Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Kalamazoo County just hit pause on cutting 4,000 roadside trees

Coming up: What Sharp Teeth & Blunder Bus Improv Comedy on the Kalamazoo Patch calendar

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Friday October 9th Patch AM
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Hi there, Kalamazoo! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Kalamazoo County just hit pause on cutting 4,000 roadside trees
  • Contaminated Kalamazoo factory site is getting cleaned up—and new jobs
  • How to attend Carlos Gutierrez's WMU leadership talk in Kalamazoo

Also on today's calendar: City of Sturgis to Host Fall Foam Recycling Drop-Off with Support from Dart Container and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the hospital? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 71 and low of 54 degrees.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 77, low: 57.
  • Sunday: Some rain, with a high of 67 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Kalamazoo County asks road commission to pause thousands of tree removals (mlive.com) — Kalamazoo County commissioners have asked the Road Commission to pause cutting thousands of roadside trees funded by a federal safety grant while county attorneys review legal authority and options. The pause affects about 4,000 trees along 130 miles of busy county roads, after residents raised concerns about rural character, wildlife habitat, and whether removals truly improve safety.
   

2. EGLE grant supports Kalamazoo site redevelopment and job creation (annarbortimes.com) — A state EGLE brownfield grant will help clean up a contaminated historic industrial building on West Willard and nearby streets in Kalamazoo, paving the way for a third tenant and nine new jobs by 2027. With $700,000 in environmental work and $6 million in private investment, the project targets a neighborhood with 15% unemployment and aims to boost local tax revenue and safety.
   

3. Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez returns to Southwest Michigan for WMU speaker series (wmich.edu) — A free Western Michigan University leadership event is coming to downtown Kalamazoo on Oct. 15, featuring former U.S. Commerce Secretary and Kellogg CEO Carlos Gutierrez in conversation at the Radisson Plaza Hotel. WMU students, faculty and staff can attend at no cost with online registration, while local business and community leaders are invited to hear regional voices discuss growth, leadership and public service.
   

4. Outspoken Cyclist 10/7/2026 (wjcu.org) — A new podcast side story spotlights a unique cycling safety and awareness campaign created in Kalamazoo by Professor Amelia Katanski and her students. The episode walks through how the Modeshift Kalamazoo MTAC effort came together, offering practical ideas and visuals for anyone here who wants to launch similar bike-friendly campaigns in their own neighborhoods.
   

5. Oshtemo Township revisits idea of starting its own police department (wwmt.com) — Oshtemo Township is reconsidering whether to create its own police department instead of continuing to rely on the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office, which currently provides coverage under a special assessment contract. Township leaders cite growth, rising contract costs, and a desire for more local control, while residents are split and any change would take years, with another sheriff's contract expected for 2027.
   

📸 Around Kalamazoo

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • What's going rate/pay/fee for an informal dog walker these days?
    Does the dog's size make the price vary? Are walkers paid by the day, the number of walks, etc.? Not asking for me — for someone else. Tks. (Nextdoor West Main and Drake)
  • I 've noticed the Crimson King Maples in the Westwood neighborhood has a form of blight.
    A friend of mine that has one talked to an Arborist and he told her the best thing to do help get rid of it is to make sure that the leaves from the… (Nextdoor Westwood)
  • Stryker posted a job opening for Assembly Technician I - 2nd Shift - $20.25/hr + $2.00 Shift Differential in Kalamazoo. Apply here.
  • Dollar General posted a job opening for ASST STORE MGR in KALAMAZOO MI S21529 in Kalamazoo. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Kalamazoo here.

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: "Why did the cookie go to the hospital?" — Because he felt crummy. (Thank you Sanda J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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