Good morning, Kalamazoo.

Kalamazoo native Pasha Khosravani opened Fifth Street Burger at Oakwood Plaza on Oakwood Drive on July 27, serving unique PB & PJ burgers and fresh, made-to-order fries that have drawn nearly double the projected traffic in its first two weeks.

Kalamazoo College has joined Michigan’s new statewide direct admission initiative MI College Match (linking over 350 high schools with local colleges), which lets students who meet the criteria enroll without a separate application; the program begins this fall.

Western Michigan University and Kellogg Community College signed an agreement called the Bronco Bound Guarantee to offer Battle Creek college graduates automatic admission plus scholarship consideration from $500 to $3000.

The signing ceremony at the WMU Student Center on Wednesday also made KCC students eligible for complimentary admission to Bronco athletic events.

Michigan approved a pilot of the Earn a Second Buck program that lets hunters in Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, Barry, Ingham and Lapeer counties earn a second buck tag by taking a doe in 2027.

The pilot will run five years (2027 to 2031) to boost antlerless deer harvests under new rules.

Comstock Township held a public hearing on the proposed 140-acre battery energy storage system project on Thursday night along East Main Street near Comstock Elementary School and the future STEM Academy.

The project by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners faces community criticism and safety concerns raised by the local school board.

The city removed a large homeless encampment on N.

Edwards Street Thursday under right-of-way enforcement and residents have access to short-term housing resources. Local organizations such as Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries + Integrated Services of Kalamazoo and United Way are connecting those in need with shelter options.

Ramona Park Beach reopened on Thursday at 12:00 p.m. after new water tests showed safe E. coli levels & officials confirmed the water quality met health standards following its closure on Wednesday.

Local sports fans are invited to vote on which Kalamazoo-area high school football team will win the most games in the upcoming 2026 season.

Votes must be cast by 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 20.

Plainwell's football team is ready for a fresh start as seniors and juniors join forces for a playoff push in the Wolverine Conference.

The Trojans kick off their season Friday, Aug. 28 vs. Dowagiac with coach Brian Huberty leading a much-anticipated turnaround.

Dead Letter Fest 2026

4-11:45 p.m. — Old Dog Tavern — Expected capacity 500 — Celebrate alternative music and DIY culture at a vibrant festival connecting artists and audiences.