Good morning, Portage County. Leadership transitions can feel like plot twists in our community's story, and today brings a significant one: Parma Schools chief Charles Smialek is setting sail for Pickerington Local Schools, leaving one of Greater Cleveland's largest districts to navigate new waters. It's a reminder that even our most established institutions are always in motion.
Meanwhile, some stories transcend time and borders, like Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum's powerful account of her grandfather's escape from Nazi Germany. Her family's journey from Berlin to America echoes through today's immigration debates, while closer to home, Mercury Plastics adds another chapter to our region's proud manufacturing legacy with their Excellence in Manufacturing Award. From education to industry, our community keeps writing remarkable chapters.
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
👨🏫 Parma Schools chief jumps ship for new superintendent role in Pickerington. Charles Smialek, who has been leading the Parma City School District, accepted the top position at Pickerington Local Schools after completing two interviews. The leadership change comes as Smialek prepares to exit his current role overseeing one of Greater Cleveland's largest suburban school districts. The transition marks a significant shift for Parma Schools, though details about the timeline and search for his replacement remain unclear.
🕊️ Rabbi shares powerful immigrant story rooted in Nazi-era family escape. As a Jewish spiritual leader whose grandfather fled Berlin during Hitler's regime, Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum brings a deeply personal perspective to America's immigration debate. Through her work at Congregation Mishkan Or, she advocates for immigrant rights by drawing parallels to biblical teachings about welcoming strangers. Her family history, including her husband's refugee story from the Soviet Union, fuels her criticism of current immigration policies targeting birthright citizenship and deportations. She calls for comprehensive immigration reform that honors America's immigrant heritage while maintaining security.
🏆 Local manufacturer Mercury Plastics clinches prestigious Excellence in Manufacturing Award. The Geauga Growth Partnership and Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network selected the company for its outstanding contributions to Northeast Ohio's industrial landscape. Mercury Plastics, founded in 1965, will receive the honor at GGP's annual meeting on March 19. The award recognizes the company's achievements in innovation, quality, and industry leadership.
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Boys)
In a busy night of Ohio hoops, Garfield CLC showed no mercy in a 73-45 rout of Aurora, while Tallmadge squeaked past Chaney 51-49 in a nail-biter. Crestwood (18-4) continued their impressive run with a convincing 57-42 victory over Cardinal Mooney, setting up an intriguing clash with 19-4 South Range next time out.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Aurora (8-15) | ||
@ GCLC* | L 73-45 | |
 Crestwood (18-4) | ||
vs Cardinal Mooney** | W 57-42 | |
 Tallmadge (15-8) | ||
vs Chaney** | W 51-49 | |
 Garfield (17-6) | ||
vs Girard** | W 57-53 | |
 Southeast (13-10) | ||
vs Tuslaw** | W 52-45 | |
 Roosevelt (7-17) | ||
@ Lutheran West** | L 70-56 |
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Girls)
The Canfield Cardinals continued their high-flying season, soaring past Crestwood 62-37 in a statement win that pushed their impressive record to 24-2. A showdown looms with fellow powerhouse Streetsboro (21-3) next week in what could be a preview of tournament fireworks. Meanwhile, Rootstown squeaked by LaBrae 57-53, keeping their near-perfect season intact at 24-1.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Streetsboro (21-3) | ||
vs Field* | W 60-48 | |
| Crestwood (18-8) | ||
@ Canfield** | L 62-37 | |
vs Canfield* | L 62-37 | |
 Field (16-9) | ||
vs Streetsboro* | L 60-48 | |
 Rootstown (24-1) | ||
vs LaBrae* | W 57-53 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Custom single-story home opportunity: This to-be-built custom home priced at $285,250 offers a single-story layout with an owner suite, flex space, and an inviting great room, all designed for modern living. Custom homes can be built on your land in select states, though land is not included in the price.
Move-in ready ranch with updates: This move-in ready Ranch style home, listed at $209,900, features three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and an inviting open concept layout, perfect for comfortable living and entertaining. Enjoy countryside views from the patio and modern updates like new HVAC and a fresh paint job.
Picturesque gourmet home in Bertram: Located in the picturesque Villas of Bertram, this beautifully landscaped home features a gourmet kitchen, spacious family room, and a luxurious primary suite. With a finished lower level and convenient location near shopping and dining, it's ideal for both relaxation and entertaining—listed at $539,900.🙏 In Remembrance
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