Portage News

As Southwest Michigan motorists enter the long Memorial Day holiday, then will find many gas stations selling regular in the $3.70s. But the big increase has led to just as big a decrease and gas prices in the area are almost back to where they started at the beginning of the week, according to the list of stations on GasBuddy .

Francis Max Smith has never forgotten how lucky he was to survive World War II and will always remember those who did not, especially two Scotts men he called a brother and a high school best friend 70 years ago.

Vintage moped enthusiast Daniel Kastner is re-rooting his 10-year-old moped business in Kalamazoo, and he's brought some creative friends with him.

A 19-year-old from Schoolcraft went to jail and his 15-year-old companion, from Portage , was released to his parents after the two were found with electronics, jewelry and other items police believe they took from vehicles.

A few more gas stations in Southwest Michigan crept below $3.80 for regular on Wednesday and into this morning.

Saying it intends to better serve its clients "and provide innovative services for all commercial real estate needs in Western Michigan," the Indiana-based Bradley Company has jumped into the Michigan market, opening an office here in Portage.

Not only does the boy next door play the piano and sing, he also smiles irresistibly while he does what his talent commands him to do.

Prices at many Southwest Michigan stations started going up last night to $3.99, which is highly unusual.

The Portage Public Schools Board of Education has approved a one-year contract for the members of the Portage Education Association that continues to freeze base pay scale at the 2011-12 level, but will give teachers "step" increases.

Lin'Z Lamarr Bates, 35, of Interfaith Boulevard, was sentenced to 92 days in jail, two years of probation and ordered to pay state fees for third-offense domestic violence in December in Kalamazoo.

"I'm very happy to be back," Kastner said. "I didn't realize how much I missed it, and there's so much opportunity here.

Kalamazoo County Deputies are looking for a suspect who stabbed a man at a home in the 67-hundred block of Colgrove Avenue in the Pavillion Estates Mobile Home Park early Saturday morning.

The Portage Public Schools Board of Education may never say that it violated the Open Meetings Act when its members all but chose one finalist for superintendent through private meetings and email exchanges .

A 22-year-old Portage man was taken to the hospital early Saturday morning with multiple stab wounds.

As Kalamazoo Bike Week comes to a close today, five events give cycling enthusiasts plenty to chose from: Bike Camp: T he first of four Saturday sessions held at the Portage YMCA, session 1 of Bike Camp starts at 8:30 a.m. For registration and information, go to kalamazoobicycleclub.org. Mayors' City to City Ride: Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell and ... (more)

Brighton Superintendent Greg Gray, center, talks with Portage Public School Board Trustees Rusty Rathburn, left, and Geoff Howe before Gray's April 18 public interview for the Portage superintendency.

Christy Klien, who has been interim director of the Portage District Library since January and a staff member for 17 years, including head of youth services, is the new library director.

Barbara Byrum, a former three-term Michigan State Representative and current Ingham County clerk, speaks to members of the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party on Thursday, May 16 at Theo and Stacy's Restaurant.

An "American Pie" mix of flowers called jams and jellies waves "hello" in the wind, welcoming visitors to the Portage District Library in clustered, staggered rows.

Good morning. It's Friday and you're reading Kalamazoo Today, a daily look at what's happening in Southwest Michigan.