor at The Kalamazoo Press, covering local government, public safety, and community affairs in Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan. With a background in journalism and public policy, David is dedicated to delivering accurate, timely reporting that keeps residents informed about the issues that matter most.
50 articles published on The Kalamazoo Press
Published Articles
Schoolcraft Mail Carriers Call Postal Consolidation 'Hell on Earth' as Union Contract Expires
Mail carriers in Schoolcraft and across Southwest Michigan say a 2024 USPS consolidation made deliveries slower and routes more dangerous. The union contract expired May 22 as workers enter a 60-day mediation period.
May 29, 2026Otsego CountyOtsego County: Two Men Arrested for Mailing Synthetic Drugs Into Jail Hidden in Bible Mail
Two men were arrested for allegedly mailing K2 synthetic drugs hidden in Bible mail to an inmate at the Otsego County Correctional Facility. The Otsego County Sheriff's Office worked with the U.S. Postal Inspectors on the investigation.
May 29, 2026solar energyRichland Township Solar Hearing Ends With Booing, Chanting and a Decision Still Months Away
The public hearing on Consumers Energy's proposed 2,200-acre Liberty Farms Solar project concluded Wednesday in Richland Township after residents packed a middle school cafeteria in opposition. A decision is still months away.
May 29, 2026AmazonVicksburg: Amazon Data Center May Already Be Costing Residents $10.60 More a Month on Power Bills
A new report estimates Vicksburg residents are already paying $10.60 more per month on power bills because of Amazon data centers, with $38 million charged to residential customers so far.
May 29, 2026Comstock ParkComstock Park Explosion Victims Identified as Doug and Lucy Preston After Divorce Filing
Authorities identified the victims in the Comstock Park home explosion as Doug Preston, who died, and his wife Lucy Preston, who survived with fourth-degree burns. Court records show Lucy Preston filed for divorce in March, weeks before the blast.
May 28, 2026Sherine MillerTexas Township: Judge Blocks Former Treasurer Sherine Miller From August Ballot, Township Pursues Breach of Contract Case
A Kalamazoo County judge has permanently blocked former Texas Township Treasurer Sherine Miller from running in the August primary after she resigned under a $110,000 separation agreement. The township is now pursuing a breach of contract case.
May 28, 2026zoningOshtemo Denies Variance for 51-Home Stadium Drive Project, Leaving Vacant Lot in Limbo
Oshtemo's Zoning Board of Appeals denied a variance request from Alan Edwin Homes to build 51 single-family homes on a nine-acre Stadium Drive site that falls one acre short of the township's minimum for a Planned Unit Development.
May 28, 2026Austin LakePortage Austin Lake Tests Positive for Harmful Algal Bloom, Health Department Issues Advisory
The Kalamazoo County Health Department issued a public health advisory after a May 27 water sample from Austin Lake in Portage tested positive for microcystin, a toxin-producing cyanobacteria. Officials urge caution for people and pets using the lake.
May 28, 2026Wildwood Off MainKalamazoo Township: Upper Unit Residents Given One Night to Evacuate Condemned Wildwood Apartments
Upper-floor residents at Wildwood Off Main Apartments in Kalamazoo Township were given one night to evacuate Wednesday after engineers found decks and stair systems structurally unsafe. Management offered hotel stays or up to $200 in reimbursement.
May 28, 2026missing personOtsego Area: Sheriff Fuller Urges Public Help as Search for Missing Jennifer McCormick Enters 10th Day
Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller urged the public to come forward with any information about Jennifer McCormick, 55, who has been missing from the Otsego area since May 13. Community searches have extended to Ruppert Lake in Otsego Township.
May 28, 2026Sheila KershnerMattawan Woman Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Deadly Crash That Killed 8-Year-Old Amish Girl
Mattawan woman Sheila Kershner sentenced to at least six years in prison for a March 2025 drunk driving crash that killed 8-year-old Amish girl Alma Yoder and injured her brother.
May 28, 2026Liberty Farms SolarRichland Township Hopes to Finally Conclude Public Hearing on 2,200-Acre Consumers Energy Solar Project
Richland Township's planning commission held a third attempt at a public hearing on Consumers Energy's Liberty Farms Solar project after two previous meetings ran out of time due to overwhelming resident turnout. The 1,200 to 2,200-acre project has drawn fierce opposition from nearby residents.
May 28, 2026softballVicksburg Softball Star Lena Lancaster Named Athlete of the Week as Coach Projects Division I Future
Vicksburg High School softball player Lena Lancaster was voted MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette Athlete of the Week with 57 percent of the vote. Coach Steve Peters projects the rising junior as a future Division I player.
May 28, 2026Galesburg-AugustaGalesburg-Augusta Voters Approve $11.24 Million School Bond With 964-880 Vote
Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools voters approved an $11.24 million bond measure 964-880 on May 5, flipping a November defeat to fund school renovations and a new transportation facility.
May 28, 2026sewerOshtemo Township Breaks Ground on $19.5 Million Sewer Expansion for 270 Westport Homes
Oshtemo Township began construction on a $19.5 million sewer expansion project in the Westport neighborhood. The work will bring sewer service to 270 homes over two construction seasons.
May 27, 2026city governmentPortage City Council Bypasses Bidding to Hire Search Firm for Next City Manager
Portage City Council approved a contract with Walsh Municipal Services to find a replacement for retiring city manager Patrick McGinnis, skipping the usual bidding process to accelerate the search.
May 27, 2026X-trainKalamazoo X-Train Returns: 500 People, 150 Vehicles Clog Downtown as Season Begins
A Kalamazoo Shell station owner says 400 to 500 people and 150 vehicles gathered for X-train mobile nuisance parties this past weekend, marking the return of a seasonal problem that has plagued downtown neighborhoods since the 1990s.
May 27, 2026summer mealsOtsego Schools Launch Free Summer Meals as Food Banks Brace for Busiest Season
Otsego Public Schools is launching free summer meals at four mobile home parks starting June 8 as rising grocery prices push more families toward food banks. Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes has budgeted $2 million for food this year.
May 27, 2026PlainwellPlainwell Residents Split Over Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Battery Storage Project Off Riverview Drive
The Gun Plain Township Planning Commission will vote May 20 on a Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners battery storage project off Riverview Drive in Plainwell. Residents are divided over safety concerns and grid benefits.
May 27, 2026Rx KidsGalesburg Families Can Now Enroll in Rx Kids Cash Assistance Program Starting June 1
Rx Kids cash assistance program launches in Galesburg, Oshtemo Township, and Wakeshma Township on June 1. Eligible families receive $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 per month for a child's first year.
May 26, 2026Kalamazoo Metro TransitParchment Residents: Route 6 Bus Shifts From Patterson to Ransom Street Starting July 20
Kalamazoo Metro Transit is shifting Route 6 from Patterson Street to Ransom Street in Parchment starting July 20 to serve new housing developments. Three other county routes are also changing.
May 26, 2026Comstock ParkMan Dead, Woman in Critical Condition After Massive Comstock Park Home Explosion
A man died and a woman was hospitalized in critical condition after a home exploded on Rollaway Drive NE in Comstock Park early Tuesday. Neighbors rescued the woman from the burning home. ATF agents are investigating.
May 26, 2026Samuel GravesKalamazoo Man Samuel Graves Arrested After 8-Hour Manhunt, 50 Pounds of Meth Seized
Samuel Graves, 31, of Kalamazoo was arrested in Berrien County after an eight-hour manhunt that ended with the seizure of 50 pounds of crystal methamphetamine. Graves faces multiple charges including possession with intent to deliver.
May 26, 2026lacrosseMattawan Wildcats Advance to Boys Lacrosse Regional Final With 14-6 Win Over Harper Creek
Mattawan boys lacrosse defeated Harper Creek 14-6 to reach the regional final against Portage Northern. The championship game is set for Tuesday at Mattawan High School.
May 26, 2026Matt HallRichland Township's House Speaker Matt Hall Strips Lawmaker of Committees in Epstein Investigation Clash
Richland Township's House Speaker Matt Hall removed Democratic Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou from all committee assignments. She calls it retaliation for an Epstein investigation push. Hall cites disruptive behavior during committee hearings.
May 26, 2026artsVicksburg Artist Residency at Paper Mill Draws Global Creatives, Wins Regional Honor
The Prairie Ronde Artist Residency at Vicksburg's former Lee Paper Company mill draws artists from around the world and earned an Epic Award from the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.
May 25, 2026hit-and-runGalesburg: Abandoned Blood-Covered Car Leads to Murder Charge in Kalamazoo Hit-and-Run
A blood-covered car abandoned in Galesburg helped investigators track down a suspect in a deadly Kalamazoo hit-and-run. Darqareion Mills faces second-degree murder charges after being found hiding in a Tennessee attic.
May 25, 2026veteransParchment Church Honors Veterans Lost to Suicide With Brick Memorial Ahead of Memorial Day
Parchment United Methodist Church honored veterans who died by suicide with a brick memorial and awareness wristbands at a Sunday service, highlighting a crisis that claims over 17 veterans per day.
May 25, 2026Black Bear SportsTexas Township’s Wings West Arena at Center of Black Bear Sports Controversy After Nonprofit Hockey League Evicted
Black Bear Sports Group evicted the 60-year-old Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association from its Texas Township arena amid a Michigan Attorney General antitrust investigation into the company's consolidation of youth hockey.
May 25, 2026battery storageOshtemo Township Recall Effort Targets Five Board Members Over Battery Storage Fight
A proposed 260-megawatt battery storage facility in Oshtemo Township has triggered a recall campaign targeting five Township Board members. Farm owners say the project threatens their bee-dependent pumpkin operation. The township has passed a moratorium while drafting new zoning rules.
May 25, 2026Nice BreadPortage Retired Bookkeeper Opens Nice Bread Bakery After Cancer Diagnosis, Beat
Pamela Snyder, a retired Portage bookkeeper who beat cancer, opened Nice Bread bakery with her son Alex Mabry. Snyder had zero professional baking experience before running a popular driveway bread stand.
May 25, 2026Schoolcraft CollegeSchoolcraft College Basketball's Undefeated Season Launches Two Local Players to Division I Programs
Two Kalamazoo area players overlooked after high school earned Division I basketball offers after one season at Schoolcraft College. Siena McNitt signed with Evansville and Briana Young chose Buffalo following the Ocelots' 33-2 season.
May 25, 2026otsegoOtsego Girls Soccer Climbs to No. 6 in Division 2 State Rankings Ahead of 2026 Playoffs
The Otsego Bulldogs girls soccer team climbed to No. 6 in Division 2 state rankings after a rivalry win over Plainwell, setting up a strong postseason push for the Kalamazoo-area school.
May 25, 2026crimePlainwell Man Arrested in Albion With Two Guns, Ammo and Suspected Meth
A 29-year-old Plainwell man faces five charges after Albion police found two guns, ammunition, and suspected meth in his vehicle. A 39-year-old Kalamazoo woman also faces pending meth possession charges.
May 25, 2026MattawanMattawan Police Officer Lacey Ryan Delivers Baby Girl in Parking Lot After Emergency Call
Mattawan police officer Lacey Ryan delivered a baby girl named Athena in a Cole Avenue parking lot Tuesday after responding to an emergency call. The officer had no specialized training for delivering babies.
May 25, 2026Matt HallRichland Township's Matt Hall Sees $5 Billion Property Tax Package Pass Michigan House. The Catch Is the Service Tax Still Missing.
Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall of Richland Township saw his $5 billion property tax reform package pass the House Wednesday night. The bills now face the Democratic Senate and a missing service tax bill meant to fund the cuts.
May 24, 2026VicksburgVicksburg's Maguire Bowles Named Michigan Hitter of the Week as Gators Eye Playoffs
Vicksburg junior outfielder Maguire Bowles was named Michigan Hitter of the Week after going 12-for-16 with three home runs and seven RBIs. The Gators are ranked No. 14 in Division 2 heading into the May 26 playoff start.
May 24, 2026BNSFGalesburg Residents Fed Up as BNSF Trains Block Crossings for Hours at a Time
BNSF freight trains are blocking Galesburg railroad crossings for hours at a time, stranding motorists and delaying emergency responders. City officials say federal rules limit their ability to act, while residents call for accountability from the railroad.
May 24, 2026Comstock TownshipComstock Township Businesses Can Still Apply for Up to $2 Million in Federal Tornado Recovery Loans
Comstock Township businesses affected by the March 6 tornado outbreak can apply for federal disaster loans of up to $2 million. The physical loan deadline is June 28. Economic injury loans remain available through January 2027.
May 21, 2026businessTC Scoops Opens in Texas Township as Stryker Workers Turn Ice Cream Dream Into Reality
Roy and Jess Holmberg, who work at Stryker, opened TC Scoops ice cream parlor at 6894 Texas Drive in Texas Township. Lines formed within days of their May 9 soft opening.
May 20, 2026crimeOshtemo Township: 18-Year-Old Stabbed Early Tuesday, 30-Year-Old Man Arrested
An 18-year-old man was stabbed early Tuesday morning in Oshtemo Township and is in stable condition. Deputies arrested a 30-year-old man at the scene. The sheriff's office is asking for public tips.
May 20, 2026PortagePortage City Council Approves $56 Million Mixed-Use Development at Centre and Shaver
Portage City Council approved a $56 million mixed-use development called The Paisley at Portage Creek at its May 12 meeting. The project at Centre Avenue and Shaver Road includes apartments and commercial space near City Hall.
May 20, 2026Jeff TitusKalamazoo County Man Who Lost 21 Years in Prison for Murder He Didn’t Commit Accepts $5.25 Million Settlement
Jeff Titus, a Kalamazoo County man who spent 21 years in prison for the 1990 murders of two hunters he did not kill, has accepted a $5.25 million wrongful conviction settlement. Titus was exonerated in 2023 after investigators found evidence pointing to serial killer Thomas Dillon as the true suspect.
May 20, 2026missing personOtsego Area Woman Jennifer McCormick Missing Since May 13, May Be in Mental Health Crisis
The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office is searching for Jennifer McCormick, 55, who went missing from her Alamo Township home south of Otsego on May 13 and may be experiencing a mental health crisis.
May 20, 2026DNRPlainwell DNR Biologist Verifies New Michigan State Record Gizzard Shad Caught on Grand River
Plainwell DNR biologist Matt Diana verified a new Michigan state record gizzard shad weighing 4.45 pounds, breaking a 30-year-old record set in 1996.
May 19, 2026scholarshipsMattawan High School Senior KayLynn Smith Earns $2,500 Honor Credit Union Scholarship
Mattawan High School senior KayLynn Smith was named one of twelve Michigan students to receive a $2,500 Community Commitment Scholarship from Honor Credit Union.
May 19, 2026Matt HallRichland Township's House Speaker Matt Hall Pushes to Eliminate Michigan Property Tax, Claims $900 Savings Per Household
Richland Township's House Speaker Matt Hall is pushing to eliminate Michigan's state property tax, claiming it would save households $900 per year. Democrats question the funding plan.
May 19, 2026vicksburgVicksburg Village Council Approves $958,000 in Warrants, Orders $212,000 in New Equipment
The Vicksburg Village Council approved $958,493 in warrants and ordered more than $212,000 in new equipment including a police patrol vehicle, radios, and infrastructure tools at its May 18 meeting.
May 19, 2026hit-and-runGalesburg: Suspect Vehicle Left in Galesburg After Deadly Hit-and-Run, Murder Charges Filed
The suspect vehicle in a deadly Kalamazoo hit-and-run was found abandoned in Galesburg. The driver, Darqareion Damont Mills, was arrested in Tennessee after falling through a ceiling while hiding. Prosecutors filed second-degree murder charges Monday.
May 19, 2026El Sol SchoolOpen house Monday for new El Sol School site in Kalamazoo
Community open house scheduled Monday for new El Sol School site at 1428 Baker Street in Kalamazoo, with construction planned for 2028-29 school year.
May 17, 2026