“We’ve been preparing for the storm for five days,” said Chris Russo, commercial sales manager and business development for Lake Forest-based Mariani Landscape, who also helps out the snow crew in the winter. “We took the stance of getting our crews out before the major part of the storm hit, where they were predicting several inches per hour,” said Chris Paisley, service programs manager in charge of snow removal, and in the green seasons, plant health and maintenance productions.  “We wanted to get them out ahead, not too late, and safely, and so we could help our clients get out safely and…

In an e-mail sent out recently from Susan Gravenhorst, Lake County Board and Forest Preserve Commissioner, she wrote: Lake County Board Chairman David Stolman has proclaimed a State of Disaster in Lake County, and officials are asking residents to avoid driving through 5 p.m. today (Feb. 1). The Lake County Division of Transportation reports the county road network is officially open, but is asking that all unnecessary travel be postponed until after 5 p.m. this evening. Many roads and streets remain snow-covered and impassable, with drifts of four to six feet common around the county. The …

The snowstorm which dumped as much as 18 inches of snow in the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff area within the last 24 hours has caused school districts to close schools for Thursday, Feb. 3. Check back for updates. Here is the latest listing: Lake Forest School District 67 schools will be closed. Lake Forest High School will be closed. Lake Bluff Elementary School and Lake Bluff Middle School will be closed. Rondout School District will be closed. St. Mary's School in Lake Forest will be closed. Montessori School of Lake Forest will be closed. East Lake Academy will be closed. Lake Forest Academy…

Punxsutawney Phil's prediction of  an early Spring  seems elusive to anyone venturing out on this Groundhog Day. The few drivers seen on the road found their cars either stuck in over a foot of snow or sliding on thick sheets of ice. A gas-guzzling — but mobile — SUV seems downright desirable right now. This morning, broadcast meteorists spoke of spinouts, jack-knived trucks, abandoned cars littering highways and the more than 1,300 flights canceled at O'Hare Airport. While the snow appears to be stopping, the work has only begun. Is it really a surprise that Phil's accuracy level is only 39 …

Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Patch staffers are sending in photos from their neighborhoods to show the impact of this massive snowstorm, which began yesterday afternoon in earnest and hasn't let up since. Post your photos and show what's going on in your neighborhood today. Thanks for your participation.