🌱 Woman Arrested During 2021 Protest Pleads No Contest + Pride Event

Hello again, everybody! It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Kalamazoo-Portage Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Not as warm. High: 72 Low: 40.
• Thursday: Plenty of sun. High: 67 Low: 42.

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Here are the top stories today in Kalamazoo-Portage:

1. Monica Washington-Padula, a woman arrested during a 2021 protest, pleaded no contest to one charge of using pepper spray in self-defense during the incident. The plea came after an agreement with the prosecutor's office, as the judge indicated that self-defense and duress may not be valid arguments for her actions. Five other charges, including felony assault, were dismissed, and her sentence will likely involve court costs and fees without incarceration, as decided by the judge. (MLive.com)
2. Kalamazoo's LGBTQ Pride celebration is only a few weeks away. The two-day event, spearheaded by OutFront Kalamazoo, is expected to be even bigger and better than last year's, which was the first normal Pride event since the pandemic. Festivities will begin on Friday, Jun. 2, around 6 p.m., and are slated to come to a close at 12:00 a.m. Then, on Jun. 3, events will start back up around 12:00 p.m., with 2022 Miss Kalamazoo Pride winner Yolanda DelFierce closing the night at 11:00 p.m. (wkfr.com)
3. Pope Francis has recently accepted the resignation of Bishop Paul J. Bradley as head of the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo, setting the stage for his replacement by Edward M. Lohse, the incoming fifth Bishop of the Kalamazoo Diocese. Bradley, 77, served as the Kalamazoo Diocese Bishop since 2009 and submitted his resignation in October 2020 when he turned 75, as required by Catholic tradition. Lohse, 61, the new bishop-elect, served as a priest for 34 years in Pennsylvania before accepting the position at the Kalamazoo Diocese. (MLive.com)

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Today and tomorrow in Kalamazoo-Portage:

Wednesday, May 24

• Jar Gardens At Washington Square Branch Library (4:00 PM)
• Explore Archery For Adults At Schrier Park (6:00 PM)

Thursday, May 25

• KSO Musical Storybooks: Ferdinand At Eastwood Branch Library (10:30 AM)
• Adult Pickleball Beginner Clinic At Ramona Park & Beach (5:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Kalamazoo Public Schools shared photos from Kalamazoo Central High School's 2023 prom in Bronson Park! You can view the pictures at the link. (Kalamazoo Public Schools via Facebook)
• Kalamazoo Public Safety extended its thanks to Kalamazoo police officers, who in the past week alone fielded 1,300 calls. At the close of Police Week, Kalamazoo Public Safety said its "fortunate to have officers who are willing to serve their community with honor, integrity, and respect." (Kalamazoo Public Safety via Facebook)
• New Student Orientation Kalamazoo's Western Michigan University is less than a month away! Registration is available here. (Western Michigan University via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be back in your inbox soon with your next 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.