Portage County Opens Nominations for Community Heroes
Portage County is looking for everyday heroes who make their community shine. Nominations are now open through May 30th to recognize people and projects that make the area a better place to live.
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Portage County is looking for everyday heroes who make their community shine. Nominations are now open through May 30th to recognize people and projects that make the area a better place to live.

Habitat for Humanity volunteers in Wisconsin are fixing homes for free through May 30, painting garages, building ramps, and clearing debris for families in need. The Brush with Kindness program has expanded from Portage to Baraboo this year, with 15 projects underway and more volunteers needed.

A Michigan firefighter and his 4-year-old son walked away from a devastating crash with a stolen car, only to have a tornado damage their home weeks later. Now both are nearly fully recovered, and Jacob Mahoney is heading back to the job he loves.

Habitat for Humanity volunteers are painting garages, building ramps, and clearing debris for free across Wisconsin's Baraboo and Portage areas through May 30. The "Brush with Kindness" program has already lined up 15 projects and is looking for more neighbors to help.

When a stolen car slammed into firefighter Jacob Mahoney's SUV, his four-year-old son was knocked unconscious. Now he's sharing their story of survival and recovery.

Seventy community members spent Saturday transforming a South Bend neighborhood, collecting 210 bags of trash along Portage Avenue. The third annual cleanup shows how community pride can spark real change in neglected spaces.

A small-town Michigan high school just made history when their girls wrestling team claimed the school's first-ever district championship. Seven Falcons athletes are now heading to regionals after their groundbreaking victory.

Ohio is installing 64 new electric vehicle charging stations across the state, including a Valley location in Hubbard. The $51 million federal investment, matched by $26 million in private funding, continues Ohio's leadership in making clean transportation accessible to everyone.

Wisconsin is calling for volunteers to help protect the Karner blue butterfly, an endangered species that now exists in just five states. The state is home to the largest remaining population and needs citizen scientists to track their recovery.
Despite economic uncertainty nationwide, Northeast Ohio scored a clean sweep in 2025 with job creation wins in every single county. Team NEO helped secure nearly 3,000 new jobs and $455 million in investments across the region.

A Northwest Indiana group turned confusing recycling rules into an entertaining game show, helping residents finally understand what actually belongs in their bins. The approach is already helping high schoolers lead recycling improvements in their cafeteria.