Maura Zurick

Cleveland

Journalist at Freelance

Journalist 👩🏻‍💻

Articles

Veteran Brook Park, OH, Firefighter Becomes Fire Chief

1 week ago | firehouse.com | Maura Zurick

BROOK PARK, Ohio — After more than three decades of service, Eric Fike has been named chief of the Brook Park Fire Department. Fike officially took over the role May 5, bringing with him 31 years of experience with the department and a deep personal connection to the job. He told the News Sun that his decision to pursue a career in fire service was shaped by a traumatic injury as a teenager and the calm professionalism of the paramedics who helped him.
Brook Park names longtime firefighter Eric Fike as new fire chief

1 week ago | cleveland.com | Maura Zurick

BROOK PARK, Ohio — After more than three decades of service, Eric Fike has been named chief of the Brook Park Fire Department. Fike officially took over the role May 5, bringing with him 31 years of experience with the department and a deep personal connection to the job. He told the News Sun that his decision to pursue a career in fire service was shaped by a traumatic injury as a teenager and the calm professionalism of the paramedics who helped him.
Michael Angelo’s Winery proposal clears Solon City Council, heads to November ballot

1 week ago | cleveland.com | Maura Zurick

SOLON, Ohio — A proposal to bring Michael Angelo’s Winery to Solon will now head to the ballot after City Council unanimously approved the rezoning measure during its June 16 meeting. The project, led by applicants Matthew and Michael Ciocca with architect Tim Rusick of FMD Architects, seeks to rezone 24 acres at 37500 Aurora Road, from single-family residential to the city’s newly created W-1 Winery District.
Solon school officials warn of devastating impact from proposed House Bill 335

1 week ago | cleveland.com | Maura Zurick

SOLON, Ohio — Solon City Schools could lose nearly 10 percent of their annual budget if newly introduced legislation moves forward in the Ohio House, prompting urgent calls for community advocacy. House Bill 335, introduced earlier this month, proposes eliminating inside millage. That is the portion of property taxes that local governments and schools can collect without voter approval. For Solon Schools, it would mean the loss of $8.89 million in annual revenue beginning Jan.
Murphy Funeral Home expands to Solon with focus on community, compassion

1 week ago | cleveland.com | Maura Zurick

Chagrin Solon SunPublished: Jun. 17, 2025, 3:33 p.m.The Murphy family, now in its fourth generation of funeral directors, continues its legacy of compassionate care with the expansion of Murphy Funeral Home to Solon.Murphy familySOLON, Ohio — A fourth-generation family funeral home is bringing its tradition of compassion and care to Solon with a newly renovated facility designed to serve families with warmth and dignity.
Audrey’s Outreach in Brook Park offers food, clothing and hope to hundreds of families

1 week ago | cleveland.com | Maura Zurick

BROOK PARK, Ohio — What began in 1992 as a small clothing giveaway in a church basement has grown into a lifeline for hundreds of families in Cuyahoga County each month. Audrey’s Outreach, located at 16845 Holland Road in Brook Park, is a drive-thru pantry that provides food, clothing, personal care items and access to health services.
Solon proposes new limits on marijuana dispensaries and vape shops

1 week ago | cleveland.com | Maura Zurick

SOLON, Ohio — City officials are proposing new zoning regulations that would limit how close marijuana dispensaries and vape shops can be to each other in an effort to manage overconcentration, promote public health, and reduce youth exposure to cannabis and vape marketing. A text amendment to Solon’s zoning code will be discussed at the June 24 Planning Commission meeting. If approved by the commission, the proposal would still need approval from City Council before it could take effect.
Solon Schools boost staff pay, promote alumna to assistant principal role

1 week ago | cleveland.com | Maura Zurick

SOLON, Ohio — With new contracts that raise staff pay and a leadership promotion that highlights homegrown talent, Solon Schools are reinforcing their commitment to both excellence in education and fiscal responsibility. The Solon Board of Education approved new three-year labor agreements with both of the district’s employee unions and named longtime educator and Solon graduate Rebecca Smith as the next assistant principal at Solon Middle School during the board’s June 9 meeting.
Solon students earn national honors in chemistry and speech and debate

1 week ago | cleveland.com | Maura Zurick

SOLON, Ohio — From the science lab to the debate stage, Solon students are earning national recognition this month for their academic talent, with one student selected for a prestigious chemistry study camp and nearly 30 others headed to a national speech and debate tournament. Christopher Wang, a rising senior at Solon High School, is one of just 20 students in the country chosen for the 2025 U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Study Camp, held June 1–14 at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Brook Park Home Days 2025: Full event schedule and what’s new

1 week ago | cleveland.com | Maura Zurick

BROOK PARK, Ohio — The city is getting ready to bring residents together for three days of community spirit, local food and family-friendly fun during the annual Brook Park Home Days festival, set for July 11–13 near City Hall. “The Brook Park Home Days has been a mainstay in the city for many years,” said Chris Wetmore, director of parks and recreation. “The uniqueness of our event compared to others is the hometown feel.