Daily
Kalamazoo
Friday, September 19th, 2025
Good morning, Kalamazoo. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 19th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ This weekend, Kalamazoo will host Canadiana Fest at the Arcadia Festival Site with food, five bands, athletic events and kids' activities from 3:30 to 10 p.m.—free admission. Today and Saturday, the Expo Center will hold the Street Rods Nationals North while Bell’s Brewery marks its 40th anniversary downtown with a 7 p.m. concert that charges entry. WKZO
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Bell’s Brewery is celebrating its 40th anniversary by planning to invest $20 million in updates to its Kalamazoo and Comstock Township operations over the next two years—$18 million will expand its brewing facility and $2 million will improve the Eccentric Café and Beer Garden. The company will also host a Garden Party with The 1985 on Sept. 21, featuring a special barrel-aged stout and local beer promotions. MLive
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Erik Vasilaushas and Anna Lee Roeder use their painting skills to brighten Kalamazoo with more than 50 murals—many made to improve local spots like Kik Pool and Bell’s Eccentric Café. They started Dream Scene Placemaking in 2019 and also teach local youth about art. MLive
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ News Channel 3's Chief Meteorologist Keith Thompson says aging dams across West Michigan carry high repair costs that may lead to catastrophic failure, and he will report on the issue Monday at 11 on News Channel 3. WWMT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Kalamazoo County commissioners approved buying the land across the street from their current administration building—where a McDonald's operates—for $9 million. County Administrator Dr. Kevin Catlin said the new 90,000 square-foot facility with a parking garage will offer more space and security and is expected to open in three years. WWMT
- ➤ West Main Street reopened near U.S. 131 after more than five months of closures from a $7.8M MDOT project that finished on September 15. Finishing touches on upgraded signals and road signs continue in the area—work that does not slow traffic. MLive
- ➤ State Rep. Phil Skaggs proposed amending a 74-year-old law to send more road funds to Michigan communities with heavy truck traffic — county road agencies opposed replacing Public Act 51. MLive
- ➤ Lawmakers in Michigan are nearing a Sept.30 deadline to pass a state budget, and a government shutdown is expected to pause non-essential services—such as state parks, school funding, and state employee work—if an agreement is not reached. The potential shutdown could impact many daily services and lead to temporary layoffs. WWMT
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Gryphon Place will hold a suicide prevention march downtown at Bronson Park on Saturday at 10 a.m.—the event will raise funds for suicide prevention training programs that help spot warning signs. WKZO
- ➤ Fire Chief Chris Jozwik collapsed at home on Nov. 25 when he stopped breathing after feeding wood to his furnace, and his daughter Julie Powell and her firefighter husband performed chest compressions until help arrived. After 11 days in intensive care and months of rehab, he has recovered and will speak at the Kalamazoo Heart Walk on Oct. 25 at 9 a.m.—the event will promote the American Heart Association's hands-only CPR method. WWMT
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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.
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Ferris State Bulldogs at Western Michigan Broncos Men's Hockey
3:30 AM – 11:00 PM — Lawson/Gable, Kalamazoo, MI — Competitive prices — Catch a thrilling hockey match between the Bulldogs and Broncos.
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