HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative has announced the acquisition of VEI’s cable system in Nashville and Vermontville, marking another significant step in the not-for-profit cooperative's commitment to delivering reliable, locally supported broadband service to rural communities across mid-Michigan. The acquired system includes 15 miles of cable in the neighboring villages of Nashville and Vermontville, passing just over 1,000 homes and businesses. HomeWorks will soon

The following local students were among more than 200 Albion College varsity athletes recently named to the 2025-26 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Academic Honor Roll. This award is reserved for athletes who maintain a 3.5 grade point average for the academic year while earning a varsity letter in an MIAA-sponsored sport. Portland student Ava Guilford was a member of Albion's women's basketball team and has now received this honor four times. Guilford graduated

The band Unusual Suspects will be returning to the Band Shell at Two Rivers Park in Portland on Thursday, August 27th. The band will celebrate the music of the Grateful Dead. Admission is free and the show starts 6:30 PM.

Edward J. Piercefield passed away peacefully on July 26, 2026, at the age of 74. He was born on May 25, 1952, to Norman and June Piercefield. Ed was raised in Lake Odessa, Michigan & graduated from Lakewood High School in 1970. He briefly attended MIT, then was drafted into the U.S. Army. After coming home, he began his career with GM, where he retired after 30 years of service. Ed loved to golf, fish, & spend time with family & friends. Preceding him in death are his par

Charles Frederick Trierweiler, age 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Born September 13, 1934, in Portland, Michigan to Victor and Mathilda (Feldpausch) Trierweiler. He was a proud 1953 graduate of St. Patrick Catholic School. He was a man of few words but had a quick wit and a sparkle in his blue eyes when he was having fun with you. After high school, he briefly attended a college in Rensselaer, Indiana on what he called a “friendship scholarship” arra

From sunny days splashing at the pool to cooler nights huddling around the bonfire, we hope your summer is one to remember. Amidst your warm-weather adventures, why not make your first blood donation? Right now, there's an emergency blood shortage, and your donation is urgently needed to help ensure patients receive the lifesaving care they depend on. Make this a memorable summer for yourself and for patients across the nation by sharing your lifesaving gift. We hope to see y

PFCU Credit Union is proud to announce that employees selected Ennis Center for Children as the recipient of proceeds from the credit union's second-quarter 2026 employee dress down program. Through this employee-led initiative, staff voluntarily contribute through payroll deductions in exchange for participating in designated dress down days. Thanks to the generosity of PFCU employees, more than $8,000 was raised to support Ennis Center for Children's mission of helping chil

Michigan is one of the most productive farming states in the country. We are second only to California in variety of crops. The only reason we are not first is we cannot grow citrus. But our farmers are drowning in regulations, taxes, and red tape that make no sense. Some of the most impractical rules in the entire country are right here in Michigan. The average family now spends about 10% of their income on food. Prices keep climbing right along with gas prices. The farm

On Saturday, August 8, Monkey Llama Games is inviting families from across the region to gather for an afternoon of laughter, music, and community at Free Family Fun Day at Two Rivers Park in Portland. Family activities begin at 4:00 p.m., featuring giant lawn games, bubbles, prizes, and activities designed for children and families of all ages. At 6:00 p.m., local favorites Piper Avenue will take the stage for a free outdoor concert, performing until 8:00 p.m. The event

With the start of the high school fall sports season just weeks away, we are looking for local businesses who may be interested in sponsoring high school sports coverage on The Portland Beacon. Between Portland High School and St. Patrick School, we will have 11 local varsity sports teams in action this fall. These sponsorship opportunities are available to businesses, groups, individuals and families. We would also be willing to discuss sponsorship of other school spons