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

More small businesses will move to the front burner as Can-Do Kitchen becomes Can-Do Kalamazoo

The Can-Do Kitchen, which has long focused on mentoring, supporting, and providing working space for new food-based businesses, is in the process of expanding to help entrepreneurs of all kinds. It is re-branding to become Can-Do Kalamazoo.

Larry Bell raises a glass to young people with a $1M gift to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo

The Boy & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo is more than halfway to its $9 million goal for the construction of a 30,000-square-foot central headquarter in the Edison neighborhood. That goal is closer to being realized thanks to a $1 million donation from craft brew entrepreneur Larry Bell.

Vaccination, masks, and distancing remain keys to fighting COVID-19, Kalamazoo’s medical leaders say

As the fight against COVID-19 continues, the development of a vaccine has been viewed as an intervention and a possible sign of relief. But many people continue to go unvaccinated and unmasked and sickness continues to spread. Medical community leaders in Kalamazoo are asking people to help stop it.

2022 outlook: COVID is a dark cloud, but some Kalamazoo leaders see cooperation and optimism ahead

Second Waves asked several community leaders to consider the greatest challenges they or their organizations face as we head into this new year, as well as what they most look forward to. Here is what some of them had to say.

Northside Association in Kalamazoo sets plans to build houses and help residents buy them

The Northside Association for Community Development is working to build 21 new houses in the neighborhood and recently hosted the first in what will be a series of meetings to allow people to ask questions and learn what they need to know to buy one of the new houses.

WMU tells first step of how largest financial gift to public school will benefit students

The Bronco Promise is set to provide a tuition-free WMU education for up to five years for first-year students from Michigan families who earn $50,000 or less or who have $50,000 or less who have net assets. It's the first step WMU is making after it received a $550 million gift from anonymous donors earlier this year. 

Yeas and nays from public greet Kalamazoo’s Emergency Housing law and efforts to house the homeless

The Kalamazoo City Commission has put in place the steps needed to assess properties that could become the location for POD housing for those who currently do not have stable housing conditions.

Wanted: Dedicated, trustworthy leader for a tough but rewarding job in a neighborhood near you

The president of the Milwood Neighborhood Watch Association has died. The Executive Director of the Edison Neighborhood Association will retire this month. Two other core neighborhoods have executive directors who are planning their exits when major projects are finished. How will this transfer of leadership affect Kalamazoo's neighborhoods?

Building trust in people and partnerships have been keys for outgoing director of Kalamazoo’s Edison

There have been many accomplishments in the Edison Neighborhood over the past 21 years that Tammy Taylor has been Exective Director. But she says it has been the small things she and the association have done to help people that have meant the most to her.

Joblessness, homelessness, and the pandemic didn’t stop Kalamazoo man from starting his own business

Roosevelt Lee-Fleming learned how to keep expensive sneakers in pristine shape as a teen. Now he's turned that skill into a business of his own. The Drip Sneakers restores shoes for sneaker-heads. It also sells unique women’s apparel.  

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