Today is Nov. 14, 2024.

• Good morning! When last we met eight days ago, temperatures were pushing into the 70s and it felt more like September than November. But with nighttime lows dropping into the 30s lately, November’s back. And today will be your typical mid-November day in Northeast Ohio: Breezy in the morning and cooler with periods of rain, with temps holding steady at 46 for the high and 44 for the low. The rain could cause ponding on streets and highways, so be careful out there on the roads today.
  

• STOW HISTORICAL SOCIETY NOVEMBER PROGRAM: How much do you know about the Ohio Historical Markers in our area? With the help of some of those historical markers, Stow resident and local historian Denny Reiser will share stories about some of the people, places and events that have put a mark on our state history. Denny’s presentation will be part of the Stow Historical Society’s November program meeting, which will take place at 4 p.m. TODAY inside the Stewart Schoolhouse at Heritage Reserve Park, located at 5120 Young Rd. in Silver Springs Park. The Ohio Historical Markers program is more than just metal markers scattered along our roadways. It is an educational tool, a means of telling community stories and gives travelers a “sense of place”. During this program, Denny will give you some methods that will help you identity some markers that you can visit and some that your community could have, as well as how to navigate the www.remarkableohio.org website. This talk is free and open to the public.
  

• OUR LOCAL MAYORS KICK OFF HOMELESS CLOTHING DRIVE: On Nov. 12, Stow Mayor John Pribonic, Munroe Falls Mayor Allen Mavrides and Silver Lake Mayor Therese Dunphy joined the mayors of Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson and Tallmadge in serving meals at the Peter Maurin Center in Akron to kick off their joint homeless clothing drive. Donation items may be dropped off during office hours at each community’s city hall through Sunday, Dec. 15. Go here for a list of accepted donation items (must be new or gently worn). The Peter Maurin Center’s mission and focus is to provide assistance to individuals and families who suffer from hunger, addiction and homelessness by providing prepared meals, warm clothing, shelter and friendship at its facilities and in the community.
  

• “Reader Spotlight” is a forum where you can send us your comments, concerns and suggestions on anything going on in our communities of Stow, Munroe Falls and Silver Lake. Send your email to [email protected], put “Reader Spotlight” in the subject line, and please include your name and town (recommended but not required for publication). We will publish comments as we receive them.
  

• If you just subscribed or missed something in an earlier newsletter, don’t fret: Subscribers have access to every edition of The Spotlight at www.stowmunroefalls.com. Check out back issues to catch up on everything that’s going on in our communities — you never know what you might have missed!

⭐ Several stories in this issue are only available to premium subscribers: Holiday activities, Stow basketball registration, November outdoor tips and more local news. Full access is just $2.99/month.

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Stow

Tragedy strikes again: Uncle admits to stabbing his niece to death as the city is rocked by another homicide

The Stow community suffered its second homicide in three months when police found 32-year-old resident Sharee Hutch dead inside a home on Baird Road on Nov. 7 with “numerous stab wounds.”

Stow resident John Lorkowski, 46, was arrested at the scene without incident after admitting to the deadly stabbing in a 911 call. Lorkowski identified Hutch as his niece.

Here’s what happened according to police:

• The Stow Police Department received two 911 calls from the 4000 block of Baird Road around 10:31 p.m. Nov. 7 “reporting a disturbance and a stabbing that had just occurred.” One of those calls came from Lorkowski, who “told the dispatcher that he had stabbed a family member after an altercation,” according to a press release from Stow police.

• The other 911 call came from Sharee Hutch’s mother, who was also inside the home, police said. Hutch’s mother said that she disarmed Lorkowski after he had stabbed her daughter in the chest and neck several times. When officers arrived at the scene, Lorkowski was on his cellphone and waiting in the driveway, unarmed and soaked in blood, according to police.

• The Stow Fire Department pronounced Sharee Hutch dead at the scene.

• Lorkowski was taken into custody by Stow police and transported to Akron General Hospital in Stow for treatment to cuts on his hand. Lorkowski was then charged with murder and booked into the Summit County Jail in Akron.

• According to released 911 calls, Lorkowski told the dispatcher: “I stabbed my niece; I got so mad. We were arguing and got so mad that I stabbed her. I don’t think she is breathing. Oh my God, what have I done? I stabbed her multiple times in the throat, in the chest, I don’t know what came over me, I don’t know if it’s my new medicine, oh my God.”

• Hutch’s mother told the dispatcher in her call to 911: “My brother-in-law stabbed my daughter. It’s blood all over the floor. I took the knife, hurry please. He had a mental problem, and they started him on new medication. I don’t think she is breathing. He just said he snapped, they were downstairs playing video games, I was upstairs and heard her screaming.”

• According to Stow Municipal Court records, Lorkowski is being held on a $500,000 bond while the case is sent over to the Summit County Court of Common Pleas.

• Stow PD said Lorkowski has no criminal history and no previous reports have come from the home where the slaying occurred. A motive for the fight inside the home has not been released by police.

• Police said the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation are assisting with the investigation.

The tragedy comes on the heels of the Aug. 14 murder-suicide that claimed the life of Stow resident and Stow-Munroe Falls High School graduate Megan Keleman. Keleman, 25, was shot and killed by Cuyahoga Falls resident Jason Williams, 53, as she sat in her car in the drive-thru lane at the Graham Road Taco Bell on the border of Stow and Cuyahoga Falls. Williams then returned to his vehicle directly behind Keleman’s in the drive-thru lane and shot himself.

Silver Lake

Christmas Tree Lighting & Winter Fest will feature a weekend of fun activities, caroling and a visit from Santa …

The Silver Lake Garden Club will usher in the holiday season with its Christmas Tree Lighting & Winter Fest community event Saturday, Nov. 30 and Sunday, Dec. 1 at locations throughout the village. The festivities will include adult and kids activities, Christmas trees for sale and caroling by the Silver Lake Singers.

The weekend’s activities will culminate with the tradition of welcoming Santa Claus to Silver Lake for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Sunday, Dec. 1 at the Gazebo. Here’s a look at the schedule of events:

Saturday, Nov. 30 at Silver Lake Park and Boathouse:

• 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Christmas Trees for Sale

• Noon-2 p.m.: Build A Holiday Garden Pot

• 1-3 p.m.: Silver Lake Items for Sale

• 2-3 p.m.: Kids’ Crafts

Sunday, Dec. 1 at Silver Lake Park and Boathouse:

• 2-4 p.m.: Christmas Trees for Sale

• 2-4 p.m.: Silver Lake Items for Sale

• Hot Chocolate and Donuts in the Boathouse

Sunday, Dec. 1 at Christmas Tree Island Gazebo:

• 4:30 p.m.: Christmas Tree Lighting

• Caroling by the Silver Lake Singers

• Santa Comes to Town!

Go to this page for more information.

Munroe Falls

… And be sure to check out the tree lighting and dazzling displays at Sparkle in the Park

The City of Munroe Falls’ annual tree-lighting ceremony and the opening of Sparkle in the Park will take place at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. The community is invited to enjoy a leisurely walk through Guise Park, located at 38 Guise Park Dr., and enjoy the festive holiday displays.

Sparkle in the Park is a free, family-friendly event hosted by the Munroe Falls Parks and Recreation Board and will be open through Jan. 1.

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