Tuesday, April 8th, 2025

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Good morning, Portage. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 8th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ WMU sophomore Aiden Samko started Sustain and Serve — a group that collects cans and bottles from athletic events for 10-cent deposits to fund aid for the homeless — to support Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes; the group collected 8,000 items in three months and delivered over 100 cheeseburgers downtown on Sunday to help those in need. WWMT
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A crash happened just after 5 a.m. Monday on westbound I-94 near the 69-mile marker in Texas Township — a semi hit a sedan parked partly in the lane and the sedan driver was taken to a local hospital while the semi driver was unharmed — as deputies investigate the incident. WKZO
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Portage Central High School reopens today after a weekend fire caused by an electric golf cart igniting in the loading dock on April 5. Fire crews quickly contained the blaze—district officials say minimal damage allowed a safe return to classes. MLive
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ County officials are partnering with the national non-profit Undue Medical Debt to forgive bills for residents who earn less than four times below the federal poverty level and owe more than 5% of their income — the organization pays pennies on the dollar to cover the debt. The county and city of Kalamazoo have contributed funds and are setting up a webpage to launch the program soon. WKZO
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ More than 22,000 pounds of Johnsonville cheddar bratwurst are under recall after hard plastic pieces were reportedly found in the sealed 19-ounce firm tray packages produced on Feb. 5 plus the issue affects products distributed in Michigan and other states. Consumers are urged not to eat the recalled items but to dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase. MLive
- ➤ The state of Michigan has allocated $56M to create 13 crisis stabilization units that offer a short-term alternative to emergency rooms and psychiatric hospitals. The first unit at 1701 Olmstead Road in Kalamazoo is under construction and will be ready by July (with 12 bedrooms, lounge spaces and a dining area) to serve patients 24 hours regardless of insurance. WWMT
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Three local units have begun using a new brownfield redevelopment strategy to fund housing subsidies in Kalamazoo County. In Portage, the city will allow two new apartment complexes to receive funding that will offer lower rents for about 10% of units — while a plan approved last week in Pavilion Township will build 275 homes starting at $400,000. WKZO
SHOP NEWS
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SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Portage Central linebacker Charlie Jilek, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound junior, committed via social media on Monday morning to play college football for a Big 12 program in the Sunshine State. MLive
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Portage Free Tree Giveaway
10 AM – 1 PM — Ramona Park — Free trees for residents — Help restore Portage’s natural landscape post-tornado with a free tree giveaway event.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Welcome to the Daily Portage, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Portage, Michigan community. If you like the Daily Portage, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Portage.
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