Good morning, Portage.

Portage broke ground on its new Farmer’s Market on East Centre Avenue yesterday — the market will feature three open-air pavilions with 50 covered stalls, ADA-compliant walkways, space for food trucks, picnic areas and a performance area, and it is expected to open in spring.

Two cousins from Detroit opened Tequila's, a new Mexican restaurant near The Crossroads mall in Portage, offering dishes like birria tacos and a range of menu options inspired by Detroit’s Mexicantown.

Located at 700 Martin Luther King Drive, the restaurant opened earlier this week—its happy hour specials run Mondays through Fridays and it will host live mariachi music Friday evenings.

Western Michigan University is hosting its fourth-annual Cybersecurity Summit to teach students, professionals, and small business owners how to protect personal data and prevent cyberattacks.

WRAVEN, WMU’s student-led group, explained that careful action when clicking links can help reduce online risks.

Western Michigan University (WMU) received a $13.7 million grant to support 6th and 7th graders from local school districts by providing academic help, summer camps, tutoring and college tours while following the students through to their first college year.

The initiative will use $1.9 million per year (supporting 22,591 students) and hire volunteers, interns and undergraduate tutors to build lasting college readiness.

The first week of bow hunting season ended and the MDNR reported that hunter numbers have dropped by over 200,000 in the last 20-25 years due to warmer weather, disease concerns and aging hunters who are not being replaced.

Local shops like Kruizenga Archery are now offering free training for kids to help bring new hunters into the sport — a key effort to manage deer populations.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the state budget into law this week—allocating $1.8 billion to fix roads—while House Speaker Matt Hall noted that West Michigan counties will access increased funds in January for local road upgrades.

The new budget is designed to support better road conditions and more reliable transportation across the state.

Comstock Township officials are forming a seven-member committee to address rising homelessness—applications remain open until Oct.

17 and recommendations will be presented to the township board in November.

The Autism Alliance of Michigan said its MiNavigator program lost $2M from Governor Whitmer's new budget, affecting services for more than 4,000 families statewide — including families in Portage who rely on the free support.

Dr. Colleen Allen said the group will continue offering assistance but expects longer wait times until lawmakers restore the funds.

Beacon Health acquired four former Ascension Borgess hospitals and 35 outpatient clinics in southwest Michigan on July 1 and hired 48 new nurses, and the system will invest $70 million in facility upgrades—such as a new electronic record system set to launch on Feb.

1—to improve community care.

Fall Craft Show

10 AM – 3 PM — Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Kalamazoo Regional Program and Training Center — Free entry — Explore over 40 small businesses featuring handmade goods, jewelry, and baked treats.

Trivia Night at The Rooster's Call

6:30-8:30 p.m. — The Rooster’s Call — No cover charge — Test your knowledge and compete in fun trivia games with friends.