Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison.
Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison. Fran Dwight
Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison.
Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison. Fran Dwight

Voices of Youth: Racism is a hard lesson for young people in high school Read Article

Jaden Davis

Seeking a less stressful, elegant wedding option? Consider Elopement Day at Battle Creek farm Read Article

Courtesy: Of the Land

'We're all related, we're all connected': Many march for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Read Article

John Grap

Final Chapter: Kalamazoo remembers Dean Hauck and the legacy of Michigan News Read Article

Fran Dwight

Antique expert to share tips, tricks, and treasures at Battle Creek’s Regional History Museum Read Article

UnSplash: Alexander Schimmeck

Voices of Youth: Burnout in high school can happen, but you’re not alone Read Article

UnSplash: Nguyen Phan Nam Anh

Features

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Feature Story Tom Sikkema is responsible for promoting Go MUVE’s tagging feature, which enables users to identify levels of accessibility within their community. Equity

Transportation app redefines mobility for people with disabilities who don’t drive

Paul R. KopenkoskeyMonday, December 19, 2022
The app comes on the heels of MUVE’s recent announcement of its partnership with the state of Michigan, with the launch of a new transportation ecosystem application redefining mobility for people of all abilities.
Feature Story Jaden Anderson works at Kenzie's Be Café in Grand Haven. His favorite jobs are passing out coffee and cleaning tables. His favorite drink is hot chocolate with whipped cream.  Building Communities

Kenzie's BE Café provides work opportunities for people with disabilities

Kelsey SandersMonday, December 19, 2022
Kenzie's Be Café is a nonprofit coffee shop in Grand Haven that provides meaningful employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Longform On the Ground Battle Creek Blocker Resigns Safe Communities

Outgoing Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker says his mission with the department is accomplished

Jane SimonsThursday, December 15, 2022
Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker is ending a 26-year career with the department. During that time he's served in many different roles — as a patrol officer, community police officer, SWAT team member, detective, and executive officer, culminating with his appointment in 2014 as the city’s 18th Police Chief. Blocker will retire at the end of January.
Longform Faith in Action New Day Church wilderness area Sustainability

A new path for New Day: Kalamazoo church partners with DNR to share land with nearby neighborhoods

Theresa Coty O'NeilThursday, December 15, 2022
For New Day Church, the DNR, and more than 500 homes surrounding the church’s untamed 18 acres off Nichols Road, a unique partnership represents a new way of collaborating on restoring and sharing a scarce resource of undeveloped land in Kalamazoo. 
Feature Story OTG KAlamazoo Ring Camera System Safe Communities

Doorbell camera program helps 200 Kalamazoo area households find a bit more security

Al JonesThursday, December 15, 2022
A doorbell camera initiative in Kalamazoo's core neighborhoods will benefit 200 households. The program is being funded by the City of Kalamazoo and administered by Building Blocks of Kalamazoo.
Feature Story On the Ground Calhoun County Solar Farm Economic Development

Solar farming: A new kind of farm is being built on 1,000 acres in Marshall Township

Jane SimonsThursday, December 15, 2022
The $130 million Cereal City Solar project constructed by NextEra is expected to generate $21 million in tax revenue for Marshall Township and Calhoun County and create 200 jobs during construction. It is now expected to be operational by  December 2023.
Feature Story The Disability Network Lakeshore staff Equity

Disability Network Lakeshore celebrates 30th anniversary

Kelsey SandersWednesday, December 14, 2022
As Disability Network Lakeshore marks its 30th anniversary, it credits its longevity to the commitment of volunteers and staffers who are dedicated to serving residents with disabilities in Ottawa and Allegan counties. 
Longform Housing Solutions Community Homeworks Building Communities

Community Homeworks of Kalamazoo helps make the critical repairs that keep people in their homes

Mark WedelThursday, December 8, 2022
For Community Homeworks work is laser-focused on critical home repairs in homes that have health or safety issues its Executive Director Chris Praedel says. "Is there a current or imminent health or safety risk to the homeowner or their family? If the answer is yes, then that's the project we want to prioritize." 
Longform On the Ground Battle Creek Snackwerk ESL Economic Development

Closing the language gap positions Battle Creek's Snackwerks employees for greater success

Jane SimonsThursday, December 8, 2022
Classes this fall at Snackwerks were a test run for an initiative that the company's leadership plans to continue offering to employees who want to develop fluency in English.
Feature Story On the Ground Battle Creek Annual Christmas Dinner Diversity

Local entrepreneur brings Christmas to unhoused families in Battle Creek

Jane SimonsThursday, December 8, 2022
To ensure that families experiencing homelessness aren’t overlooked during the holidays, Shannon Patrick is hosting a Christmas Dinner from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17 at First Congregational Church. The dinner is free and is focr families with small children who are in shelters or otherwise experiencing homelessness.
Feature Story VOY Grassy Lawn Jeremy Andrews Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Questioning the need for the grassy front yard

Andre Bastian IbarguengoitiaThursday, December 8, 2022
On average, Americans will spend 16 days of their lifetime mowing their lawn. Our Voices of Youth correspondent questions whether that really is a good idea.
Feature Story Justine Bryant is an affiliate assistant professor of ASL at GRCC. (GRCC) Equity

ASL interpreter sees a growing need in the field, helps develop a career pathway

Shandra MartinezFriday, December 2, 2022
According to the most recent study, by the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, 733,356 Michiganders — about 7.4% of the state population — identify as deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing. In West Michigan, 8% of residents identify as members of that community.  
Feature Story GRCC music student Tyler Zahnke (GRCC) Equity

How Tyler Zahnke, a musician who is blind, is turning passion into a career

Shandra MartinezFriday, December 2, 2022
Grand Rapids singer Tyler Zahnke was one of 10 music students who are blind selected to attend the SongSight event with Scott MacIntyre, of “American Idol” fame.
Longform On the Ground Kalamazoo Protected Bike Lanes Sustainability

For everyday riders using bikes for short trips in Kalamazoo changes at the street level are welcome

Mark WedelThursday, December 1, 2022
City bikers looking to switch from gas-burning vehicles to pedals for everyday travel are finding reason to hope that newly configured bike lanes will make a difference for them.
Longform On the Ground Battle Creek Holiday Shopping 2022 Economic Development

Holiday-themed activities and entertainment in the spotlight this weekend in downtown Battle Creek

Jane SimonsThursday, December 1, 2022
The Holiday Shoptacular that began in early November jumpstarted the holiday shopping season in downtown Battle Creek and it's now headed into overdrive with a two-day Winter Wanderland event on Friday and Saturday.
Longform Housing Solutions Warming Centers 2022 Safe Communities

Getting out of the cold: Advocates work to open warming shelters for Kalamazoo's unhoused population

Al JonesThursday, December 1, 2022
How are the unhoused managing to get through inclement weather? Some people are on their own. Some will venture into the shelters when there’s crazy weather. And then some will work together to form whatever community, wherever that can be located.  
Longform Housing Solutions Volunteer Jan Equity

Volunteers say besides housing, what Kalamazoo's unhoused need is to know that someone cares

Mark WedelWednesday, November 30, 2022
Volunteer Jan van Schaik says apart from the obvious need for shelter, Kalamazoo's homeless need to be seen as fellow humans. His work with the unhoused, handing out food, hot chocolate, coffee, and providing mentorship as needed, and as importantly showing them he recognizes them by name.
Longform On the Ground Battle Creek JPG update Economic Development

Food innovation in Battle Creek set to accelerate through collaboration

Jane SimonsWednesday, November 30, 2022
Battle Creek has secured its place as a national and global food innovation leader in part because former Kellogg Co. employees decided to stick around and create their own food businesses once they parted ways with the cereal maker.
Longform On the Ground Roller Derby Diversity

Kalamazoo Roller Derby is determined to be diverse and anti-fragile

Casey GrootenWednesday, November 30, 2022
The Kalamazoo Roller Derby all-gender team started in 2021 when approved by a vote of the entire league. One of the main points of creating all-gender teams is there are just more people to play the game with, team members say. "More people, more fun."
Feature Story Raul Garcia, Homeowner Services Coach with Brittany Rabideau, a future Haven Townhome homeowner. Equity

Habitat for Humanity building affordable housing for those with disabilities

Andrea GoodellSaturday, November 19, 2022
Habitat for Humanity is building five townhomes in Holland that will be exclusively for those who have mental or physical disabilities.
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Battle Creek

Village Network leads work to create a Black Wall Street in Battle Creek 

Plans for launching a Black Wall Street movement in Battle Creek will include a Black-owned business directory and two new websites with a mission to create "collective independence." For more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Joyful Streets, Real-world Struggles: "Happy Cities" author on the journey to transform Kalamazoo 

"What I've noticed in Kalamazoo is, that the city has been taking action to make some changes that in the short term some people might find uncomfortable, but in the long term are going to set the city on course for more vitality, more health, more equity, and I would say more happiness for the people who choose to live here."  Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

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