KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A new ad hoc committee picked to decide the location for Kalamazoo’s new youth sports complex has been put on a fast track.

The Kalamazoo County board waived their usual procedures and filled the seats immediately after they created them this week, without the usual interviews or applications.

The new facility, which will provide space indoors for eight basketball or 16 volleyball courts will attract sports tournaments from all over the region.

Board chair Jen Strebs says their appointments took effect immediately and the committee has been asked to begin meeting as soon as practical.

Commissioner Dale Deleeuw praised tourism director Jane Ghosh for spearheading this effort.

Backers of the project feel that expediting the process will help them beat other communities that might get the same idea.

Up for consideration are sites in Portage, Kalamazoo and Texas Township. Ad hoc members will have to weigh several factors before picking which one is best.

Among the members are Kalamazoo Vice Mayor Jeanne Hess, Portage City Manager Pat McGinnis & Texas Township’s Brooke Hovencamp, two county commissioners, representatives from the hotels, the business community, sports organizations and tourism bureau.

The Travon Walker Foundation announced the six Georgia Bulldogs who will be attending the Travon Walker Youth Football Camp and Funfest, slated for June 14.

CJ Allen, Chris Cole, Monroe Freeling, Jordan Hall, Justin Williams, and Colbie Young are expected to attend as part of a contribution from the Classic City Collective.

The six Bulldogs will be available to sign autographs from 4:30-5:30 p.m. before they host activities during the camp portion of the event.

The cost for an autographed photo is $25 each and includes an additional item. All proceeds will benefit the Travon Walker Foundation.

Those interested in registering for the Funfest portion can do so at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnjNMNkFll2NJgIJBolWsxlh5qvz2rFHjNDn5PNQpgXx_Ptg/viewform.

Youth Fair 2025 Frog Jump Committee Van and Frog Mascot. Photo by Tori James

The sun shone down on the 2025 Youth Parade in downtown Angels Camp, setting the pace for its 77th running on the opening day of the Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee.

Sponsored and hosted each year since 1948 by the Soroptimist International of Calaveras County (SICC), a local chapter of the global volunteer organization supporting education and training for women and girls, the parade led off with a banner from that group.

Hosted by co-masters of ceremony Sarah Oskey of the Soroptimists and Edward Jones and Morgan Gace of Habitat of Humanity Calaveras and Hide + Barrel, the pair peppered their pass-in-review parade announcements with numerous homespun puns, quips and knock-knock jokes. The attending all-ages crowd of around 400, well-sprinkled with youngsters and teens was heard at several points both laughing and groaning at the jokes.

This year’s Grand Marshals, local high school seniors Hailey Jane and Fathom Williamson, were the top winners of the Soroptimist Violet Richardson volunteerism award. Among the other honored guests marching down Main Street were Korbin Asbury and Ainsely Ahrens, this year’s Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher. Hailing in real-life from Hannibal, Missouri, the original home of celebrated author Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, the pair is this year’s lead couple from the town that was selected to serve as goodwill ambassadors and travel the country and globally to promote the works and life of Mark Twain. The “Tom and Becky” program has been going on since 1956.

The pair was followed by the reigning Miss Calaveras, Arabelle Jones, and First and Second princesses Anastacia Sharp and Ava Weatherby-Plank. The Friends of the Fair’s Destruction Derby car and the 1924 Star truck, driven by Fair Friends Robert and Olga Moncada. 

Sam Berri Towing brought several rigs, each impressively decked out in frog decor, which earned them a Blue Ribbon award.

Wavers, sashayers

Riding in a Stanislaus National Forest truck, Smokey the Bear made an appearance to the delight of the kids along the parade route. Studio 4 School of Dance sashayed behind him. St. Patrick’s Catholic Pre-school won a Blue Ribbon for its impressive turnout of students, parents and families colorfully dressed depicting this year’s Fair theme: Ropin’ Teams and Cowboys’ Dreams. They were followed by AMA Pony Softball, which this year had 200 girls enrolled from across the county, according to the group’s organizers. Another Blue Ribbon went to Mindy’s Top Hat School of Dance for its float and dazzling sequined prancing troupe of several dozen twirling and high-kicking dancers.

Up next came Refuge Christian Preschool, which is hosting the Amani Children’s Choir from Uganda, including students, parents and the members of the choir, which was slated to perform the same evening on the fair’s main stage after which came the Calaveras High School Marching Band. 

Calaveras County Sheriff Rachelle Whiting drove McGruff the crime dog in a red Polaris followed by a rig pulling one of the Sheriff’s Marine Unit watercraft. Following the sheriff, the Jumping Feet Dance Club, a new group formed out of Angels Camp Body Shop fitness studio, which won a Red Ribbon.

Perreault Parade Ponies Phantom and Apache strutted along in their wake, led by Michaele Perreault and her daughter Daniele Perry. They were followed by Mariposa Fair and Rodeo Junior Princess Aurora Kelling and Lil Miss Buckaroos Vivianna Rothrock from Tuolumne County. Another mounted rider was Siri Gilpin of Lavender Ridge Vineyards. Following the equine entries, Girl Scout Troop 1896, which brought a fairytale magic-themed Disney Princess and the Frog float, won Blue Ribbon honors. 

Habitat for Humanity Calaveras in a cool classic rig driven by Scott and Kara Richardson was the next entry. The organization is actively promoting Angels Camp’s 107-home Eureka Oaks project now under construction. Piloting a much smaller truck in its wake were musicians including a guitar-picking driver from the nonprofit Murphys School of Music. On foot right after that was a complement of roundhouse-kicking and play-fighting youth from Moore’s Martial Arts of Murphys and Valley Springs.  

Sierra HOPE, in a truck bedecked in colorful blooms and friendly frogs driven by Board President Sue Brown, helped bring up the rear of the parade along with the Fair’s Frog Van, driven by Frogmeister Ron Dwelley. Sierra HOPE, a nonprofit, which among its other programs runs a community food pantry open to the public the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month, has recently expanded its housing resources and a safe haven for those who are housing challenged to rest and heal after leaving the hospital. 

12U TRAVEL BASEBALL

The Diamond Dawgs went 3-2 this past weekend to take second place in their bracket at the Mother’s Day Madness Tournament.

In the championship game, Collin Bragg hit a two-run home run during a five-run third inning, but the Diamond Dawgs fell 11-5 to the Lake Erie Scouts.

Lukas Youngberg, Jaxson Swanson, Liam Mulkins and Caden Lacki each added a hit for the Diamond Dawgs.

——

The Diamond Dawgs advanced to the championship game with a 10-3 win over the Buffalo Bomb Squad in the semifinals.

A five-run first inning jump-started the Diamond Dawgs to victory.

Caden Lacki went 2 for 2 with two RBIs and two runs scored; Jaxson Swanson singled, drove in two runs and scored two runs; and Jackson Butzer walked twice and scored three runs for the Diamond Dawgs.

Liam Mulkins threw 3 2/3 innings of three-hit ball, not allowing a run while striking out five.

——

The Diamond Dawgs opened bracket play Sunday with a dramatic 12-11 walk-off win over the Springville Bombers.

Trailing 11-7 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, the Diamond Dawgs scored five runs to walk away with the victory.

Owen Carlberg opened the frame with a single and Hunter Nelsen reached on a fielder’s choice. Lukas Youngberg followed with an RBI single and Jaxson Swanson hit an RBI groundout to make it 11-9.

After a walk to Liam Mulkins, Collin Bragg hit a two-run single to right field to tie the game. Bragg advanced to second on the throw home and stole third base before scoring on Curtis Spielman’s game-winning RBI single down the right-field line.

Spielman finished 3 for 3, including a two-run home run during the second inning. Bragg was 2 for 4 with three RBIs and three runs scored while Mulkins was 2 for 2 with three runs scored.

Swanson and Bragg combined for seven strikeouts on the mound.

——

In their first game of pool play Saturday, the Diamond Dawgs lost to the Scouts 10-9.

Liam Mulkins went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored; Lukas Youngberg was 2 for 3 with two runs scored; Hunter Nelsen was 2 for 2 with an RBI and three runs scored; and Jaxson Swanson and Jackson Butzer each singled and drove in a pair of runs.

Mulkins and Caden Lacki combined for six strikeouts on the mound.

In their second game of pool play Saturday, the Diamond Dawgs beat PPT 18-1.

Curtis Spielman threw three innings of two-hit ball, allowing one unearned run while striking out two and walking three. Nelsen threw the final shutout inning with a strikeout and a walk.

Mulkins went 2 for 2 with a three-run home run during the second inning; Collin Bragg tripled and drove in three runs; Lacki doubled twice, drove in three runs and scored twice; Butzer went 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored; and Spielman drove in a pair of runs and scored twice.

DISTRICT 38 LITTLE LEAGUE

Jackson Butzer, Jackson Brady and Curtis Spielman combined on a five-hitter with 15 strikeouts and just one walk as Frewsburg’s Moonlight Electric beat the Gerry Jammers 8-2 on Wednesday.

Maverick Moore went 2 for 3 with three RBIs and a run scored; Alex Rosenow had an RBI triple; Butzer hit an RBI double; and Jayden Wiggins hit an RBI single for Moonlight Electric.

JAMESTOWN CAL RIPKEN

MINORS DIVISION

Santino Yarber, Joey Lombardo and Rocco Hammond pitched well as the Kiwanis Club beat the Tarp Skunks 8-1.

The offense was led by Lombardo and Yarber, having three hits apiece. Dom Pappalardo had two while Nolan Farrar and PJ Zahm each had a hit.

For the Tarp Skunks, Nicholas Lewis and Jason Yuknis each had a hit. Jack Breen, Sawyer Anderson and Owen Johnson had three strikeouts on the mound while Johnny Lamancuso and Nicholas Lewis each struck out two.

——

Cusimano Collision beat Rodger’s Surveying 9-8.

For Cusimano Collision, Joey Paterniti had two singles and an RBI; Easton Nary a two-run triple; and Izyk Pacheco had three singles and three RBIs, including the game-winning hit and RBI. Trenton Johnson, Remy Monn and Toby Thornton each had an RBI.

For Rodger’s Surveying, Paxton Nickerson, Dominick Robbins, Easton Tobias, Landon Conti, Hudson Slojkowski, Paige Nickerson and Ari Genco all had hits.

JAMESTOWN CAL RIPKEN

ROOKIES DIVISION

Shults Auto Group took down Lewis and Lewis 16-5.

Nico Yarber, Cyrus Strudwick, Mikey Paterniti, Tommy Paterniti and Brenna Paterniti led the way with multiple hits apiece. Leading the way on defense again was Tommy Paterniti for Shults Auto Group.

For Lewis and Lewis, Zelynd Davenport went 3 for 4 with great plays at shortstop and Killian Madden went 3 for 3 with some nice stops at second base.

SOUTHERN TIER GIRLS BABE RUTH SOFTBALL

MAJORS DIVISION

Kori Froman and Lola Van Akin were top offensive players for Panama’s Neil’s Propane in a win over Falconer’s Blackstone Advanced Technologies.

Bristol Feldt of Panama made some great defensive plays.

Cecilia King made some great defensive plays for Falconer while Livianna Cersosimo stood out offensively.

SOUTHERN TIER GIRLS BABE RUTH SOFTBALL

MINORS DIVISION

Aubrie Swanson stood out defensively and Oaklyn Moller was the top offensive player as Frewsburg’s Moonlight Electric won over Southwestern’s AKS Property Management 15-2.

Avery Kier was AKS Property Management’s top defensive player and Jenna Smith stood out on offense.

——

Jamestown led the way with Kylee Darr and Madelyne Classon had two doubles apiece while Rilee Seeley had two doubles along with three RBIs to help Jamestown beat Panama 18-16.

Seeley, Margaret Schnars and Classon pitched for Jamestown, which received strong defensive plays from Gionnna McCreedy with an out at home and Isabella Ortiz with an out at third base, along with the entire combination of the team.

Panama had a strong defense with three hits by Isla Moats as well as two hits by Emma Brewers and many others making it a close game.

——

Frewsburg’s Moonlight Electric secured the win over Frewsburg’s Reale’s Garage 13-11.

Kyrah Marucci stood out on offense for Moonlight while Taylor Vullo was the standout offensive player for Reale’s.

Defensively, Caroline Minor (Moonlight) and Finley Chitester (Reale’s) were recognized.

SOUTHERN TIER GIRLS BABE RUTH SOFTBALL

ROOKIES DIVISION

Last Saturday, a tie game between The Pine Cone Creamery team from Jamestown and Neil’s Propane from Panama featured a double play by Kenzi Darr and Olivia Marino from Jamestown with their teammates A’Ari Butler and Emma Weinert each bringing in three RBIs.

Emma Nixon helped Neil’s Propane with a hit during the final inning to help her team tie the game while Nora Maher produced some key outs on defense.

——

Frewsburg’s Fredonia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram beat Falconer 12-10.

Leading the way for Frewsburg were Lucy Fuller with three hits and a run scored; Charlotte Wilson with four hits and a run scored; and Cayley Raymond and Gabriella Rosenow with two hits apiece.

——

Jamestown’s Pine Cone Creamery won its second game of the season, 18-14 over Randolph.

Fiona O’Hagan hit a line drive into the outfield and took two bases. Eden Langworthy made a great defensive play as first base fielding a grounder and getting the runner out.

——

Jamestown beat Falconer 12-10.

Fiona O’Hagan hit one past second base and Olivia Marino had two RBIs for Jamestown.

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin on Tuesday unveiled a proposed $591 million budget for Fiscal 2026 that includes money for street resurfacing, public safety, and for the first-time $500,000 for Park and Recreation youth sports.

Earlier this year the Birmingham Crime Commission delivered a report for reducing homicides and gun violence in the city that recommended “expanding after-school programs and recreational opportunities to divert youth from criminal behavior” by reimplementing Police Athletic Teams/League (P.A.T.).

Woodfin said a detailed plan for youth sports league “… a holistic approach that touches multiple sports,” could come as soon as next week, he said.

The city’s fiscal year begins July 1.

While the $500,000 for youth sports is a small amount of the budget, which is up from the $582 million last year, it’s part of nearly $10 million in youth investments that include $2 million Birmingham Promise for City School students: $1 million for financial literacy in schools and $1 million for conflict resolution for students.

“This budget represents our shared priorities,” Woodfin said. “We will continue to invest in our neighborhoods to resurface streets, invest in sidewalks and traffic calming, and remove blight. These are common requests from our residents that we are committed to providing.”

Here are budget priorities as outlined by the city:

NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION

• • Street Paving: $15 million
  • Weed Abatement: $3 million (up $250,000)
  • Demolition: $2 million (up $500,000)
  • Sidewalks: $1 million
  • Traffic Calming: $500,000
  • Recycling: $300,000

PUBLIC SAFETY AND VIOLENCE REDUCTION

• • Police vehicles: $1 million (part of $6 million rolling stock investment)
  • Common Ground Conflict Resolution in BCS: $1 million
  • Park and Recreation Safe Haven Initiative: $625,000 (up $125,000)
  • RESTORE Youth Re-entry Initiative: $450,000 (up $225,000)
  • Additional Community Violence Intervention: $1.5 million

HOMELESSNESS

• • Services for the Unhoused: $1.5 million (new funding)
  • Community Development Block Grants: $800,000 (estimated, annually)

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

• • Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority: $11 million
  • Birmingham Xpress Bus Rapid Transit: $3 million
  • Birmingham on Demand Powered by VIA: $2.5 million

 CITY EMPLOYEES

• • 1 percent Cost of Living Adjustment for All Employees: $4.225 million
  • 5 percent Merit Pay for Eligible Employees: $3.9 million
  • Longevity Pay for Eligible Employees: $1 million
  • The City Covers All Healthcare Benefit Increases for City Employees: $3.6 million
  • City Contribution to Pension Fund: $40 million (estimated pending actuary’s report)

Meanwhile, the Birmingham City Council has set a public hearing for Wednesday, June 4 at 5:30 pm to discuss the proposed FY 2026 budget. That meeting will be held in the Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall.

The budget proposal can be viewed at www.birminghamal.gov/2026budget.

kAm%96 ?@?4@?E24E 42>A 56D:8?65 7@C 2== 6IA6C:6?46 =6G6=D 2?5 H:== 7@4FD @? E6249:?8 E96 32D:4 7F?52>6?E2=D 2?5 E649?:BF6D 2E 6G6CJ A@D:E:@?] x?5:G:5F2= :?DECF4E:@? H:== 36 6>A92D:K65 E@ 96=A 6249 A2CE:4:A2?E 8C@H 4@?7:56?46 2?5 23:=:EJ]k^Am

kAmr2>A6CD D9@F=5 3C:?8 4=62ED @C 2E9=6E:4 D9@6D[ D@4A %\D9:CE @? E96 7:?2= 52J]k^Am

kAm”F6DE:@?D 23@FE E96 42>A 42? 36 5:C64E65 E@ r=2C6>@C6 4@249 y2CC6EE wFCE 2E h`g\egg\`gd`]k^Am