🌱 Kalamazoo Makes Gun Violence Statement + Kalamazoo Alum Makes Movie

Good morning, Kalamazoo-Portage! It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Kalamazoo-Portage Patch newsletter. Let's get this week started off right with a quick dive into everything you need to know about what's going on in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Partly sunny. High: 87 Low: 59.
• Tuesday: Brilliant sunshine and hot. High: 90 Low: 64.

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

1. The city of Kalamazoo released a statement over the past weekend in response to gun violence and how the city needs cooperation from everyone to combat this gun crisis. The statement was made in response to the most recent shooting that tragically took the life of 20-year-old Alexander Schuster this past Thursday on Hays Park Avenue. The city restated the plan to reduce juvenile victims of gun violence by 50 percent in 2024 and that in order to reach these goals, everyone in the community, from families to community partners, must be involved in making a change for the better. (WKZO)
2. Portage police are searching for the suspect involved in the shooting near Lovebird Court early Saturday morning. Police responded to the call a bit before 5:00 a.m. The suspect reportedly pulled a shotgun out of his vehicle's trunk and opened fire on another man in the parking lot on Saturday morning. No one was injured on the scene, but several damages had visible damage from what appeared to be birdshot bullets. The vehicle the suspect fled the scene from reportedly had Florida tags and he was driving a Toyota Highlander SUV. (95.5 FM)
3. The world premiere of "He Went That Way," a film produced by Kalamazoo College alum Hugh Broder and inspired by a book penned by the late college professor Conrad Hillberry, has taken place at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City this week. The movie, featuring stars Zachary Quinto, Jacob Elordi, and Patrick J. Adams, is based on Hillberry's 1987 book "Luke Karamazov," which recounts the chilling story of Kalamazoo brothers Larry and Danny Ranes' serial killing spree during the 1960s and '70s. While the film is still seeking a distributor, Broder anticipates a European release by year's end, hoping for subsequent screenings in North American theaters. (WOODTV.com)

Today and tomorrow in Kalamazoo-Portage:

Monday, June 19

• Belle ~ Fairy Tale Ballet Camp At Ballet Kalamazoo (9:00 AM)
• Magic Mondays At Kalamazoo Public Library (2:30 PM)
• Adult Pickleball Intermediate Clinic At Ramona Park & Beach (5:30 PM)

Tuesday, June 20

• Let's Make a House: For the Bees! At Eastwood Branch Library (2:00 PM)
• John Ball Zoo: Meet & Greet Animal Station At Portage Parks & Recreation Building (2:00 PM)
• Tiny Art for Teens At Alma Powell Branch Library (3:00 PM)
• Jazz and Sweet Potato Pie At Alma Powell Branch Library (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• With the partnership of Chris Jackson in the Finch Greenhouse Landscape Services, Western Michigan University now has over 4,000 plants ready to be planted. The greenhouse has grown these plants from start plants and seeds native to the area in attempts for more sustainability in the green life. (Western Michigan University via Facebook)
• Last week in Portage, the ribbon was officially cut for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park on 1000 MLK Drive. The park will also feature five different bronze sculptures with Dr. King's message and dreams for the public to read, just in time to celebrate Juneteenth. (The City of Portage MI via Facebook)
• The Portage MI Senior Center and its staff were happy to host its first-ever "Love Me Tender" Vow Renewal event, with over 50 couples coming to renew their wedding vows. The special guest officiant celebrated the love with these couples and helped make this event amazing for all who attended and special for those who participated. (Portage MI Senior Center via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Building Wealth in Your 40s Webinar (June 26)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday! I'll be in your inbox 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.