Good morning, Portage.

Jennifer Farrell’s kitchen window remains wrapped with paper one year after an EF2 tornado damaged her home as her insurance disputes a $15,000 cost for new windows—residents in Colony Woods face long cleanup delays with fallen century-old trees and ongoing repair challenges that may take generations to resolve.

Mikayla Heath and her boyfriend Dale Mann faced a dangerous tornado on May 7th, 2024 when a tree shattered a window near their Portage home, so a neighbor invited her into a safer space, and she promptly called 911 after hearing distressed voices.

Emergency responders took her to a hospital—she delivered her baby girl one week later and the couple is expecting a second child in November.

One year after a tornado destroyed many homes and trees, Portage residents recalled the strong community support that helped launch repair efforts.

City officials said a $50,000 Consumers Energy grant will fund tree planting later this year & continue the restoration of public spaces.

The family of Gene the Pumpkin Man is hosting an estate sale in Kalamazoo to honor his legacy, with the event split into two parts featuring items from his house, garage and farm including his famous golf cart and orange Cadillac—the first part will run from May 14 to 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the second part will be held the first week in June.

Michigan State Police troopers investigated the death of a two-week-old infant in Comstock Township on May 7 after responding to a residence on Henning Street at 6:45 a.m. (they attempted resuscitation before the baby was pronounced dead at Bronson Methodist Hospital) and are now reviewing autopsy and lab results with the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office to check for signs of foul play.

Two $50,000 donations from Consumers Energy and the Portage Parks Foundation were announced yesterday to fund tree clearing and planting projects that will restore Portage’s tree canopy after a tornado hit a year ago — city officials note the funds come amid high removal costs that have strained budgets.

Portage city manager Patrick McGinnis reflected on last May’s tornadoes after the storm caused severe traffic gridlock and $30 million in property damage despite no fatalities—he said nearly $16 million in building permits have been issued for repairs and plans to improve traffic control are in the works. McGinnis credited the city’s emergency training and quick response as key to managing the aftermath.