Life in the Spotlight

"I would really like to thank my family for putting up with me through the years and rehabilitation. It was such a hard process, and at times I would get fussy with them, not realizing everything they have done for me. My parents made sure I had the...

This year Megan Ymans expanded her culinary abilities to the city of Portage by establishing a small business titled, ‘Nothing Fancy Eats and Treats’. Ymans’ small business creates all types of sweet treats and...

Lance Dawson took a chance on an up and coming business, Jimmy John's, in 2003. That chance took him places he never knew he would be able to flourish and succeed. Currently, Dawson is the owner of the Portage Jimmy John's and has been an owner of...

This year at Portage High School (PHS), Teacher Leslee Kretz has made her mark by educating students on all aspects of Biology for 25 years. At PHS, Kretz is an administrator for the school’s new book club and the sponsor of the freshman class....

Assistant Director of Health and Wellness Steffani Dranchak accidentally stumbled upon a career in healthcare when she needed a job at 18 years old. Though she didn’t know it yet, her experience as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) was the...

Five years ago, Tiffany Alic and her husband Allen Alic took over ownership of one of Portage’s most well known restaurants: Cappo’s. Since those five years of ownership, the Alic’s have implemented new dishes, programs, and customers; but have...

“It was super surreal to know that I had achieved something most people never imagine to happen to them, like something out of a movie, like I was living out my teenage dream,” said Portage High School (PHS) Senior Jacob Aviles.  The...

Since Chuck Salerno was a young child, he has been involved and fascinated by the automotive industry. At the age of six, Salerno and his father began working on their first car together. That first vehicle was a '55 Chevy, and to this day Salerno...

Robert Gutierrez is a firefighter and paramedic in South Haven, working in South Haven for nearly seven years now. Gutierrez started with volunteer work in South Haven and then worked as an EMT. From there he became a firefighter, and as soon as he...

Fresh out of the Firefighter Academy and Probationary Rookie of the Year; Jessica Pruitt is more than ecstatic to have chosen her career path as a firewoman. Pruitt decided to become a firefighter a year and a half ago while finishing her degree at...