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Today is Jan. 29, 2026.

• Greetings from the ice box. Winter Storm Fern dumped somewhere in the neighborhood of a foot of snow on us last weekend, we’ve had several nights of sub-zero temperatures, and not only is it going to continue, it might actually get worse. Starting today, when we’ll only top out at 13 degrees before falling to minus-5 tonight; we might get a couple of flurries this morning, but otherwise it will be cloudy. Which takes us to Friday, when the mercury is forecast to plummet to 8 degrees below zero. And still almost two months to go …
  

• CITY SEEKS DONATIONS FOR FAMILY OF STOW HOUSE FIRE: The City of Stow is accepting donations to help support a Stow family that lost everything, including their pets and all their belongings, in a house fire Jan. 24 that destroyed their home. Donations will be collected in the lobby of Stow City Hall at 3760 Darrow Rd. through Thursday, Feb. 5. You can also scan the QR code at this page to make a monetary donation.
  

• WHEN SECONDS COUNT, YOUR SHOVEL COULD SAVE A LIFE: The tragedy above illustrates the enhanced risk of fire in winter. So the Stow Fire Department says it’s critical to make sure that fire hydrants are accessible because it’s “difficult to find your hydrant if it is buried in snow,” the department posted on Facebook. “Finding your hydrant quickly is even more important this time of year when home fires typically increase. … You can help us by grabbing a shovel and clearing out the hydrant in front of your house in just a few minutes.” A few minutes that could make a lifetime of difference.
  

• MUNROE FALLS COUNCIL APPOINTS PRINCE TO FILL OPEN SEAT: Munroe Falls City Council recently voted to fill its at-large vacancy by bringing back former Council Member Al Prince, who will serve through Dec. 31, 2027. Prince, who previously served on council from 2022 to 2025, fills the open seat that was created by the sudden passing of Council Member Jim Iona in November.
  

• SMF GRADUATING SENIOR BANNER PROGRAM: Orders are now being taken for the 2026 Stow-Munroe Falls Graduating Senior Banner Program, which honors 2026 high school graduating seniors with commemorative banners that will be displayed outside on the grounds of the Stow City Center complex. The program is open to 2026 graduating seniors who are Stow or Munroe Falls residents regardless of which school they attend. Cost of each banner is $65. For more information or to order a banner, go to this page. Orders must be received by Monday, April 6.
  

• STOW POLICE STILL HIRING LATERAL TRANSFER OFFICERS: The Stow Police Department reports that its lateral transfer list is still open to currently serving law enforcement officers; certified officers with full- or part-time experience are eligible to apply. Top pay in 2025 was $44.22 an hour, with that rate rising to $45.76 in 2026 and $47.14 in 2027. The application period will remain open until all vacancies are filled. Go here for more information or to apply.
  

• A FRIENDLY REMINDER FOR YOUR POOCH: The last day to purchase a 2026 Summit County dog license is Saturday, Jan. 31. A single-year license is $18, a three-year license is $54, and a permanent/lifetime license is $180. Mailed registration forms and payments must be U.S. postmarked by Jan. 31 to avoid the statutory late penalty of $18 per dog. The Ohio Revised Code requires residents who own, keep or harbor a dog that is at least 3 months old to purchase and maintain a current dog license. Go here for more information.
  

• “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: Wild animal feeding ban is on in Munroe Falls, Stow police release stats for 2025, winter tips and more local news. Get full access for just $2.99/month.

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Community

What’s working (and what’s not) with Stow-Munroe Falls Schools? The district is hosting a focus group session to hear your thoughts

The Stow-Munroe Falls City School District is about to chart its course for the next several years — and it wants input from parents on the direction it ultimately takes.

And to that end, parents of schoolchildren in the district are encouraged to attend a focus group session from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Lakeview Intermediate School, located at 1819 Graham Rd. in Stow.

But it’s not just limited to parents — and the discussion won’t be limited to just the schools. Thoughts on the Stow-Munroe Falls community as a whole will be solicited as well.

“Everyone is welcome. We want to hear from every voice in our community because every voice is important,” Stow-Munroe Falls Superintendent Felisha Gould told WEWS Channel 5 News in Cleveland in a story originally posted Jan. 27. “We want the message to be very transparent and very thoughtful, so we need everyone to participate in the focus group.”

The focus group session was originally scheduled for Jan. 28 but was postponed because of the weather.

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