Good morning, Portage.

R.W. LaPine will expand its operations in Comstock Township and St. Joseph by adding 70 jobs and enlarging its Comstock headquarters by 42,000 sqft along with a new 10,000 sqft space in St. Joseph.

New roles for tradespeople will pay a starting rate of $35 an hour.

Portage Central High School marching band practiced its 2026 'Prism' program at band camp on Tuesday, Aug.

11, combining separate sessions of marching and music to refine the new show. The group will complete the performance within a month (featuring innovative props and diverse songs).

WMU expanded its Bronco Bound Guarantee to include KCC students, offering automatic admission, scholarship eligibility, and a streamlined transfer process when they complete an associate degree, as confirmed at a signing ceremony Wednesday at WMU's student center.

Kalamazoo College joined MI College Match to offer direct admission to qualified students across the state without a full application.

The initiative launches this fall with the first round of offers in early October.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned residents on Wednesday, Aug.

12 that scammers use spoofing technology to impersonate bank and credit union officials and request personal information+ she advised consumers to verify caller identities and avoid sharing sensitive details.

Ramona Park Beach on Long Lake was closed Wednesday after water tests showed elevated E. coli levels (333.29 per 100 ml) that exceeded state standards.

Health officials collected new samples and will notify residents when the beach can reopen.

Ten high school football games are set for the 2026 season, including an opener as Portage Central faces Toledo Central Catholic on Friday, Aug.

28 and key rivalry matchups at Portage Northern, Schoolcraft, and others across the region. Fans can expect fierce competition and top talent throughout the season.

Gull Lake canceled its varsity football season Tuesday, which forces nine local teams like Portage Northern to choose between an automatic forfeit win and scheduling a replacement game.

The schools must secure a new opponent by Sept. 10 or settle for a forfeit win (which may affect playoff points).