Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What stories most changed life in Kalamazoo during 2025?

Spotted on the Kalamazoo calendar: Dievkalpojums/Church Service

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Cheers Kalamazoo! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What stories most changed life in Kalamazoo during 2025?
  • Will your Bronson doctors stay in-network with UnitedHealthcare now?
  • How has the Kalamazoo Promise changed students’ lives 20 years later?

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Low clouds, with a high of 39 and low of 31 degrees.
  • Friday: A.M. rain; otherwise, cloudy, temps: high: 38, low: 32.
  • Saturday: Low clouds, with a high of 41 and low of 38 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 2025 in review: Major changes, new beginnings and some sad endings (wmuk.org) — From housing problems at Fox Ridge Apartments to layoffs at Kalamazoo College and the closing of beloved shops like The Timid Rabbit and Michigan News Agency, 2025 brought big changes close to home. WMUK also highlighted protests, local traditions, and the loss of longtime news voice Andy Robins. The recap ties national politics to everyday life in Kalamazoo neighborhoods and campuses.
   

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

2. Bronson Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare reach new contract agreement for southwest Michigan patients (fox17online.com) — If you rely on Bronson Healthcare in Kalamazoo and have UnitedHealthcare insurance, your hospitals and doctors will stay in-network under a new contract. After months of uncertainty and warning letters, Bronson and UnitedHealthcare reached a deal that preserves uninterrupted access to care for southwest Michigan patients with commercial and individual plans.
   

3. Story Beat: Promises Kept (wmuk.org) — Kalamazoo students have received more than $230 million in Kalamazoo Promise scholarships over the program’s first 20 years, opening doors to more than 60 Michigan colleges and training programs. Local leaders and alumni share how the Promise began, how it changed their lives, and what current KPS students must do to qualify for full tuition support.
   

4. Crash kills 68-year-old woman in Kalamazoo, police say (wwmt.com) — A 68-year-old woman died Wednesday afternoon after her vehicle flipped multiple times in a two-car crash at South Burdick and Hutchinson streets in Kalamazoo. Police say a 19-year-old driver struck her car as she turned, and KDPS is asking anyone who saw the collision to share tips by phone or through the P3Tips app.
   

5. After burial records went missing, ex-cemetery worker pleads to embezzlement (mlive.com) — Families searching Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kalamazoo discovered missing burial records and hard-to-find graves, prompting an investigation that led to embezzlement charges against a former sexton. The ex-worker has now pleaded no contest, with sentencing set for February, while officials continue sorting out unmarked and unrecorded graves tied to years of alleged misconduct.
   

📸 Around Kalamazoo

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Kalamazoo

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Sunday December 28
  • Dievkalpojums/Church Service
    Kalamazoo Latvian Association , 122 Cherry Hill St , Kalamazoo
    10:00 am

📣 Kalamazoo Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Kalamazoo PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I would like to personally thank the people who helped me, help a family in need.
    Now the mom and kids will have a good Christmas all the way around. This year was the 1st year I actually got involved with the holiday since 2006… (Nextdoor South Westnedge)
  • I am an elderly gentleman (80 next week).
    It seems no matter what I spend on groceries I never have anything to eat. I would love to have a meal delivery plan but there are so many and with… (Nextdoor West Main and Drake)
  • Kalamazoo Nature Center posted a job opening for Camp Support Staff in Kalamazoo. Apply here.
  • Perfection Commercial Services Inc. posted a job opening for Custodian / Janitor Nights Sunday to Thursday 6pm to Midnight - Kalamazoo WEEKLY PAY 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 guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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