PORTAGE

PORTAGE, MI – A new speaker is now planned for the city of Portage’s Black History Month event. Former Ugandan refugee and successful entrepreneur Derreck Kayongo will speak Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Air Zoo, 6151 Portage Road. Lt. General Russel Honoré was scheduled to speak but had an unforeseen personal matter and was not longer able to attend, the city said in a news release. Related: Here are 15 ways to celebrate Black History Month in the Kalamazoo areaThe free event opens with a musical performance by Monica Washington-Padula. He will talk about his life story from Uganda to the United States and his guiding principles, S.E.L.F., Service, Education, Leadership, and Faith.

PORTAGE, MI- Portage Public Schools is searching for a new Board of Education member following the retirement of former Trustee Kurt Droppers. Droppers retired on Feb. 27 after serving two terms over the course of eight years, according to a press release from PPS. “The Board will miss Kurt’s unique ability to translate complex financial matters into concepts that were easy to understand,” Board President Randy Van Antwerp said in a press release. Applicants need to be a registered voter and resident of the PPS district, a Michigan resident for up to 30 days and at least 18 years of age. The board will meet to review applications on Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. to make the appointment or select candidates to interview.

PORTAGE, MI – Portage Public Schools test scores on the state standardized test were down in 2022, according to a report presented to the school board this month. “We set very high standards for ourselves.”The pandemic is partially to blame for the drop in test scores, school leaders said. Here’s a look at the fifth grade test scores for all three student groups in 2022 versus the average from 2017 to 2019. Click here)(Can’t see the chart on fifth grade math scores? Economically disadvantaged high school students saw no change in ELA performance and a 1 percentage point decline in math performance.

KALAMAZOO, MI – Statements a woman made to police while being questioned about a homicide are not allowed as evidence, based on a ruling by a judge. Any statements Colon made at that time will be suppressed as evidence, Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge Paul Bridenstine said in an oral opinion Jan. 26. The Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the ruling and what impacts it has in proving the case, Prosecutor Jeff Getting said in an email statement. She was not in custody at that time but remained at the station while Portage police investigated and found Albolowi’s body, Bridenstine said. “The prosecutor has to find some other evidence absent Ms. Colon’s statements.”Colon is denied bond and is in the Kalamazoo County Jail.

PORTAGE, MI — Property owners living just above the federal poverty line may now be eligible to receive tax breaks in the City of Portage. The Portage City Council this week adopted a resolution, setting poverty guidelines at 120% of the federal poverty line, meaning those living just above the poverty line may be eligible for the same tax breaks that those living at or below the federal line are. According to the most recent census data, 7.84% of Portage residents live at or below the federal poverty line, which for 2022 was set at $13,590 for a single household. For each additional resident in a household, the federal poverty level increases by $4,720 per person. • Household income may not exceed 120% above the federal poverty income guidelines as updated annually by the United State Department of Health and Human Services.

PORTAGE, MI – A new urban winery in Portage wants to be a gathering place for the community. Customers can enjoy wine and elevated food at 468 Urban Winery, 8842 Portage Road. From there the idea grew into the opening of an urban winery. 468 Urban Winery is a cashless business. The first one planned is a couples charcuterie board making night with The Grazing Table Feb. 22.

PORTAGE, MI — The Haverhill water tower in the city of Portage is getting a face-lift. The Portage City Council unanimously approved two contracts totaling $919,100, to go toward the rehabilitation, construction and engineering of the water tower during its Tuesday, Jan. 24 meeting. The water tower is in Haverhill Park off Hampton Street, near Oakland Drive. Four contractors submitted bids for the rehabilitation work with the low bidder, G & L Sandblasting and Coatings, LLC., of Shelbyville, Tennessee, coming in at $837,250. Other bidding contractors for the rehabilitation work included: Viking Painting of Nebraska, at $993,400; TMI Coatings of Minnesota; at $1.17 million; and LC United Painting of Sterling Heights, bidding $1.23 million.

SOUTH HAVEN, MI – A new grant will make rescuing people trapped in a confined space easier for the South Haven Area Emergency Services. Seven harness sets and seven 200-foot-long ropes were purchased by SHAES with a $5,000 grant from the New Covert Generating Facility, a news release said. The New Cover Generating Facility that sponsored the grant is also a plant that SHAES would respond to if there is a confined space rescue needed, the release said. Confined space rescues cover a variety of things, including if someone runs out of oxygen in a manhole or is trapped in an industrial space, Kenreich told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette. There are some industrial facilities that have paint booths or enclosed areas where companies mix chemicals, which could also need confined space rescues, he said.

PORTAGE, MI-- For those who love marijuana, they will never be empty-handed thanks to Lake Effect opening a 24/7 drive-thru. The new highly visible location close to I-94 is Lake Effect’s latest effort to attract and retain customers in the increasingly competitive legal cannabis market in Michigan.

PORTAGE, MI – Firefighters rescued a man from a Jeep stuck on railroad tracks seconds before a train hit the vehicle. The Jeep driver had severe back pain and was unable to get out of the vehicle himself, the department said. As firefighters started assessing the man, the train crossing signal began flashing and a train whistle was heard. Firefighters were able to drag the man out of the Jeep about 15 seconds before a freight train hit the Jeep, according to a video of the incident. The Jeep driver was taken to a hospital for treatment.

PORTAGE, MI – Wayne State’s 2023 football roster will have some Southwest Michigan flavor following Thursday’s commitment from Portage Northern running back XaVior Tyus. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound senior committed to the Detroit-based Division II program via Twitter, making him the second Northern athlete from the 2023 graduating class set to join the Warriors, after Huskie quarterback Cane Mack made his college decision in July.

Firefighters in Portage rescued a man seconds before a train collided with his Jeep after it rolled onto its side on the railroad tracks following a crash and it was all caught on camera.

PORTAGE, MI -- Portage Public Schools has removed “Push: A Novel” by Sapphire from the district’s general library collection. A parent made a complaint against the book’s inclusion in the district’s catalog at the Dec. 12 PPS Board meeting, alleging the book was too graphic for students. The book is not currently available for checkout and is under review by the district’s librarians, PPS spokesperson Michelle Karpinski said. The parent said the book is inappropriate because it has a graphic description of a child being molested. The book was published in 1996 and the district doesn’t have details on why the book was initially acquired, Karpinski said.

PORTAGE, MI-- Portage Public Schools’ Amberly Elementary School is next on the list of elementary schools in the district to get a new building. Portage Schools Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jhonny Edwards announced Amberly Elementary would be the next elementary school to be replaced at the Jan. 16 Portage Schools Board meeting. Central Elementary and Haverhill Elementary were previously announced as the first two elementary schools to receive new buildings. Central and Haverhill Elementary Schools have not received official groundbreaking dates but the groundbreaking for both is estimated for the summer of 2023. Staff members at Amberly Elementary will have the chance to go through an engagement cycle and those engagement sessions will begin as early as next week, Edwards said.

PORTAGE, MI – The Secretary of State office in Portage is closing for a week. A remodeling project will have the office at 603 Romence Road closed from the end of the day Friday, Jan. 13 and reopen Monday, Jan. 23, a news release said. The office will not reopen Tuesday, Jan. 17, unlike other SOS offices. Carpet will be replaced throughout the Portage office, the release said. The Kalamazoo SOS office, 3298 Stadium Dr., and the Battle Creek Office, 5420 Beckley Road, are open normal hours.

PORTAGE, MI -- The Crossroads mall, where several Metro buses stop every the day, is asking for the bus service to pay for its use of the roads and other impacts to the mall facility. Sawicki said she supports the bus service, but the mall needs to come to an agreement with Metro or else the bus system will have to make modifications about how it uses the property. The Reciprocal Easement Agreement calls for each of those business in those mall outparcels along Ring Road to pay based on the square footage of their facilities to use the mall roads. “The others that use our road pay for impact,” she said. If the mall is not going to allow direct access, Metro will look at alternatives either using the mall roads or off site, he said.

PORTAGE, MI — Tentative plans for 40 single-family condominium homes on the south side of Portage were approved Tuesday night by the city council. Initially recommended for approval in mid-December by the Portage Planning Commission, city council voted unanimously on Tuesday, Jan. 10, to approve plans for the McConley Cove Development. To be developed by AVB, who has plans to break ground in the spring, McConley Cove will be located on a 16.25-acre parcel northwest of 1075 Bacon Ave. Plans call for AVB to develop a 100-foot-wide parkway named McConley Cove Way that will connect both Chaucer Avenue to the south and Gulfport Trail to the north. Related: After banner year for development, Portage looks at continued emphasis on housingThe McConley Cove proposal consists of 40 new lots for future single-family detached homes with a density of 2.46 units/acre.

PORTAGE, MI — After a year that saw plans for nearly 800 housing units move through planning commission and city council, Portage city manager Pat McGinnis said residents can expect more of the same in 2023. He anticipates over the first half of 2023 to see another 300-400 proposed units to come before the planning commission and city council. While the city is not actively in the business of providing housing, McGinnis said it is in the business of helping developers navigate the process and is interested in bringing housing at all price points online. While owner-occupied developments are what city officials want to see more of, McGinnis stressed the importance of more rental properties being built. “If we want people to continue to work in Portage, and live in Portage, and grow old in Portage, we need to make sure they have got somewhere to live,” McGinnis said.

Leon West, widely revered by his party as the root of success of the Democratic Party in Porter County, died Wednesday in McKinney, Texas at 88. West was the Porter County Democratic Chairman from 1994 to 2007, but he had been nurturing his party’s pathway decades earlier.

Army Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré, known for his role in coordinating military relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina, will appear at this year’s City of Portage Black History Month Celebration. As the commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, Honoré became known as the “Category 5 General” for his leadership in coordinating military relief efforts in post-hurricane New Orleans. The author of books such as “Leadership in the New Normal,” “Don’t Get Stuck on Stupid! Guests to the event can also explore the Air Zoo’s exhibitions before or after the presentation. For more information, visit the Facebook event page or contact the Portage Parks and Recreation at 269-329-4522.

PORTAGE, MI – Coming off a 30-point effort against Traverse City St. Francis, Grand Haven senior Harrison Sorrelle drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key on the Buccaneers’ first possession in Wednesday’s game at Portage Central. The 6-foot-5 guard appeared ready to compile another impressive performance to bolster his average of 25 points per game, but Portage Central was determined to keep Sorrelle in check.

“I’ve been fishing all my life, and it never dawned on me that I would catch a state record,” the fisherman said.

PORTAGE, MI — Addressing a need for housing in the area, Portage Planning Commission and City Council moved 10 new residential projects forward, accounting for 779 new units, over the course of 2022. You’ve got a city council, the leadership, that is directing staff to apply the capacity to make these developer’s dreams come true. The city has also created a new position for a city housing specialist, which they are currently looking to fill, he said. Wild Plum: Just southeast of Pennridge Trail, at 1109 W. Osterhout Ave., is the future site of the Wild Plum housing development. StoryPoint South: A new 172-unit senior housing development, approved by city council on Oct. 18, is expected to break ground this coming May and open in 2025.

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI – Silent Observer has offered up to $5,000 for information into the disappearance of a Portage woman who police suspect was victim of a violent crime. Heather Mae Kelley, 35, the mother of eight, was seen around 10 p.m. Dec. 10 on security video at a Comstock Township business. Related: Police suspect foul play in case of missing Portage womanSheriff’s detectives and Portage police detectives are investigating. Related: Police continue search for missing Portage mother of 8A GoFundMe page raised over $2,000 to provide for her children at Christmas. Read more:New public safety chief has spent 27 years with Kalamazoo department, graduated from WMUActivists skeptical about circumstances behind Kalamazoo public safety chief’s retirementFoundation for Excellence seeks applicants to help manage millions donated to Kalamazoo

PORTAGE, MI — Special assessment rate hikes heading into 2023 have multiple residents frustrated in a Portage neighborhood that is expected to get connected to city sewer and water next year. The fees were among numerous special assessment fees that were approved by the council as part of an annual review of fees. Rates have increased drastically due to supply chain issues and inflation, Kendra Gwin, the city’s director of transportation and utilities, said. The city, which sets its rate based on frontage, caps the costs at 80 feet of frontage, Gwin said. Once the home is connected to water and sewer, the special assessment will stay with the property, not the homeowner, she said.

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Kalamazoo and Portage school districts announced Thursday school will be closed on Friday, Dec. 23 in anticipation of the major winter snowstorm expected to hit Michigan tonight. After school activities on Thursday, Dec. 22 have also been canceled at both districts on Dec. 22, according to the Kalamazoo’s website and Portage’s Facebook page. The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning, a rarity regarding storm intensity, for Southwest Michigan from Thursday evening through Saturday night. Snow accumulations and wind gusts up to 60 mph are expected which will create life-threatening driving conditions on Friday, according to the NWSGalesburg-Augusta Community Schools and Comstock Public Schools in Kalamazoo County are also closed Friday. More on MLiveThis large-scale blizzard will be a rare storm for MichiganThe Weather Channel will have live coverage from West Michigan of major winter stormNational Weather Service: ‘Travel will deteriorate rapidly Thursday evening, become dangerous quickly’

PORTAGE, MI — A deteriorating, floating boardwalk at Bishop’s Bog Preserve is set to be replaced in early 2023. The Portage City Council unanimously approved two items related to the $1.4 million replacement project as part of its consent agenda at its regular business meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20. Additional closures are anticipated if the remaining boardwalk is not replaced, according to city planning officials. The new boardwalk will be constructed to aesthetically match the recently installed boardwalk, according to planning documents. Located off Westnedge Avenue, Bishop’s Bog Preserve features several rare plant species, including the Orange Fringed Orchid and Stemless Pink Ladyslipper.

PORTAGE, MI — Amerifirst Home Mortgage is permanently laying off 59 employees at its company headquarters in Portage in February 2023, according to a state filing. Calls to members of the Amerifirst management team by MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette were not returned prior to deadline. Related: Mortgage rates slow housing sales, but high prices persist“Rising interest rates have impacted the nation’s home mortgage industry including Amerifirst,” CEO Mark Jones said in a statement to MiBiz. The affected employees include one senior level employee/manager, seven first/mid-level officials, 22 professional employees and 29 administrative support workers, per the notice. The Portage and Kalamazoo branches both operate out of the same building at 950 Trade Centre Way in Portage, but are located in different suites of the building.

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI – Police said there is evidence of foul play in the case of a woman who went missing more than a week ago. The car was found near the intersection of Sprinkle Road and East Michigan Avenue, according to her missing poster. Related: Police continue search for missing Portage mother of 8There is evidence with the vehicle that makes police think there was foul play, Fuller said. “That’s why we still continue to work a missing persons case.”The Portage Department of Public Safety is also working the case. Kelley’s family is trying to raise money to help provide her kids a Christmas while she’s missing, according to a GoFundMe.

The development currently being constructed is part of the effort to help solve the county’s housing woes, a township official said. Total project cost is estimated at $64.6 million, according to an application for millage funding submitted to the county. Developers requested $1.5 million in county millage funding earlier this year, and received $936,000, according to the county. The project was the most significant that received county funding, in terms of the total number of units. Through the millage funding, the county is working to create thousands of housing units with funding disbursements over the next eight years.

PORTAGE, MI – Police have launched an investigation after an 18-month-old boy died this week. On Thursday, Dec. 15, the Portage Department of Public Safety responded to reports around 5:50 p.m. of an unresponsive toddler at Anna’s Vineyard Apartments. The toddler was transported to Bronson Hospital where he died on at 9:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 16. Portage police consider the death suspicious due to the “nature of the injuries.”An autopsy will be performed by the Kalamazoo County Medical Examiner’s Office. Anyone with information about the death is asked to contact the Portage Department of Public Safety at 269-329-4567 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

PORTAGE, MI – Police are searching for a woman who was reported missing five days ago on Sunday. She was reported as missing to the Portage Department of Public Safety on Dec. 11, Chief Nick Armold said. Multiple agencies are involved in the search for Kelley, but Armold said he could not comment on the investigation. Her vehicle was found empty on Sunday, near the intersection of Sprinkle Road and East Michigan Avenue, according to the missing poster. Anyone who sees Kelley or has information is asked to call Kalamazoo County Consolidated Dispatch at 269-488-8911 or call 911 if it’s an emergency.

PORTAGE, MI — The Portage Planning Commission recommended approval of a preliminary plan to bring 40 single-family condominium homes to a 16.25-acre parcel on the city’s south side. The commission voted unanimously on Thursday, Dec. 15, to recommend the city council approve plans for the McConley Cove planned development. Plans call for AVB to develop a 100-foot-wide parkway named McConley Cove Way that will connect both Chaucer Avenue to the south and Gulfport Trail to the north. The McConley Cove proposal consists of 40 new lots for future single-family detached homes with a density of 2.46 units/acre. Prices for the homes are anticipated to start in the mid to upper $400,000 range and peak at more than $600,000.

Law enforcement in Portage are growing increasingly worried as they search for a mother of eight who has been missing since Saturday.

PORTAGE, MI -- The Portage Board of Education appointed Ean P. Hamilton to fill a vacant seat on the board during Monday’s meeting. Hamilton was one of 28 applicants who applied to replace school board member Rusty Rathburn, who retired in November, after being on the board since 2008. Related: Portage school board member resigns, district seeking applicationsThe school board voted unanimously in favor of Hamilton, an attorney with children in the district. She said a students education should not be limited by their background or where they live. More on MLivePortage school board president ready to work with newly elected Vote4Change candidatesKalamazoo schools superintendent Rita Raichoudhuri resigns, effective immediatelyNew Year’s Fest to offer 60 performances, ball drop, fireworks and more in Kalamazoo

PORTAGE, MI – At Portage Central, Max Longman was an under-recruited late-bloomer on the football field, who thought that his athletic future would come on the baseball diamond. Three years later, Longman being pursued by at least a dozen Division-I programs, including a Big Ten school, as he decides where to continue his college football career after entering the transfer portal. Six Mid-American Conference schools – Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Ball State, Kent State and Miami (OH) – have also extended offers, as have Memphis, East Carolina and Georgia State. As a senior at Portage Central, Longman earned Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive Dream Team honors and Division 1-2 Honorable Mention All-State recognition from the Associated Press, before matriculating to Amherst, Mass., where he redshirted his freshman year due to injury. Longman is one of three UMass offensive linemen to enter the transfer portal this offseason, and he joins linebacker and Belleville native Aaron Alexander as Minutemen with Michigan ties looking for a new college football destination.

PORTAGE, MI — The Portage City Council approved tentative plans for 38 new single-family homes at the existing Copperleaf Planned Development earlier this week. Overall plans for the development consist of a total of 204 single-family detached homes of 1- and 2-story floor plans spread across 74 acres. The first phase was built out in 2015 with 60 single-family homes hitting the market. It will connect to the existing Copperleaf Trail sidewalk. Open space and vegetation between US-131 and western lots along the new Landrum Trail will be preserved, except where a new neighborhood trail is installed, the proposal states.

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI – Two people were seriously injured Thursday, Dec. 8, in a crash on South Sprinkle Road and East Milham Avenue in Portage. One of the injured victims suffered life-threatening injuries, Portage police said. The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. The driver and passenger in the pickup suffered serious injuries. One of them had life-threatening injuries, police said.

PORTAGE, MI — The city of Portage is set to receive a $500,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to support planned improvements to Lexington Green Park. The improvements were identified as part of a recent city of Portage Capital Improvement Program resident survey, city officials said. “The Land and Water Conservation Fund, in addition to other important grant programs, broadens that access in meaningful ways, whether through expanded hiking trails, increased public water access, or better amenities like restroom renovations and welcoming pavilions at local parks. The park is one of the oldest parks in the city’s parks system. Current park amenities include baseball/softball, basketball, a bicycle skills course, picnic shelters, tennis/pickleball courts and a walking trail.

PORTAGE, MI — Plans are in motion to acquire seven acres of property to expand one of the city of Portage’s two active cemeteries. The Portage City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, Dec. 6, to purchase the acreage, located at 321 E. Osterhout Ave. for $148,000. The property backs up to the east side of the city’s South Cemetery, which is located at the northeast corner of South Westnedge and East Osterhout avenues. The cemetery is one of four maintained by the city, according to information on the city’s website. Central Cemetery, located near the Portage District Library, is the other active graveyard maintained by the city.

PORTAGE, MI – Students, parents and staff will have more help navigating mental health at Portage Public Schools. Marianna Joynt started as the Coordinator of Mental Health Initiatives on Monday, Dec. 5, the district said in a news release. She said there are about 24 mental health professionals who work with the district to help students. Joynt, described as a school-based clinician for 15 years, can help families navigate health insurance and connect with mental health professionals, Miller said. “I think we’ve all obviously known that mental health was an important thing, but the pandemic really put it into high gear and made everyone aware that, hey, there are real consequences to not focusing on students’ mental health,” Miller said.

PORTAGE, MI – Never in Tony Koshar’s first 10 years atop the Otsego girls basketball program had the Bulldogs dropped their first two games of the season, but that’s where his team found itself in Year 11 heading into Tuesday’s tipoff at Portage Central. Thanks to a strong start on the defensive end, Otsego got off the schneid and into the win column with a 48-44 victory against a talented Mustangs team.

KALAMAZOO, MI – A Portage business owner has been sentenced to probation for domestic violence. Geiger previously pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of two counts of misdemeanor domestic violence. He originally was charged with two felony counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Related: Portage business owner accused of sexual assault by former employees pleads to lesser chargesHe was charged in two cases. One case was dismissed and the other one was pleaded down to the domestic violence charges.

PORTAGE, MI -- Community members gathered at Portage City Centre to celebrate the annual Traditional Holiday and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3. Attendees started outside the Mayor’s Tree to hear the reading of an ‘I Love Portage’ poem by a local student before the tree was lit. Alexis Conklin, recreation program manager for Portage Parks & Recreation, said the event requires a year of preparation. Lines quickly formed to take pictures with Santa and to visit Mrs. Claus’ bakery which offered complimentary deserts. Hot beverages were also available in a tent outside with performances by the Portage Northern Choir and Proclamation Choir.

PORTAGE, MI — Ground could be broken on a new apartment complex, to be called Kings Landing, in 2023. The tentative plan consists of three buildings, consisting of a total of 82 apartment flats and 13 townhomes. The developer got the initial approval needed on Thursday night from Portage city officials. Eventually, a motion was made to approve the tentative plan without requiring a traffic plan as that is something the planning commission can require when final plans are presented. As we move forward, obviously in the City of Portage, the density is going to be greater,” Dan Corradini, Planning Commission chairman, said.

PORTAGE, MI - Hillside Indian Cuisine is the Kalamazoo area’s oldest Indian restaurant, and owner Naveen Muthennagari strives to also make it the region’s most authentic experience in Indian dining. Indian Cuisine first opened in Portage in the 1990s along Portage Road as the first Indian restaurant in Kalamazoo County, Muthennagari said. “The model I had coming into this, basically, was to be authentic, let people experience the authentic flavors,” he said. “We’re the only restaurant in the area that offers dosas, which are like an Indian crepe,” Muthennagari said. Plus, the shift to working at home vs. going to the office also hurt lunchtime restaurant business, he said.

PORTAGE, MI – Portage Public Schools is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the seven-member school board. Rusty Rathburn is retiring after 14 and a half years on the Portage Board of Education, a district news release Wednesday, Nov. 23 said. The application is available on Portage schools website. Incumbent Randy Van Antwerp, school board president, was also reelected. Related: 3 newcomers, 2 incumbents elected to school boards in Kalamazoo and PortageThe school board will meet at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 12, to review applications.

PORTAGE, MI -- Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central played against Dexter in the Division 2 state football semifinals on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 19. With a second overtime touchdown, Forest Hills Central defeated Dexter, 20-17. Forest Hills Central will advance to the Division 2 state finals and play against Warren De La Salle Collegiate on Nov. 25 at Ford Field. You can order prints of any of these football photos by clicking the “Buy photo” button in the caption of every photo. MORE MLIVE FOOTBALL COVERAGE:Watch Forest Hills Central football celebrate dramatic overtime state semifinal winGrand Rapids football scoreboard: Here’s who’s headed to Ford Field

PORTAGE – Tim Rogers could barely hold back his emotions. The Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central football coach was nearly moved to tears of joy after watching his team battle back to narrowly defeat Dexter, 20-17, in double overtime of the Division 2 state semifinal game at Portage Northern High School on Saturday.

PORTAGE -- For the first time since 1994, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central is heading to the state championship game. The Rangers clawed back and scored on the final play of regulation to force overtime and then quarterback Mason McDonald found the end zone on a 4-yard run to top Dexter 20-17 in blistering cold and snowy conditions. FHC improved to 13-0 with the win and will play Warren De La Salle for the Division 2 state title on Friday at Ford Field. The Rangers celebrated their victory by sliding through the snow and coach Tim Rogers was emotional as he spoke to the players after the game, calling the win his proudest moment of coaching. Check out FHC’s celebration in the video above.

Pfizer says its updated COVID-19 booster significantly revved up adults' virus-fighting antibodies.

Police have identified the victims of a murder-suicide in West Michigan.

A lawsuit has been filed against the dean of a Michigan high school after a viral video shows alleged child abuse.

Pfizer announced an additional $120 million investment into its Kalamazoo, Michigan facility with an aim to boost production of the company’s COVID-19 oral treatment.

A 17-year-old boy has been missing for four years after he was last seen with a Michigan man who has since been accused of murdering his parents, police said.

A year ago today in December 2020, a huge logistics operation began to ship millions of vaccines to hospitals across the country, and it all centered here in Michigan.

Two suspected gang members who broke into an Oakland County gun store were arrested after police realized they had posed with the stolen guns in a Facebook video, authorities said.

Police say a man wanted in the killing of his 82-year-old father whose body was found last week in his Kalamazoo-area home is now in custody.

Byington said her former boss at WLNS-TV in Lansing has a lot to do with her success on the national stage. In 2017, she was the first woman to call play-by-play for a Big Ten network football game. That same year, she worked the sidelines of the NCAA men’s tournament. “They weren’t asking me as a female broadcaster or as as female play-by-play. I felt three things -- I felt grateful, I felt happy and I felt exhausted.

(AP Photo/Morry Gash, Pool, File)Michigan’s COVID-19 data is showing some red flags as the race to vaccinate picks up steam - a look at the data. (This first appeared in the Morning Report Newsletter -- sign up for it here)Looking at the COVID-19 data in Michigan right now, it’s a bit concerning. This is a BIG data point to watch -- if cases swing up again, but hospitalizations don’t follow, it will tell us a lot about the demographic spreading COVID right now. These two age groups far outpace other age groups in hospitalizations, severe COVID-19 cases and deaths. (As always, you can track COVID-19 data with us right here.

GRAM is proud to partner with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, to support the critical manufacture of their vaccine. Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM) will aid in the manufacturing of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine. The state of Michigan is expected to receive 82,700 doses of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine this week. The J&J vaccine doses are expected in Michigan by Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) said Monday. Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesMichigan also home to Pfizer vaccine manufacturingMichigan already is home to Pfizer vaccine manufacturing at the company’s plant in Portage.

(Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2021, file photo President Joe Biden speaks after a tour of a Pfizer manufacturing site in Portage, Mich. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)WASHINGTON – Watch live coverage as President Joe Biden holds a memorial at the White House for the 500,000 Americans who lost their lives to the coronavirus. The event begins at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. FULL DETAILS: Biden to mourn 500,000 dead while balancing grief and hopeMORE: US tops 500,000 virus deaths, matching the toll of 3 warsWatch Live Coverage

He's expected to be joined by first lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff. Her husband, Anthony Willis, died Dec. 28, followed by her mother-in-law in early January. My whole world is turned upside-down.”The global death toll was approaching 2.5 million, according to Johns Hopkins. While the count is based on figures supplied by government agencies around the world, the real death toll is believed to be significantly higher, in part because of inadequate testing and cases inaccurately attributed to other causes early on. Despite efforts to administer coronavirus vaccines, a widely cited model by the University of Washington projects the U.S. death toll will surpass 589,000 by June 1.

Ramping up vaccine productionFirst, we’ll start with a claim Biden made about the administration’s effort to ramp up vaccine production in the U.S. Biden was referring to his commitment to have 100 million shots administered in American arms during his first 100 days in office. Biden statement: “24 million adults, 11 million children don’t have enough food to eat. It looks like President Biden is using USDA numbers taken during the pandemic, but before the full extent of the pandemic hit. Critics have previously argued that 100 million doses was an inadequate goal to begin with, and hoped that distribution pace would be increased when possible.

Friday was a big day for Michigan as President Joe Biden toured the Pfizer manufacturing facility in Portage. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 579,284 as of Friday, including 15,296 deaths, state officials report. AdMichigan’s 7-day moving average for daily cases was 845 on Thursday -- near the lowest since October. The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 44,800 on Thursday -- near the lowest it’s been since October. New Today: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know Feb. 20, 2021Here’s a look at more of the data:

PORTAGE, Mich. – Friday was a big day for Michigan as President Joe Biden toured the Pfizer manufacturing facility in Portage. Biden witnessed firsthand the 1,300-acre manufacturing site with about 350 ultra-cold freezers holding millions of COVID vaccine doses getting boxed and sent out the door. READ: Biden outlines plan to ramp up US vaccine rollout while at Michigan Pfizer facilityAd“To highlight Portage, Michigan, where Pfizer vaccines are rolling, now we’ve been the epicenter of hope,” Whitmer said. “Every Michigander who wants a vaccine will get a vaccine,” she said. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the WHO, but Biden moved quickly after his inauguration last month to rejoin and confirmed that the U.S. would contribute to COVAX.

AdPfizer is also reportedly on track to ship out 200 million vaccine doses by the end of May this year, two months ahead of their original schedule, Bourla said. To help offer more flexibility to vaccination centers across the country, Bourla says Pfizer is also improving the longevity of stored vaccine doses with a new storage option. Following his tour of Pfizer’s largest manufacturing site, addressing the nation, President Biden thanked the Pfizer employees for their role in producing hundreds of millions of doses of the much-needed coronavirus vaccine. That’s how to beat this pandemic.”Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined President Biden on a tour of the Pfizer facility Friday, her team announced hours after the event. Several shipments of coronavirus vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna have also been delayed to Michigan and other states this week due to severe weather conditions.

Here’s what you missed on Local 4 News at 5:President Biden outlines plan to ramp up vaccine distribution while visiting Portage Pfizer plantDuring his first visit to Michigan since elected president, Joe Biden delivered remarks from the Pfizer manufacturing site in Kalamazoo County on Friday, Feb. 19. President Biden was originally scheduled to visit Pfizer’s largest manufacturing site in Portage on Thursday this week.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)PORTAGE, Mich. – During his first visit to Michigan since elected president, Joe Biden delivered remarks from the Pfizer manufacturing site in Kalamazoo County on Friday, Feb. 19. Recap: Biden outlines plan to ramp up US vaccine rollout while at Michigan Pfizer facilityPresident Biden was originally scheduled to visit Pfizer’s largest manufacturing site in Portage on Thursday this week. AdPfizer is one of two companies manufacturing coronavirus vaccines that have been authorized for widespread use in the United States. Tens of millions of vaccine doses have been produced and shipped out of the Portage facility. Pfizer expects to make a batch of the vaccine in about 60 days, meaning more doses are on the way.

A booking photo of Nicholas Johnson from the Kalamazoo County Jail. (Feb. 9, 2021)PORTAGE, Mich. – A 27-year-old man has been charged with murder in the slayings of his parents whose bodies were found in a wooded area in western Michigan. Nicholas Johnson was expected to be arraigned Thursday in Kalamazoo County District Court. Their bodies were unearthed Friday at Gourdneck State Game Area in Portage, about three miles from their home. Police said their son was found in a storage unit at an apartment building and had his parents’ car.

All rights reserved)LANSING, Mich. – Eight Michigan businesses have been cited for COVID-19 safety violations, including a fire department, a public school district, Twin Peaks in Livonia and a Lapeer diner with 11 violations. Here are the businesses and the violations cited by the state:Memphis Fire DepartmentLocation: Memphis, MichiganFine: $2,000Violations:Not developing an infectious disease preparedness and response plan that helps guide protective actions against COVID-19. Reason for inspection: Employee complaint. Reason for inspection: Employee complaintClick here to view the full citation document. Reason for inspection: Employee complaintClick here to view the full citation document.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan health officials have issued citations to 13 businesses due to violations of the COVID-19 order put in place by the Department of Health and Human Services. “We continue to see improvements in the numbers, and we know that the public health orders we have put in place are working. “The number of cases, the positivity rate, and hospital capacity have declined in recent weeks, taking stress off our hospitals and health care workers,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive at MDHHS. “We will continue to monitor the data and assess for any potential surges in cases after the holidays. Most food service establishments like restaurants and bars have helped play a critical role in the existing decline by following the order.”

PORTAGE, Wis. – A Wisconsin man accused in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer should be extradited to Michigan, but he will be given a chance to appeal first, a judge ruled. Brian Higgins was allegedly part of a crew conducting surveillance of the governor’s vacation home for the kidnapping plot. The Wisconsin Dells man, 52, is jailed in Columbia County until the appeal of his extradition is decided. The plotters planned to storm Michigan’s state Capitol building and kidnap officials, including the Democratic governor, officials said.

DETROIT – As the first vaccinations are being given to frontline health care workers, many are anxious to know when it will be their turn to receive the vaccine. READ: Answering questions about efficacy of COVID-19 vaccineNot surprisingly, many wanted to get this vaccine Tuesday. How will I know when it’s my turn to get the vaccine? Residency is not an issue, just make sure seniors are eligible for the vaccine in the state you’ll be in when the second dose is due and that it will be available. It was not tested along with any other vaccines and the COVID vaccine itself can trigger a day or two of side effects, so it’s best to delay your shingles vaccine a bit if it would conflict with your turn for the COVID vaccine.

FDA reviewers noted four cases of Bell’s palsy -- a temporary weakening of muscles in the face -- among those that received the vaccine. It is still unknown if this is related to the vaccine or not and -- as of Dec. 16, 2020 -- a prior history of Bell’s palsy is not a contraindication to the vaccine. READ: Answering questions about efficacy of COVID-19 vaccineThe FDA is monitoring closely for more potential cases of Bell’s palsy as more people get the vaccine. Although both vaccines are MRNA vaccines, there are differences in the genetic sequences used and the coating used to get the MRNA into our cells. READ: Answering questions about COVID-19 vaccine efforts in Michigan“Do all hospitalized patients with COVID-19 receive the same care as the president did when he was hospitalized?”With the exception of one medication, yes.

PORTAGE, Mich. – The eyes of the nation were on Portage on Sunday as the first batches of the COVID-19 vaccine were shipped out of the city to cities across the nation. It is the biggest vaccination effort in American history. Watching the trucks roll out, many felt proud that the vaccine was made in Michigan. READ: Residents cheer on historic shipment of COVID vaccine from outside Michigan Pfizer plantWatch the video above for the full report. Ask Dr. McGeorge

(AP Photo/Morry Gash, Pool)ANN ARBOR – VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System announced on Monday morning that it was selected as one of 37 VA sites nationwide to receive initial COVID-19 vaccine doses. According to a news release, the VA Ann Arbor Medical Center was selected for its ability to inoculate a large population and store the vials at extremely cold temperatures. In compliance with Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, the Ann Arbor VAMC will start vaccinating veterans in long-term VA health care facilities and health care personnel. Like healthcare systems around the country, VA Ann Arbor will begin a limited-supply phase followed by a mass implementation phase once a large vaccine supply is available. “As more vaccine becomes available, eligible Veterans will be contacted directly to discuss specifics and set appointments to receive the vaccine.”

“Relieved,” proclaimed critical care nurse Sandra Lindsay after becoming one of the first to be inoculated at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York. “I feel like healing is coming.”With a countdown of “3-2-1,” workers at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center gave initial injections to applause. It just represents a moral failing,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, a public health researcher at Johns Hopkins. Getting vaccinated is “a privilege,” said Dr. Leonardo Seoane, chief academic officer at Ochsner Health in suburban New Orleans, after getting his dose. And later this week, the FDA will decide whether to green-light the world’s second rigorously studied COVID-19 vaccine, made by Moderna Inc.

PORTAGE, Mich. – With the shipments of the Pfizer vaccine out of Portage on the way, Michigan’s essential workers -- especially those in the food industry -- are hoping they will be next in line after medical workers to be vaccinated. For months, workers in grocery stores and the food industry have been subjected to some of the worst outbreaks during the pandemic. essential workers are urging they should be next -- as stores continue to fill with holiday shoppers. Michigan’s covid outbreak tracker shows the food industry and retail shops account for nearly 40 current outbreaks statewide. They are still part of the first wave with hundreds of thousands of other workers in essential industries all looking to get vaccinated.

Wayne County is holding a meeting Monday morning to discuss what’s next and Macomb County is expected to receive about 2,000 doses. In November, Macomb County received its first freezer capable of keeping the vaccine stable until ready to thaw. Macomb County will also be storing and distributing for counties north of it -- Lapeer, St. Clair and Sanilac counties. Despite having some of the highest total confirmed cases of coronavirus in Michigan, Macomb County has one of the lowest growth rates in the state. Macomb County officials are expecting its delivery of the vaccine midweek.

Michigan healthcare officials will start distributing the vaccine to frontline workers. Ascension Hospital in Warren and five hospitals in the Henry Ford Health System will be able to store the vaccines in super cold freezers once they arrive. Henry Ford Health System CCO Dr. Adnan Munkarah said the they will be storing the vaccines at its hospitals in Detroit, Wyandotte, Macomb, West Bloomfield and Jackson. They have about 11,000 frontline workers who need vaccines, so a lottery system was set up and the first 1,000 workers know who they are. Frontline workers are asking for all the help they can get to keep that number down.

All rights reserved)DETROIT – The eyes of the nation are on Portage, a city on Michigan’s west side in Kalamazoo County, just west of Battle Creek. The monumental effort to create a COVID-19 vaccine came together Sunday as the first batches were shipped nationwide. It is the biggest vaccination effort in American history. WATCH Local 4 News at 11Metro Detroit weather: Getting colder under cloudy skies, Sunday eveningWe keep a fair amount of clouds around Sunday evening as it gets colder. Overnight lows will be in the low 20s and wind chills in the teens anytime wind speed reaches 5 mph or greater.

PORTAGE, Mich. – The shipments of the Pfizer vaccine out of Portage set in motion the largest vaccination effort in American history. Nearly 3 million doses of the vaccine will be delivered to all 50 states. In Metro Detroit, that includes Ascension Hospital in Warren and Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, which is expecting just under 1,000 initial doses. Beaumont Health is estimating they’ll get about 1,000 doses in the first batch before moving up to about 14,000 Pfizer vaccines as production kicks into high-gear. They have about 11,000 frontline workers who need vaccines, so a lottery system was set up and the first 1,000 workers know who they are.

PORTAGE, Mich. – The eyes of the nation are on Portage, a city on Michigan’s west side in Kalamazoo County, just west of Battle Creek. The monumental effort to create a COVID-19 vaccine came together Sunday as the first batches were shipped nationwide. It is the biggest vaccination effort in American history. From Portage, the doses of the vaccine will be kept in temperature safe packages and transported with GPS trackers and U.S. RELATED: What it takes to safely transport Pfizer’s COVID vaccine to hospitalsThe vaccine will be shipped to those on the front lines of the health care industry and nursing home patients.

After granting Pfizer’s emergency use authorization request for its coronavirus vaccine, the FDA addressed some of the public’s major concerns regarding the vaccine during a news conference Saturday. We want to know: What concerns or reservations do you have about coronavirus vaccines? Following the Pfizer vaccine’s authorization on Dec. 11, Michigan officials have outlined how the vaccine will be distributed in the state in the coming months. Due to limited quantities of and high demand for a COVID-19 vaccine, states are planning to administer the vaccinations in multiple phases, prioritizing individuals who are at greater risk. Read more: Michigan officials: COVID vaccine to be distributed in 4 phases, prioritize frontline workersRelated news

Officials say vaccines should be available to everyone by the middle of next year. For now, only Pfizer's vaccine, which the Food and Drug Administration greenlit Friday, is being shipped. Since the Pfizer vaccine requires two doses, the government is holding back the second shots to ensure people can get them. Colorado, for example, says it's supposed to get 46,800 doses of the Pfizer vaccine in the first round, with more expected in the weeks that follow. Officials say they might adjust once they become more confident about the flow of future supplies.

Workers at the Pfizer manufacturing facility in Portage filled boxes of the first authorized COVID-19 vaccine through the night into Sunday morning. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 430,780 as of Saturday, including 10,662 deaths, state officials report. The state crossed the 10,000 mark in total deaths earlier this week. Officials no longer provide updates on statewide coronavirus data on Sundays. The next data update is expected Monday afternoon.

PORTAGE, Mich. – Workers at the Pfizer manufacturing facility in Portage filled boxes of the first authorized COVID-19 vaccine through the night into Sunday morning. Getting the vaccine delivered across the country is an enormous task. Right now boxes are being packed and loaded with vaccine with emphasis on quality control,” said Gen. Gus Perna, Chief Operation Officer of Operation Warp Speed. Perna said Saturday that shipping companies UPS and FedEx will deliver Pfizer’s vaccine to nearly 150 state locations. “It is so important that all vaccine that is available is utilized as a shot in the arm and nothing is wasted.

PORTAGE, Mich. – On Sunday morning, the first shipments of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will leave the company’s manufacturing plant in Portage, Michigan. You can watch live coverage in the video player below. On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use authorization for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. US officials say the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will begin arriving in states Monday morning. WATCH LIVE COVERAGE

Shots are expected to be given to health care workers and nursing home residents beginning Monday. Initial surveys have found that even some health care workers don't want to be first in line. Dr. Graham Snyder, who's led the vaccine task force at Pennsylvania health care giant UPMC, estimates that about half of its employees are willing to get the vaccine as soon as it's offered. But many health officials expect enthusiasm to grow. The Moderna vaccine will be reviewed by an expert panel Thursday and soon afterward could be allowed for public use.

RELATED: FDA authorizes Pfizer’s COVID vaccine; Michigan will distribute in 4 phasesOnce those shipments are packed and ready to leave Pfizer, it’s a painstaking process to make sure they arrive safely to hospitals. Boxes are loaded with the vaccine, dry ice and GPS trackers because time and temperature are critical. The Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at 100 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. To maintain a sustainable temperature during transport, crews are using tons of dry ice -- carbon dioxide that has been cooled to at least 110 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, becoming solid. When dry ice melts, it emits carbon dioxide, so the FAA is requiring crews to wear carbon dioxide detectors inside the pressurized and sealed airplanes transporting the virus.

PORTAGE, Mich. – It’s a huge logistics operation to ship millions of vaccines to hospitals across the country -- and it’s all centered here in Michigan. The eyes of the nation are on Portage, a city on Michigan’s west side in Kalamazoo County, just west of Battle Creek. Workers at the Pfizer plant in Portage worked hard to prepare to ship the vaccines Sunday morning. RELATED: FDA authorizes Pfizer’s COVID vaccine; Michigan will distribute in 4 phases“I have 100% confidence that we will get the vaccine to the American people,” said Gen. Gustave Perna. Read: Michigan officials: COVID vaccine to be distributed in 4 phases, prioritize frontline workers“We want to make sure the vaccine arrives safely and that it can be safely administered when arrival occurs.

On Friday, the United States granted an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. With the authorization, the vaccine will ship via FedEx and UPS, with the two carriers splitting the country in half. In Michigan, it will be UPS rolling out of Pfizer’s Portage cold farm with 85,000 vials slated for the state. In Michigan, a state built on hard work and innovation, a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine will be manufactured by Michigan workers at a Michigan business. My administration, led by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, is developing a plan to distribute the vaccine, with a focus on our most vulnerable populations.

Trucks will roll out Sunday morning as shipping companies UPS and FedEx begin delivering Pfizer’s vaccine to nearly 150 distribution centers across the states, said Army Gen. Gustave Perna of Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s vaccine development program. Initially, about 3 million doses were expected to be shipped nationwide. Perna compared the vaccine distribution effort to D-Day, the U.S.-led military offensive that turned the tide in World War II. The vaccine was timed to arrive Monday so health workers could receive the shots and begin giving them, Perna said. The announcement came after revelations that the White House opted not to lock in an additional 100 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine for delivery in the second quarter of 2021.

PORTAGE, Mich. – The Pfizer plant in Portage is one of two plants ready to rollout the COVID-19 vaccine. READ: A look at the small town in Michigan working on Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccineWatch the video above for the full report. Portage, Michigan ‘proud’ to help roll out Pfizer COVID vaccineThere’s a small town in Michigan working day and night to make a vaccine for coronavirus (COVID-19). In Europe, trucks were rolling out of a Pfizer plant in Belgium headed to the U.K. where the first doses of the vaccine were given. There’s a Pfizer plant similar to that one in the town of Portage, Michigan.

Drug company Pfizer says it can ship nearly three million doses of its coronavirus vaccine right away across the U.S., with most of the doses coming from two plants in the Midwest. Vaccine doses are slated to be loaded onto trucks within hours at Pfizer’s plant in Portage, Michigan -- just outside of Kalamazoo -- and a center in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. At the directive of the the U.S. Military, FedEx and UPS will help deliver coronavirus vaccines throughout the country. In Michigan, UPS will be delivering the state’s 85,000 vaccines from the Pfizer cold farm in Portage. The first vials will be loaded onto cargo planes and trucks in extremely cold conditions, likely right alongside holiday gifts.

PORTAGE, Mich. – There’s a small town in Michigan working day and night to make a vaccine for coronavirus (COVID-19). In Europe, trucks were rolling out of a Pfizer plant in Belgium headed to the U.K. where the first doses of the vaccine were given. There’s a Pfizer plant similar to that one in the town of Portage, Michigan. Portage Mayor Patricia M. Randall said Pfizer is the city’s largest employer. Arun Tandon owns Advanced Health Pharmacy.

PORTAGE, Mich. – There’s a small town in Michigan working day and night to make a vaccine for coronavirus (COVID-19). In Europe, trucks were rolling out of a Pfizer plant in Belgium headed to the U.K. where the first doses of the vaccine were given. There’s a Pfizer plant similar to that one in the town of Portage, Michigan. Whan Koh has friends working on the vaccine, something that would normally take years. Arun Tandon owns Advanced Health Pharmacy.