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🌱 Patch AM: How to reserve your spot at Kalamazoo’s 40th Holiday Blood Drive

Happening soon: The Night Before Christmas on the Kalamazoo Patch calendar

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Friday December 12th Patch AM
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Good morning Kalamazoo! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How to reserve your spot at Kalamazoo’s 40th Holiday Blood Drive
  • How a man died after being found in a Kalamazoo park
  • Why every Comstock board member now faces at least one recall petition

Also on today's calendar: The Night Before Christmas and 7 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Some sun, then clouds; chilly, with a high of 29 and low of 14 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Saturday: Snow and flurries at times, temps: high: 19, low: 3.
  • Sunday: Very cold with snow showers, with a high of 24 and low of 6 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. American Red Cross holding 40th Holiday Blood Drive in Kalamazoo December 24th (wkzo.com) — Kalamazoo residents are invited to the American Red Cross Holiday Blood Drive at the Radisson Plaza Hotel downtown on Wednesday, Dec. 24, from 7 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Organizers say winter illnesses and holiday busyness can strain the blood supply, and donors this month can receive either a $15 Amazon gift card or a Red Cross long-sleeve T-shirt on select dates.
   

2. Man dies after being found unresponsive in the snow at Kalamazoo park (mlive.com) — Kalamazoo police are investigating after a 29-year-old man was found unresponsive in the snow at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park and later died at the hospital. Officers responded early Wednesday morning amid below-freezing temperatures and have ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The city has also recently publicized local warming centers and shelters for residents in need.
   

3. Recall language against 3 more Kalamazoo-area officials approved (mlive.com) — Kalamazoo County’s Election Commission has approved 10 of 11 recall petitions targeting three Comstock Township officials, meaning organizers can now begin gathering signatures to force a future recall vote. All seven board members now face at least one approved recall effort, with specific complaints tied to budget decisions, attorney policy votes, and a prior censure of the township treasurer.
   

4. Public hearing for proposed rezoning near Asylum Lake to be held at larger venue (wwmt.com) — Kalamazoo officials are moving the next public hearing on rezoning land next to the Asylum Lake Preserve to a larger venue after November’s packed planning meeting stretched past midnight. On Jan. 5, 2026, city commissioners will consider venue options before ultimately deciding whether to allow a Drive & Shine car wash at 4301 Stadium Drive near Stadium and Drake.
   

5. Tunnel to Towers Foundation renovates home and pays off mortgage for injured Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officer (wkzo.com) — A Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officer paralyzed in a 2022 crash has had his mortgage paid off and his home extensively renovated for accessibility by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The upgrades include ADA-compliant doors, ramps, smart-home controls, and other changes that now let him move freely through his home and yard.
   

📸 Around Kalamazoo

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Kalamazoo

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📣 Kalamazoo Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Friday December 12
  • CTL Writers
    Comstock Township Library , 6130 King Hwy , Kalamazoo
    10:00 am
  • Seniora pusdienas
    Kalamazoo Latvian Association , 122 Cherry Hill St , Kalamazoo
    12:00 pm
  • LFG Music Bingo Fridays! Downtown Kalamazoo
    Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership , 162 E Michigan Ave , Kalamazoo
    7:00 pm
    • Saturday December 13
  • Annual Holiday Bake Sale
    Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescue , 4221 S Westnedge Ave , Kalamazoo
    11:00 am

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

  • As temperatures drop, many of us turn to space heaters for a little extra warmth.
    If you are using one, please keep these NFPA safety tips in mind: • Choose UL-listed heaters with tip-over shutoff protection • Keep heaters at… (Nextdoor )
  • Hello, friends!
    Does anyone know of any places around the Gull and Sprinkle area where someone is able to get a shower? Trying to help some folks around there, and… (Nextdoor Downtown Kalamazoo)
  • Molly Maid posted a job opening for House Cleaner in Kalamazoo. Apply here.
  • Summit Polymer posted a job opening for Molding Technician - Shift 2 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 couldn’t put it down.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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