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

Micro home community is a big project in a small corner of Kalamazoo

Jeremy Cole has acquired 2 acres of undeveloped land adjacent to 132 W. Cork St. with plans to build a "micro" home community for homebuyers of modest means.

Metro Transit hopes to replace aging fleet with hybrids, eyes federal grant

Kalamazoo Metro Transit is seeking federal funding to gradually replace its aging bus fleet with more environmentally and financially sustainable hybrid vehicles — and also seeking local millage support for current bus system and popular Metro Link.

Gospel Mission caps overnight shelter services to promote long-term programs

During the last three years, Kalamazoo Gospel Mission has seen a 68 percent increase in the number of single men seeking overnight shelter and a 51 percent increase in single women. Now they must cap entry to maintain safe conditions for those seeking shelter and staff.

Big plans, big questions: Northside residents eye inclusion as Kalamazoo Event Center takes shape

Northside residents are hopeful the new $300M Kalamazoo Event Center will bring jobs, training, and business opportunities to their community.

Millage request is next stop for Kalamazoo’s Metro Transit

Kalamazoo’s Metro Transit is seeking a five-year millage increase to sustain bus services and expand its growing on-demand Metro Link program.

‘Housing for All’ Millage is set to help families and individuals recover

Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners has approved $725,000 in new awards through the “Homes for All” Millage for supportive services projects and creative housing projects.

The former Country Inn & Suites, at 1912 E. Kilgore Service Road, is to be converted into an 80-unit shelter to help families in   need of emergency housing to rebuild their lives.
Give them shelter: The Landing Place for unhoused families to open in phases, starting in December

The conversion of a former hotel on Kilgore Road into an 80-unit shelter where unhoused families can receive support as they transition back to permanent housing is urgent, local housing officials say. And work is expected to get underway soon to move the project forward in hopes of housing some families by the end of the year.

Routes and roots: How Kalamazoo’s buses keep the county moving — and connected

“A community the size of Kalamazoo... has an excellent, robust public transit system, and we have a group of employees here that care about being community servants and taking care of people’s needs to get them where they need to go.”

High schools huddle up with Police Athletic League to kick off Kalamazoo Youth Football Camp

Kalamazoo’s Youth Football Camp brought together local high schools, the Police Athletic League, and families for a free, skills-based event aimed at teaching kids the fundamentals of football, building community unity, and keeping youth active and engaged.

Making good scents: Kalamazoo’s The Aroma Labs spreads its smell of success across the Midwest

At The Aroma Labs, custom scents become bottled memories. What began in a Kalamazoo kitchen is now a scent-sational business spreading across the Midwest.

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