News

If you live in Kalamazoo there’s a TOAD in your backyard but it’s no amphibian. It's the TOAD Bicycle Cooperative in the Vine neighborhood where rusty chains and broken frames are dragged in and functional bikes glide out.

Sean Cleary helped start TOAD three years ago. He says, “It’s fifty percent working on bikes and helping people get on the road, and fifty percent doing big rides and having fun, and just having a party on wheels.”

Imagine if, only a few minutes after visiting your favorite political Web page, the police knocked on your door and they took you to jail. People in some countries don’t have to imagine it because they see it happen. So say two journalists who will speak Tuesday, March 26th, at Western Michigan University about the Internet and the fight for democracy. The event starts at 6 p.m. in Room 1920 in Sangren Hall.

A new report recommends creating a state Autism Council made up of professionals, parents and others. The Michigan Autism Spectrum Disorders State Plan also recommends broad access to comprehensive diagnosis to allow for early screening and establishing best practices for educators and service providers. Mary Connors of Kalamazoo is one of the committee members who helped create the report.

Kalamazoo Public Schools reports that Loy Norrix High School is closed Monday because of a water main break. 

The leaders of Western Michigan University's student-run media organizations are hoping that students will support a fee to pay for operations. The proposed $5 per-semester student assessment fee is on the ballot for student elections being held March 25th through the 29th. If students approve the fee, it will then be considered by Western's Board of Trustees.