🌱 Woman Found In Kalamazoo Co. + Free Heart Screenings Coming Soon

Morning, Kalamazoo-Portage! I'm back with your new edition of the Kalamazoo-Portage Patch newsletter. Let's get this Monday started off right, with a quick guide to everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: A couple of morning showers. High: 51 Low: 31.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, a shower; cool. High: 52 Low: 31.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Kalamazoo-Portage who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

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

1. Kalamazoo County couple Mitch and Brandie Kline have been named the winners of the Michigan Farm Bureau Achievement Award at the 2023 Young Farmer Awards. The Scotts natives located just east of Portage have been recognized as the state's top young farming couple for the success they have at their farm with over 1,200 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay as well as the other work they do. The couple faced off against other farmers ages 18-35 in various categories where their work shined bright, they also now have an all-expenses paid trip to American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting to compete on a national level. Matt and Alisha Gibson out of Kalamazoo County were also recognized as finalists for the award with their hog-finishing facility. (WKZO)
2. Michigan State Police are requesting assistance from the public in identifying a woman who was found in Kalamazoo County without any identification on her. The woman was found on Apr. 20 around 6 p.m. by a hiker in the Al Sabo Land Preserve in Texas Township. She is described as a five-foot-two-inch black woman weighing about 155 pounds. All she was carrying was a garbage bag filled with clothes. For unknown reasons, officers are unable to communicate with her effectively and she has been taken to the Bronson Methodist Hospital for care and evaluation. (MLive.com)
3. On May, 6, Ascension Borgess will be hosting a free heart screening event in five locations across Michigan including right here in Kalamazoo. This will be the first time such an event is held since prior to the global pandemic and the hopes are it is just as important as it was previously. The EKGs made several individuals aware of significant heart issues they should be aware of and a lot of immediate referrals were given for more testing to occur. This event will be taking place in Kalamazoo on May 6, starting at 7 a.m., with walk-in registration closing at 11 a.m. at the Ascension Borgess Heart Institute. (WWMT-TV)

From our sponsor:

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Today and tomorrow in Kalamazoo-Portage:

Monday, April 24

• Audubon Society Of Kalamazoo Program On Prothonotary Warblers And The Two Rivers Coalition At People's Church (7:30 PM)

Tuesday, April 25

• Jazz And Sweet Potato Pie At Alma Powell Branch Library: POW/Douglass Community Room (6:30 PM)
• Yoga 4 Life: Session 1 At Portage Parks & Recreation Building (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Shout-out to Milwood Elementary School physical education teacher Jim Horn who is also the head men's basketball coach at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and has been named the Coach of the Year for the Western Conference of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. (Kalamazoo Public Schools via Facebook)
• Next Saturday, Western Michigan University will be proud to celebrate more than 2,300 graduates as they walk across the stage to accept their degrees, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral. The programs will begin at 9 a.m. at the Miller Auditorium and the ceremony will also be streamed live for those who are unable to attend the event in person. (Western Michigan University via Facebook)
• The Kalamazoo Farmers Market is officially taking applications for vendors to set up for the 2023 season. There are seasonal and daily openings for Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays as well as night markets, kids markets, and more! (Kalamazoo Farmers Market via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday. I'll catch up with you 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.