Today is May 5, 2023.

• Wet snow overnight the last few days, a frost advisory from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. today ... when will the weather finally break? Answer: Looks like today, when we're going to warm up to 67 degrees with partial sunshine for your Cinco de Mayo plans. We'll have a low of 44 tonight, then have highs in the 70s -- including pushing 80 on Monday -- for the next week. It isn't summer yet, but at least we can see it from here.

• A personal plea to the Stow Police Department: If there's any way to increase traffic patrols on Young Road, residents in the area would greatly appreciate it. Way too many motorists treat Young Road as their own personal dragstrip, with cars and motorcycles easily reaching speeds of 80 to 90 miles per hour -- or higher -- as they hammer down the straightaway between Norton Road and Call Road (which, by the way, have their own dragstrip issues). It's a matter of when, not if, someone gets killed because of it.

Latest news in brief

What was it? Something shook under the ground 10 miles from Stow on April 28, but experts say it wasn't an earthquake

Did you feel it? At 10:54 p.m. Friday, April 28, a seismic event estimated to be about a magnitude 3 on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale was centered approximately 10 miles west-northwest of Stow, with an estimated depth of around six miles.

That's according to the website VolcanoDiscovery, which provides information on all things related to the lithosphere. It is run by a team of geologists based in Europe, Indonesia and Hawaii who work closely with international scientists from volcanological institutes and observatories all over the world. According to the site, VolcanoDiscovery "alerts the public about volcanoes and earthquakes happening anywhere in the world and provides an extensive database of these phenomena in all corners of the globe."

So here's the weird part: The experts at VolcanoDiscovery aren't sure what caused the "seismic-like event" April 28, but they don't think it was an earthquake. The one report they received indicated a couch and TV shaking. According to the United States Geological Survey, seismic activity in the magnitude 3 range is large enough to be felt by many people, yet small enough to rarely cause damage.

Seismic stations in Alum Creek State Park, Ohio (98 miles from the epicenter); Ann Arbor, Michigan (130 miles); and Blacksburg, Virginia (283 miles) were among those that picked up the shaking on their seismograms, so the event did happen. But VolcanoDiscovery says it was "likely" not a quake.

So just what, exactly, was shaking under the ground 10 miles away from us?

More local news:

• The Stow Memorial Day Ceremony will take place from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 29 at the Stow Cemetery at 3162 Kent Rd. The City of Stow and Acker-Moore Memorial Post (VFW) will observe the holiday. The community is invited to the ceremony, which will feature a parade assembly, music, readings, and honoring the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces.

• A reminder for Stow residents that Kimble's Spring Yard Waste Collection Program is ongoing and runs through Friday, May 26. In order to enhance the City of Stow’s recycling program, Kimble’s service includes a 6-week program in the spring (it began April 17) and fall months. Bagged yard waste will be collected separately from refuse and composted by Kimble. Through Kimble’s program, separate yard waste will be collected only from residencies that subscribe to Kimble service. Yard waste needs to be in bio-degradable paper yard-waste bags, personal containers labeled "YW" or in bundles. Collection occurs once weekly for the six weeks, on the same day as your refuse collection. So you've got a few more chances to clean out that yard and spruce it up for summer!

• If you've driven by the Stow City Center Complex on Route 91 lately, you can't miss it: The SKiP Stow Kids' Playground is really starting to take shape! And you can be a part of it through the City of Stow's Bricks for SKiP program, where you can leave your mark by having your name on a brick at the new playground. A sponsored-brick landscape area has been dedicated near the entrance to the playground, and original SKiP Playground sponsor bricks have been placed in this area already. If you want to join them, order here to get your brick. Cost of a brick is $100 and includes a maximum of three lines on each brick (16 characters per line, including spaces). If you want to purchase one, though, don't wait: There are only 200 bricks available. Bricks will be displayed for a minimum of five years and replaced or removed as needed after that time. Funds raised will be used for recreational programming for those in need. The SKiP Playground's grand opening, including ribbon cutting and community picnic, will take place Sunday, July 2 as part of the city's #CelebrateStow Week events June 29-July 4.

• Want to get a stage career started? If so, you might consider the Stow Players' summer youth theater workshop, which is geared toward the beginning actor or child (ages 8-14). Kids will play theater games, work on theater techniques and learn all about improvisation. They will also get a chance to learn a monologue and how to audition for a performance. Workshops will take place from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays starting June 20 and ending Aug. 15 (no workshop July 4) at the Oregon Trail Meeting Facility at 2913 Graham Rd. Registration fee is $80. For more information or to register, go to this page.

• The Stow-Munroe Falls Democratic Club will host a petition-signing drive-thru this weekend in Silver Lake for the reproductive rights ballot initiative. The event will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 6 at The Church in Silver Lake at 2951 Kent Rd. Participants will sign the petition from the convenience of their car. The drive-thru event is part of an effort to gather more than 10,000 petition signatures in Summit County by July 5, the date by which all petitions must be turned into the secretary of state’s office for validation. The petition effort, initiated by the Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights and Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom, plans to gather more than 700,000 signatures from 44 counties to meet the threshold required for the initiative to appear on the Ohio ballot in November. According to the SMF Democratic Club's press release, “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety” ballot initiative would guarantee individuals’ right to make and carry out their own reproductive decisions, including contraception, fertility treatments, continuing one’s own pregnancy, miscarriage care and abortion.

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Community calendar

📚 Fri., May 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Friends of the Library Book Sale. What: Annual spring book sale at the library. Free and open to the public. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.).

🦸 Sat., May 6, all day: Free Comic Book Day. What: Stop by the library to pick up a free comic book to keep, courtesy of JC's Comics and Cards in Cuyahoga Falls. Comics for all ages available while supplies last. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.).

🎣 Sat., May 6, 9 a.m.-noon: Annual Stow Fishing Derby. What: Free fishing event for kids, presented by the Stow Parks and Recreation Department, Summit Sportsman Association and Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Check-in starts at 8 a.m., kids ages 1 to 8 start fishing at 9 a.m., and kids ages 9 to 15 start fishing at 10 a.m. Where: Heritage Lake (adjacent to the Heritage Barn) at Silver Springs Park (5238 Young Rd.). Accompanying adults are not permitted to fish. One fishing rod per child is permitted, and the event includes bait and tackle, T-shirt, and snack. Go here to register (each child must be registered).

📚 Sat., May 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Friends of the Library Book Sale. What: Annual spring book sale at the library. Free and open to the public. This is Bag Day, where you can fill up a bag for $5. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Following the sale, all books will be free to everyone from 2 to 3 p.m.

🎨 Sat., May 6, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Mini Masterpieces. What: Children ages 5 to 8 are invited to learn about a famous artist and then will use what they have learned to create their own mini masterpieces. May’s artist will be Jackson Pollock. Participants will express themselves with an outdoor mural (weather permitting). Although children will be using washable paints and markers, be aware that this is a messy activity, so dress accordingly. Where: Story Time Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). To register for this free program, go here, call 330-688-3295 ext. 5, or stop by the library. Register each age-appropriate child who wishes to attend the program.

🏠Mon., May 8, 6-7 p.m.: Saving Money for Your Home. What: If you have questions about loans, mortgages or refinancing your home, you are not alone. Finances in today's economy are important to understand, especially where our homes are concerned. Wendi Wilhelm from BFG Federal Credit Union returns to educate attendees on the best ways to save money for loans and mortgages and answer your questions. Where: Conference Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Go here to register for this free event or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🍿 Thurs., May 11, 6-8 p.m.: Star Wars: A New Hope. What: Come see the movie that started it all and turned Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo into iconic Hollywood figures. May the Force be with you! Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). No registration necessary.

🌳 Sat., May 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. What: Stop by the library's lobby to meet representatives from the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Find out about upcoming programs, ask questions, and learn about this natural treasure in our community's backyard. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). This program is free, and registration is not required.

📄 Sat., May 13, 10-11:30 a.m.: Estate Planning Basics. What: Attorney Jason M. Jordan will cover the basics of estate planning. Learn about the four foundational documents, wills and more. Jason is dedicated to ensuring that his clients understand these important documents and that their assets are protected. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Register for this free program here or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🌳 Mon., May 15, 6-7 p.m.: Operation Orphan Wildlife Rehabilitation. What: Spend the evening with Fran Kitchen, founder and director of Operation Orphan Wildlife Rehabilitation in Akron. Fran will bring several of her rescued animal ambassadors and share their roles in the ecosystem of Northeast Ohio. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). To register, go here or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4. This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

🌳 Tues., May 16, 7-8 p.m.: Connect with Nature: The Music of Birdsong. What: Learn how to sort out the avian singers in the chorus at this program presented by the Stow Parks & Recreation Department in partnership with the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library. Join Lisa Rainsong, a professional musician, educator and naturalist, as she guides adults and teens ages 12 and up in the identification of birds and their musical repertoire. Where: Heritage Barn at Silver Springs Park (5238 Young Rd.). Cost is $5 per person for Stow residents and $8 per person for non-residents. Go here to register.

📄 Wed., May 17, 7-8 p.m.: Mastering the Interview. What: Learn how to prepare for in-person and virtual interviews as well as how to answer some of the most challenging interview questions. Additionally, attendees will learn what to bring and how to dress for an interview. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Go here to register or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🌳 Thurs., May 18, 6-8 p.m.: What’s Bugging Your Trees?! An Update on Insects and Diseases Impacting Trees & Forests in Northeast Ohio. What: Join Ohio Division of Forestry's Forest Health Manager Tom Macy for a talk on the insects and diseases that currently impact Northeast Ohio's forests. Some of the topics to be covered include beech leaf disease, oak wilt, hemlock wooly adelgid, and the spotted lanternfly. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). To register for this free program, go here or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🌳 Sat., May 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Native Plant Festival: What: Join Summit Metro Parks staff and local native plant nurseries at the event's new location in Munroe Falls to discover the vital role of native plants in our ecosystem. Browse a wide variety of plants available for purchase, or attend an educational session to learn how to incorporate native plants into your landscaping. Attendees can also receive a free seedling while supplies last. Where: Munroe Falls Metro Park (521 S. River Rd.). Food will be available for purchase from D-Bo’s Grill and Henry’s Creamery. Go here for more information.

Obituaries for April 28 - May 4

Heather C. CrowHeather C. Crow, age 49 of Ravenna, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, April 30, 2023 at UH Portage Medical Center. She was born January 6, 1974 in Stow.Read more

Janice K. LlewellynJanice K. Llewellyn, 79, went to join her beloved husband Jerry on May 3, 2023.Read more

“Glad to find this site...lost without the Stow Sentry for local news..Now I know about the levy ...thank you”

“Super just as her Big Sister, The Portager, is!”

“I enjoy these posts each time one is sent! Can’t afford to subscribe at this time but I’m grateful for the Spotlight news I do get! Thank you”

Tom: Thank you all for your support! Even if you can't afford to subscribe right now, we're glad to have you here.

Election

Another winner: Voters easily pass Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools' Issue 3 renewal levy

For the second time in six months, voters in Stow and Munroe Falls have passed a school levy.

This time it was Issue 3, a 10-year renewal operational levy for the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District that will cover day-to-day operational costs of the district (teachers and staff, technology, books, utilities, equipment, supplies, maintenance, etc.). Issue 3 passed by a comfortable margin in the May 2 primary election, with 60.45% (2,063) voting for the levy and 39.55% (1,350) voting against it.

• The levy, first passed in 2012 and in effect ever since, will generate $7.3 million per year over the 10 years.

• Since Issue 3 is a renewal levy, it will not raise taxes for residents.

• That's unlike the Issue 6 school levy that voters passed in November 2022, which increased taxes for homeowners by about $50 per month per $250,000 of property value (or $20 per month per $100,000 of home value). Issue 6, a brand-new-money operational levy to cover the costs of rising inflation, awarded the district $7.92 million over 10 years and was the first new-money levy passed since 2011.

"The ballot issue will continue to provide funding for our programs and opportunities for our students," Superintendent Tom Bratten said of Issue 3. "Together, we have accomplished a great achievement for our district and our community. Your support will ensure that we can continue to provide a high-quality education for our students and maintain our academic excellence."

There were two other ballot initiatives facing Stow voters May 2, and both involved Alejandro’s Amigos Taqueria, a Mexican restaurant at 4147 Bridgewater Pkwy. Issue 14, a Stow District 4-C Local Liquor Option, passed 85.48% (53 votes) to 14.52% (9 votes) to approve a D-5 liquor permit for Alejandro's for the "sale of wine and mixed beverages and spirituous liquor." Issue 15, a Stow District 4-C Local Liquor Option Sunday Sales initiative, passed 80.65% (50 votes) to 19.35% (12 votes) to approve a D-6 liquor permit for Alejandro's for the "sale of wine and mixed beverages and spiritous liquor on Sunday." In other words, with liquor license in hand, Alejandro's can now add beer and margaritas to its menu, including Sundays.

Business

Sign of the times: Tuesday Morning's Stow location among 200 sites slated to be closed

The sun is setting on Tuesday Morning.

Chain discount retailer Tuesday Morning announced May 1 that it is going out of business and will close all of its remaining stores -- about 200 in 25 states — including its Stow location at 1614 Norton Rd. in Hudson Towne Center. The company will start closing its locations in the coming weeks.

• The 49-year-old retailer features a discounted selection of brand-name home furnishings, small appliances and gifts.

• According to the company's website, customers have until Saturday, May 13 to use their gift cards — so you'd better hurry. Items are also marked as much as 30% off the lowest ticketed price.

• The Texas-based store filed for its second bankruptcy in three years in February and was delisted from the Nasdaq in December, according to a CNN report published May 2. Tuesday Morning cited inflation, rising interest rates and lingering effects from the pandemic as the primary reasons for the closures.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE CHAMBER

Sponsored by the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce

A word from Wentz Financial: Building close relationships is key to building successful portfolios

By Julie McLain, Executive Director

As our Main Event Legacy Sponsor for the Chamber's Second Annual Elite Business Awards, Wentz Financial Group has been a longtime supporter of the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce and believes in the importance of serving their community honestly when it comes to the sometimes-overwhelming topic of investing and retirement planning.

Wentz Financial Group was started in 2004 with the core focus of building personal relationships that serve as the foundation for long-term financial success. We feel the industry standard was providing investments in a box, and our goal was to break that mold. We employ a strategy focused on education and ensure that clients are relaxed and comfortable about their financial-planning process. Financial planning is more than just picking investments; it’s a process that can evolve as life changes, and our team can work to manage your plan to keep your goals in focus. We feel no two people are the same, and therefore no two people will have the same investment strategy or financial plan. We work to provide customization and communication along your financial journey.

In addition to our individual and family financial-planning services, we also have a side of our organization committed solely to corporate retirement plans. This side of our firm can work with your company to develop and maintain a successful retirement plan to allow employees to have successful outcomes as they themselves plan for their years after work. Our team of advisors goes on site to meet with employees and help them understand the importance of saving and explaining the benefit in easy-to-understand terminology. Our goal is to reduce the employer’s time spent on managing the retirement plan and be the main point of contact for employees for any assistance they may need.

At Wentz Financial Group, we take great pride in listening to our customers and providing solutions to an often intimidating and sometimes overwhelming topic. Whether you are just getting started or well into retirement, we are committed to providing personalized advice based on helping you achieve your goals. When you meet with anyone on our team, our focus is learning about what is important to you and your family. Our entire process is built to ensure every step in your financial journey. We truly believe in Investment Management for your Lifetime.

That's a wrap for this Friday — and that also wraps up The Spotlight's first nine months of existence. We started last August, just before the beginning of the school year, and now we're already near the end of the school year. So much has happened in our communities in these nine months, and we greatly appreciate everyone's interest and support in this endeavor to bring that news to you. Our subscriptions continue to rise dramatically. If you're able to swing it, please consider purchasing a subscription — the more of those we get, the more we will be able to bring you the kind of original reporting of everything from city hall to sports that will take this thing up another level or two. Have a great week and see you next Friday!

Tom [email protected]