Good morning, Portage.

Lynn Chen+Zhang and Charles Zhang will be honored today in New York for receiving the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

The couple is recognized for contributions to business, public service and philanthropy in our local area.

The Broncos Kitchen Foundation received a $6,000 grant from the Mike and Sharon Seelye Family Foundation to serve free meals for homeless citizens, seniors, and veterans in Kalamazoo County this summer — meals will be offered at several sites starting in June.

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission approved a one buck per year rule for hunters in the Lower Peninsula beginning in 2027.

The change, decided in a meeting in Gaylord, aims to boost the buck-to-doe ratio and improve deer population structure.

The Michigan state House approved a bill on May 14 that forgives up to four extra snow days for schools in 60 counties hit by mid-March storms; the measure now moves to the state Senate (House Bill 5797) (sponsored by Rep. Parker Fairbairn).

Portage City Council approved the $56 million Paisley at Portage Creek mixed-use development near City Hall, the new farmers market and public safety headquarters on Tuesday, May 12.

The project will include six buildings + 178 apartment units and revised stormwater features to protect nearby wetlands.

The Kalamazoo-area girls soccer district brackets for 2026 have been released, featuring Division 1 quarterfinals at Portage Northern on May 19 and scheduled matchups through May 29 (regional semifinals will be played June 2).

Vicksburg sophomore Lyla Veldt broke her school's discus record with a 125'10 throw on Monday, May 11 at the Southwest Michigan Throwers Classic (the previous record had stood since 1972).

She was named top underclassmen athlete by MLive Kalamazoo and remains undefeated in the Wolverine Conference.

Light Saber Kids Combat Discovery Class

10 AM - 11 PM — BSD Dance Studio — Free entry — Learn the basics of light saber combat and unleash your inner fighter in a fun, engaging environment.