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Today is Feb. 5, 2026.

• Good morning! Well, does this sound familiar? Today’s forecast is cloudy and cold — but the good news is we’re not talking temps in the single digits (they’re coming again, though). Today’s high will be 21 and the low will be 15 — balmy by this winter’s frigid standards — but don’t get used to it, because the low is forecast to reach minus-4 on Saturday. We’ve just got to hang in there a little longer.
  

• IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO HELP STOW FIRE VICTIMS: Through Stow’s Helping Hands program, monetary donations and gift cards are still being collected at City Hall at 3760 Darrow Rd. through today to help support a Stow family that lost everything in a recent house fire. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; donations can be dropped off in the lobby. All contributions help cover immediate needs and give the family the tools it needs to begin rebuilding. Information about this support effort and updates can be found at this page.
  

• NO TRESPASSING ZONE IN SILVER LAKE LIFTED: The wooded area south of Crystal Lake Park in Silver Lake reopens to the public today after having been closed for safety reasons during hunting season. All wooded areas and trails in the village that had been closed off to everyone except hunters have now been reopened.
  

• CITY WANTS RESIDENTS’ INPUT ON STOW PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN: The City of Stow has announced that its Public Art Master Plan is nearing completion — but there’s still time for you to have your say on what it should look like. The city says this initiative “will help shape vibrant public spaces, tell Stow’s story, and inspire connection through art.” For more information go to this page, which includes a survey that residents can fill out that will help shape the direction and vision of the master plan.
  

• CITY OF STOW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: The City of Stow is looking to fill the following job openings: Lateral Transfer Police Officer; Seasonal Snack Bar Attendant at Fox Den Golf Course - Part Time; Municipal Court - Deputy Clerk II; Plans Examiner - Part-Time Contract Position; School Crossing Guard - Part Time; School Resource Officer - Part Time. Go here for more information on these and other open positions.
  

• “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: Lawrence Lebo in Stow, Winter Storm Fern, pancakes for dinner and more local news. Get full access for just $2.99/month.

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Stow-Munroe Falls

Shakeup at the top: SMF Public Library looking for new director, fiscal officer

First, the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library lost its fiscal officer when Jenn Hale — who served in that position for the past 20 years — recently stepped down to take a job with the City of Shaker Heights.

And now the library is looking for a director after Gale Koritansky resigned to become the new director at the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Libraries. Koritansky’s last day as director of the SMF Public Library is Feb. 11. “I’ve loved being this library’s director for the last five years. I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved together,” Koritansky stated in a Jan. 22 Facebook post.

The SMF Public Library posted that same day: “Gale’s contributions to both the library and our community are immeasurable. From launching our Bookmobile to redesigning our Circulation department, Gale’s vision, guidance, and expertise have created a meaningful, lasting impact for our staff and patrons. We are so grateful for her service.

“To our friends at the Cleveland Heights Libraries: Congratulations on welcoming Gale as your new Director! While we are sad to see Gale leave, we are thrilled for your community. The Heights Library just struck gold.”

Kristin Casale will serve as the SMF library’s interim director until a permanent replacement is found. Casale is the library’s collections development manager.

Interested applicants for the director position can go to this page for more information. Starting pay range is $90,000 to $110,000; applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Those interested in the fiscal officer position can go to this page for more information and for links to apply. Starting pay range is $80,000 to $90,000, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Community

Angel of Hope Children’s Memorial brick orders are still available for spring placement

The deadline to order bricks to be placed at the Angel of Hope Children’s Memorial this spring has been extended to Friday, Feb. 20; brick order forms are available at the memorial in Silver Springs Cemetery at 5080 Stow Rd., at www.stowangelofhope.com or by contacting Christine Moncheck at 330-285-0989. Cost of a brick is $100.

Nearly 800 bricks, all in memory of children, have been placed at the Angel of Hope Memorial:

• Helping bereaved parents and families since 2001, the Angel of Hope Children’s Memorial in Stow Silver Springs Cemetery was created to help those who suffer the death of a child. This beautiful memorial is a peaceful place for grieving parents whose children have died, before or after birth, to mourn, heal and remember their beloved children.

• These special bricks may be purchased in memory of any child, regardless of age or where the child was born or lived. They did not have to be Stow residents. Bricks may also be purchased as gifts in memory of a child or children.

• The spring brick placement will take place Sunday, May 17 at the memorial site in Silver Springs Cemetery. Following placement of the bricks, an inspirational ceremony will be held for the families and friends to honor their children who have become a part of the memorial.

Bricks will continue to be sold throughout the year at a cost of $100, with another placement scheduled to take place in the fall.

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