Life in the Spotlight

Sometimes, a dream that affects one’s entire life starts at a young age. That’s exactly what happened with Dr. Meaghan Spalla, a veterinarian at Coyne Veterinary Clinic in Portage. Spalla, a member of the Boone Grove High School graduating class...

When most people say they have to “go make the bed,” it is associated with a daily chore. Kyle Schultz has a completely different idea in mind when he makes a bed. Schultz leads the Portage Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a national...

Rose Carbone hasn’t been in Portage that long, but she’s already been making her mark in town. Carbone moved to the area from Countryside, Illinois just two years ago after she and her husband decided to retire. Since the cost of living is lower...

The Distinguished Young Women (DYW) Competition is an integral part of the high school experience for many young women. The competition provides these students another opportunity to make lasting memories and friendships as they move into adulthood....

Christina Bilyak is making an impact throughout the Region, both in her job and within the arts community. Bilyak, a native of Portage, now calls Valparaiso her home. She is a former student of Bethel University in Mishawaka, where she studied stage...

It’s been 19 years since Roberta "Bobbie" DeKemper stepped away from the classroom and into her role at the Portage Township Food Pantry. DeKemper currently serves as the pantry's director. DeKemper is a native of the Southern Indiana town of...

It can be a remarkable accomplishment to have your composition or arrangement performed by a nationally renowned choir, opera, or orchestra. Now, it’s something that Jordan Dollins can now mark off his bucket list. Dollins, the Portage High School...

For Hunter Thorn, baseball has always been a significant part of his life. His dad started his interest in the game when he signed Thorn up for Little League. Thorn also grew up watching his brother play baseball, which further inspired him to play....

If you’ve ever been over to the Portage American Legion Post 260 for a function, chances are you’ve run into Bernadette Esparza. Esparza is a native of Blue Island, Illinois. She came to Portage about 35 years ago with her partner, Fred Holder....

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...