Hey there, Kalamazoo! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Today's riddle: How fast is milk when you pour it? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. A murdered college student, a boyfriend behind bars and a controversial cold case team (mlive.com) — Kalamazoo's now-disbanded Cold Case Apprehension Team is under renewed scrutiny as questions mount about the conviction of Roberto D'Avanzo for a 1980 Western Michigan University campus murder he insists he couldn't have committed from prison. Local and statewide innocence advocates are reexamining several Kalamazoo County cold cases, highlighting concerns about jailhouse informants, shifting witness stories, and a "perfect" conviction record that critics say signals systemic problems.
2. Cannabis linked illness, rollover crash hurts seven, hunting rifle rules, more top stories (wwmt.com) — Several serious incidents in Kalamazoo made headlines this week, including a rollover crash on South Westnedge that injured seven people, a workplace death at Kaiser Aluminum, and a fatal early-morning shooting. The roundup also covers a vehicle crashing into Kilgore Apartments, new statewide deer rifle rules, a cannabis-linked illness report, a fruit bar recall, and charges in a deadly I-69 crash.
3. Kalamazoo nonprofit boosts self confidence with back-to-school haircuts (wwmt.com) — A Kalamazoo nonprofit is teaming up with local barbershops to give foster and adopted kids free back-to-school haircuts and hair-care lessons, boosting their confidence before classes start. At a fundraiser in Upjohn Park, organizers explained how they connect families with nine Kalamazoo- and Calhoun-area salons and teach parents to care for textured hair so kids feel seen, supported, and ready for school.
4. Angling Road Elementary had 27 Asian students in 2024-25 (kalamazootimes.com) — Families in the Kalamazoo-Portage area may notice growing diversity at Angling Road Elementary, where 27 Asian students were enrolled in 2024–25, up 8% from the previous year. The Portage Public Schools campus now counts Asian students as 7.5% of its population, while statewide Michigan enrollment continues a slow post‑pandemic decline, especially among white students.
5. 'We're not as geeky as you think': Inside band camps across Southwest Michigan (mlive.com) — High school marching bands from Kalamazoo Loy Norrix and nearby Portage schools are grinding through long, hot days of band camp to perfect shows they hope will carry them to state championships. Students describe the intense practices, quirky traditions, and tight friendships that make band feel less like a stereotype and more like a supportive family for Kalamazoo-area teens.
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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: It's "Pasturized" before you know it! (Thank you Judy M. for sending it in!)
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