Life in the Spotlight

Joe Stempien is more than just a coach. He is a motivator of young men, a person of great faith and a leader determined to help develop youths in their quest to become great individuals. While all coaches serve in some sort to develop young minds on...

Being a teacher is one of the most important, challenging, yet rewarding careers one could have, and Theresa Evans, second grade teacher at Kyle Elementary School, savors those rewarding moments when students come back to visit as adults. “There...

This week's Portage Live That Matters is Debbie Clem, director of McCool, Blake, and James Schrock cemeteries.   Clem has been director of cemeteries since Trustee Brendan Clancy gave her the job when he came into office in January of 2011. She...

As owner and artistic director of Portage’s Civic Dance Center, Natalie Kolosci, this week’s Portage Life in the Spotlight, uses her experience and knowledge of ballet to bring her passion of dance to her students and the community. Kolosci got...

For 35 years, Jim Wheeler has been making an impact on the lives of young people in the Portage community. A social studies teacher at Willowcreek Middle School, Wheeler has spent nearly his entire career teaching eighth grade U.S. History. It’s a...

This week’s Portage Life in the Spotlight, Marsha Moore, found a way to make sure people wouldn’t have to go this winter without a coat. Moore, a member of the planning committee for the events sponsored by Portage Christian Church, held a coat...

This week’s Portage Life in the Spotlight, Tyler Goodman, knows how to lead throughout his community and give back at the same time. Goodman is the South Haven Boys & Girls Club of Porter County’s Youth of the Year for 2013 and 2014 and a...

This week's Portage Life in the Spotlight is no stranger to finding himself in the spotlight. Junior Hunter Martinko spends his time helping out the Portage High School thespian branch as treasurer for the group along with appearing on stage in their...

After helping lead her team to cross country state finals last week, senior Paige Pizer has shown she knows what it takes to be a Portage Life in the Spotlight. Pizer has been a Varsity cross country captain for two years and is the second girl in...

The Portage Resale Shop may have a new location (6450 Evergreen Ave.), but the man who has led the charity charge since 2008 remains focused on the shop's mission. "Our mission is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and take in a stranger," said...