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A closer look at damage at Portage FedEx facility, how they move forward
PORTAGE, Mich. — The FedEx facility in Portage was one of the hardest-hit locations by the tornadoes last Tuesday. The building sustained significant damage, including destroying three van lines, where they lodge vehicles. Annette Brown, a safety specialist with FedEx, described the roof peeling back like a can of...
Homeless people come to Kalamazoo for help. Can the city’s resources keep up?
KALAMAZOO, MI — People arrive in Kalamazoo with nowhere to live. One person from Saginaw heard there was housing in Kalamazoo and bought a bus ticket across the state. Another, from Ohio, was sent to Kalamazoo by their case worker, who bought them a one-way ticket because they heard about the resources.
16-year-old arrested after gas station robbery near Kalamazoo
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI -- A 16-year-old Kalamazoo resident was arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home after an armed robbery at a Parchment gas station, police said. The robbery happened about 6:30 a.m. Friday, May 10, at a gas station on the 600 block of North Riverview Drive,...
Letter from the Editor: Tornado coverage is part chaos, part compassion and all public service
On Tuesday, May 7, two tornadoes tore through Portage, destroying 60 buildings and damaging hundreds more. The largest of the two had wind speeds of 135 mph, lasted 22 minutes and ripped a trail of destruction over 11 miles. Miraculously, there were no deaths or serious injuries. I often talk...
United Way, Kalamazoo Community Foundation raise over $200K for tornado victims
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Work is underway to raise money for those impacted by last week's tornadoes. United Way of South Central Michigan, or UWSCMI, and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, or KCZF, previously announced May 9 that they've joined forces to provide joint crisis funding to entities providing recovery services to individuals and homes in the area, according to officials.
PHOTOS: 26th annual Roof Sit kicks off in Portage with celebration dinner, auction
PORTAGE, Mich. — The 26th annual Roof Sit fundraiser in Portage is now underway. Through Saturday, participants can help raise $100,000 for the Community Healing Center's Children Advocacy Center, where specialized care is offered to children who are victims of abuse. Money will also go towards their children's outpatient...
Father accused of smothering baby daughter in couch cushion heads to trial
KALAMAZOO, MI — A Kalamazoo father charged with fatally smothering his 6-month-old daughter between couch cushions is headed toward trial. Jose Antonio Roldan Jr., 40, waived his right to a preliminary examination on Tuesday, May 14, in Kalamazoo County District Court and was bound over to circuit court, where he is expected to stand trial.
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Airport conducts emergency preparedness exercise
PORTAGE, Mich. — The Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport conducted a full-scale emergency preparedness exercise Thursday morning. After closing briefly at the beginning of the drill, the airport simulated a 90-seat aircraft crash with 50 victims, some of which were volunteers. State: Detroit sees population growth for first time since...
West Michigan entrepreneurs plan Wayland dispensary, capitalizing on casino expansion
Business partners that opened the first cannabis dispensary in Middleville are planning another store called The Gas Station, which is set to open in Wayland next month. Village of Middleville residents Jarred Biggs and Dennis Weiss are the main investors behind the The Gas Station dispensary, located at 1124 W. Superior St. in Wayland, less than a half-mile east of the U.S. 131 interchange. Other partners on the project include Grand Rapids-based entrepreneurs Jonathan Jelks and Willie Jackson.
The 49th annual Stulberg International String Competition is here
Hailing from across the continent and as far away as China, 12 outstanding string players under the age of 20 have arrived to spend two days in Kalamazoo for the 49th annual Stulberg International String Competition. Executive director Megan Yankee joins Cara Lieurance to talk about the event. One of...
Otsego takes down Hackett Catholic as girls district soccer quickly approaches
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — In a battle of two girls soccer teams looking to fine tune what they can before district play, it was Otsego coming away with a win over Hackett Catholic Wednesday afternoon. The Bulldogs earned a 1-0 shutout over the Irish from Soisson-Rapacz Field. Otsego freshman Sydney...
Kalamazoo couple gifts Gilmore Piano Festival with multi-million endowment
KALAMAZOO, MI -- The Gilmore foundation received a $2 million gift that will support Gilmore Festival events and support the artistic vision of The Gilmore’s executive and artistic director. The gift establishes the John W. and Rosemary K. Brown Family Fund at The Gilmore, according to a press release....
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