Life in the Spotlight

Martin Glennon manages and owns what was originally his dad’s insurance agency, Black Oak Insurance. Under his ownership, he relocated and renamed the agency. The agency, which is now named Levi Insurance, is located in Portage. The agency sells...

Patti Coppess and her husband moved to Portage in 1995. Coppess, a big believer in giving back to local communities, volunteers in various ways for the Portage community. “I always felt that if you don’t give back to your community, you shouldn't...

It is said the first six years of one’s life are the most formative years. This is especially true for Nick Dennison. Dennison remembers playing a wrestling game with his stepfather and younger brother on his PlayStation after coming home from...

The next time you go into the office at the Portage Parks and Recreation Department, be sure to stop in and introduce yourself to the city’s new events coordinator, Emily SeDoris. SeDoris took over her role in December and is in charge of the...

Anyone who visits Central Elementary School in Portage will likely be greeted by Charymill Otero, the school secretary. A native of Puerto Rico by way of Philadelphia, Otero is a graduate from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. However, Otero...

Portage High School (PHS) Graphic Arts Teacher Adam Farster is a man of many talents. Not only has Farster been a teacher for the last seven years, but he also has over 20 years in the creative field as a graphic designer, illustrator, and comic book...

Long-time Portage area native Nick Mescal gets to do what a lot of people don’t – combine his hobby and his work. A professional cornhole player, Mescal’s interest in the sport, also referred to as bags, first began when playing recreationally...

Emily Sibbrell serves as a medical assistant at Associated Pediatricians in Portage. For her, working with children is something that she’s always loved to do. “I’ve always liked kids,” said Sibbrell. “I used to be a swim coach, and it's...

As a child, George Kepchar Jr. grew up in the real estate industry. His father owned Century 21 Kepchar in the Merrillville/Crown Point area. Eventually, real estate also became Kepchar’s career.  Upon graduating from college, Kepchar went to...

Amanda McKenzie is the Production Manager at First Community Mortgage in Portage, where she brings years of experience to the mortgage industry. Her journey began in high school when she took a business vocational class, and her internship led her to...