🌱 Lakewood Speaks On Daycare Losing Toddler + Lakewood Construction

Good morning, Lakewood! Like many of you, the Patch staff will be taking some time off for the Thanksgiving holiday, so you won’t see a newsletter from me tomorrow. We’ll be back bright and early Saturday morning, but for now, here’s all the most important things happening in the community.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 57 Low: 44.

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Here are the top four stories today in Lakewood:

1. On Nov. 22, Lakewood mother Annette Pena spoke to Cleveland 19 News after her toddler was one of two found wandering outside of The Nest – a Rocky River daycare – on Nov. 15. Pena said, "There are a lot of feelings I went through, anger, sadness, devastation. I was speechless, I mean I could not describe what I was feeling." Rocky River police said the incident occurred due to an "oversight of the cook." (Cleveland 19 News)
2. More than two years after the former Lakewood Hospital was demolished, the City of Lakewood plans to begin construction in early 2023. The $100 million mixed-use project plan for the 5.7-acre property at Detroit and Belle Avenues includes commercial development (retail and restaurants), a plaza and community space, and mixed-income for-sale and rental housing. (Subscription: Cleveland.com)
3. Boom’s Pizza plans to open in early 2023 at the former Campbell’s Sweets Factory site at 14730 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood. Spice Hospitality Group chefs Ben Bebenroth and culinary partner Jonathan Bennett created a pie that falls somewhere between a Neapolitan and New York-style pizza. Bebenroth said, "I don’t think it’s being served anywhere else." (Subscription: Cleveland.com)
4. On Nov. 25, the Lakewood St. Edward High School football team will play Gahanna Lincoln in the OHSAA Division I state semifinal at Arlin Field in Mansfield. The winner will face Cincinnati Moeller or Springfield for the championship on Dec. 2. (Subscription: The Columbus Dispatch)

Today in and around Lakewood:

• Cleveland Botanical Garden Holiday Show At Cleveland Botanical Gardens, Cleveland (All Day)
• 41st Annual Onyx Health Club Cleveland Turkey Trot At East 6th Street & Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland (7:00 AM)
• Readings With Erin At The New Moon (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• On Nov. 22 a Candlelight vigil for Colorado Springs shooting victims was held at Studio West 117, a new LGBTQ+ entertainment and dining complex in Lakewood. Mars Harper Jenkins, public relations and media manager for Studio West 117, said, "We are in a state of grieving. I think the entire LGBTQ+ community is wounded." (Spectrum News 1)
• Cuyahoga County Court of Appeals Judge Cornelius J. O’Sullivan III was recently honored for his tenure as a volunteer servant leader of the Lakewood Flock Community Meals program. State Rep. Mike Skindell (D-13) presented the proclamation to the lifelong Lakewood resident. (Subscription: Cleveland.com)
• House hunting on the internet can be difficult, but luckily there are upcoming open houses in your area! View the two open houses this weekend in Lakewood by clicking on the link. (Lakewood Patch)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.