Good morning, Portage.

Local governments and nonprofits are offering a winter shelter program with up to 210 nighttime beds (plus 25 extra during extreme weather) and over 200 day shelter spots starting Nov.

2 and running until March 31, 2027. The $979,398 program is supported by agencies including Portage.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, 28 high school marching bands will compete at Portage Northern High School in the final local competition before preliminaries, with gates opening at 11:30 a.m. and tickets at $13 for adults, $11 for students, or $35 for a family package (available at the gate or online).

On Oct. 21, Holtec removed a damaged nuclear fuel assembly from the reactor vessel at the Palisades plant near South Haven.

Workers transferred it by special equipment to a protective canister and spent fuel pool (ensuring safe progress toward restarting the facility).

WMU students have mixed views after the city approved a permit for Frat 15 LLC to convert a former sorority house on frat row into a recovery home for students; the program, led by Frat 15 LLC + WMU's Unified Recovery Clinics, will soon offer recovery support and treatment.

WMU director confirmed that the game against Toledo is set for noon Saturday at the Glass Bowl despite a chemical spill and tank explosion that led to evacuations and hospital treatments earlier in Toledo.

Officials say the release has slowed + conditions remain stable.

Loy Norrix offensive lineman Jakari Lipsey — a four star recruit from Kalamazoo — was honored as a 2027 Navy All-American and is Michigan’s lone selection for the All-American Bowl.

He will play in the game on Jan. 9 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

The Lions will open NFC North play at home against the Packers soon.

Analysts say returning players Brian Branch and Josh Jacobs could lead key shifts in tactics + boost the division matchup.

Paw Paw has jumped to No. 2 in the local football power rankings and will test its four-game win streak against Vicksburg today.

Portage Central, carrying a seven-game streak after an early setback, prepares for a road game at St. Joseph as the season nears its close.