Kalamazoo neighbors feel taken hostage by roving X-Train parties that bring big crowds, violence mlive.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mlive.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Kalamazoo commissioners cancel membership with Southwest Michigan First over CEO selection
Updated Feb 16, 2021;
KALAMAZOO, MI The Kalamazoo City Commission has distanced itself from Southwest Michigan First after the organization hired a new CEO with a high-profile political resume and views that commissioners say they do not agree with.
Former Michigan Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield has been hired as CEO of the economic development nonprofit Southwest Michigan First, the organization announced on Thursday, Feb. 11.
At the Kalamazoo City Commission meeting on Monday, Feb. 15, Commissioner Erin Knott made the motion that the city withdraw from Southwest Michigan First’s Council of 100, which includes other entities such as Western Michigan University, Bronson HealthCare, Millennium Restaurant Group, Greenleaf Trust, Stryker, and others, according to the Southwest Michigan First web site.
Kalamazoo leaders seek investigation of former public safety chief’s departure
Updated Jan 20, 2021;
Posted Jan 20, 2021
Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Karianne Thomas apologizes for the arrest of MLive Reporter Samuel Robinson at a protest on Saturday during a press conference at City Hall in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020. The press conference was held after protestors and counter protestors clashed in downtown Kalamazoo on Saturday, Aug. 15. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com
Facebook Share
KALAMAZOO, MI The Kalamazoo City Commission will talk about investigating the departure of the city’s former public safety chief, who city officials said “retired” in September. An investigation by MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette later revealed former Chief Karianne Thomas was actually fired.
Kalamazoo Civil Rights Board members don’t want police investigating complaints
Updated Jan 08, 2021;
Facebook Share
KALAMAZOO, MI The city of Kalamazoo’s new Civil Rights Board is determining how it will work to provide expanded protections against housing discrimination, and members have spoken up about a few key points on how the board will function.
“I am completely opposed to law enforcement doing these investigations,” board member Jessica Glynn said during the Jan. 6 Civil Rights board meeting.
The comment came as she and others asked how civil rights complaints would be processed in Kalamazoo under the newly created board.
City Attorney Clyde Robinson explained his office would be involved. The city will first determine if complaints can be addressed under existing state or federal statues and, if so, the complaint would be forwarded to the proper entity if it should be handled outside of the city government, Robinson said.
2020 was a year of protests, police and change in Kalamazoo
Updated Dec 30, 2020;
Posted Dec 30, 2020
2020 in Kalamazoo was a year marked with protests, change and deeper looks at race, policy and those who lead. (Joel Bissell | MLive)
Facebook Share
KALAMAZOO, MI Kalamazoo in 2020 mirrored much of what was going on across the nation.
The varying affects of the coronavirus pandemic. Protests. A deeper look at racism in America. Contention in the political sphere. And changes in leadership.
After a relatively quiet start to the year, and almost eerie silence on the streets brought on by two months of COVID-driven shutdowns, things changed drastically again after George Floyd was killed May 25 by a Minneapolis police officer as two fellow officers stood by.