Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a deadly 1867 jailbreak changed Kalamazoo’s view of its sheriff.
Also check out Ukulele Jam on the Kalamazoo Patch calendar
Good morning Kalamazoo! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a deadly 1867 jailbreak changed Kalamazoo’s view of its sheriff.
- Why Kalamazoo police rushed to Cadillac and Douglas before dawn.
- How did a Kalamazoo pharmacy end up on Disneyland’s Main Street?
Today's riddle: What did the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Kalamazoo-Portagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Cloudy and very cold, with a high of 20 and low of 17 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Tuesday: Rather cloudy and not as cold, temps: high: 35, low: 30.
- Wednesday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, with a high of 37 and low of 30 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Jailbreak: Remembering Kalamazoo sheriff who died in escape attempt (woodtv.com) — Kalamazoo’s first sheriff to die in the line of duty, Benjamin F. Orcutt, is remembered 158 years after he was shot stopping a jailbreak near Academy and South Rose streets. The story traces his path from early Kalamazoo builder to Civil War officer and sheriff, and how local residents honored his sacrifice, funded his monument, and helped pursue his killers despite limited state support for his family. 
Find out what's happening in Kalamazoo-Portagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. 2 juveniles arrested in Kalamazoo for robbing DoorDash driver, police say (mlive.com) — Kalamazoo police arrested two juveniles after a DoorDash driver reported being beaten and robbed near Cadillac Street and Douglas Avenue early Sunday morning. Officers tracked suspects to a nearby residence, seized evidence tied to the robbery, and are asking anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigations Division or Silent Observer.
3. Author uncovers a Kalamazoo-area connection to Disneyland history (mlive.com) — A new book is shining a spotlight on how Kalamazoo-area drugmaker Upjohn once had its own Victorian-style pharmacy exhibit on Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A. Author Stephen Hall traces how Portage-based Upjohn, its leaders, and even Walt Disney’s Kalamazoo friendships ended up immortalized in park windows and artifacts. The story connects local pharmaceutical history to Disney’s nostalgic vision of America.
4. West Michigan's Jewish community reacts to Australian mass shooting (woodtv.com) — Jewish leaders from Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids are grieving after an antisemitic mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia killed at least 11 people, including a rabbi. Kalamazoo’s Chabad rabbi urges local Jews to respond with unity and visible Hanukkah celebrations, emphasizing resilience and support amid rising global antisemitism.
5. Komets crush Wings to snap two-game skid (wane.com) — Kalamazoo hockey fans saw a tough night Sunday as the visiting Fort Wayne Komets blanked the Wings 4–0 at Wings Event Center, snapping their two-game skid. Nathan Day stopped all 17 Kalamazoo shots, while Blake Murray scored twice to help Fort Wayne reclaim first place in the Central Division standings.
📸 Around Kalamazoo
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Kalamazoo
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Ukulele Jam
Comstock Community Center , 6330 King Hwy , Kalamazoo
4:00 pm - CHAMPS and YEP Holiday Party
SunnySide United Methodist Church , 2800 Gull road , Kalamazoo
8:00 am - Foot Care Clinic
Comstock Community Center , 6330 King Hwy , Kalamazoo
9:00 am - Pārrunu grupa “Aka”
Kalamazoo Latvian Association , 122 Cherry Hill St , Kalamazoo
11:00 am - Dievkalpojums/Church Service
Kalamazoo Latvian Association , 122 Cherry Hill St , Kalamazoo
10:00 am - CHAMPS and YEP Closed for Holiday Break
Eastside Neighborhood Association Building , 1301 East Main Street , Kalamazoo
8:00 am - Dievkalpojums/Church Service
Kalamazoo Latvian Association , 122 Cherry Hill St , Kalamazoo
5:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Sunday December 21
Monday December 22
Wednesday December 24
📣 Kalamazoo Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Ukulele Jam
Comstock Community Center , 6330 King Hwy , Kalamazoo
4:00 pm - Mystery Book Club - A Fashionably French Murder
Parchment Community Library , 401 S Riverview Dr , Parchment
6:30 pm - CHAMPS and YEP Holiday Party
SunnySide United Methodist Church , 2800 Gull road , Kalamazoo
8:00 am - Author Visit: Colleen Cambridge
Parchment Community Library , 401 S Riverview Dr , Parchment
11:00 am - Foot Care Clinic
Comstock Community Center , 6330 King Hwy , Kalamazoo
9:00 am
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Living Nativity Tonight inside!
Milwood United Methodist Church. We are on the corner of Portage and Lakeway. There will be a petting zoo outside including Roscoe the Camel! I know… (Nextdoor Milwood) - is this anyone’s cat?
found by bronco club. looks like a kitten. very quiet and sweet but she’s also cold and scared. no microchip found but the vet said she’s too well… (Nextdoor Lafayette Avenue)
- Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Team Member in Kalamazoo. Apply here.
- Gordon Food Service posted a job opening for Part Time Store Associate in Kalamazoo. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Kalamazoo here.
Ok Kalamazoo! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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