Progress on efforts to renovate the Celery Flats area in Portage. Petition language to recall Branch County's prosecutor is approved by a state board. WMU men's basketball loses a close one on the road.
The Portage City Council has approved purchasing shelter materials as part of the renovations to the Celery Flats Historical Area. The Kalamazoo Gazette says the Portage Council approved spending just over $200,000 Tuesday night for the purchase from Brighton-based Penchura. Plans call for a 2,300 square foot pavilion, a private patio, upgrading facilities and space for food trucks at Celery Flats. Construction will begin this summer.
Branch County's prosecutor is a step closer to facing a recall election. MLive says the State Board of Canvassers has approved the language of petitions seeking to oust Ralph Kimball. Recall supporters must get about 2,900 valid signatures to put the issue on the ballot. Kimball faces a sexual harassment lawsuit by a former employee. He's denied the charge and says the suit is retaliation after the employee was fired when police found an illegal marijuana growing operation at her home. But a panel of judges says there is evidence of "inappropriate conduct" by the prosecutor.
In men’s basketball, Western Michigan lost at Bowling Green Tuesday night 83-81. Three free throws with 4.7-seconds left gave the Falcons the win. Thomas Wilder scored 18 points, leading four Broncos in double figures. Western will play at Northern Illinois on Saturday.