Today is Dec. 9, 2022.

• Good morning! We're going to have some sunshine giving way to clouds and breezy today, with periods of rain and drizzle late in the afternoon. High will be 47 degrees with a low of 33, which is about where temps will hover for the next week. We could get some snow Sunday and Thursday, but expect little to no accumulation. So it should be a good week to finish putting up those outside decorations before winter arrives in earnest.

• We've been seeing chatter on Facebook about some drama in Stow City Hall. There have been accusations of politicizing the city's committees, which is a pretty serious issue if true. Civic volunteerism is the lifeblood of any functioning community. We would love to report on this, but we don't have the money to do it. If 10 of you buy a paid subscription, we'll be able to assign Mark Baxter to investigate. Will you consider upgrading?

Latest news in brief

Excellence honored: Stow native Mike Morrow earns induction into golf coaches hall of fame

Mike Morrow, a native of Stow and former head coach of the Kent State University women's golf team, was inducted into the Women's Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Dec. 4 at the Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A Kent State graduate and former All-American for the men's team, Morrow developed the Golden Flashes' women's program from the ground up in 1997. His teams dominated the Mid-American Conference, winning championships in all 14 of his seasons as coach. Morrow, the 2001 Golfweek National Coach of the Year and two-time Central Region Coach of the Year, led Kent State to four NCAA Championship appearances and 12 NCAA Regional berths.

Morrow was the first All-American golfer in Flashes history, earning Honorable Mention in 1973. He was the MAC medalist that year and earned All-MAC honors for three consecutive seasons (1973-75). He was inducted into the Varsity "K" Hall of Fame in 1987.

More local news:

• Demolition of the 57-year-old Macy's building in Stow began this week, and the community is invited to watch the historic structure, which closed in 2020, come down. Kids' hard hats are available at Stow City Hall (3760 Darrow Rd.) for anyone who wants to pick one up and then visit the Macy's site at the Stow-Kent Shopping Center (4301 Kent Rd.) to take photographs and watch the excavators at work.

• The "Connect With Nature" event series, a collaboration by the Stow Parks and Recreation Department and the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, has been a hit with residents. This fall, the new programming has featured Sunset Salutations Yoga and Stargazing sessions, Haunted Hearth Stories for Adults, Charcuterie Styling for the Holidays, Leaf Hunts, Nature Hikes, and Wings and Wine -- a fun night of crafting a birdhouse with wine corks. This winter and spring, nature programming will include Winter Tree Identification for Families, Learn OWL About It!, St. Patty’s Day Trivia, Owl Prowl, and Earth Fest: Celebrate the Earth. For more information and to register for these programs online, visit StowOhio.RecDesk.com, click “Programs,” and search for the program title. Call the City of Stow Parks and Recreation Department at 330-689-5100 if you have additional questions.

• It's not too late to participate in the Acker-Moore Memorial Post's "Be a Santa to a Senior" program. Stop by the club at 3733 Fishcreek Rd. in Stow and grab a bulb -- there are still several bulbs left on the trees. Final day to drop off your unwrapped items is Monday, Dec. 12.

• Residents can now access the City of Stow’s new permit application submittal and permit processing portal. Homeowners can use the portal to apply to the City of Stow for permits for new home construction and demolitions, patios and driveways, additions and alterations to a home, pools and spas, accessory structures, fences, home occupations, roofs, HVAC and more. Businesses can use the portal to apply for contractor registration, new commercial/industrial structure, signage for a business, commercial accessory structure, change of use or occupancy, additions and exterior alterations, and more. You can submit an online application from anywhere, 24/7, and monitor the status of the application online. You can also receive notifications via email as your application is reviewed and processed. You may also request inspections, communicate with inspectors or staff, pay for permits and receive documents — all through the new portal. First-time visitors to the site will need to create an account and password and an online profile. You can now access the portal here.

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Community calendar

🎅 Now through Wed., Dec. 14: Santa's Mailbox. What: Program sponsored by the Stow Parks & Recreation Department lets residents write letters to Santa Claus! Just drop your letter into Santa's Mailbox located outside Stow City Hall (3760 Darrow Rd.). You must include a legibly written self-addressed stamped envelope if you want to get a return letter from the jolly old elf. For more information, contact the Stow Parks & Recreation Department at 330-689-5100.

🎄 Fri., Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.: Stow Heritage Ringers Community Handbell Ensemble. What: Join Stow Heritage Ringers TONIGHT as they celebrate the variety of Christmas music from around the world — Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and more. Where: Stow Presbyterian Church (4150 Fishcreek Rd.) in Stow. Freewill offering will be collected.

🧸 Fri., Dec. 9, 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Teddy Bear Sleepover. What: Have you ever wondered what your stuffed animals do at night? Find out when you leave your bedtime friends in the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.) overnight. Drop off your stuffed animals in the Children's Department no later than 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, and the library will photograph their adventures. Photos will be shared the next day during a stuffed animal story time in the Stow-Munroe Falls Room at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9. This event is for ages 2 to 5. Register each age-appropriate child that wishes to attend the program at events.smfpl.org or call 330-688-3295 ext. 5.

🎅 Sat., Dec. 10, 9-11 a.m.: Donuts With Santa. What: Get a free photo taken with Santa and kids 12 and under get a free donut (while supplies last) at all Acme Fresh Market locations.

🎄 Sun., Dec. 11, 6-7 p.m.: Heritage Park Holiday Drive-Thru. What: Drive through to see the homes decorated as they would have been when they were built, and view a bustling farming village complete with carolers, a town crier, farmers, villagers, visual demonstrations by the Historical Society, a historic St. Nick with a treat for the kids, and more. Where: Heritage Barn area of Silver Springs Park (5238 Young Rd.) in Stow. Also: Starting the same day, lights will be on each evening from 5-10 p.m. through Jan. 2, 2023. The drive-thru and lights are hosted by the City of Stow Arts Commission in collaboration with the Stow Historical Society.

🎄 Sat., Dec. 17, 9 a.m.-noon: Annual Christmas Cookie Sale. What: Cookie sale presented by the Women's Fellowship at Stow Community Church; pick your own dozen from all the varieties available. Shop early — cookies sell out fast! Where: Stow Community Church (1567 Pilgrim Dr.). Cost is $7 for a baker's dozen.

📖 Sat., Dec. 17, 10:30-11 a.m.: Winter Fun Story Time. What: Winter-themed story time for children and their families. Stories, songs and rhymes will be geared toward children aged 2 to 6. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Registration is required. Register online at events.smfpl.org, or call the library at 330-688-3295 ext. 5. Only register the name of the age-appropriate child.

🎮 Sat., Dec. 17, 1-4 p.m.: Game On. What: Adults 18 and over can drop in at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library for an afternoon of board games. They'll have Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride on hand, but feel free to bring your own. Not a fan of board games? They'll have their Nintendo Switch running, with games from Madden to Mario. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Registration is not required for this event.

🎄 Tues., Dec. 20, 6 & 7 p.m.: Polar Express Train Rides. What: Event sponsored by the Stow Parks & Recreation Department that takes you on a short train ride through the Holiday Lights at Stow City Hall Campus and then proceeds to three other stations for snacks, games, and stories. Where: Stow City Hall (3760 Darrow Rd.). This program is full right now, but call Parks & Rec at 330-689-5100 to see if there are any cancellations in either the 6 or 7 p.m. time slots. Cost is $5 per person (Stow residents only).

🎄 Wed., Dec. 21, 10:30 a.m.-noon: "The Grinch" Movie. What: Bring the whole family to watch the 2018 Illumination and Universal Pictures movie "The Grinch," based on Dr. Seuss' beloved classic, on the big screen. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Feel free to bring blankets and pillows for the kids. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Register your family members who wish to attend the program at events.smfpl.org, or call the library at 330-688-3295 ext. 5.

🎅 Wed., Dec. 21, 5-7:30 p.m.: Picture With Santa. What: Santa Claus is coming to town, and this is your chance to stop in and get your picture taken with Santa at Pancho & Lefty's restaurant (3254 Kent Rd.) in Stow.

Obituaries for Dec. 2-8

Bob S. HabyanDedicated husband, father, and grandfather, Bob S. Habyan, went home to the Lord on the morning of December 1, 2022.Read more

Catherine "Cathy" Ann SkripacCatherine "Cathy" Ann Skripac, 69, passed away unexpectedly on December 3, 2022. She was born on December 26, 1952, in Youngstown, Ohio to the late Carl and Anita Walko.Read more

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And another edition of The Spotlight is in the books. Thanks for reading, and we appreciate your support — we look forward to expanding our coverage of local news as soon as possible. Have a great week ahead, and we'll do this again next Friday!

Tom [email protected]