Daily
Kalamazoo
Thursday, September 18th, 2025
Good morning, Kalamazoo. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 18th of September.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Liquid Note, a brewery and music venue in Otsego, will close on Sept. 27 after more than six years of operation—owners Linda and Mark McPherson said low event revenue has made it unsustainable and the final outdoor concerts will be part of the Creative Arts Festival. MLive
- ➤ Bell's Brewery is celebrating 40 years by hosting an anniversary party in downtown Kalamazoo on Sunday, Sept. 21—doors open at 7 p.m. and guests 18 and over can enjoy live music, re-released beer, exclusive merchandise, themed trivia and a photobooth while dressing as their favorite Bell's beer. WWMT
- ➤ Burdick's Bar and Grill is set to reopen Tuesday, Sept. 23 in the Radisson Hotel on W. Michigan Ave — after a closure lasting nine months for a complete renovation and refresh. The space, which covers about 12,000 square feet, seats 348 guests and features private dining rooms and four duckpin bowling lanes — changes designed to serve the growing downtown crowd ahead of upcoming game and event center events. MLive
- ➤ JR Automation broke ground on its $72.8M global headquarters at 800 Riley St. in Zeeland on Sept. 17, consolidating 350 employees and planning to add at least 150 new jobs. The 286,000-square-foot facility, which includes 76,000 square feet of office space and 210,000 square feet for assembly, is scheduled for completion by late fall. MLive
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Kalamazoo County Administrator Kevin Catlin published the proposed 2026 budget online and warned it may be revised if state cuts in revenue sharing occur or if the state's budget is delayed. The county set aside 25% of its annual revenue as a reserve—known as the Golden Ratio—and will hold a public hearing on October 7. WKZO
- ➤ Kalamazoo County commissioners approved buying the downtown McDonald's at 224 W. Kalamazoo Ave for $9 million to build a new administration building that will offer modern, efficient services. They said the current facility is too small and that renovating it would cause years of disruption — the new building alongside a planned parking garage will better serve residents and support downtown growth. WWMT
- ➤ Governor Whitmer pressed lawmakers to reach a deal on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to avoid a government shutdown in two weeks. The Senate approved its plan earlier while the House passed a cut-heavy version affecting state police and county revenue sharing — daily negotiations continue. WKZO
- ➤ Yesterday, Kalamazoo County voted 7 to 2 and authorized Administrator Kevin Catlin to purchase McDonald’s across from the Administration Building on Kalamazoo Avenue downtown for $9 million—this site will host a new administration building for future county growth. Funding, design and construction contracts will be secured in the coming years, and officials have not yet determined how long the restaurant will remain open. WKZO
- ➤ Kalamazoo County commissioners returned ($22,000) left over from tornado remediation in Texas Township and will add funds to the county's emergency disaster reserve (planned for future storms). Texas Township supervisor Joanna O’Rourke said the amount is vital for homeowners while vice chairman John Taylor said it positions the county to better help residents. WKZO
- ➤ Cooper Township officials met Wednesday night to discuss a draft Keeping Domestic Animals ordinance that may limit pet ownership to three for homes on less than 2.5 acres—officials will continue to refine the proposal and meet again in November. Township staff explained that the draft is a starting point for dialogue since no current ordinance exists. WWMT
- ➤ Traffic data from the first seven months of 2025 shows fewer crashes in Kalamazoo as the Streets for All program—featuring road narrowing, roundabouts, and better pedestrian crossings—has improved safety for drivers and pedestrians; city officials say more work is planned to further reduce crash numbers. WKZO
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Book Fair Fundraiser
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Bookbug & This is a Bookstore — Mention Gryphon Place and support local programs while browsing books.
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CanAm Peace Jam at Canadiana Fest 2025
4-10 p.m. — Discover Kalamazoo — Enjoy poutine and celebrate Canadian culture with music and a kitchen party.
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Dokidokon 2025
September 21-23 — Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center — Tickets range from $10 to $180 — Join an exciting anime and gaming convention with diverse events and a pirate theme.
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QPR Crisis Response Training
2-4 p.m. — YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo — Free entry — Learn essential skills to help prevent suicide and assist those in crisis.
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Kalamazoo Oktoberfest 2025
4-10 p.m. — Harvey's on the Mall — Ticket required — Celebrate Oktoberfest with drinks, food, live music and an exciting bar crawl experience.
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Goh Kurosawa Performance
2:30-4:30 p.m. — Bronson Park — Free entry — Enjoy a captivating concert featuring original songs and global melodies from musician Goh Kurosawa.
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Swan Lake Performance
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Miller Auditorium — Varied pricing — Experience the timeless and majestic beauty of ballet in this breathtaking production of Swan Lake.
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Dokidokon 2025
Daytime — Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center — Tickets from $10 to $180 — Dive into a world of anime and gaming at Kalamazoo's beloved convention.
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Dokidokon 2025
All day — Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center — Tickets from $10 to $180 — Dive into a weekend of anime and gaming fun with panels, workshops, and cosplay gatherings.
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US National Under 18 vs. Western Michigan Broncos Mens Hockey (Exhibition)
6:00 PM — Lawson Ice Arena — Ticket prices vary — Watch the future stars of hockey compete in an exciting exhibition match.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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