Author

Al Jones

Al Jones

Al Jones is a freelance writer who has worked for many years as a reporter, editor, and columnist. He is the Project Editor for On the Ground Kalamazoo.

Al Jones's Latest Articles

YWCA’s 24-hour childhood learning center pushes ahead in Kalamazoo’s Edison Neighborhood

YWCA is continuing to plan for the opening of the YWCA Edison Children’s Center, a 24-hour drop-in center that will provide affordable child care for infants to 3-year-olds as well as second- and third-shift childcare for children up to age 12.

Milwood launches website to engage residents and promote neighborhood as a great place to live, work

Giving residents more ways to engage with one another is the mission behind Milwood’s first-ever website.

Kalamazoo police look to violence intervention program and community partnerships to halt shootings

A small number of people drive the violent crime in Kalamazoo. Police are seeking the community's help in finding them. 

On guard and planning for the future, Milwood’s Neighborhood Watch covers a lot of ground

For 26 years the Neighborhood Watch has been helping to keep Milwood safe. Now it's also evolving into traditional community-building services. 

Many felons don’t know they can vote in Michigan, says Kalamazoo NAACP

The Metropolitan Kalamazoo Branch of the NAACP wants people to know felons can vote as long as you are not actively serving a sentence. They created a video to get out that message. 

Kalamazoo’s Milwood Neighborhood: Everything you could want without leaving the neighborhood

With residential, commercial, and industrial properties Milwood could be a town unto itself. 

Grants help give COVID-stressed businesses a restart; lets one Kalamazoo company take a coffee break

Mamaleelu Cold Brew is among 1,434 small businesses in Southwest Michigan that are receiving grants averaging $5,000 as part of the Michigan Small Business Restart Program.

New pastor looks to bring church spirit to young people in Kalamazoo, inspire positive social change

“I want to be a part of a larger movement – of interfaith dialogue and conversation,” says the new pastor of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, Rev. Millard Southern III.

Fair housing ordinance passes unanimously in Kalamazoo

"Kalamazoo will be a better city tonight than we were yesterday."  Those supporting changes to the city's housing ordinance that make t is easier to obtain housing for those who previously have been shut out of the housing market by a variety of barriers saw the adoption as a new day for the city. 

Popular North Side restaurant will expand by opening new Creole and soul food spot in Kalamazoo

If you are going to run two restaurants what could be more convenient than having them across the parking lot from one another? Cookie's Five Star Grill plans to spin off its popular Creole and Soul food items into a restaurant of their own, next door.

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