🌱 Northeast Ohio Closures + LEGO Convention Coming To Fairgrounds

Good morning, Strongsville! Like many of you, the Patch staff will be taking some time off for the holiday season, so you may not see as many newsletters in your inbox between now and the New Year. We will resume our normal schedule during the first week of January. For now, here’s what you need to know about what’s happening around town.

But first, today's weather:

Very windy; snow, 1-2". High: 12 Low: -3.

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Here are the top three stories in Strongsville today:

1. With a winter storm warning for all of Northeast Ohio, cancelations and closures of businesses and services in the area have begun. Closures include the Cuyahoga County offices and the Strongsville Toboggan Chutes & Chalet. More cancellations and closures occurring in the area are available at the link. (WJW FOX 8 News Cleveland)
2. A LEGO convention is coming to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, down the road in Middleburg Heights. LEGO builders from around the world will come to the Brick Convention next year to showcase their LEGO creations. The event will take place on Jul. 22 and 23. Tickets are available here and proceeds will benefit Creations for Charity, which helps buy LEGOs for kids in need all over the world. (WKYC)
3. Cuyahoga County has received multiple reports of fraud within the last week regarding stolen SNAP benefits. The administrator of Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services said that SNAP recipients should check their accounts and change their PINs. The county is working to make sure that those in need have food to get through the holidays. (Subscription: The Morning Journal)

Today in and around Strongsville:

• Photos With Santa At SouthPark Mall (10:00 AM)
• 'Tis The Season Comedy Jam At Medusa Restaurant & Lounge, Cleveland (6:00 PM)
• Friday Night Dodgeball At Compound Fitness (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you looking to add a new furry family member to your household? Here's a roundup of the latest pets available for adoption in the Strongsville area. Meet Junior, Willa, Bingo, and many more! (Strongsville Patch)
• The Cleveland Orchestra announced its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Concert for Jan. 15. Tickets for the free event go on sale starting Jan. 7. The event will feature music from Black composers and a performance of Aaron Copland's "A Lincoln Portrait." (Clevescene.com)
• Severe winter weather is expected to begin this morning (Dec. 23). Check out these tips from the police department on how to stay safe. Remember to drive safely if you have to leave the house. If your power goes out, call First Energy. A parking ban will go into effect if snowfall exceeds two inches. (Strongsville Police Department via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you soon. Happy holidays!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a senior writer with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.