NEOhio Daily Briefing — March 11, 2026

Good Wednesday morning — it’s mid‑March and the first hints of spring are in the air here in Northeast Ohio. Today’s briefing highlights safety notices ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, a community pet celebration, and a local design award. First up: safety. The Summit County OVI Task Force has announced several sobriety checkpoints timed for the St. Patrick’s Day period — starting Tuesday, March 17, 2026, and running into the early hours of Wednesday, March 18. The checkpoints are strategically placed across Summit County to deter impaired driving and reduce alcohol‑related crashes; authorities urge drivers to plan rides home in advance and designate sober drivers for holiday outings. On the community front, the Forever Friends Foundation is bringing back its St. Paddy’s Day pet event at the Macedonia Petco. The family‑friendly celebration is set for Saturday, March 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and invites the Nordonia Hills community to enjoy a festive atmosphere while supporting local animals and rescue work. If you’re looking for a pet‑friendly way to celebrate, this one’s aimed at shoppers and animal lovers alike. In county news, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro announced that county graphic designer Marc Smith Jr. took home a Silver ADDY at the 2026 Akron American Advertising Awards. Smith was recognized for his creative work on the branding and visual identity for last year’s State of materials — a nice win for in‑house talent and county communications. We also flagged a duplicate post: the county’s announcement about the Silver ADDY appeared twice in our feed; we’ve alerted the source to avoid confusion and will continue to monitor press releases for clarity and accuracy. There were no new community bulletin board notices to pass along this morning. Keep an eye on our coverage through the week — we’ll have updates on enforcement locations, event details, and local happenings as they come in. Stay informed and stay safe.