🌱 Kalamazoo Weed & Grass Rules For May + $20M Water Project

Hi all. Hello, Kalamazoo-Portage! I'm Danielle Fallon-O'Leary and I'm filling in for your usual curator Michelle Paul. Let's get this day started off right with a quick guide to everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Cooler with a few showers. High: 58 Low: 47.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy, a little rain. High: 58 Low: 40.

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

1. To make it easier for residents to participate in the "No Mow May" initiative, the city of Kalamazoo is adjusting how it will enforce the tall grass and weed ordinance throughout the month of May only. During May, property owners found in violation of the ordinance will first receive a courtesy notice detailing what they need to do to get their property in compliance; if the city returns later to find the property in compliance, then they'll close the case, and if not, they'll take action. Property owners will also not be cited as long as they follow specific guidelines for what areas need to be kept mowed, such as the curb lawn between the street and the sidewalk. (MLive.com)
2. The water bill for Kalamazoo residents may be rising by $2.40 per month if the city goes ahead with its planned $20 million project to replace and upgrade water mains and service lines. The project comes in light of an order from the state requiring the city to address deficiencies that threaten public health; for example, part of the project will replace 1,500 lead service lines in a neighborhood near Mosel Avenue beginning sometime this fall. The water main replacements aim to reduce the number of water main breaks the city has been seeing in recent years. (MLive.com)
3. Property values in Kalamazoo County grew 6.8 percent in the last year, which is the highest rate of growth in the last decade. Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Board Chair John Taylor said that while the rate is good for the county, as it means more tax revenue that the county can use, the increased rate will have a negative impact on those wishing to buy a house. (WKZO)

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Today and tomorrow in Kalamazoo-Portage:

Friday, April 28

• Eat Drink Give At Girl Scouts (7:00 PM)
• Make And Take: Resin River Serving Boards At Kzoo Makers (7:30 PM)

Saturday, April 29

• Kids Fix It! Bike Workshop At Celery Flats (9:00 AM)
• KPL Tech Days At Kalamazoo Public Library (10:00 AM)
• Garlic Mustard Contest At Portage Parks & Recreation Building (10:00 AM)

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From my notebook:

• Looking for a new house can be difficult, so to help you in your search, here are four upcoming open houses in and around the Kalamazoo-Portage area. (Kalamazoo-Portage Patch)
• The Spring Craft Show is coming to the Kalamazoo Expo Center this Saturday! Admission is free, so come browse over 200 booths from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (WWMT-TV)
• Mark your calendars! Join the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council for two exciting events later this year. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Kanoe the Kazoo" on Aug. 19, and on Oct. 7. (Kalamazoo River Watershed Council via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be in your inbox soon with another update.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.