Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Kalamazoo’s “perfect” cold case record now looks dangerously flawed
Make time for CANCELED Zoning Board of Appeals on the Kalamazoo Patch calendar
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:
- Why Kalamazoo's "perfect" cold case record now looks dangerously flawed
- Seven hurt, one killed: what shook Kalamazoo this past week
- How free Kalamazoo haircuts are boosting foster kids' back-to-school confidence
Today's riddle: How fast is milk when you pour it? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Monday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 75 and low of 51 degrees.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny and delightful, temps: high: 79, low: 58.
- Wednesday: A thunderstorm in spots, with a high of 79 and low of 62 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
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.
📸 Around Kalamazoo
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Kalamazoo
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- CANCELED Zoning Board of Appeals
Charter Township of Comstock 6138 King Hwy, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
4:00 pm - CMS Open House
Comstock Public Schools Comstock Middle School, 3100 N 26th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49048, U
5:00 pm - CES Open House
Comstock Public Schools Comstock Elementary School, 1423 N 28th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
5:30 pm - Lunch @ the Conversation Cafe
Comstock Community Center , 6330 King Hwy, Kalamazoo, MI, 49048, United States
11:30 am - Texas Hold 'em Poker
Comstock Community Center , 6330 King Hwy, Kalamazoo, MI, 49048, United States
12:00 pm - Food Pantry
Comstock Community Center , 6330 King Hwy, Kalamazoo, MI, 49048, United States
1:00 pm - Ukulele Jam
Comstock Community Center , 6330 King Hwy, Kalamazoo, MI, 49048, United States
4:00 pm
Tuesday August 25
Wednesday August 26
Tuesday September 1
📣 Kalamazoo Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- OPEN ROADS BIKE REPAIR
Parchment Community Library Outside
4:00 pm - Board of Education (Business) Meeting @ Parchment High School
Parchment School District 1916 E G Ave, Parchment, MI 49004, USA
6:00 pm - The Library Kitchen And Taphouse – Kalamazoo →
The Library Kitchen & Taphouse, 3725 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo
8:00 pm - CANCELED Zoning Board of Appeals
Charter Township of Comstock 6138 King Hwy, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
4:00 pm - CMS Open House
Comstock Public Schools Comstock Middle School, 3100 N 26th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49048, U
5:00 pm
Monday August 24
Tuesday August 25
Wednesday August 26
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Last week I dropped one hearing aid at a picnic at the Township Park Pavilion.
The office had all my information 'just in case''. Thank you to whomever found & turned it in to the Oshtemo Township Office. (Nextdoor West Main and Drake) - Does anyone want a Japanese maple tree?
About 3 &1/2 inches tall, it's beautiful in the spring and summer when it blooms, bright red, but it's in the way when I sit on my porch and it makes… (Nextdoor Burke Acres)
- Acosta Group - Acosta Sales & Marketing Company posted a job opening for Retail Merchandiser - Walmart in Kalamazoo. Apply here.
- Aramark Corporation posted a job opening for Custodial Services Worker - NHA-MI2-Custodial 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: It's "Pasturized" before you know it! (Thank you Judy M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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