Good morning, Kalamazoo.

Michigan State Police troopers delivered gifts to Vialah, a 2-year-old from Ironwood fighting cancer, after a nine-hour journey from Wakefield that ended at Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor on Monday, Dec.

22. The Christmas mission brought holiday cheer to a local child.

Local coffee shop Shibam Coffee opened on Dec.

12 at Campus Pointe Plaza and has quickly earned fans with its popular pistachio latte and best-selling honeycomb pastries. The shop is offering a 20% discount on drinks through the rest of 2025 and is adjusting hours in response to late-night traffic.

A local lash and brow salon remains closed days before Christmas after a car crashed into its front, leaving owner Phuong Le uncertain about repair timelines and financial recovery (insurance details are still pending) while the adjacent nail salon continues to serve customers.

Ex-CEO of Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, Nkechy Ezeh, admitted to embezzling $1.4M from the nonprofit to fund personal trips to Hawaii, Liberia and Nigeria and is set to plead guilty Jan.

14 in Lansing — the move follows the agency's closure that left children without essential preschool services.

The average gas price in Michigan fell 12¢ this week to $2.73 per gallon, with a 43¢ decrease since last month + Ann Arbor is the costliest at $2.87 while Traverse City offers the best price at $2.54 and Kalamazoo County remains at $2.73.

Kalamazoo Public Schools approved a $123,000 purchase of portable surveillance towers to boost security at school events on campus; the towers have four cameras, flood lighting and a generator (and no face recognition) and will connect to law enforcement only with permission.

City officials said the uneven crossing near Stadium Drive was caused by Amtrak raising one rail nine inches during rail work — creating a steep speed hump for drivers.

MDOT Rail ordered repairs to be completed by next summer.

Michigan's caregiver shortage is expected to grow as projections show over 32,000 unfilled home health aide positions in 2026 and over 171,000 in 2034; a new Seniors Helping Seniors franchise in Kalamazoo is matching experienced senior caregivers with elderly residents to help them stay independent (state projections).

In downtown Kalamazoo, PlazaCorp Realty Advisors, Inc. and the City of Kalamazoo Brownfield Redevelopment Authority received a $54.6 million brownfield initiative approved Monday that will redevelop three sites—including a vacant courthouse into a boutique hotel—to add 93 jobs and 115 housing units.

Kalamazoo K-Wings New Year’s Eve Hockey Game

6-7:30 p.m. — Wings Event Center — Check event page for pricing — Enjoy exciting hockey action as the K-Wings face off against the Toledo Walleye to celebrate the New Year.

Kalamazoo Boat Show

2-8 p.m. — Kalamazoo County Expo Center — Admission fees apply — Explore an exciting array of marine displays and products.

ThriftAbility Grand Opening

3-6 p.m. — ThriftAbility — Free entry — Celebrate the launch of a unique thrift store serving the local community with refreshments and friendly faces.

Tech Mondays

3-5:30 p.m. — Kalamazoo Public Library - Central Library — Free assistance — Get help with computer-related issues at this community support event.

Chicago The Musical

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Miller Auditorium — Tickets start at $46.56 — Experience the excitement of the Jazz Age with a thrilling tale of fame, fortune, and sensational performances.

When is the Right Time for Memory Care?

6-7 p.m. — North Woods Village of Kalamazoo — Free entry — Explore pivotal insights on dementia care and the importance of timely support for loved ones.