Good morning, Portage County. Mother Nature is flexing her winter muscles across Northeast Ohio today, with an army of 220 ODOT crews battling the elements while parking bans and closures ripple through the region. As the snow piles up and the wind howls, it's a reminder that sometimes the smartest move is to stay home with a good story.
And speaking of remarkable stories, the dental world is remembering a giant in the field - Dr. Thomas De Marco, whose legacy extends far beyond his groundbreaking role as the nation's youngest dental school dean. While his professional achievements were extraordinary, it was his gift for storytelling and infectious joy that truly set him apart. Meanwhile, in Mayfield Heights, residents are keeping warm with homemade wine and community spirit at their annual Taste of Italy celebration.
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0%☕️ What's Brewing Locally
❄️ Northeast Ohio paralyzed as winter storm triggers widespread parking bans. Cleveland and multiple municipalities have issued emergency parking restrictions as heavy snow and gusty winds create hazardous road conditions across the region. The Ohio Department of Transportation has deployed 220 crews to plow and treat roads, while several counties have declared Level 2 snow emergencies. Multiple businesses and facilities, including the Akron Zoo and several library branches, have closed due to weather conditions. Interstate speeds are reduced, with some highways experiencing complete closures due to accidents.
🦷 Pioneering dental dean and beloved family man Thomas De Marco dies at 82. As the nation's youngest dental school dean at Case Western Reserve in 1976, De Marco shaped generations of dental professionals during his 56-year career in periodontics. He shared 40 wonderful years with his wife Bonna, splitting time between Ohio and Florida while traveling the world and creating lasting friendships. A natural storyteller known for his joke collection, he brought warmth and humor to everyone he met. His legacy of generosity and zest for life lives on through his surviving wife, children, and nine grandchildren.
🍷 Homemade wine brings Italian spirit to Mayfield Heights community celebration. Over 200 residents gathered at the Aquatic and Community Center for the annual Taste of Italy dinner event on February 15. The festivities, now in their second year at the new venue but running for over a decade, featured live music and dancing. Local wine enthusiasts shared their homemade creations, turning the evening into a vibrant celebration of Italian culture and community connection.
🏓 Portage Foundation serves up first-ever pickleball tournament for charity. The March 1 event at Western Reserve Racquet and Fitness Club in Streetsboro will combine friendly competition with fundraising for local community projects. Players of all skill levels can register for $65 until February 24, while spectators can join the fun for $35. The evening features multiple divisions with prizes, catered food, a cash bar, and local business raffles. Participants can sign up through the foundation's website for this community-building sports event.
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Boys)
Wadsworth found their groove when it mattered most, outdueling Roosevelt 61-52 in a battle of teams hungry for a late-season spark. The Grizzlies (4-17) snapped their slump with a balanced attack, giving their home crowd something to cheer about heading into Tuesday's showdown with Hudson.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Roosevelt (6-16) | ||
vs Wadsworth | L 61-52 |
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Girls)
Talk about a Saturday of blowouts! Maplewood's 70-5 demolition of Windham and Rootstown's 60-8 crushing of Harding headlined a day where close games were harder to find than a snowball in July, though Wickliffe did manage to squeak past Garfield 39-36 to keep things interesting.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Field (15-8) | ||
vs Orange* | W 76-38 | |
 Crestwood (17-6) | ||
vs West Geauga* | W 71-43 | |
 Rootstown (22-1) | ||
vs Harding** | W 60-8 | |
 Garfield (9-14) | ||
@ Wickliffe* | L 39-36 | |
 Southeast (16-7) | ||
vs Girard** | L 61-43 | |
| Roosevelt (13-10) | ||
vs Boardman** | W 29-23 | |
 Windham (3-19) | ||
@ Maplewood** | L 70-5 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Spacious custom ranch for you: Custom homes can be built on your land, with a list price of $321,500 for the Alexandria model. This spacious four-bedroom ranch offers a private owner's suite, a welcoming great room, and a kitchen with a large center island.
Spacious custom home opportunity: This to-be-built custom home, listed at $345,500, offers nearly 2,600 square feet of living space, four bedrooms with walk-in closets, and a centrally located kitchen ideal for family gatherings. Land not included; custom builds available in various states.
Customizable ranch home with charm: Discover the Providence II, a customizable three-bedroom, two-bath ranch home designed for spacious one-story living. Starting at $256,700, it features an open-concept great room, a private master suite, and a two-car garage—all built on your own lot.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🙏 In Remembrance
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