🌱 YWCA Kalamazoo​ Seeks $100K In Funding + Kalamazoo Votes Fire Chief

Hey, friends. It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Kalamazoo-Portage Patch newsletter — here to explain all the most important things happening in the community today.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Partly sunny and cool. High: 54 Low: 31.
• Thursday: Partly sunny. High: 62 Low: 42.

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

1. YWCA Kalamazoo has requested $100,000 from the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners in order to fund the YWCA's "comprehensive reproductive health fund," which aims to help county residents access gender-affirming care, abortion, and doula services — all services that are generally not covered by health insurance. The Kalamazoo branch of the YWCA is the only branch so far to offer the fund. (Bridge Michigan)
2. The Kalamazoo Township Board of Trustees voted 4-3 to approve a contract with Jairus Baird, the former chief of the township's fire department. The former fire chief, David Obreiter, was fired in September of last year, and the interim chief, Deputy Fire Chief Michael Wiedemann, declined the job due to nearing retirement. (WKZO)
3. Letter Carrier Branch 246 of the National Association of Letter Carriers has announced that its 31st annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, known as one of the "largest one-day food drives in the nation," is scheduled for May 31. Organizers said that the food drive brings in an average of 90,000 pounds of food, which goes to benefit the Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, Salvation Army of Kalamazoo, and Christian Neighbors. (WWMT-TV)

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Today and tomorrow in Kalamazoo-Portage:

Wednesday, April 26

• Family Storytime At Portage District Library (9:30 AM)
• Kalamazoo Academy Of Rock At Bell's Eccentric Cafe (5:30 PM)

Thursday, April 27

• Live Music With Charlie Mench At Green Door Distilling (6:30 PM)
• Over The Rhine At Bell's Eccentric Cafe (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Calling all house hunters! To help you in your search, here's a list of several of the real estate properties up on the market here in the Kalamazoo-Portage area. (Kalamazoo-Portage Patch)
• Portage's Zhang Senior Center is set to host the “Bits of Business” mini expo on Thursday, Apr. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The free expo is open to the public and will give attendees the chance to connect with local businesses and organizations that provide resources or services to adults. (WKZO)
• Due to overwhelming community demand, Kalamazoo Public Library's "Celebrating Books While They are Still Legal! — A Talk with Jordan Klepper" has been moved to a larger venue. The event will now take place at Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium. (Kalamazoo Public Library via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox soon with another 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.