🌱 Beats On Bates Returns Downtown + Howard Street Lane Closures

Hi all. It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Kalamazoo-Portage Patch newsletter — here to explain all the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Hazy sun. High: 80 Low: 49.
• Saturday: Sun, some clouds. High: 84 Low: 61.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories in Kalamazoo-Portage today:

1. A 17-year-old, Markii Jerrell Robinson, in Kalamazoo was critically injured and later died after being shot in the head in a drive-by shooting. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is investigating the incident and searching for the suspects, who were driving a stolen 2023 Hyundai Tucson with an Indiana license plate. The department has urged the public to report any sightings of the suspects and encouraged anyone with information about the shooting to contact them or submit anonymous tips to Silent Observer. (FOX 17 West Michigan News)
2. Beats on Bates is returning every Wednesday for its fifth straight year in downtown Kalamazoo. Riddle Promotions is bringing back this free event from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. near Bates Alley where the community can enjoy outdoor music and entertainment. There will also be food and adult beverages available provided by local restaurants and participating bars. Shows will be ongoing through August. (WWMT-TV)
3. The City of Kalamazoo has announced a project to repave and improve Howard Street, including the addition of a pedestrian refuge island at the intersection of Howard Street and Waite Avenue. The project aims to enhance connectivity between the Oakland Drive-Winchell neighborhood and the nearby non-motorized trails near Western Michigan University. The construction will begin with the pedestrian island and will be followed by surface work, including milling, resurfacing, and pavement preservation treatments. The project is expected to be completed by the end of July, with funding allocated from the City's Major Streets fund budget. (WWMT-TV)

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Today and tomorrow in Kalamazoo-Portage:

Friday, June 9

• Family Storytime At Central Library (10:30 AM)
• A Night With The Growlers At Homer Stryker Field (5:35 PM)
• That Beatles Thing At Old Dog Tavern (7:00 PM)

Saturday, June 10

• KPL Tech Days At Kalamazoo Public Library (10:00 AM)
• Scalin' Up For Summer At Celery Flats (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• If you are in Kalamazoo and you have any interest in masonry, a masonry workshop will be held this Saturday, Jun. 10, with historic mason Blair Bates. For more information and to register, click here. (The City of Kalamazoo, Michigan via Facebook)
• Even though summer has just started, the Portage District Library is ready to start giving away some of its prizes to its participants. Books will be given away after the first 15 days and gift card winners will be announced on Monday. You can still sign up for summer reading through this link. (Portage District Library via Facebook)
• Kalamazoo College wants to congratulate the class of 2023 and all of their accomplishments! The commencement ceremony is scheduled for this Sunday, Jun. 11, at 10:00 a.m. on the Campus Quad; for more information about the weekend's celebrations, you can click here. (Kalamazoo College via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! I'll catch up with you soon with your next update.

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.