🌱 Portage School Graduation Lawsuit + FBI Reward For Missing Woman

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Kalamazoo-Portage Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Warmer; an afternoon shower. High: 64 Low: 45.
• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, showers around. High: 59 Low: 57.

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Here are the top three stories in Kalamazoo-Portage today:

1. Portage Northern High School is facing a civil lawsuit from one of the school's seniors in an effort to change the school's graduation day, which falls on the Jewish religious holiday of Shavuot. The lawyers representing the student, who is Jewish, said that she is unable to attend due to the scheduling and alleges that the school is violating its anti-discrimination policy among other laws. Although the case is set to be heard in court on Apr. 20, a judge issued a temporary order that asks the school to reschedule the graduation. (WILX)
2. The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for any information that will lead to the discovery of missing Portage woman Heather Mae Kelley. The 35-year-old mother of eight was last seen in December 2022, and investigators found her burning car with blood and human hair the following day. Kelley's boyfriend, who officials named as a person of interest in the case on Feb. 9, was indicted on a felony escape charge on Tuesday. (WKZO, WWMT-TV)
3. Registration opens today for Kalamazoo residents for the Kzoo Parks summer camps and programs; those interested can register online or in person Monday through Thursday during regular business hours at the Kzoo Parks office. The list of free or affordable summer programs for children and teens aged 5-18 includes Camp Kzoo, Super Rec, Field Trip Fest, and more. Registration for non-residents of Kalamazoo will open on Apr. 10. (WWMT-TV)

From our sponsor:

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Today and tomorrow in Kalamazoo-Portage:

Monday, April 3

• Yoga At Comstock Community Center (10:30 AM)
• Cardio Drumming At Comstock Community Center (1:00 PM)
• Page Turners Book Club At Oshtemo Branch Library (6:30 PM)

Tuesday, April 4

• Lightroom For Beginners At Kalamazoo Public Library (2:00 PM)
• Anime In The Afternoon At Kalamazoo Public Library (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Spring is here! In preparation for the upcoming planting season, visit the newly-remodeled Seed Library at the Portage District Library to pick up free vegetable, herb, and annual seeds. Learn more here. (Portage District Library via Facebook)
• Have you always wanted to make your own wine using grapes that were grown in France, Italy, Germany, Australia, and California? Visit the Tempo Vino Winery in the heart of Kalamazoo! Learn more about this great local opportunity at the link. (Discover Kalamazoo via Facebook)
• Have you thought about starting a career as a certified firefighter in Michigan? Kalamazoo Valley Community College is now accepting applications for the Fall 2023 Fire Science Academy that will begin in August. Learn more and apply here. (Kalamazoo Valley Community College via Facebook)
• Looking for a new place to call home? To help in your search, here's a list of five properties to recently hit the market in the Kalamazoo-Portage area. (Kalamazoo-Portage Patch)

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll be in your inbox soon with a new update.

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.