Many hoping March will leave like a lamb

Some residents say weather changes add to their winter woes.
The snowfall hasn't been as heavy in the Mahoning Valley this winter, but many residents agree enough is enough.
"I'd say everyone is fed up with the weather," said Judy Maretich of Greenford, who is house-sitting in Austintown. "Look at it, it sucks. The only one that likes it is the dog."
It wouldn't be so bad, she said, if not for the up and down of temperatures.
"We have 40 degrees and 50 degrees, and then it's like this," Maretich said, gesturing toward the snow. "I'd rather it would just stay cold instead of this."
As far as Jerry Brownrigg feels, there is nothing worse than waking up to find a blanket of white stuff covering his yard.
"I just hate it," Brownrigg, 23, of Austintown, said. "I grew up in Ohio, and I've had enough. I'm saving up so I can move to Florida. Pictures of snow is all I need."
Road superintendents in Boardman and Austintown report overtime costs down compared with this time last year.
"I've been through worse winters, so I'm not complaining," said Michael Dockry, Austintown township administrator and road superintendent. "It's March 1, so I guess we can start looking forward to it ending."
Road crew work
Lawrence Wilson, Boardman's road superintendent, said the on and off snowfall this winter has allowed road crews to devote time to other duties like cold patching potholes.
The weather has caused increased work for safety forces. Trumbull County 911 officials said they have had numerous calls over the past few days about fender benders and other weather related problems.
One small Trumbull County department found a way to make driving on the icy roads easier.
"We purchased an SUV, and when the weather gets bad, it's my order that we drive that instead of the regular cruisers," said Vienna Township Police David Ovesny.
Boardman High School students Bill Parobek and Bradley Banks, both 15, and Kirsten Kuffel, 14, all freshmen, took advantage of the school cancellation Tuesday.
The group braved the snow, wind and cold midafternoon to walk up West Boulevard to A & amp;W for a snack.
"There needs to be more of this so there's no school," Bill said jokingly. "I love winter. I love cold weather."
Bradley and Kirsten said they see things differently.
"Well, I don't love winter," Bradley said. "I'm ready for it to be over."
"I'm ready for it to be over, too," Kirsten echoed.
All three agreed that the weather and temperature fluctuations this year were hard to take.
LeAnna Mattila, 20, a Youngstown State University student, said she loved snow when she was younger because it had the power to close schools.
"I've learned colleges don't seem to believe in snow days," Mattila said as she brushed a few inches of snow off her car. "Now it just makes traveling more difficult, and you have to get up earlier to make it to class on time."