SW Michigan

When the Salvation Army moved from its home on Van Buren Street to the former McKinley Elementary School at Union and Capital Avenue Northeast, the leadership had hopes of expanding, but the focus then was meeting the immediate needs of the community.

KALAMAZOO, MI -- A charter school that would cater to the specific needs of teenage elite athletes -- specifically in hockey, soccer and figure skating -- is being proposed for the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek area.

KALAMAZOO, MI -- The Kalamazoo City Commission on Monday approved a $40,000 loan to Sarkozy Bakery that will help the bakery reopen. Sarkozy Bakery at 335 N. Burdick St., was destroyed by fire on Feb. 25, 2012. The 34-year-old business had been a fixture in downtown Kalamazoo and had developed a following for its European-style breads, pastries, cookies and appetizers.

PORTAGE, MI -- There are about 15 applicants so far to be the next superintendent of Portage Public Schools, and the final pool likely will have 20 to 25 candidates, said a consultant working with the school board to fill the position.

Above average precipitation in February helped boost the water level of Lakes Michigan and Huron, according to the latest numbers released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. February's water level was 576.15 feet, an increase of 2 inches from January's all-time record low, according to the Corps.