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🌱 Patch AM: How police tracked a parolee after an armed robbery attempt

Coming up on the Kalamazoo Patch calendar: Dievkalpojums/Church Service

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Good morning to you Kalamazoo! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How police tracked a parolee after an armed robbery attempt
  • Why Kalamazoo’s bumpiest rail crossing is finally getting a full fix
  • How two Kalamazoo Democrats just reshaped your 2026 ballot choices

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Linda M.!

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

Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Monday: Drizzle; watch for ice early, with a high of 39 and low of 35 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Fog in the morning; cloudy, temps: high: 45, low: 28.
  • Wednesday: Cloudy with afternoon mist, with a high of 40 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Kalamazoo armed robbery suspect arrested, arraigned on multiple charges (wkzo.com) — Kalamazoo police arrested a 28-year-old parolee after an attempted armed robbery on Conant Street, recovering a firearm and several drugs. Officers later searched a local apartment for more evidence, and the suspect is now held in Kalamazoo County Jail on high bond while robbery charges are pending.
   

2. Amtrak ordered to fix bumpy Kalamazoo railroad crossing (mlive.com) — Drivers using the Stadium Drive and Howard Street intersection in Kalamazoo can expect Amtrak to redesign and repair the unexpectedly bumpy railroad crossing by mid-summer 2026, at the company’s expense. City officials and MDOT Rail pushed for the fix, and three other Kalamazoo-area crossings are also slated for safety and surface upgrades next year.
   

3. Insider: After 2025 absences, Whitsett said she plans to return to the House (detroitnews.com) — Kalamazoo Democrat Jessica Swartz has ended her run for Congress and is instead seeking the state House seat now held by fellow Kalamazoo Democrat Julie Rogers, who’s pursuing a state Senate bid. Their moves reshape the political ladder for Kalamazoo-area representation while statewide Democrats and Republicans maneuver on issues from ranked-choice voting to federal defense policy and key endorsements.
   

4. 8 Michigan Fast Food Chains We Wish Were Still Around (wmmq.com) — A nostalgic look back at now-vanished Michigan fast food chains spotlights Hot 'n Now, once based in Kalamazoo and now down to a single location in Sturgis about 45 miles south. The story taps into memories of cheap burgers, drive-thru nights, and long-gone favorites many Kalamazoo residents likely grew up with.
   

5. Holtec won't hit its goal of restarting the Palisades nuclear plant in late 2025 (toledoblade.com subscription) — A major nuclear plant just west of Kalamazoo, Palisades, will miss its target of restarting by late 2025 and is now aiming for early 2026, pending federal approval. The restart would be historic, returning a decommissioned reactor to service with the help of a large federal loan and state support while regulators scrutinize safety fixes to aging metal components.
   

📸 Around Kalamazoo

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📸 Kalamazoo Public Schools students participated in the Innovation Expo at Western Michigan University. Students designed inventions and competed for prizes by sharing their creations with judges. —Linda M. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Kalamazoo

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Wednesday December 24
  • Dievkalpojums/Church Service
    Kalamazoo Latvian Association , 122 Cherry Hill St , Kalamazoo
    5:00 pm

🗓 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

  • *** owner found****Anyone missing this cutie?
    He came to our doorstep at 8ish/9pm last night. Definitely a family dog. Has an orange carhart collar. (Nextdoor Comstock Northwest)
  • Well you guys.
    I was in the er Thursday afternoon due to my clavicle and neck and shoulder area being a bit swollen and hurting for several days. My oncologist’s… (Nextdoor Westnedge Hill)
  • Molly Maid posted a job opening for House Cleaner in Kalamazoo. Apply here.
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Payroll Clerk 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 feel your pane.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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