Daily
Kalamazoo
Friday, March 20th, 2026
Good morning, Kalamazoo. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 20th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Improvements at Lakeview Park, which won Project of the Year in 2025, will continue this summer at 9345 Portage Road—restroom renovations and additional park upgrades are set in the city’s $75,000 capital improvement plan as the Parks Department pursues a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. MLive
- ➤ Balloon pilots from across North America will compete at the FAI North American Balloon Championship from Aug. 17 — 22 at Gull Meadow Farms in Richland, 2027 to boost tourism and community spirit. The event, returning after three decades, is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors. WWMT
- ➤ Around 10,000 homes and businesses lost power after an outage hit Consumers Energy at 9:08 a.m. Thursday + crews are assessing the situation and working to restore service. WKZO
- ➤ Consumers Energy said that 514 outages affected 26,963 customers in Kalamazoo on Thursday due to storm damage; an update is expected by 10:30 a.m. WWMT
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Summer Thyme Cafe & Bakery in Milwood will close permanently Friday, March 27 after 38 years of serving local families. Co-owners Steve Markwart and Chris Belson, who acquired the business in 2023, encourage patrons to visit during regular hours for one last taste of its signature offerings. MLive
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Plainwell Community Schools hired Ginny — a Labrador retriever certified for weapons detection and student therapy — along with her handler Jean Freeman. Ginny started on March 2 and the contract runs through the end of the 2025—26 school year. MLive
- ➤ Forty-two local students will compete in the Regional Spelling Bee tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Chenery Auditorium + the winner will move on to the SCRIPPS National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. in late May. MLive
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Kalamazoo County Jail switched to bottled water after tests showed high copper levels in its tap water last month, following repairs after pipes burst mid-February. Inmates + employees currently use bottled water as new test results are expected in two weeks. WKZO
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ James Corey has been announced as the new vice president and chief development officer for Bronson Health Foundation, where he will lead fundraising to support care in Kalamazoo. Corey brings 16+ years of advancement leadership experience, and a reception is planned for spring or early summer. WKZO
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Kalamazoo Central High School’s boys and girls basketball teams were honored at the Kalamazoo Public Schools board meeting last night for a successful season. Athletic director Greg Straka noted the girls reclaimed the district championship while the boys, despite a regional loss, won the title again. WKZO
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Zazzy Concert Experience
9 PM – 1 AM — Papa Pete's — Check for ticket prices — Enjoy a night of live funk music featuring Zazzy's remixes.
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Welcome Little Sister: Community Efforts to Protect Local Woods
6:30-8:00 p.m. — Portage District Library — Free entry — Discover how the community came together to protect twelve acres of woods adjacent to Kleinstuck Preserve.
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Giving Women Their Flowers
5:30-8 p.m. — The Desenberg — Celebrate Women’s History Month — An inspiring evening honoring women who lead, create, and uplift communities.
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Crawlspace Sketch Comedy Show
7:30-9:00 p.m. — Crawlspace Comedy Theatre — $20 — Experience original sketch comedy with a unique Kalamazoo twist.
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KDP Chocolate Milk Mile
6:00-6:25 p.m. — Stadium Dr, Kalamazoo, MI — Entry required — Race 1 mile while enjoying 16 ounces of chocolate milk.
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MYWAY Wrestling Individual State Championship Finals
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Wings Event Center — Cost info unavailable — Witness the excitement of state-level wrestling competition.
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Margaritaville Night with K-Wings
7-8 p.m. — Wings Event Center — $3 beers, sodas, and dogs — Enjoy a tropical twist on K-Wings hockey while benefiting local parks.
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Dr. Seuss's The Cat In The Hat
2-5 p.m. — Miller Auditorium — Tickets from $46.56 — Enjoy the classic tale of mischief with your family as the Cat in the Hat shakes up a rainy day.
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Easter Day Brunch
11 AM – 5 PM — The Backyard of Kalamazoo — $30 for adults, $18 for children under 12 — Celebrate Easter with a delightful brunch featuring both classic and indulgent offerings.
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Celebration of Community Poets
6:30-8:30 p.m. — Crawlspace Comedy Theatre — Free entry — Celebrate local poetry and enjoy performances from talented community poets and musicians.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled.
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