Oshtemo Township – March 31, 2026 Township Board Joint Board Meeting The various Boards in Oshtemo Township reviewed updates from various departments of Township administration including the department of Public Works, Planning, Zoning, Friends of the Park, and the …

The various Boards in Oshtemo Township reviewed updates from various departments of Township administration. Discussion items included the South Drake corridor improvement, a road design approval, and capital improvement planning. #oshtemo #kalamazoocounty #localgov #publicmedia #stayinformed

Oshtemo Township – Township Board – March 10, 2026 Meeting The board receives an update on the indoor youth and amateur sports facility project, including its economic benefits and collaboration with local entities. A major issue with tax assessments is di…

On March 10, the Oshtemo Township Board discussed a major issue with tax assessments, plans for installing electric vehicle charging stations at township facilities, issues with unauthorized selling outside commercial businesses, and more.
#oshtemo #oshtemotownship #localgov #swmi #kalamazoocounty

Traffic barrels in a work zone.

KL Avenue rebuilding starts this week to complete US-131 bridge project in #KalamazooCounty www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-ou...

Oshtemo Township – February 24, 2026 Township Board Meeting The fire department provides updates on their monthly reports, including changes to training and equipment needs. The board considers and approves budget amendments related to fire department expen…

On Feb 24, the Oshtemo Township Board discussed a moratorium on data centers (which would pause potential developments), broader zoning ordinance updates, and approved budget amendments for the fire department.

#oshtemotownship #localgov #kalamazoocounty #stayinformed #datacenters

Kalamazoo County reallocates housing millage dollars to shore up permanent supportive housing Board approved allocations from the housing millage to sustain permanent supportive housing programs previously funded by HUD Continuum of Care; Integrated Services of Kalamazoo representatives said the funds would keep clients housed while HUD funding uncertainty is resolved.

Kalamazoo County takes a bold step to ensure permanent supportive housing remains intact amid looming funding uncertainties!

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #CommunitySupport #KalamazooCountyHousing #SocialServices #CitizenPortal #HousingStability

Kalamazoo County awards $100,000 to Hope Through Navigation for emergency winter sheltering After hearing competing proposals and public comment about rising homelessness, the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners voted to award $100,000 from the housing millage to Hope Through Navigation to provide family-centered emergency winter shelter. The motion passed by roll call with six yes, one no and one abstention.

Kalamazoo County just allocated $100,000 to Hope Through Navigation to provide urgent winter shelter for families as homelessness rises in the community.

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #HousingAccess #EmergencySheltering #CitizenPortal

Road Commission of Kalamazoo County – January 13, 2026 Board of County Road Commissioners Meeting The board discusses the implementation of seasonal weight restrictions to protect roads from damage during thawing periods. County Engineer Ryan Minkus brings a presentation on the impact of frost …

The Board of Kalamazoo County Road Commissioners discusses seasonal weight restrictions, addresses public concerns about road maintenance, approves purchasing new equipment, and updates on construction projects and plans. #kalamazoo #kalamazoocounty #stayinformed #roadmaintenance #localgov

Road Commission of Kalamazoo County – December 16, 2025 Board of County Road Commissioners Meeting During the Kalamazoo County Road Commissioners Meeting held on December 16, 2025, the Board of County Road Commissioners discussed the 2026 budget, highlighting the challenges posed by the new road…

The Kalamazoo County Road Commissioners Board discussed the 2026 budget, improvement plans and policy revisions. The meeting also included updates on winter maintenance challenges and upcoming public comment opportunities.#Kalamazoo #LocalGov #KalamazooCounty #RoadSafety #WinterMaintenance

County announces 'Keys to Kalamazoo' housing framework and $23.3 million philanthropic investment Kalamazoo County unveiled a draft housing framework and said an anonymous philanthropic partner pledged $23.3 million over three years to support a county voucher pilot, a large family shelter (the Landing Place), shelter-access coordination, and data systems.

Kalamazoo County is set to tackle housing instability with a groundbreaking $23.3 million investment and a strategic framework to enhance affordable options for all.

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #CommunitySupport #HousingInitiatives #AffordableHousing #CitizenPortal

Coalition urges Kalamazoo County to place childcare millage on the ballot as providers warn of imminent closures A coalition of early‑childhood providers and advocates told the county board the local childcare system is in crisis — especially for infants and toddlers — and urged commissioners to place a voter-funded children's millage on the ballot to create dedicated local funding and stabilize the workforce.

Kalamazoo County is facing a childcare crisis with 90% of ZIP codes classified as deserts for infants and toddlers, prompting a call for a millage to fund vital services and support early childhood educators.

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #ChildCareCrisis #EarlyEducationSupport

Kalamazoo County – Board of Commissioners – December 16, 2025 Meeting The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Meeting covers significant topics such as the approval of a childcare millage proposal, the appointment of Debra Linz as the new Health Officer, and the …

The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Meeting appointed Debra Linz as the new Health Officer, and allocated funds to address housing stability in partnership with ISK.

#Kalamazoo #LocalInfo #ChildcareMillage #HousingStability #KalamazooCounty

Local boards and commissions are wrapping up their calendar year by preparing for 2026, make sure to tune into this week's local meetings!

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#localgovernment #civicengangement #kalamazoo #michigan #localmedia #communitymedia #publicmedia #comstock #oshtemo #kalamazoocounty

Interim health officer finalist Deb Lentz outlines equity, workforce and modernization priorities Interim health officer Deb Lentz presented a first-year roadmap focused on workforce stability, equity, community engagement, public-health modernization and visibility; commissioners questioned her on certification, infant mortality disparities and emergency authority.

Deb Lentz, the interim health officer candidate for Kalamazoo County, is ready to tackle systemic health disparities and boost community trust with her bold new vision.

Learn more here

#KalamazooCounty #MI #PublicHealth #CommunityPartnerships #CitizenPortal #HealthEquity

Discover Kalamazoo reports modest visitor-spend growth, warns 2026 will be tight; event center bond work continues Discover Kalamazoo told commissioners that visitor spending grew 3.6% in 2024 but accommodations-tax revenue underperformed in 2025; the organization cited ARPA support, accessibility mapping, a new tourism master plan and continued work on a 2027 indoor youth sports facility tied to a bond and assessment district.

Discover Kalamazoo reports a 3.6% increase in visitor spending for 2024, but warns that 2025 may face challenges as accommodations-tax revenue falls short.

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #TourismDevelopment #CommunityAccessibility #CitizenPortal

Votes at a glance: Kalamazoo County actions Dec. 2, 2025 The board approved multiple consent and non-consent items, including a proclamation honoring Robert Salisbury, a resolution declaring housing a public health crisis (8–1), acceptance of consent agenda (31 items), approval of closed-session minutes, and an elimination of a 0.5 FTE coordinator tied to grant funding changes.

Kalamazoo County has officially declared housing a public health crisis, sparking vital discussions on community well-being and future actions!

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #GrantFunding #KalamazooCountyHousing #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #CommunityCollaboration

Child-care providers and parents urge Kalamazoo County to invest in vouchers, wage supports Multiple public commenters at the Dec. 2 Kalamazoo County meeting said local childcare is scarce and unaffordable; providers and advocacy groups asked the board to consider vouchers, employer TriShare supports and county investment to stabilize programs and retain staff.

Kalamazoo County's childcare crisis is deepening, with advocates calling for urgent investment and innovative solutions to support families and providers alike.

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #WorkforceSupport #CitizenPortal #ChildcareAccess

YWCA Kalamazoo urges county support for child-care relief, warns funding cuts risk provider retention DJ Perry of YWCA Kalamazoo described affordability, staff retention, licensing barriers and paused federal funding as drivers of a local child-care crisis and asked the county to collaborate on local solutions.

DJ Perry of YWCA Kalamazoo warns that without urgent county collaboration, local families may face a child-care crisis fueled by funding cuts and staffing challenges.

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #CommunityCollaboration #CitizenPortal #ChildCareCrisis

Resident asks county to investigate jail phone and video fees, cites profit from communications contractor ViaPath During public comment a resident urged Kalamazoo County to investigate and stop profiting from incarcerated people's phone and video calls, singling out contractor ViaPath and several user fees that burden families.

A local resident is calling for Kalamazoo County to end the controversial fees that profit off the phone and video calls of incarcerated individuals and their families.

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

Kalamazoo County medical examiner reports slight shifts in 2024 deaths, rise in tissue donations Dr. Patrick Hansma of WMED presented the 2024 medical examiner excerpt for Kalamazoo County, reporting a slight decline in total deaths, a small rise in cases reported to the medical examiner, improved tissue and organ referrals, and continued concern about infant and pediatric fatalities. Commissioners pressed for more analysis of racial and socio

Kalamazoo County's 2024 mortality report reveals a slight decline in overall deaths, but rising concerns about infant mortality and a surge in tissue donations highlight urgent public health challenges.

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #InfantMortality #CivicAccountability

She climbed a fence and kept moving.

She came upon a house and saw an open window.

Her body gave out in the yard, drained from being beaten and losing blood.

That's when the story took another turn with an unlikely hero helping Stell complete the rescue:

#news #kalamazoocounty #crime #mi

The Kalamazoo River in Fort Custer Recreation Area, Augusta, Michigan.
#photography #droneography #kalamazoo #michigan #kalamazoocounty #fall #autumn #sunny #afternoon

County lobbyist reports wins in Lansing, flags unfunded mandates and MEDC uncertainty Graham Filler of McKelvey & Associates told commissioners the recently enacted state budget included wins for Kalamazoo County, credited local outreach, and warned that unfunded mandates — including MS4 stormwater compliance and proposed MDHHS procurement changes for PIHPs — could place heavy costs on local governments.

Kalamazoo County's lobbyist reveals crucial wins in the state budget but warns that unfunded mandates could hit local governments hard—find out what’s at stake!

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #BudgetTransparency #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #LocalGovAI

Kalamazoo County adopts 2026 budget, creates 15 positions and approves pension adjustment; community grants set at $400,000 The Board of Commissioners adopted the 2026 county budget, authorized 15 new positions, approved a retirement pension adjustment for some retirees and set aside $400,000 for community grants, while leaving final grant award details for later meetings.

Kalamazoo County just approved a transformative 2026 budget that creates 15 new jobs, enhances retiree benefits, and earmarks $400,000 for community grants!

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #EmploymentOpportunities #CommunityGrants

County’s EPA Community Change grant work continues amid litigation; statutory partner retains limited services County staff and grant partners described ongoing work connected to the EPA Community Change Grant while litigation over the grant terminations proceeds in federal courts; administrative costs of $172,855 were reported as allowable and potentially reimbursable if litigation succeeds.

Kalamazoo County faces a legal battle over the EPA Community Change Grant, but program activities are still forging ahead with significant community outreach and potential reimbursements on the line.

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #CommunityOutreach #SustainabilityEducation

Kalamazoo County Board Discusses Fair Governance and Community Fair Preferences Commissioners review county fair governance structure and community preferences for future events.

The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners is tackling crucial issues affecting our community—find out what decisions were made!

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #GovernanceReform #CommunityEngagement #CivicAccountability

Kalamazoo County Commissioners Prioritize Community Projects and Housing Initiatives Commissioners support funding for housing projects and local journalism initiatives in Kalamazoo.

Kalamazoo County Commissioners are debating crucial funding to enhance guardianship support for individuals with disabilities while exploring innovative alternatives to promote independence.

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #DisabilitySupport #CommunityEngagement

Commissioner Tenere Questions $9M McDonald's Property Purchase for County Admin Building Commissioner Tenere raises concerns over the McDonald's property appraisal and purchase price.

A local commissioner is challenging the Kalamazoo County Board's plan to buy a downtown McDonald's for $9 million, citing concerns over the property's true value and urging for transparency.

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #FiscalAccountability #CommunityTransparency

Kalamazoo Airport Board Discusses Support for Local Airport Operations and Benefits Board members explore ways to enhance local airport services and community engagement.

Kalamazoo's Board of Commissioners is taking bold steps to boost the local airport and revitalize the county fair—discover how these initiatives could reshape our community!

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #AirportInnovation #CommunityAwareness

Kalamazoo County Brownfield Authority Advances Green Development Ventures Housing Plan Brownfield administrator Macy Walters presents a new housing development plan in Oshtemo Township.

Kalamazoo County is on the brink of a housing revolution with a bold new plan to transform vacant land into 39 homes, but the debate over rental versus ownership is heating up!

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#KalamazooCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #KalamazooCountyHousing #PublicInfrastructure

Kalamazoo County Board Approves Budget and Housing Initiatives Amid Public Comments The Kalamazoo County Board adopts new budget resolutions and supports housing projects.

Kalamazoo County is taking bold steps to address housing and social disparities, ensuring no resident is left behind in their community's progress.

Learn more here!

#KalamazooCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #KalamazooCountyHousing #QualityOfLife #CommunityEngagement #SocialDisparities