Today is April 16, 2026.

• Good morning! Before we get to the weather, I have an announcement to make: I am going to retire effective July 1, 2026. Our publisher, Ben Wolford, will lay out in next week’s newsletter what that means for The Spotlight going forward. We launched The Spotlight e-newsletter on Aug. 2, 2022, and it’s been quite a ride these last 3 years and 8 months. I have enjoyed my time as editor of The Spotlight, but as the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end. I will have more to say in a later edition, but for now I’ll just say thanks to all of you for your support and I will miss reporting the goings-on in Stow, Munroe Falls and Silver Lake. More from Ben next week …
  

• Now, for that weather report. It’s looking dicey: A high of 76 and low of 54 with variable clouds, showers and heavier thunderstorms in the afternoon that could produce flooding downpours, hail and damaging wind gusts — and might even spin up a tornado. We’ve been getting a lot of wind and rain anyway lately, so keep those hatches battened down.
  

• FOX 8 “NEW DAY” SHOW COMING TO STOWNUT DINER: Are you busy at, say, 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 24? If not, then you might consider heading to StowNut Donut & Diner at 3055 Graham Rd. in the Crossroads at Fishcreek Shopping Center, because Fox 8 News will be there to tape its “New Day Cleveland” show — and there’s a chance you could be on TV. “We want this place PACKED!” the diner posted on its Facebook page. “Come hang out, grab some food, and be part of the action. This is a big moment for us, and we couldn’t do it without this community.” The show’s air date has not been announced.
  

• MUNROE FALLS SAFETY TOWN: Registration is underway for Munroe Falls Safety Town Week 2026, which will take place from Monday, June 8 through Friday, June 12 in the Munroe Falls Safety Room at the police/fire department at 43 Munroe Falls Ave. (entrance is in the back of the building). Safety Town is a program to help incoming kindergarteners learn about important safety rules and procedures. The fee for Munroe Falls Safety Town is $50 for all students. To register and for more information, go to this page. For questions, email Megan Postak at [email protected].
  

• SILVER LAKE POLLINATOR GARDEN CLEANUP DAY: The Silver Lake Park and Recreation Board’s Pollinator Garden Cleanup Day will take place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2 at the Silver Lake Recreation Area at 2961 Kent Rd. (near the picnic pavilion). Just bring a gardening tool and gloves and pitch in!
  

• SMF LIBRARY SEEKING ADVOCATES: How many times have we discovered a program or service offered by the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library that we never even knew existed? Well, now’s your chance to be the person letting others know all the things the library provides by being a Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library Advocate — the library states that “it’s easy, there’s no commitment, and we’ll make sure you know what’s happening so you can share it with others.” If you’re interesting in being an SMF Library Advocate, go to this page.
  

• MAY 5 PRIMARY ELECTION: Early voting for the May 5 Primary/Special Election began April 7 and can be done at the Summit County Board of Elections at 1050 E. Tallmadge Ave. in Akron. Go to this page for the full schedule of early voting dates and hours. For information on absentee voting, go to this page. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5.
  

• “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: AMP groundbreaking, Heritage House progress, self defense, yoga, coffee, free comic books and more local news and events. Get full access for just $2.99/month.

Sponsored by Brandon Heating and Air Conditioning

The Spotlight would like to thank the following benefactors for making our work possible: Brandon Heating and Air Conditioning

Stow

Community celebration of amphitheater construction continues with Build the Buzz Pop Up event

Next up on the City of Stow’s docket for the Building the Beat series celebrating the start of construction on the new amphitheater is the Build the Buzz Pop Up, which will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20 at the amphitheater construction site at 1680 Norton Rd. Attendees can stay for the duration and enjoy all the activities, or just stop by to check things out as work continues on The AMP.

Here’s what’s in store:

• A sand play area where kids can dig, build and explore

• Construction hats for kids (while supplies last)

• Themed giveaways for adults

• Fun photo opportunities to capture the moment

• An informational space to learn more about the amphitheater, project updates and what’s ahead

Admission to the event is free.

[See details of The AMP’s April 12 groundbreaking further down today’s newsletter.]

Subscribe to Premium to read the rest.