Today is Feb. 24, 2023.

• Happy spring! No, you haven't been asleep for a month, woke up and it's March 20. Technically, we have almost another month of winter before that happens. But realistically, it's springtime here -- and it has been for a while. It won't feel like it today when we have a high of 31 and a low of 22, but after that we're warming back up to highs in the 40s and 50s for the next week. We may get snow showers Tuesday, but other than that, winter is going back into hibernation for the time being.

Latest news in brief

Goodbye, Stow Sentry: Weekly newspaper will print for the final time March 26, ABJ announces

We live in an era where we are witness to the rapid demise of the newspaper industry. Well, here's another sign of the times: The print version of the Stow Sentry weekly newspaper is about to be history.

The Akron Beacon Journal announced Feb. 21 that the Sentry, along with five other free-distribution weeklies that it publishes as part of the Gannett Co. chain, will cease print publication in late March. The Stow Sentry, Cuyahoga Falls News-Press and Tallmadge Express will print for the final time March 26, while the final print editions of the Aurora Advocate, Twinsburg Bulletin and Nordonia Hills News-Leader are slated for March 22.

The Hudson Hub Times has been spared for now and will continue its Sunday print editions.

The ABJ stated that news coverage of Stow and the other communities "will remain online" at BeaconJournal.com, though it did not indicate if that coverage would be as locally intensive as it was in the community-specific print weeklies. It also announced that weekly email newsletters will supplant the print editions in some of the communities, but it did not specify which communities will receive the email newsletters.

Dix Newspapers owned the weeklies as part of its Record Publishing Co. division until 2017, when GateHouse Media bought out the Dix properties. GateHouse acquired Gannett two years later and took the latter company's name in the merger.

More local news:

• No foolin': You and your family will get a chance to meet the Easter Bunny on Saturday, April 1 at the Stow Parks & Recreation Department's Bunny Trail Hop. This free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Silver Springs Park (Young Road entrance) at 5238 Young Rd. in Stow. Here's how it works: Each family will receive a map of the bunny trail when they check in at registration. Families will follow the bunny trail, walking (hopping) a loop through Silver Springs Park. Churches and organizations will have booths set up along the way with games, activities and goodies. At the end of the trail, you will meet the Easter Bunny! The Bunny Trail Hop, suitable for children 10 and under, is broken down into six 30-minute time slots between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; pick one half-hour time frame to arrive per family/group (only one registration is needed for your whole family). Go here to register. When you arrive at Silver Springs for your designated start time, park at the baseball fields, but be aware that there may be portions of the trail not conducive to strollers. Also, be sure to dress for the weather -- it will be early April in Northeast Ohio, after all. And bring a basket to fill!

• The Munroe Falls Park Board is celebrating its 35th year of the Veterans Memorial, and you can honor a veteran with a legacy by purchasing a personalized brick to be placed at the memorial, located on Munroe Falls Avenue next to City Hall. Buy a brick for yourself, your family, in memory of a loved one who has served, or as a donation from your business or civic group. The memorial bricks are a way to honor your family name, highlight service accomplishments, and thank a loved one for their dedication to their country. Go here for a brochure/order form, order online here, or contact Ron Imbrogno at [email protected] for questions or additional information.

• It's time to start saving and collecting items for the City of Stow's Fill'er Up Food Drive to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank during its Harvest for Hunger Campaign. Bring your donations to Stow City Hall at 3760 Darrow Rd. (truck in the parking lot) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 7. Items in need are: boxed cereal, canned beef stew, canned soup, canned tuna, canned vegetables, peanut butter, hygiene items and paper items. Monetary donations are accepted here. Go to this page for more information.

• The Munroe Falls Police Department is taking applications for the position of Reserve Officer. Reserves are volunteers who are required to donate a total of 12 hours per month. Reserves assist police officers in the normal course of duties, check homes for residents who are out of town, check on elderly or invalid persons, direct traffic and work many special events throughout the year. It is not necessary to be a graduate of the Police Academy to serve as a volunteer. Persons who are at least 21 years old and are interested may contact Sgt. Fred Jones or Cmdr. Doug Lebo at 330-688-7494 for more information.

• More on the police hiring front: The City of Stow will accept digital applications for the position of full-time Police Officer (including lateral transfers) at this page from Wednesday, March 1 through Tuesday, March 21. The full job description and qualification requirements can be found here.

• In The Spotlight's continuing series highlighting support services provided by the Munroe Falls Fire Department, the MFFD is offering a free senior safety program for residents 60 and over. With this program, seniors can receive address signs, carbon monoxide detectors, File of Life cards, residential lock boxes, and smoke detectors. Members of the fire department can recommend the placement and installation of detectors, address signs, and key boxes free of charge. For more information, go here or contact the Munroe Falls Fire Department at 330-688-7493 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Community calendar

🦉 Sat., Feb. 25, 10:30-11:15 a.m.: Learn OWL About It! What: The Stow Parks & Recreation Department, in collaboration with the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, will give kids ages 9 to 12 a chance to discover what makes this amazing animal unique at the "Learn OWL About It!" program. This event features hands-on games and activities (including an owl pellet dissection!). Where: Leona Farris Lodge (Silver Springs Lodge) in Silver Springs Park (5027 Stow Rd.). Go here to register. Learn OWL About It! is the perfect way to get ready for the Owl Prowl in April.

🕰️ Mon., Feb. 27, 7-8:30 p.m.: Timepieces from History: Webb C. Ball and the Railroad Watch. What: Join local expert Don Barrett of City Bank Antiques in Kent as he recounts the history of the railroad watch, invented by the Webb C. Ball Co. of Cleveland. Barrett has been featured on PBS and is a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. He specializes in men's wristwatches and pocket watches, and attendees are invited to bring these types of personal timepieces to the event for a free appraisal. 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.

💸 Wed., March 1, 6-7 p.m.: Understanding Your Credit. What: Everyone has a credit score, but what does it actually mean? Wendi Wilhelm from BFG Credit Union will explain how your credit impacts your finances and what you can do to manage it effectively. 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.

👩 Thurs., March 2, 1 p.m.: My Life. What: The Stow Woman's Club is inviting women from Stow and surrounding communities to its next meeting, where Tom Stephan will present the "My Life" program. Where: Stow Community Church (1567 Pilgrim Dr.), lower level. Contact Membership Chair Vivian Smith at 330-322-6941 for more information. The object of the club is to award scholarships to graduates of Stow-Munroe Falls High School. Meetings are held at the Stow Community Church at 1 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month.

🧒 Fri., March 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Preschool Bingo. What: Children ages 3 to 5 can practice their letters, numbers, shapes and colors while playing bingo. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Register for this free program here, in person at the Children’s Desk, or by calling 330-688-3295 ext. 5. Register each age-appropriate child who wishes to attend.

🎨 Fri., March 3, 6:30-9 p.m.: Paint N' Pour. What: Do a little artistic painting while enjoying your favorite drink at this adults-only event (ages 21 and over), sponsored by the Stow Parks and Recreation Department. The program costs $25 per class and includes all materials and instruction for painting designs on a wooden board (approximately 6x16 inches) -- and you can bring your own snacks and beverages of choice to enjoy while you paint! Where: Leona Farris Lodge (Silver Springs Lodge) in Silver Springs Park (5027 Stow Rd.). Go here to register.

🎨 Sat., March 4, 10:30-11:30 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. March’s artist will be Georges Seurat. Participants will learn about Seurat’s pointillism technique to create their own landscape scene. Although washable paints and markers will be used, 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.). Register for this free program here, in person at the Children’s Desk, or by calling 330-688-3295 ext. 5.

☘️ Friday, March 10, 7-9 p.m.: St. Patty's Day Trivia. What: St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, so here's a chance to try your luck of the Irish with some trivia courtesy of the Stow Parks & Recreation Department. This program is for adults 21 and over. You can sign up with friends on a team of six players or be randomly assigned to a team. And feel free to bring a six-pack of your favorite beverage to swap with other attendees (not required to attend). Where: Leona Farris Lodge (Silver Springs Lodge) at Silver Springs Park (5027 Stow Rd.). Go here to register for this free event. This program is in collaboration with the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library.

🎭 Fri., March 10, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., March 11, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., March 12, 2:30 p.m.: Matt's First Real Wedding. What: Theatre performance by the Stow Players. Original play written by Brandi Eaton (director to be announced). Where: Heritage Barn at Silver Springs Park (5238 Young Rd.) in Stow. Seating begins 30 minutes prior to performance, and attendees are asked to arrive early to avoid interrupting the show. Go here for tickets.

🧑‍💼 Sat., March 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Stow-Munroe Falls Business and Community Expo. What: Formerly the Showcase, this is the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce's premier event to connect businesses and organizations from our area. This one-day extravaganza will feature business and organization exhibitors, food trucks, live podcast, prize drawings and more. Expect to see close to 100 businesses at this signature community event. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls High School (3227 Graham Rd.). There is no cost to attend, and parking is free. The Expo is presented by the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce, Stow-Munroe Falls City School District, and the Cities of Stow and Munroe Falls.

Obituaries for Feb. 16-23

William (Bill) E. EstesWilliam (Bill) E. Estes, 94, went home to be with the Lord on February 19, 2023.Read more

Martha S. ReaMartha S. Rea, 87, passed into the Lord’s hands with her children by her side on Monday, February 20, 2023.Read more

Rosemary (nee Sharnsky) PiurkowskyRosemary (nee Sharnsky) Piurkowsky, 73, died February 19, 2023.Read more

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Stow

Planning commission's OK of North River Road subdivision sparks ire from residents -- but there's still a long way to go before it's final

The battle lines are drawn. On one side is Pulte Homes, the developer that wants to build 45 new homes along North River Road in the extreme south of the city. On the other side are the residents who vehemently oppose the possible new construction for reasons ranging from environmental concerns to increased traffic.

And in the middle is the Stow Planning Commission, which unanimously approved the preliminary site plan proposal at its Feb. 14 meeting — and now puts the issue in the hands of Stow City Council. However, according to a story published Feb. 18 by the Akron Beacon Journal, it could be late summer or early fall before it reaches council; the next step in what likely will be a long process is for the developer to create and submit an improvement plan for approval by the city engineer, per Stow's codified ordinances.

• Pulte Homes Planning Director Jim O'Connor told the ABJ that the company has already scaled back the size of the development. Pulte had originally proposed 62 new homes during its presentation to the commission in December.

• The proposed subdivision along North River Road would be known as Miller's Landing and would be built between Marsh Road and Saratoga Boulevard. It would facilitate the construction of two new streets off North River Road, one street consisting of 25 new homes and the other 20 homes.

• Pulte is no stranger to home construction in Stow, having built more than 300 homes in the Baker's Glen and Call's Farm subdivisions. The proposed Miller's Landing property is owned by Hudson resident Kelley Crookston. Planning commission member Lynn Clancy told the ABJ: "I do not agree with this development whatsoever, but because the preliminary plan does comply with the zoning codes of the city of Stow, I must vote yes."

And that ends February for The Spotlight. Our next edition will mark seventh months for us already, and it's amazing how much has happened in our communities in that time. We want to thank everyone for sharing the ride with us, please keep that club/organization info coming, and see everyone next Friday!

Tom [email protected]