Today is Nov. 6, 2024.

• Morning, all! It’s going to be breezy and warm today, with a passing shower in the morning then a blend of sunshine and clouds in the afternoon. The high will be 70 degrees and our low tonight will be 49, with temperatures forecast to remain mild through at least the next week or so. It sure doesn’t feel like we’re just 3 weeks away from Thanksgiving.
  

• SPECIAL ELECTION EDITION TODAY: The Spotlight is publishing a day early this week to accommodate the November General Election. Next week, we will return to our usual publication day of Thursday, with The Spotlight hitting your inbox Nov. 14.
  

• YOU CAN NOW TEXT 911: Texting 911 is now available in our area. This new lifesaving option is especially important for those who are unable to make a voice call to 911, including those who are speech or hearing impaired or are facing a dangerous situation. It’s always best to call 911 if you can — but if you can’t, texting is now the next-best thing. Go to this page for more information.
  

• STUFF THE TRUCK FOR VETERANS: The 10th Annual Stuff The Truck For Veterans event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Acker-Moore Memorial Post, located at 3733 Fishcreek Rd. in Stow. Items that will be accepted are: new to gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing items; blankets, towels and new toiletries; canned and boxed food items; gift cards for local grocery store chains; and monetary donations (cash or check made out to “Family and Community Services”). For more information, call 330-673-1608.
  

• “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: Construction project, campaign sign collection, book sale info, sidewalk salt tips and more local news. Full access is just $2.99/month.

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2024 November General Election

A resounding no: SMF Schools’ Issue 31 fails by a wide margin; Licate edges McIntire for Summit County Council seat

Voters decisively rejected Issue 31 in Tuesday’s November General Election. The Stow-Munroe Falls City School District’s 8.89-mill, $238 million bond issue to build five new schools and demolish all but two of its existing buildings failed by 59% to 40% in the Summit County portion of the district; the measure failed by a vote total of 100-88 in the sliver of the district that sits in Portage County.

Had the 35-year bond issue passed, the district would have constructed four new elementary schools and one middle school as well as renovated the high school. All K-8 schools with the exception of Woodland Elementary would have been torn down. Passage would have meant a property tax increase of $310.80 a year for homeowners for each $100,000 of the county's appraised value for the life of the bond issue.

While the Issue 31 vote wasn’t close, the race for the Summit County Council District 3 seat was about as close as it gets. Democrat David Licate, a former Stow City Council member, edged Republican Jeremy McIntire, a current Stow City Council member, for the open seat by a little over 100 votes.

Other local winners Tuesday night were: Democrat Casey Weinstein, who defeated Republican Jon Leissler, a former Stow-Munroe Falls school board member, for the open 28th District State Senator seat; Democrat Derrick Hall, who defeated Republican Adam Bozic for the open 34th District State Representative seat; and Democrat incumbent Emilia Sykes, who defeated Republican Kevin Coughlin in another tight race, winning by just 2 percentage points to hang onto the Ohio 13th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, voters overwhelmingly approved the Stow 2-E Local Liquor Option.

Here are the unofficial results of the local ballot issues with all votes tabulated (winners in all caps):

• ISSUE 31: Proposed Bond Issue, Stow-Munroe Falls City School District: Summit County total: AGAINST THE BOND ISSUE: 12,965 (59.78%); For the Bond Issue: 8,723 (40.22%). Portage County total: 100 YES, 88 no.

• STOW 2-E – Local Liquor Option: YES: 842 (85.22%); No: 146 (14.78%).

Here are the unofficial results of the local candidate races with all votes tabulated (winners in all caps):

• SUMMIT COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3: DAVID LICATE (D): 18,576 (50.15%); Jeremy McIntire (R): 18,464 (49.85%).

• 28TH DISTRICT STATE SENATOR: CASEY WEINSTEIN (D): 88,575 (55.86%); Jon Leissler (R): 69,977 (44.14%).

• 34TH DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVE: DERRICK HALL (D): 32,164 (53.19%); Adam Bozic (R): 28,310 (46.81%).

• 13TH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE: EMILIA SYKES (D): 193,575 (51.05%); Kevin Coughlin (R): 185,622 (48.95%).

Stow

Wreath ceremony honoring veterans Nov. 9

The community is invited to the City of Stow’s wreath-laying ceremony honoring U.S. military veterans beginning at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Doughboy statue in front of City Hall, located at 3760 Darrow Rd. This event is hosted in collaboration with the Joshua Stow Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and it’s free and open to the public.

Stow

Glow with Stow: Annual event will feature tree lighting, Santa’s Workshop and live reindeer

It’s that time of year again! Get ready for a festive adventure and a delightful visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the City of Stow’s annual Glow with Stow Holiday Tree Lighting event, which will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at Stow City Hall, located at 3760 Darrow Rd. The tree lighting will be held at 5:45 p.m.

This free community event is chock full of things to do and see for everyone:

• Stroll through the grounds and soak in all the breathtaking lights and holiday silhouettes that make this time of year so special.

• Get some Christmas magic at Santa’s Workshop, brought to you by The Home Depot in Cuyahoga Falls.

• Take a family picture in the life-sized snow globe.

• Have a blast with the Christmas Grump and Cindy Lou, and don’t miss the chance to see Santa’s enchanting LIVE reindeer.

• Feel the holiday spirit while listening to some fantastic tunes from the Fishcreek Racooners Choir, Premium Blend (an acapella group) and a Stow-Munroe Falls High School Choir group.

• Keep your eyes peeled for the incredible stilt walkers and jump on a festive train ride.

• Don’t miss the Glow Market organized by the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce, featuring amazing local artisans.

• Watch in awe as talented artists create beautiful ice sculptures right before your eyes.

Also, be sure to warm up with hot coffee, hot chocolate and delicious treats from local food trucks (don’t forget to bring some cash to enjoy these tasty offerings):

• Dr. Hibachi Food Truck: Chicken, Steak, Shrimp

• Funny Cakes: Funnel Cakes and Fried Oreos

• MJ’s Great American Frites & Fries: Hot Dogs, Nachos, Burritos, Pulled Pork, Fries

• Nothing Bundt Cakes: Bundtlet Cakes

• Rolling Refreshments: Coffee, Tea, Lemonade, Mocktails

• Top Dawg: Gourmet Hot Dogs

Plus, children will get a complimentary book, thanks to the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library.

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