Joel Bissell

1 month ago | mlive.com | Joel Bissell

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Despite snow flurries and temperatures below freezing, beer enthusiasts flocked to Bell’s Brewery to ring in spring with the release of Oberon on Monday, March 24. The line snaked around the Eccentric Cafe as hundreds waited in snow flurries to celebrate the change in season. Oberon Day, an unofficial holiday in Kalamazoo, draws people from all over the state to celebrate spring.

1 month ago | mlive.com | Joel Bissell

GRAND RAPIDS, MI-- Another large structure has emerged on Michigan’s second largest city’s skyline as the downtown continues to transform. Construction on the Acrisure Amphitheater, a massive structure nearly the length of a football field, reached the halfway mark last week. MLive was there to capture photos and video, giving you an inside peek of the sprawling site. Pioneer–Barton Malow joint venture, held a “topping-off” ceremony placing the final steel beams for the canopy.

1 month ago | mlive.com | Joel Bissell

Farmers hold tractor rally at Michigan State CapitolLANSING, MI-- It is not everyday that you see tractors taking over the streets around the Michigan Capitol. Tractors began arriving two miles south of the Capitol building as the sun rose Tuesday morning. State Rep. Jennifer Wortz, bundled up on a brisk morning, hopped on her grandmother’s orange Allis-Chalmers tractor to lead a parade of tractors down Washington Avenue toward the Capitol.

1 month ago | mlive.com | Joel Bissell

KALAMAZOO, MI--A popular watering hole in downtown Kalamazoo is closing after three decades on Saturday, March 15. Rugger’s Up & Under, which sold in January, has served the rugby community and countless other regulars for 32 years. The bar will host back-to-back concert evenings, featuring The Mojo Riot on Friday, March 14, and the Hooley for Healing annual fundraiser on Saturday. A former rugby player, Dr. Mark Allen, opened the establishment in 1993 as a place for the rugby community to gather.

1 month ago | mlive.com | Joel Bissell

EAST LANSING, MI--The boys basketball MHSAA semifinals tipped off at the Breslin Center on Thursday. Ishpeming Westwood made the long journey from the Upper Peninsula to take on Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac in the Division 3 semifinals. FULL RECAP: Freshman star powers Pontiac A&T to first-ever D3 boys basketball state finalATA Pontiac defeated Ishpeming, 76-40. Freshman Lewis Overjoy led the Lions with 19 points and five assists as they cruised to Saturday’s state title game.