Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Will Kalamazoo County voters get to decide on childcare funding next May?
You won't want to miss Pārrunu grupa "Aka" on the Kalamazoo Patch calendar
Hello again Kalamazoo! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Will Kalamazoo County voters get to decide on childcare funding next May?
- Who are the new leaders guiding health and safety in our area?
- Will new Wings West owners price Kalamazoo hockey families off the ice?
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Kalamazoo-Portagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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Find out what's happening in Kalamazoo-Portagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Rain; windy, with a high of 46 and low of 21 degrees.
- Friday: Morning snow showers, temps: high: 24, low: 21.
- Saturday: Not as cold; a p.m. shower, with a high of 41 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
📰 News we're reading
1. Kalamazoo County board cool to putting childcare millage before voters in May (wkzo.com) — Kalamazoo County commissioners are hesitating to put a childcare funding millage on the May ballot, even as local families here report spending around 38% of their income on care. Board leaders say they need clearer spending plans and worry about adding costs for taxpayers, while childcare advocates and parents urge action to address affordability. 
2. New Portage public safety chief, Kalamazoo County health director take oaths of office (wkzo.com) — Kalamazoo County has a new health director, as longtime deputy Deb Lenz was promoted and sworn in by county commissioners to lead the health department. In neighboring Portage, veteran officer Matt Wolfe officially became the city’s new public safety chief, now overseeing both police and fire. Both leaders step into their top roles today after decades of local service.
3. ‘Hockey is family': Parents concerned by Wings West sale to Black Bear (woodtv.com) — Parents of Kalamazoo youth hockey players are raising alarms over higher ice fees, shorter ice times, and possible forced rebranding after Maryland-based Black Bear Sports Group bought the Wings West rink in Texas Township. Local leaders fear the changes could threaten KOHA’s community-first model, jeopardize national tournaments that brought millions to the Kalamazoo area, and shift business away from local vendors, even as Black Bear pledges major renovations and a 2026–27 reopening.
4. 5 Kalamazoo-area projects at risk after House Republicans cut $645M (mlive.com) — Kalamazoo-area projects could lose nearly $9 million after Michigan House Republicans blocked $645 million in state grant funding from rolling into next year’s budget. Local Rep. Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo, criticizes the fast, opaque process, while House Speaker Matt Hall defends the move as cutting wasteful spending. The Senate has voted to restore most funds, but the House must still act.
5. The Fluid Sealing Association Appoints Jason Ferris as President of the Association (pumpsandsystems.com) — A Kalamazoo-based engineering leader, Jason Ferris of Flowserve’s Pumps Division, has been named president of the Fluid Sealing Association. Ferris, a Western Michigan University graduate with nearly three decades in mechanical seals, will lead the national industry group after serving as its vice president and long-time board member.
📸 Around Kalamazoo
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Kalamazoo
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- 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
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
- Supervised Fitness Center Hours with Shelia
Portage Zhang Senior Center , 203 East Centre Avenue , Portage
9:00 am - Foot Care Clinic
Comstock Community Center , 6330 King Hwy , Kalamazoo
9:00 am - Book Discussion
Richland Area Community Center , 9400 E CD Ave , Richland
9:30 am - Richland Genealogical Society
Richland Community Library , 8951 Park St , Richland
10:00 am - Swingin’ with Susan
Richland Area Community Center , 9400 E CD Ave , Richland
10:30 am - Pinochle Single Deck
Portage Zhang Senior Center , 203 East Centre Avenue , Portage
1:00 pm - Poker at the PZSC
Portage Zhang Senior Center , 203 East Centre Avenue , Portage
1:00 pm - MS Boys Basketball vs. St. Monica (Home)
Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools Galesburg, MI 49053
4:15 pm
Thursday December 18
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
- Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
Coco was LOST on December 15, 2025 in Kalamazoo, MI 49006 near Douglas Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the owner,… (Nextdoor Downtown Kalamazoo) - Anyone near Michael Ave.
notice brown water? I filled the dog bowl and it is all yellow brown. (Nextdoor Burke Acres)
- AtWork Group posted a job opening for Assembly line worker 2nd and 3rd shift. in Kalamazoo. Apply here.
- Summit Polymer posted a job opening for Assembly Supervisor - 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 don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
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