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

‘I thought it was the flu,’ Kalamazoo survivor says as COVID-19 strikes blacks at high rates

As the coronavirus strikes a disproportionately high rate of African Americans, a Kalamazoo medical authority says those who don’t have obvious symptoms may suffer through, believing they have the flu.

The Heritage Community of Kalamazoo prepares a new COVID-19 isolation and treatment unit

The Heritage Community, the first senior care facility in Kalamazoo may have been the fastest to react to COVID-19 by creating an isolation unit in case residents might catch the virus and early measures to restrict visitors.

Sixty-three small businesses awarded $1.1 million in loans in Kalamazoo

COVID-closed businesses get financial help through Kalamazoo Small Business Loan Fund to ease the impact of a month without revenue.

Medicine, engineering, and production came together quickly in Kalamazoo to produce intubation boxes

Kalamazoo ingenuity is shining these days. Case in point: a local effort to local effort to produce protective intubation boxes has far-reaching potential.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the Kalamazoo court system is thinking hard about who’s in jail

Officials report inmate count is down by about 50% at Kalamazoo County Jail as the cases of nonviolent, misdemeanor, and low-risk criminal suspects are reviewed to see who must be in jail and whose incarceration can wait for social distancing to ease.

How rough has shutdown been on small businesses? Insights from a dentist, barber, and car salesman

A look at how three small businesses in the Kalmaazoo area are faring during the shut down precipitated by the spread of COVID-19.

3D technology at Western Michigan University is being used to produce face shields

With 3D technology, WMU is helping to protect medical professionals in the fight to stop the COVID-19 outbreak.

With COVID-19 is the wedding still on? Kalamazoo bridal shop owner says many brides are postponing

The owner of Memories Bridal & Evening Wear in downtown Kalamazoo says brides are postponing their big day or going smaller.  And she's  looking for a new "normal."

KZCF’s Urgent Relief Fund is part of a network of resources for organizations dealing with COVID-19

For Kalamazoo area organizations dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak, some relief is in sight. Kalamazoo Community Foundation’s Community Urgent Relief Fund is part of a network of resources now available.

Two organizations waive rent in Kalamazoo’s Vine Neighborhood

Vine property owners say they want to get ahead of the COVID-19 crisis so they decided to provide rent relief.

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