Good morning, Portage.

Portage honored six elementary students in a birthday card contest marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence at a recent city council meeting.

Winners, whose cards are on display at City Hall, received certificates and an American flag flown over the Capitol.

Robert Morris Park in Comstock Township will be open this weekend for the Fourth of July holiday with added security—after a car threatened a gate attendant and amid weeks of reported violence—to help ensure visitor safety.

State health officials warn that a rare cyclosporiasis outbreak has sickened over 170 people in eastern counties, and although no cases have been reported in Kalamazoo (our area remains safe for now), residents should wash produce and follow good hygiene ahead of holiday weekend plans.

Beacon Health transformed its Kalamazoo hospitals over the past year after acquiring them from Ascension.

The nonprofit introduced reproductive health services, recruited dozens of physicians and clinicians, upgraded its emergency department with a $3.5M renovation, and began transitioning more services in house to improve local operations.

Kalamazoo Central star guard Davier White announced his transfer to Huntington Prep via social media, ending his one-year tenure after a strong season marked by a 21-3 record.

He now moves to compete with a national powerhouse in West Virginia.

2026 PZSC Cars & Cocktails

4-7 p.m. — Portage Zhang Senior Center — Free entry — Enjoy a lively car show with awards, entertainment, and food at the annual Cars & Cocktails event.