The Sunfield Farmers Picnic kicked off Friday, August 14, with a half chicken dinner cooked by High’s Rotary Grill and sponsored by the Sunfield United Brethren Church. The 2025 Princess Aurora McDiarmid crowned the 2026 Princess Sophia Cole, daughter of Andrew & Kayla Cole. Their son Brooks Cole was crowned the 2026 Prince. Their Royal Court includes Dixie Gibbs, Lily England, Braxton Kyle, Zander Robins, Jezakiah Rodriguez, Everett Thompson and Malakai Vasquez. Each child

McDonald’s is an international fast-food restaurant chain with which most people are familiar. What many people may not realize, however, is the many ways McDonald’s supports the young people who work there. Through employment, mentoring, educational opportunities and community partnerships, the company provides young people with valuable opportunities to learn and grow. Taelor Cook is the general manager of the Portland McDonald’s. “We hire young people for a variety o

City officials are optimistic about the future of the Veterans Memorial Bridge in downtown Portland, even as the historic steel structure remains closed to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. City Manager Andrew Dymczyk said he is confident the bridge can be repaired and reopened. “We believe that we can receive the necessary funding and that we can fix the structural issues of the bridge,” said Dymczyk. Bridges are inspected every two years by an outside, independen

Kenneth “Doc” Paul McCrumb, age 85, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, died on August 14, 2026, peacefully at his home. He was born on November 5, 1940, in Wacousta, Michigan, to Victor and Leona (Volk) McCrumb. Ken was raised in Eagle, Michigan, working on his uncle’s farm. He played football, track, baseball, and graduated with the Class of 1958. After high school he attended Michigan State University, earning his degree in veterinary medicine with the class of 1967. He joine

Darlene Ann Hulings, age 78, of St. Johns, Michigan, passed away on August 12, 2026. Darlene was born on June 7, 1948, in Portland, Michigan, to Edwin and Laurine Schueller. Darlene grew up as a practicing Catholic at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Westphalia. She shared 57 years of marriage with her husband, Philip Hulings, building a life together centered around family and the many moments and memories they shared through the years. More than anything, Darlene loved he

After a five and a half year health journey, on August 18, 2026, Ellen Sue “Susie” Simon-Visser, of Rockford, MI, was welcomed into the arms of her loving Savior at 76 years old. Susie was born on January 16, 1950 in Portland, Michigan to Marian VanValkenburg/Visser (Brokaw) and John W. Visser. Susie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Albert Simon Jr., her father, John W. Visser, and stepsister, Jody VanValkenburg. She is survived by her children, Suzannah Kristen

A local nonprofit is hard at work to create a new fixture in Portland. The nonprofit is named Stepping it Up, and president Sarah Sandborn said, “Our goal is to help kids and the community come together to gather and grow. We want to help with mind, body and soul. Right now, our community has no place for people to gather like this. We want to create a center where the elders and the youth can come together.” Organizers plan for the initial facility to include a basketb

Following a 2025 season that saw the Portland High School boys varsity soccer team battle through a difficult schedule and win a memorable district game against league foe Lakewood in overtime, the Raiders enter the 2026 season facing a very different challenge: rebuilding a team with only eight returning players while developing a large group of underclassmen into varsity contributors. Portland graduated seven seniors last year, including the team’s top two goal scorers an

The Raider boys opened their season on August 15th with the Portland Kickoff Quad against Paw Paw. Portland - 0, Paw Paw - 8, Singles: No. 1 - Terrance Fisher, Paw Paw def. Tyler Clark, Portland, 6-0, 6-1 No. 2 - Eric Fitchpatrick, Paw Paw def. Joshua Seavey, Portland, 6-0, 6-0 No. 3 - Braden Schultz, Paw Paw def. Tanner Brownell, Portland, 6-1, 6-0 No. 4 - Jacob Ameling, Paw Paw def. Luke Seavey, Portland, 6-1, 6-1 Doubles: No. 1 - Simon Geffre, Paw Paw - Isaac Geffre,

Marian Hoppes was a proud daughter of Appalachia with deep West Virginian roots and pride. Prior to having children, Marian helped care for her siblings, with love and veracity. When she moved to Michigan and started her family, she brought her southern Appalachian traditions with her and became a strong matriarch of her family. She married Joe Hoppes in 1987 and never looked back. Together they built a life upon shared family values and a deep love for one another. They enjo