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🌱 Patch AM: How Kalamazoo’s new winter shelter is filling a dangerous gap

And on the Kalamazoo Patch calendar - Dievkalpojums/Church Service

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Hi Kalamazoo! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Kalamazoo’s new winter shelter is filling a dangerous gap
  • Will Kalamazoo’s retired nurses lose the benefits they were promised?
  • Heading out this weekend? One longtime Kalamazoo bar is pouring its last

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Kalamazoo-Portagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Kalamazoo-Portagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Much colder with snow showers, with a high of 24 and low of 23 degrees.
  • Saturday: Not as cold; a p.m. shower, temps: high: 41, low: 19. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Sunday: A.M. flurries; breezy, colder, with a high of 24 and low of 21 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Emergency winter shelter bridging the gap for the unhoused in Kalamazoo (wmuk.org) — A new overnight winter shelter at Ministry with Community in downtown Kalamazoo has been full most nights since opening December 1, helping fill the gap left after Gospel Mission reduced emergency beds. Backed by $700,000 from the city, county, and United Way, the site can host up to 111 people nightly and is seeking more volunteers. Residents needing a warm place to sleep are directed to contact Housing Resources Inc. for placement.
   

2. Retired nurses frustrated by benefit cuts in wake of Ascension sale (woodtv.com) — Retired nurses from Beacon Kalamazoo, formerly Borgess Hospital, are facing the loss of a long-promised Medigap reimbursement at the end of 2025 after the hospital’s sale from Ascension to Beacon Health System. Local union leaders say hundreds of Kalamazoo retirees could be affected, while Beacon insists Ascension kept responsibility for the benefit and Ascension has not responded publicly.
   

3. Kalamazoo stock market-themed bar The Beer Exchange closing (woodtv.com) — Kalamazoo’s stock market-themed bar The Beer Exchange is closing after this final weekend, ending a 15-year run downtown. The owners are thanking staff and loyal patrons while pointing drinkers toward the upcoming Old Skool Bar in Kalamazoo, expected to open in winter 2026.
   

4. Sports Spotlight: Kazoo School builds own bobsled track as 2026 Winter Games near (wwmt.com) — Students at Kazoo School in Kalamazoo have built their own bobsled track on campus, turning winter recess into a hands-on “Kalamazoo Olympics.” Guided by their PE teacher, kids shaped berms, refined the course, and learned perseverance while creating a twisting, airborne ride just as the 2026 Winter Games approach.
   

📸 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!

    Sunday December 21
  • Dievkalpojums/Church Service
    Kalamazoo Latvian Association , 122 Cherry Hill St , Kalamazoo
    10:00 am
    • Monday December 22
  • CHAMPS and YEP Closed for Holiday Break
    Eastside Neighborhood Association Building , 1301 East Main Street , Kalamazoo
    8:00 am
    • Wednesday December 24
  • Dievkalpojums/Church Service
    Kalamazoo Latvian Association , 122 Cherry Hill St , Kalamazoo
    5:00 pm

📣 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

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I’m overwhelmed with the amount of people who reached out to me in my time of need!
    If I can ever help any of you in a way I promise I’ll be there for you! If you need a ride to the store! Something from the store! Or just some one… (Nextdoor Burke Acres)
  • I know this is a longshot, but I have to put it out there.
    Within the last one to three weeks, someone broke into my storage unit in oshtemo and stole a lot of stuff. They took four or five tubs of Christmas… (Nextdoor Texas Heights)
  • Meijer, Inc. posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk - Gull Rd, Kalamazoo in Kalamazoo. Apply here.
  • Vista Musical Instruments posted a job opening for Woodshop Team Member 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 think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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