All News
Richland Township Swears In Patrick Doran as New Fire Chief After Gerald Luedecking's 55-Year Retirement
Richland Township appointed Patrick C. Doran as its new fire chief on June 16, 2026, succeeding Gerald Luedecking after his 55-year retirement. Doran brings 38 years of emergency services experience and works full-time as a physician assistant.
Vicksburg, Michigan: The Village Growing at a Time When Most Are Shrinking
Vicksburg, Michigan has grown 37 percent since 2010, making it the fourth-fastest-growing village in the state. Downtown revitalization efforts and weekly 'Burg Days events are drawing thousands of visitors from outside the village.
Parchment Residents Have Until July 5 to Comment on Paper Mill Cleanup Plan for 22.4-Acre Brownfield Site
Parchment residents have until July 5 to comment on a cleanup plan for the abandoned Crown Vantage paper mill. The $800,000 EPA-funded project would remove two fuel oil storage tanks from the 22.4-acre brownfield site.
Comstock Park: Guatemalan Bakery Mi Bella Guatemala Brings Family Tradition to Alpine Avenue
Mi Bella Guatemala Store relocated from Grand Rapids to Comstock Park for better parking and expanded space. The family-owned bakery brings traditional Guatemalan breads, churros, and tamales to Alpine Avenue after 14 years of baking.
Oshtemo: Timothy Johnson, 38, Killed in Early Morning Pedestrian Crash at West Main and Drake
Timothy Johnson, 38, was killed after being struck by a vehicle while walking in an intersection in Oshtemo Township early Saturday morning. The driver stopped and was arrested.
Portage Man Charged in Family Dollar Robbery, Cocaine Found at Arrest
Kenny Dewayne Bates, 59, of Portage is charged with felony robbery and cocaine possession after allegedly lunging over a Family Dollar counter to grab cash during a June 18 incident.
Kalamazoo: Busy I-94 to U.S. 131 Ramp Closing for 60 Days in $13.4 Million Expansion Project
The I-94 to U.S. 131 ramp in Kalamazoo County closes for 60 days starting Monday as MDOT begins a $13.4 million lane expansion project. Drivers face detours to Ninth Street and reduced lanes on U.S. 131.
Richland Police Arrest Suspect and Recover Vehicle Stolen From Kokomo, Indiana
Richland Police arrested a suspect and recovered a vehicle stolen from Kokomo, Indiana, during a traffic stop on June 17. Ross Township Police assisted in the investigation.
Galesburg, Michigan: County Approves Brownfield Plan for 52-Unit Housing Development Near Blake Boulevard
Kalamazoo County approved a brownfield tax incentive for a 52-unit housing development in Galesburg with a 7-0-1 vote. The project includes income-restricted rentals and market-rate homes near Blake Boulevard.
Comstock Township Report Reveals Hostile Workplace Claims Before Superintendent’s $412K Payout
A 2025 internal investigation found merit in former Comstock Township Superintendent Scott Hess’ claims of a hostile work environment and age discrimination, just months before he requested a contract buyout. The township board later fired him without cause and approved a $412,429.94 payout, which is now being challenged in court.
Oshtemo Township: 38-Year-Old Man Killed in Early Morning Pedestrian Crash at Main Street and Drake Road
A 38-year-old man died Saturday morning after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of W Main Street and N Drake Road in Oshtemo Township. The driver stopped at the scene. The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office is investigating.
Portage Residents Face Zoning Overhaul at Tuesday Public Hearing as City Seeks to Modernize 1960s-Era Rules
The Portage City Council will hold a public hearing June 23 on a new Unified Development Ordinance that would replace 1960s-era zoning rules with smaller lots, more housing types, and incentives to preserve green space. A state grant helped fund the overhaul.
Kalamazoo Wildwood Off Main Tenants Plan 16-Hour Livestream to Teach Renters Their Rights After Condemnation Chaos
Kalamazoo Township tenants at the condemned Wildwood Off Main apartment complex are planning a 16-hour livestream to educate other renters on their rights. Property owner Peter Slaugh says repairs are underway after KABA approved permits, but no timeline has been set for completion.
Schoolcraft Township Tax Errors Leave Homeowners Facing Six-Figure Shocks as State Investigation Continues
Schoolcraft Township homeowners face property tax jumps of thousands of dollars after the former assessor failed to update tax rolls for homes built since 2020. The Michigan Department of Treasury is investigating.
Plainwell Car Crash Ruptures Gas Main, Forces School Closures and Evacuations
A car crash in Plainwell ruptured a gas main early Monday, forcing school closures and evacuating residents within two blocks of the intersection of Main Street and Starr Road.
Mattawan Names Nate Engels as New Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
Nate Engels, a 28-year Mattawan schools veteran and longtime community member, has been hired as the new varsity boys basketball coach, replacing Josh Brown.
Richland Township Names Physician Assistant Patrick Doran as New Fire Chief
Richland Township appointed Deputy Fire Chief Patrick C. Doran as the new fire chief. Doran works full-time as a physician assistant and brings 38 years of emergency services experience to the role.
Vicksburg Baseball Coach Brian Deal Retires After Leading Bulldogs to State Semifinals in Final Season
Hall of Fame coach Brian Deal retires after 28 seasons with Vicksburg baseball, leading the Bulldogs to the Division 2 state semifinals and a school-record 30 wins in his final year.
Parchment Softball Earns SAC-Valley Division Title and Multiple All-Conference Honors in 2026
The Parchment Panthers softball team shared the 2026 SAC-Valley Conference division title with Kalamazoo Christian. Five Panthers earned all-conference honors.
Comstock Township Pays $412,000 to Fired Superintendent as Lawsuit Challenges Payout
Comstock Township approved a $412,000 payout to fired Superintendent Scott Hess after a 4-3 board vote. A resident has filed a lawsuit to block the payment, citing a salary discrepancy and lack of transparency. A court hearing is set for August 1.
Texas Township: Berries Pancake House Coming to Texas Corners With Second-Floor Housing
Berries Pancake House plans a new Texas Township location at Texas Corners with second-floor housing. Bosch Architecture is developing the mixed-use project, which will cost around $1 million to build.
Oshtemo Township Votes Down Revised Kroger Development Plan Amid 'Bait and Switch' Claims
Oshtemo Township planning commissioners voted unanimously to reject a revised West Main Villages development plan that would have added a Kroger grocery store and gas station. Residents and officials said the changes背离 the original mixed-use vision.
Portage Residents Face Vote on Zoning Overhaul That Could Reshape Neighborhoods
Portage City Council will hold a public hearing June 23 on proposed residential zoning updates that could allow smaller lots, narrower streets, and more housing types across the city.
Kalamazoo: 52-Year-Old Man Killed in Train-Pedestrian Crash Near Church Street
A 52-year-old man died in a train-pedestrian crash in Kalamazoo on Wednesday morning. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety closed Church Street and Rose Street for investigation.
Oshtemo Township: New Ordinance Targets 'Candy Kids' Stealing and Reselling Looted Goods
Oshtemo Township updated its street sales ordinance to crack down on children stealing candy from stores and reselling it in parking lots. The new rules require permits for all sellers and allow police to issue fines starting at $75.
Portage Central: Michigan State Offers 4-Star Camden Noe, Michigan's No. 5 Recruit
Portage Central running back Camden Noe, Michigan's No. 5 recruit in the Class of 2028, received a scholarship offer from Michigan State. The four-star prospect now holds 13 Division I offers.
Kalamazoo: Boys & Girls Clubs Opens First Permanent Home as Costs Rise to $12 Million
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo opened its first owned facility at 847 Portage St. The $12 million building, originally budgeted at $9 million, marks the end of 70 years of borrowed space for the nonprofit.
Schoolcraft Schools Shut Down After Stolen Jeep Crash and Cornfield Suspect Hunt
Schoolcraft Community Schools closed Monday after a stolen Jeep crash and a multi-agency search for two suspects who fled into a cornfield near campus. Erick R. Kibler and Miranda Paige Hagaman were arrested and charged.
Vicksburg homeowners face property tax jumps from $791 to $15,000 after assessor errors
Vicksburg homeowners are facing property tax jumps from hundreds of dollars to more than $15,000 after Schoolcraft Township's former assessor failed to update tax rolls for homes built since 2020. The village is seeking reimbursement for $200,000 in lost revenue.
Galesburg Mourns Whitney Learman, WMU Graduate and Cove Lakeside Bistro Server Remembered for Her Empathy
Whitney Elizabeth Learman, a Galesburg, Michigan native and WMU graduate, has died. Friends and coworkers remember the Cove Lakeside Bistro server for her empathy and her gift for showing up for others.
Parchment Volunteers Called for Third Annual Kalamazoo River Cleanup This Saturday
Parchment residents are invited to join the Third Annual Kalamazoo River Cleanup on Saturday, June 20. The Rotary Club of Kalamazoo leads the free volunteer event across Kalamazoo, Comstock, and Parchment.
Comstock Township: Superintendent Payout Jumps to $412,000 as Lawsuit Challenges Board Decision
Comstock Township's payout to fired Superintendent Scott Hess has grown from $341,000 to more than $412,000. A resident has sued to block the payment. A judge has ordered the board to appear in court.
Texas Township Voters Decide on $2.3 Million Fire Millage in August 4 Election
Texas Township voters will decide August 4 on a 1.7009 mill fire department millage that would raise an estimated $2.3 million annually to fund staffing, equipment, and operations through 2034.
Oshtemo Township: Over 100 Residents Pack Meeting to Block Battery Storage Facility Near Homes
Over 100 Oshtemo Township residents packed two meetings this week to oppose a proposed battery energy storage facility near homes, farms, and wetlands. The Township Board admitted it did not communicate well with residents and is drafting a new ordinance to retain local control over siting decisions.
Portage Austin Lake Health Advisory Lifted After Harmful Algal Bloom Tests Negative
Kalamazoo County lifted a two-week health advisory for Austin Lake in Portage after water samples tested negative for microcystin toxins. The lake had been closed to recreational use since late May due to a suspected harmful algal bloom.
Portage Breaks Ground on New Amberly Elementary School as $132.4 Million Bond Plan Moves Forward
Portage Public Schools broke ground Wednesday on a new Amberly Elementary School, the centerpiece of a $132.4 million bond program that will build three new elementary schools in three years.
Kalamazoo Police Search for Suspect After 14-Year-Old Boy Cut in Face at Lilac Hills Apartments
A 14-year-old boy was hospitalized with a facial injury after a fight at Lilac Hills apartments in Kalamazoo. Police are searching for a 27-year-old suspect they say knew the victim.
Schoolcraft Residents Fight Kalamazoo County Plan to Remove Thousands of Roadside Trees
Schoolcraft Township resident Brad Sadowski says federal officials told him the Road Commission's claim about losing $25 million in funding over tree removal opposition was false. Residents are petitioning to save thousands of roadside trees.
Plainwell Registered Sex Offender Says Vigilante Kids Assaulted Him, Left Him Concussed
A Plainwell registered sex offender says a group of vigilante youths confronted him at his home Sunday morning, told him people on the registry 'need to be dead,' and punched him, leaving him with a concussion. Michigan State Police are investigating.
Richland Police Arrest Multiple Warrant Fugitives in Interdiction Sweep, Including Suspects With Felonies for Sexual Assault and Kidnapping
Richland Police arrested multiple people with active felony warrants in a Tuesday interdiction operation. Charges include narcotics delivery and manufacturing, felon in possession of a firearm, and concealed weapon violations. Some suspects have prior convictions for sexual assault of a minor and kidnapping.
Galesburg, Michigan: $17 Million Housing Project Seeks County Approval for 52 New Homes Near Blake Boulevard
A $17 million housing project in Galesburg, Michigan would add 52 new homes near Blake Boulevard. The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners considered a brownfield tax incentive for the development, with 42% of units restricted to renters earning up to 100% of Area Median Income.
Parchment Retiree Brad Shields Spreads Positivity as 'Parchment Wizard' on Street Corners
Brad Shields, a retired HVAC specialist from Parchment, has become known as the 'Parchment Wizard' for standing on street corners with positive messages. He featured on WWMT News Channel 3's Local Heroes.
Comstock Township Fires Superintendent Scott Hess, Faces $341,000 Payout After 4-3 Board Vote
Comstock Township fired Superintendent Scott Hess in a 4-3 board vote Monday night, triggering an estimated $341,000 payout. The split decision comes amid recall efforts and a legal battle over the supervisor's cider barn.
Portage Police Chief Says Teen's Playground Injury Was an Accident, Not a Crime
Portage Police Chief Mike Candiano says a 16-year-old girl's serious injuries at Founder's Square Park were the result of an accident, not a crime, after a viral Facebook post alleged otherwise.
Kalamazoo Domestic Violence Surge: Strangulation Cases Triple, Three Homicides in First Quarter as Funding Cuts Loom
Strangulation cases tripled and three domestic violence homicides occurred in Kalamazoo County's first quarter of 2026, surpassing all of last year. Advocates warn proposed 25% state funding cuts could cripple victim services.
Schoolcraft Village Faces Rising Fire Authority Costs After Two Townships Exit SKCFA
The Village of Schoolcraft faces a projected $17,533 annual increase in fire service costs after Brady Township and Wakeshma Township withdrew from the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority. Council members are weighing a millage tax against a special assessment.
Otsego Area: 9,000 Customers Lose Power After House Fire on Saddler Road in Orangeville Township
A house fire on Saddler Road in Orangeville Township knocked out power for roughly 9,000 Consumers Energy customers across Allegan and Barry counties Tuesday, with outages concentrated northeast of Otsego. Power was restored by 8 p.m.
Plainwell: Commercial Truck Strikes US-131 Bridge, Spills Logs and Triggers Second Crash
A commercial truck struck the 110th Avenue overpass on US-131 in Plainwell, spilling logs and causing a second crash. No injuries were reported, but MDOT says a pattern of preventable bridge strikes is worsening the state's infrastructure funding crisis.
Richland Township’s House Speaker Matt Hall Leads Grilling of Rx Kids Founder at Michigan Oversight Hearing
Richland Township's House Speaker Matt Hall led Republican lawmakers in questioning Rx Kids founder Dr. Mona Hanna at a Tuesday oversight hearing, pressing on whether taxpayer dollars fund undocumented immigrants and whether mothers face spending restrictions on the cash assistance.
Vicksburg Voters Approve $64.1 Million School Bond for New Transportation Facility, Tennis Complex, and Auxiliary Gym
Vicksburg voters approved a $64.1 million school bond renewal with 55.5 percent support, funding a new transportation facility, tennis complex, auxiliary gym, and dozens of upgrades across the district.