Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 7th of October.
Good morning, Portage.
💼 Business
Local retailers in Portage say the bottle return law has become a burden as over 90% of shops prefer returning bottles off-site.
MIRA is discussing changes with lawmakers — retailers seek to save time and space while nonprofits warn of a loss in charity funds.
Stryker, a Portage-based medical tech company, announced that COO Spencer Stiles will take over as CEO on Jan.
1 while Kevin Lobo becomes executive chair (after a 14-year tenure).
🎓 Education
Kalamazoo Promise will expand in fall 2027 to include historically black colleges and universities—adding more higher education options for KPS graduates with up to 100% tuition support.
🏥 Health
Fred's Pharmacy closed its Vicksburg and Three Rivers stores last week, leaving patients without a local independent pharmacist in West Michigan.
Advanced Health Pharmacy in Portage is expanding services to offer free medication delivery to patients affected by closures — low insurance reimbursements have driven many independent pharmacies to close.
🏈 Sports
A poll to name the top junior boys soccer player is open until Sunday, Oct.
11 at 11:59 p.m. and features 12 candidates including Portage Central’s Nick Tarpley, with the winner to be announced Monday.
Western Michigan hockey will begin its final season at Lawson Arena (the longtime home of Broncos hockey) with a season opener against Ferris State on Thursday.
Coach Pat Ferschweiler and returning players plan to celebrate the arena's history as the team moves next season to the new Kalamazoo Event Center.
The Kalamazoo-area fall sports Athlete of the Week poll is open and welcomes votes for a top local athlete from among 28 nominees until 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct.
9. Fans can see record-setting achievements in games and meets across the region.
Last fall, a sports poll engaged local voters to choose the top junior girls swimmer among 12 Kalamazoo-area candidates, with votes accepted until Sunday, Oct.
11 and the winner announced the following Monday. The contest *part of a fall sports series* highlighted emerging talent for the Class of 2028.
🎉 Portage Events
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