The Ionia County Career Center is excited to announce the recipients of our prestigious November Student of the Month Awards! This recognition is given to one exemplary student from each district who has demonstrated outstanding qualities as a cooperative, engaged learner and a model school citizen. ●       Emma Boire, Belding High School, Criminal Justice ●       Kaeden Brown, Portland St. Patrick High School, Machine Tool ●       Chad Campbell, Ionia High School, Constructi

The Portland Raiders esports team had a pretty exciting moment in the program’s history this week. Logan Hanson has been representing the team in online chess.   Coach Joel Cross said, “Our esports team is affiliated with the Michigan High School Esports League and plays on the PlayVS platform. Chess is considered a regional title which means that it is offered in a much larger area than just Michigan. We play with players all over the Eastern and Central time zones. This fal

Portland High School senior Lilly Thelen recently signed to continue her basketball career at Lake Superior State University.   When asked about her choice to attend this school, Thelen said, “I have chosen to attend Lake Superior State University for many different reasons, some include its uplifting atmosphere, the strong basketball community, and the small campus, which feels like home. I'm very excited to join the basketball team and be surrounded by amazing coaches and t

Portland Township recycling will take place on Saturday, November 22nd and Sunday, November 23rd (always the 4th Saturday) from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm or until the bins are full. Please break down all cardboard boxes. Recycling is located at 1 Industrial Drive, next to Municipal Supply, and is open only to Portland Township residents.

Jeff Reay of Portland had an incredibly successful season in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified racing series this year, culminating with a National Championship.    You can find the full story about Reay HERE .   Photo: Jeff Reay (12) races alongside Don Proctor Jr. (71) and Aaron Raby (04) during Friesen Performance IMCA Modified action at Crystal Motor Speedway. (Photo by Chris Johnston).  Originally published on https://www.imca.com/

The Portland High School varsity football team hosted Grand Rapids Christian on Friday night to decide who would take home the district 27 championship title.  Explosive offense and a dominate defensive performance allowed the Raiders to pick up a 28-0 win.   The shut out would be Portland defenses third of the season.    The Raiders picked up their first points of the game on their very first possession when senior quarterback Ethan Cassel rushed it in for a touchdown with 8

In a highly vaunted playoff game, betwee n the #1 and #2 ranke d teams in Division 2, the Portland St. Patrick Shamrocks hosted the Mendon Hornets. Both teams came in with undefeated 10-0 records, and Mendon had a long history of excellence and winning state championship. Despite allowing Mendon to score on the first drive, the Shamrocks dominated at every facet of the matchup, winning handily 51-22.   In the first quarter, Mendon struck first, driving down the field and punc

Congratulations to the Portland High School students who made the Principal's List and Honor Roll for the first quarter of the 2025-2026 school year!  Principal's List AMARI A. ADLER JENESSA R. ALBERT EASTON R. ALLISON REID T. ALMY WILLA F. ALMY ALEXANDER R. ATWELL GRACE E. AVERY REESE L. BALDERSON ISABELLE J. BALLARD JOSEPH R. BALLARD KEATON C. BAYLESS ZOE J. BEARD LIAM J. BECKETT PARKER M. BONN EMMA R. BORDAYO MASON J. BOS CARLEY M. BOWER EMMA E. BOWER ISAIAH C. BOWER MORGA

Judith M. Watson, of Portland, died peacefully on October 30, 2025, at age 81, surrounded by her family. She was born on December 4, 1943, in Sioux City, Iowa and lived in Waterloo before moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1968. There she met her future husband Emmett, they married September 25, 1971, and they shared 49 years together before his passing. Judy retired as a Registered Nurse from Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was a spunky, fun and on the move person who enjo

Kay Lafawn (Flitton) Willard, 84, went to sleep forever, on the eve of Halloween, October 30, 2025. This was one of her most favored days to decorate and to make an opportunity to have fun, gather family and friends for chili and treats and some tricks, too. This day came after a shocking diagnosis of leukemia, two months prior. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, R. Steven Willard, whom they had built their family life and home together in Portland, Michigan. Immedia