Author

Mark Wedel

Mark Wedel has been a freelance journalist since 1992, covering a bewildering variety of subjects. He also writes books on his epic bike rides across the country. He's written a book on one ride, "Mule Skinner Blues." For more information, see www.markswedel.com.

Mark Wedel's Latest Articles

Builders and funders work together to put up attainable housing in Kalamazoo

Since 2019 there have been 20 homes built and another six are under construction through the work of the Kalamazoo Attainable Homes Partnership. It brings together are homebuilders and funders including the Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence.

Voices of Youth: Kalamazoo students wage Climate Strike to demand end of fossil fuel use

Kalamazoo students waged a Youth Climate Strike to end the use of fossil fuels on Friday, Sept. 15 with nearly 150 youth and concerned adults attending the protest. The Ardea Youth Climate Action Coalition organized the rally to ask for decisive action.

Flip the script: Dogs take owners bow-wow-rousing downtown during Kzoo’s Dogs in the Zoo

Dogs on the Kalamazoo Mall are a common enough sight, but last Saturday, dogs ruled and owners were invited to tag along to Dogs in the Zoo. Writer Mark Wedel spoke to a few canine companions and Pooch-ographer Fran Dwight captured doggy delight and then some.

Kalamazoo festival paving the roads to wellness and recovery

When seeking substance abuse recovery or increasing wellness, support is vital. The Kalamazoo Wellness and Recovery Festival is intended to provide hope, support, resources, and more. The festival, which will feature food, music, and 60 vendors, takes place Sat., Sept. 16 at Bronson Park.

Extra! Extra! Michigan News, area’s oldest ‘newsstand,’ still standing amid changing times

Kalamazoo's last-standing 'newsstand' is still the place to go to check Kalamazoo's pulse. Once filled with newspapers from around the world, Michigan News has migrated toward the literary — thousands of books, many by local authors, hosted readings, and the largest collection of magazines around. Read all about it!

WMed program to bring telehealth to unhoused youth, offering treatment otherwise beyond their reach

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine is launching a pilot program to provide telehealth care to children in the City of Kalamazoo who may have no access to clinics or needed specialists. A pilot will soon get underway to reach families in need of care that only specialists can provide.  

Kalamazoo Friends of Recreation helps fund youth for summer fun

School's out for the summer and some youth may be feeling restless. Why not enroll in a Kalamazoo Park Recreation program, Kik Pool, WMU eSports, or Camp Kzoo? For free! Thanks to the Kalamazoo Friends of Recreation.

Kalamazoo’s MRC Industries cultivates ability in people with disabilities

Downtown art patrons are familiar with MRC artWorks and its colorful storefront. For 54 years, MRC Industries has been cultivating the artist in people with disabilities while preparing them through job and living skills training to lead full, independent lives. With new CEO Dan Pontius, positive changes are on the horizon.

Nine months of searching for housing proves frustrating for a mom with three children

The search for housing can be its own form of trauma. For Tamika Williams a $1,215 unpaid rent payment has been standing between her and a place to stay for her and her two children as she has visited agency after agency since September of 2022. But there appears to be help on the horizon.

Kalamazoo Lyceum on Nature: Act locally, think globally

The third Kalamazoo Lyceum convened at the Kalamazoo Nature Center in May to focus on nature and what it means to the community. Protecting wild, urban spaces; cleaning up the Kalamazoo River; and halting pollution of our neighborhoods were just a few of the topics that arose. The general consensus: Hope plus action can equal impactful change.

Our Sponsors

Gilmore Foundation

Our Media Partners

Battle Creek Community Foundation
BINDA Foundation
Southwest Journalism Media Collaborative
Southwest Michigan First
Milestone Senior Services
Consumers Energy

Don't miss out!

Everything Southwest Michigan, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.