Good morning, Portage.

A memorial service is planned tomorrow to honor Oshtemo Township firefighter Charlie Sullivan, who died in a motorcycle crash last week — the service begins at 11 a.m. at Kalamazoo First Assembly of God and is followed by a procession that will end at Fieldstone Grill for a private wake.

Drivers across Michigan pay 14-cents more per gallon today compared to last Monday with Triple-A Michigan reporting an average of $3.10, and the range spans from $3.15 in Ann Arbor to $2.84 in Traverse City—figures that reflect a rise from last month.

Early childhood educators in southwest Michigan will gain monthly stipends from a $1.6 million grant from MiLEAP and the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District that will support qualified workers—$200 for part-time and $300 for full-time roles—from January 2026 through August 2027.

Green Development LLC has proposed a plan to build 39 single family homes on vacant land across from Oshtemo Township Hall in Oshtemo Township, but local officials say the scheme needs more support for low-income families—county commissioner Montez Morales and consultant Joe Agostinelli both criticized the plan's affordability measures. The proposal, which includes renting 8 homes at reduced rates and sought a brownfield tax increment financing plan, passed with one abstention and two votes against.

Portage Central sophomore Cam Noe landed his sixth Division-I offer from Iowa after an official visit over the weekend—his second Big Ten offer after Minnesota made its offer in June.

Local football fans can soon vote for a top player from 18 Kalamazoo-area high school teams based on playoff games.

Voting opens at 8 a.m. Friday Nov. 14 and the winner will be announced later that day—key plays from Portage Central and Kalamazoo United are highlighted.

Christmas Jellycat Launch Party

5-7 p.m. — troVe — Free entry — Celebrate the launch of the Christmas Jellycats with a chance to win a Jack Jellycat Purse with each purchase.

WMU Turkey Trot

8:30 AM — Student Recreation Center — Registration fees apply — Participate in a festive 5K run or walk, either in person or virtually.

KAR Turkey Trot Time Prediction Run

2-3 p.m. — 7361 Moorsbridge Rd, Portage, MI — Family-friendly fun — Participate in a holiday tradition predicting your race time in this community run.

Portage Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration

6-8 p.m. — Celery Flats Historic Area — Free entry — Celebrate the season with tree lighting, Santa visits, and festive activities for the whole family.