Good morning, Kalamazoo.

The Kalamazoo County Fair went strong, drawing nearly 24,000 visitors in five days with strong county support and meeting its budget after years of low turnout and pandemic changes.

Officials will review options at a board meeting on Sept. 15 to decide if the fair should be repeated or expanded.

Officials found contaminants at Arcadia Creek Festival Place amid a $3.6-million upgrade.

Tests detected metals, volatile organic compounds, and hydrocarbon compounds above safe thresholds, so the site remains fenced despite hosting events like Kalamazoo Pride.

Kalamazoo County board approved funding for a 444-unit affordable housing + retail development in Oshtemo Township; the project will add duplexes for sale, multi-family rentals, and 50,000 sqft of commercial space along West Main Street across from Advia Credit Union headquarters.

Local officials in Kalamazoo County sought help from Portage, Parchment and townships to cover emergency winter shelter costs for homeless residents but received little help.

County board chair Jen Stebs noted the city pledged nearly $500,000 + the Continuum of Care committed $100,000 and urged her board to step up.

Kalamazoo County approved a multi-million-dollar spending plan on Tuesday that will direct $4 million toward multi-family housing, $1 million to support single-family home projects, and $1 million for repairs, aiming to help economically challenged residents and create local jobs.

The Palisades power plant in Covert Township began loading nuclear fuel yesterday as it prepares for refiring after its closure in 2022.

Holtec Nuclear Corporation said inspections, tests and startup activities will follow, though no restart date has been set.

A Bronson doctor in Kalamazoo advises residents to get the updated flu shot as the FDA revised it to target H1N1 + H3N2 and a B strain ahead of the new flu season after last season’s high hospitalization rates.

He stresses vaccination to protect those most at risk.

A public health advisory was issued for Austin Lake in Portage on Wednesday, Sept.

2, after water samples tested positive for microcystin (a toxin that can cause skin and gastrointestinal irritation); officials advised people and pets to avoid water with a blue-green color.

Kalamazoo-area boys soccer players are featured in a list of 12 top performers to watch in the 2026 season.

The feature names state champions, all-staters and rising phenoms from local schools + shows a group of skilled athletes building on past success.

After a 16-8 start in Week 1, Ehler’s Eye is set to update his football predictions for Week 2.

He highlights Thursday’s matchups as local teams look to bounce back with strong offensive plays.