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Mattawan School District Approves Operating Millage Renewal With 71 Percent Yes Vote in May 5 Special Election
Mattawan Consolidated School District voters approved an operating millage renewal with 2,194 in favor and 906 against, ensuring continued funding for the district's general operating budget during the May 5 special election.
Liberty Farms Solar Project Continues Through Public Hearing Process in Richland Township
A third public hearing is scheduled for May 27 to discuss the proposed Liberty Farms Solar project in Richland Township, which would span 1,200 acres and bring 220 megawatts of renewable energy to power over 50,000 homes.
Texas Township Representative Larry Schmidt Among Township Renewals Approved by Crawford County Voters
Crawford County voters approved township renewals including Texas Township while the Wynford School District narrowly defeated a school levy bid. GOP Central Committee seats were finalized with several incumbents reelected.
Otsego Voters Approve New 0.25% Income Tax for Schools
Otsego voters approved a new 0.25 percent income tax to fund local schools with unofficial results showing a 235-vote margin in favor.
Two Teenagers Hospitalized After Shooting in Richland's Northside Neighborhood
Two teenagers were hospitalized after a shooting in Richland's Northside neighborhood on Tuesday evening. Police are investigating.
Vicksburg Police Seek Public Help Locating Wanted Man for Domestic Aggravated Assault
Vicksburg Police Department is seeking information about Omarion Nelson who is wanted for domestic aggravated assault. Authorities say he should be considered armed and dangerous.
Comstock Public Schools Bond Proposal Fails in May 5 Special Election
Comstock Public Schools voters rejected a $23.7 million bond proposal for school improvements in the May 5 special election, with 1,291 voting against and 1,159 in favor. The scaled-down measure would have funded security upgrades, roof repairs, and technology improvements without a tax increase.
Lawsuit Claims Kalamazoo County Deputy Withheld Audio Evidence in Oshtemo Shooting Case
A federal lawsuit alleges a Kalamazoo County deputy withheld audio evidence of a shooting for two years. The suppressed recording showed the victim may have fired first, contradicting prosecution theory. Charges were dropped in November 2025.
Portage Voters Reject Amendment to Single-Hauler Trash Ordinance
Portage voters rejected an amendment to the single-hauler trash ordinance, with 6,649 voting no and 5,381 voting yes. The original ordinance approved in January 2025 took effect in March and lowered trash bills for the city.
Murder Suspect Arrested in Tennessee for Deadly Kalamazoo Hit-And-Run
Darqareoin Mills was arrested in Tennessee for second-degree murder and failure to stop after killing Mark McBride in a hit-and-run crash in Kalamazoo's Vine neighborhood.
Kalamazoo Native Establishes Scholarship to Fill Gaps in Kalamazoo Promise for Students
Kalamazoo native Zonterio Weekley created the Weekley Legacy Scholarship to help Kalamazoo Public Schools graduates pay for costs beyond tuition, including housing and textbooks.
WMU to Permanently Close Dangerous Intersection Near Oakland Drive, Create Green Space
WMU will permanently close a dangerous intersection on its East Campus this summer and convert the roadway into green space
CROP Hunger Walk Returns to Downtown Kalamazoo for May 3 Event Aimed at Food Security
The annual CROP Hunger Walk returns to downtown Kalamazoo on May 3 to raise $25,000 for food security programs, addressing the estimated 9,500 food-insecure children in the county.
Portage Zhang Farmers Market Opens 2026 Season at New Permanent Location
Portage Zhang Farmers Market kicks off 2026 season at traditional City Hall location before moving to new $3.25 million permanent pavilion on May 31, featuring 50 vendor stalls and expanded space for food trucks and live music.
Rx Kids Expands to Dozen More West Michigan Communities This Summer
Rx Kids, a cash assistance program for pregnant women and new mothers, is expanding to 20 new communities across Michigan this summer including Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Jackson, and Calhoun counties. The program provides $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly during infancy with no strings attached.
Four Injured After Deer Collision on M-40 in Cass County
Four people including two children were hospitalized after a vehicle hit a herd of deer on M-40 in Porter Township, Cass County. The 65-year-old driver and three passengers were all taken to Beacon Hospital in Three Rivers for injuries.
Landing Place Shelter Opens in Kalamazoo County With 200 Families Waiting
Kalamazoo County opens The Landing Place, a $8 million transitional family shelter with 77 rooms that will serve as one of Michigan's largest homeless family centers.
Kalamazoo Approves Massive Downtown Mural for New Parking Garage
Kalamazoo County Commissioners approved a massive 40-foot mural by local artist Patrick Hershberger for a new downtown parking garage on Church Street. The design features faces of community leaders and nature elements.
Kalamazoo Farmers Market Opens Under New Management After 13 Years With People's Food Co-op
The Kalamazoo Farmers Market opened its 2026 season with new operators Gamsho Group taking over from People's Food Co-op after 13 years, promising to maintain core services while adding new benefits for veterans and tribal members.
Kalamazoo Township Demolishes Church to Build $11M Fire Station With Community Room, Expanded Bays
Kalamazoo Township demolishes a shuttered church to make way for a $11M fire station that will feature expanded truck bays, updated living quarters, and a community room funded through state grants and a special assessment.
Suspected Drunk Driver Fled Scene After Crashing Pickup Into Portage Family Home
A suspected drunk driver fled the scene after crashing a pickup truck into a Portage family home, causing serious damage including a snapped gas line and shifting the house six inches off its foundation.
National Guard Soldiers From Seven States Compete at Fort Custer Best Warrior Competition
Elite National Guard soldiers from seven states compete at Fort Custer Training Center for the 2026 Best Warrior Competition title, with Michigan sending two top performers to represent the state.
Treatment-First Court Offers Alternative Path for Kalamazoo Nonviolent Offenders With Mental Illness
Kalamazoo County Mental Health Recovery Court offers treatment over jail time for nonviolent offenders with serious mental illness, focusing on stability and accountability through collaboration between courts and behavioral health providers.
I-94 Construction Returns to Southwest Michigan in Second Year of $31.7 Million Road Project
I-94 construction between Coloma and Watervliet resumes Monday as MDOT and contractor begin second year of $31.7 million road improvement project.
Kalamazoo Approves $344 Million Budget as State Funding Cuts Force City to Trim Spending
Kalamazoo approves $344.4 million 2026 budget with 11.4 percent cut from previous year as state funding changes force city to trim spending. Budget includes $500,000 for homeless shelters and Home Share program to address housing capacity.
Western Michigan University Breaks Ground on New Home for State's Largest Geological Sample Repository
Western Michigan University breaks ground on an $8 million, 20,000-square-foot facility at Parkview Campus to house the state's largest geological sample collection of approximately 600,000 linear feet of rock and mineral core, with completion expected by year end.
Kalamazoo County Plans $150000 Conveyance Swale to Stop Repeated Flooding on West Prouty Street
Kalamazoo County plans a $150000 to $250000 conveyance swale project to stop repeated flooding on West Prouty Street, which has affected dozens of homes for years.
Kalamazoo Event Center Tops Out as 33-Foot Final Beam Signals Fall 2027 Opening
Kalamazoo Event Center reaches milestone with topping out ceremony, placing final 33-foot beam ahead of Fall 2027 opening.
Kalamazoo Township Breaks Ground on $45M New Township Hall and Police Station
Kalamazoo Township breaks ground on a $45 million new 100,000-square-foot community campus that will house township offices and a police station, scheduled to open by summer 2028.
Davies Project Brings Free Medical Rides to Kalamazoo, Targeting Children, Expectant Mothers and NICU Families
The Davies Project, a Lansing nonprofit helping families access healthcare, has launched a pilot program in Kalamazoo County offering free rides to medical appointments for children with serious health conditions, expectant mothers, and NICU families.
Kalamazoo City and County Declare State of Emergency as Flooding Continues to Impact Neighborhoods
Kalamazoo City and County declared a state of emergency on April 17 as flooding continues to impact neighborhoods with basement flooding and infrastructure damage. Free sandbags are available at three distribution sites, and cleanup kits can be obtained by calling 211.
Federal Aid Requested After Deadly Tornadoes Hit Southwest Michigan
Four tornadoes hit southwest Michigan on March 6, killing four people and damaging dozens of homes. Governor Whitmer has requested federal disaster assistance for Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties.
KDPS Officers Arrest Three People After Seizing Four Guns During Weapons Patrol
Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers arrested three people including an 18-year-old after seizing four firearms during weapons investigations on the city's east side.
Bronco Bound Guarantee Launches to Make Kalamazoo Valley to WMU Transfers Easier
WMU and KVCC launch Bronco Bound Guarantee providing automatic admission and scholarship consideration for KVCC transfers
17-Year-Old Turns Himself In After Battle Creek Shooting That Injured Two Teenagers
A 17-year-old turned himself in after a shooting that injured two other teenagers in Battle Creek. The suspect faces attempted murder charges.
42 Kalamazoo Area Spring Athletes Named for Third Athlete of the Week Poll
MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette launches its third Athlete of the Week poll featuring 42 standout spring sports athletes from schools across Southwest Michigan, with voting closing Friday morning.
Kalamazoo Wealth Management Firm Arcadia Sold to Massachusetts' F.L. Putnam
Kalamazoo's Arcadia Investment Management Corporation, managing over $670 million in assets, has been acquired by Massachusetts-based F.L. Putnam Investment Management Company in a deal that marks F.L. Putnam's first Midwest expansion.
Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon 2026 Draws 5,000 Runners as Tens of Thousands Cheer on City Streets
Over 5,000 runners and tens of thousands of supporters came together for the 47th annual Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon, showcasing Kalamazoo's community spirit as participants from across the country hit the streets.
40-Year-Old Man Hospitalized After Being Struck With Axe During Altercation in Battle Creek
A 40-year-old man is hospitalized after being struck with an axe during an altercation on Saturday evening in Battle Creek. Police located the suspect and took him into custody for questioning.
Kalamazoo Adds Second Portland Loo to Water Street at $237,524 Cost After $70K Increase
Kalamazoo is installing a second Portland Loo public restroom on Water Street at a cost of $237,524, which includes a $70,000 increase over the original budget due to construction delays and winter weather.
WMU Spring Game Reveals Fresh Quarterback Talent and Defensive Depth for 2026 Season
Western Michigan University spring game showcased freshman quarterback Jaxson Dosh and transfer Cole Cabana finding the end zone while defensive depth emerged across all three levels in a physical display of grit at Waldo Stadium.
Vicksburg Community Schools Seek $64M Bond for Safety Upgrades and Aging Facilities
Vicksburg Community Schools seeking voter approval for $64.1M bond to replace aging facilities and improve safety with secure vestibules, new transportation center, and auxiliary gym
Four Kalamazoo Residents Arrested After 400 Grams of Meth Seized During US-131 Traffic Stop
Four Kalamazoo residents arrested after deputies seized over 400 grams of meth during traffic stop; deputies injured when suspects resisted and tried to destroy drugs
Kalamazoo County Voters Decide Fate of $16.8M Special Education Funding on May 5
Kalamazoo County voters will decide on May 5 whether to renew a special education millage that would generate $16.8 million over six years to fund federally mandated special education services in KRESA's nine school districts.
Two Unclaimed Michigan Veterans Receive Military Honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery
Two Michigan veterans whose remains went unclaimed received full military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, including rifle volleys, taps, and flag presentations.
Vandals Cut Verizon Fiber Cable, Leaving Hundreds of Kalamazoo County Residents Without Cell Service
Vandals cut a Verizon fiber cable causing widespread cell service outage across Kalamazoo County including Portage, Galesburg and Augusta.
Man Sentenced to Life in 2018 Kalamazoo Murder After Seven-Year Cold Case Investigation
A Kalamazoo jury convicted 29-year-old James Reed of first-degree murder in the 2018 shooting death of Marcus Ford. Reed faces mandatory life sentencing after the conviction came more than seven years after the shooting.
Kalamazoo Rejects $1.25M Federal Police Grant Over Immigration Stipulations
Kalamazoo City Commissioners rejected a $1.25 million federal COPS hiring grant for KDPS over 39 federal stipulations that could require local police to comply with immigration enforcement directives and restrict diversity programs.
MOO-ville to Open Fifth Ice Cream Shop in Historic Kalamazoo County Barn
MOO-ville Creamery, the Barry County family farm known for award-winning ice cream, is building a new fifth location in a historic 1837 barn in Richland, Kalamazoo County, with a drive-thru, bakery, and gift shop set to open late 2026 or early 2027.
Kalamazoo Man Sentenced to Over 10 Years in International Fraud Scheme Targeting Elderly Victims
A Kalamazoo man sentenced to over 10 years in prison for international mail and wire fraud scheme that defrauded elderly victims of approximately $2 million between 2017 and 2022