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

National Night Out 2022 is set to be a great time for Kalamazoo neighbors to check in

Resident associations in the Northside Neighborhood, Eastside Neighborhood, Vine and Edison neighborhoods will bring people together on Aug. 2, by hosting free, casual, family-friendly activities.

The Lord will provide: Efforts underway to build affordable senior housing in Kalamazoo’s Northside

The $26 million housing project involves the construction of two, three-story buildings -- a 36,000-square-foot northern structure with 36 apartment units, and a 33,000-square-foot southern structure with 34 units. 

Funding for three basic but important housing programs gets Kalamazoo City Commission approval

The City of Kalamazoo is working with and through various organizations to help provide more housing opportunities. With the additional funding approved this week for housing programs the city is helping to maintain and improve existing housing.

Kalamazoo Humane Society considers a facility for displaced dogs

People who are transitioning from a domestic crisis have a tough time finding a place for themselves let alone their dogs, cats, and other pets. Now the Kalamazoo Humane Society is exploring the possibility of providing a place for such animals.

A Kalamazoo Realtor’s little princess helps put kids and first-time buyers on path to their castles

When it comes to home buying a lot of people have no idea how to get started. To help change that, Kalamazoo Realtor Twala Lockett-Jones has authored a book that provides the steps necessary to buy a house in very simple terms. "I wanted to find a way to educate people at a younger age, especially people of color, about home ownership and the importance of home ownership," she says.

Guys Who Give brings men together to support nonprofits’ work in Kalamazoo and beyond

For the Guys Who Give in Kalamazoo County, the goal is to try to get 100 local guys, for one hour, once a quarter, to give $100, in an effort to give a $10,000 or more gift each quarter to the local community. Over the past two years, quarterly awards that have ranged from more than $13,000 to more than $16,000. 

After nearly 50 years with extended family, this grandma finally has a room to herself in Kalamazoo

At one point, in a one-bedroom apartment on Vine Street Kathy White had seven kids living in that one-bedroom apartment. Her family members had nowhere else to live and so she took the in. Many local residents double-up because the housing market makes it hard to find affordable housing.

NBA great Cazzie Russell will huddle with young Black males to end gun violence in Kalamazoo

Cazzie Russell, who starred on four National Basketball Association teams, winning a championship in 1970 with the New York Knicks, is scheduled to keynote a breakfast gathering at 10 a.m. Friday, 17, 2022 in the Arcadia Ballroom of the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites in downtown Kalamazoo.

Don’t look now, but it’s time to jump into summer at Kalamazoo parks

With the Memorial Day Weekend as the traditional kickoff of the summer season and the hope that Kalamazoo weather will stay warm, residents of the city’s core neighborhoods – those without their own swimming pools – will be looking for opportunities to cool off. The City of Kalamazoo has some answers for that, and it’s looking to kick off the summer season with a party.

LISC Kalamazoo is looking for area nonprofits that may qualify for community development funds

LISC-Kalamazoo will be the conduit for hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding through the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 4 Program. “HUD Section 4 is a specific pool of money to increase nonprofits’ capacity to do their work in specific areas,” says Beth Romeo, the assistant program officer at LISC Kalamazoo.

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