Today is Jan. 15, 2026.

• Well, winter is back: We’re under a Lake Effect Snow Warning that started at 1:12 p.m. Wednesday and continues until 7 p.m. tonight, with total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches by the time the storm is over. Travel figures to be very difficult due to slick and snow-covered roads and reduced visibility, with patchy blowing snow adding to the hazardous driving conditions. And with the snow will come much colder air: Today’s high will be 18 degrees, with a low tonight of 14. The dead of winter, indeed.
  

• HERITAGE HOUSE RECOVERY AT A STANDSTILL?: The Stow Historical Society has been trying to get restoration efforts going for the Heritage House, one of four structures that make up the society’s Heritage Reserve Park at Silver Springs Park, ever since the historic building was severely damaged by fire in October 2023. So where do things stand as of January 2026? SHS President Bryan Menke writes in the organization’s February Newsletter: “At this point in time, the Society is struggling to partner with a company or authorized individuals to proceed with the renovation of the Heritage House. If you have any suggestions, please contact me.” Menke can be reached at 330-329-0739 or [email protected].
  

• SILVER LAKE DRIVEWAY SNOW REMOVAL: The Village of Silver Lake is again offering its Driveway Snow Removal Program for residents who are permanently disabled or 65 years of age or older and who meet the household income criteria established by the Department of Health and Human Services. Applications are available at Silver Lake Village Hall at 2961 Kent Rd. or by going to this page. For questions or if you would like an application mailed to you, call Village Hall at 330-923-5233.
  

• STOW BRUSH DROP-OFF BACK UP AND RUNNING: The City of Stow announced Jan. 12 that its brush drop-off site at 5070 Stow Rd. (across from Silver Springs Park) has resumed normal hours of operation. The site had been temporarily closed since Jan. 2. For hours, guidelines and updates, go to this page.
  

• STOW RESIDENTS WANTED TO SERVE ON ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION: The City of Stow is seeking residents interested in serving the city in a voluntary role on the newly formed Environmental Commission beginning in 2026. The commission will consist of five residents serving staggered terms and meeting on a regular basis. Members will serve in an advisory and educational capacity and will not have regulatory or enforcement authority. Appointments to the Environmental Commission will be made by Mayor John Pribonic and confirmed by Stow City Council. For an Environmental Commission application and more information, go to this page.
  

• STOW PARKS & REC ANNUAL REPORT: While the proposed amphitheater project on Norton Road getting the official green light was certainly the highlight of 2025 for the Stow Parks & Recreation Department, there was plenty more going on last year as well. To bring yourself fully up to speed on all things parks & rec, check out the department’s just-released 2025 Annual Report.
  

• 2026 STOW & MUNROE FALLS ARMED FORCES BANNER PROGRAM: There’s still time to honor a past or present member of the United States armed forces with a commemorative banner flying high above our community streets. Honorees are not required to be current or past residents of Stow or Munroe Falls. Sponsorship for each banner is $125. Go to this page to register (orders must be received by Friday, March 13).
  

• “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!

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Courts

Summit County Democrats appoint Kowalski as Stow Municipal Court clerk

Nicole Kowalski, a former At-Large Hudson City Council Member, was recently sworn in as the new clerk of Stow Municipal Court. Kowalski replaces previous clerk Amber Zibritosky, who was elected Stow Municipal Court judge in November. Kowalski will serve out Zibritosky’s six-year term, which expires in 2027.

Kowalski was chosen through a vote Jan. 7 by members of the Summit County Democratic Central Committee. Specialty Dockets Prosecutor Samantha Lisy of the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office and Summit County District 1 Council Member Rita Darrow were the other candidates, according to the Summit County Democratic Party.

“I am excited to report that I was elected to fulfill the unexpired term as your next Stow Municipal Clerk of Courts!” Kowalski posted on Facebook. “I am deeply honored and humbled to have been selected.” As court clerk, Kowalski’s duties will include managing funds, filing records and maintaining the records systems.

Kowalski’s experience includes:

• Serving as an at-large Hudson council member since 2020.

• Also serving as a member of the Hudson Environmental Awareness Committee and a volunteer board member for Hudson Community First.

• Serving as current Ohio Senator Casey Weinstein’s campaign director of communication from 2018 to 2020.

The Stow Municipal Court, which handles about 20,000 cases per year, serves 16 municipalities in northern Summit County: Boston Heights, Boston Township, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, Munroe Falls, Northfield, Northfield Center Township, Peninsula, Reminderville, Sagamore Hills, Silver Lake, Stow, Tallmadge, Twinsburg and Twinsburg Township.

Reader Spotlight

— From Roberta Roszkowski, Stow: “I was wondering whatever happened to Stow’s Dough Boy? He stood at the corner of Rte 91 and [Graham Road].”

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