Good morning, Kalamazoo.

Neighborhoods across West Michigan are preparing to celebrate National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug.

5, with events that include family-friendly activities, food, and public safety demonstrations. Kalamazoo neighborhoods such as Arcadia, Edison, Milwood, Northside, Vine, Westnedge Hill, and Westwood will host interactive stations — focused on strengthening ties between residents and law enforcement.

Portage Public Schools will ask voters this November for an extra $132.4 million bond to finish replacing two elementary schools and renovating another after inflation raised the total project cost to $267 million.

The bond will fund upgrades at the aging community education center, new technology, and bus replacements—without raising the current 6.85 mills tax rate.

South Westnedge Avenue in Portage will be closed to through traffic for three weeks starting Monday, Aug 4 as crews install sanitary sewers along a stretch spanning half a mile from West Osterhout Avenue to Bacon Avenue—local drivers will keep access to homes and businesses while other motorists follow a detour route.

Kalamazoo will install 26 new Bigbelly trash and recycling bins with smart sensors this fall downtown to replace 58 aging cans.

The bins, which keep waste and recycling separate, will help reduce overflows and collection frequency—funded by the Downtown Economic Growth Authority.

Bronson Healthcare will host a free community open house on August 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.—residents can receive free breast and prostate cancer screenings, blood pressure and balance tests, haircuts, a hot meal, and a fresh food giveaway to promote wellness.

Former Western Michigan star Keni-H Lovely, who played for the Michigan Panthers last season, signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals (marking his second NFL deal after he joined the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent).

The Wolverine Conference high school football season will begin Aug.

11—when all eight teams start practices and set their sights on a run toward Ford Field.

District 4 softball won 15-0 over Czech Republic — completing Pool B play with a perfect record.

Lyla Turmell went 3-for-3 with three RBIs — and the team will face the No. 4 seed in Pool A today at 4:30 p.m. as the single elimination bracket begins.

Concerts in the Park

4-5 p.m. — Bronson Park — Free entry — Enjoy live summer music brought by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.

Festival Fridays: A Taste of Kalamazoo

6-10 p.m. — Arcadia Creek Festival Place — Free entry — Celebrate local food, music, and community at this vibrant summer festival series.

Dokidokon 2025

All day — Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites Kalamazoo — Tickets from $10 — Celebrate anime and gaming culture with panels, special guests, and a pirate theme.

Dokidokon 2025

Aug 10-12 — Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites Kalamazoo — Tickets from $10 — Dive into an anime and gaming convention with panels, concerts, and cosplay fun.

Read to Eleanor

3:30-5 p.m. — Kalamazoo Public Library - Central Library — Free — Spend quality time reading to a friendly therapy dog and take home a book.

Dokidokon 2025

All day — Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites Kalamazoo — Tickets from $10 — Celebrate anime, gaming, and cosplay at a community-driven convention with a pirate theme.

Artful Evening with Leo Villareal

6-7 p.m. — Kalamazoo Institute of Arts — Free entry — Explore the career of an acclaimed light artist and visionary during this engaging virtual discussion.

Michigan Storm Chasers Beer Launch

2-5 p.m. — Latitude 42° Brewing Company Kalamazoo — Tickets required — Celebrate the release of a new Michigan-brewed beer with family-friendly fun and meet and greet activities.

Branden Mann Live Music Event

6-9 p.m. — Brewery Outré — No cover — Enjoy original tunes and crowd-favorite covers from a lineup of Kalamazoo musicians.

August Vintage Mart at Factory Cafe

10 AM – 5 PM — Factory Coffee — Free entry — Explore vintage goods and handcrafted treasures from local vendors while enjoying cafe drinks.