Today is July 25, 2024.

• Morning, all! As we slog through the warm and muggy Dog Days of Summer, today looks to be a little cooler with a high of 77 and low of 58. Expect a shower in spots early in the morning; otherwise, it’ll be mostly cloudy. Then temps will rise over the weekend, topping out at 90 degrees on Sunday, so the Dog still has more bite than bark.
  

• IT’S COUNTY FAIR TIME: The 2024 Summit County Fair is underway! This year’s edition of the fair, which has been around since 1850, started July 23 and goes through Sunday, July 28. Fair hours are noon to 11 p.m. each day through Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday (rides close each day from 4 to 5 p.m.). The fairgrounds are located at 1050 North Ave. in Tallmadge. Go here for more information on all things Summit County Fair.
  

• NEW SIGNAL BOX ART IN STOW: As you drive around Stow, take a few moments to admire the new artwork on signal boxes on Graham Road. The art is courtesy of talented local artists submitting their work via the Stow Arts Commission. For more information on the city’s Traffic Box Art initiative, including how to submit your own artwork or purchase prints of current signal box art, go to this page.
  

• RECYCLING BINS ARE BACK AT SMF LIBRARY: In case you missed it, the recycling bins have returned at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library. So bring your unwanted paper and cardboard to the back of the parking lot at the library, located at 3512 Darrow Rd. The library and our planet thank you!
  

• WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THE SMF SCHOOLS BOND ISSUE? The Spotlight is taking the pulse of the Stow-Munroe Falls community on the upcoming $238 million, 35-year bond issue the school district is putting on the November ballot. Send us your comments on the issue, and we will publish them as we get them in our new “Reader Spotlight” feature (detailed below).
  

• The Spotlight has a new feature called “Reader Spotlight,” 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. 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: Help identify old photos, no RITA partnership, many obituaries, Fauser Arboretum and more local news. Full access is $2.99/month.

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Stow

Sewer service snafu: Software update wreaks havoc on residents’ monthly bill

Have you been caught up in the billing fiasco from the Summit County Department of Sanitary Sewer Services? If so, you’ve got a lot of company, and you’ve probably heard about — or been a part of — the horror stories of late penalties and sitting on hold for hours trying to clear up the issue.

Here’s what’s going on:

• Some customers in Stow, Hudson and Akron recently received their sewer bill from DSSS with an incorrect due date — receiving this bill after the July 19 due date that’s printed on the bill. The correct due date is Aug. 19.

• Adding to the confusion: Some customers received a bill from DSSS for the first time in several months, so trying to unravel who owes what and when has turned into a nightmare for those unfortunate enough to be caught up in the mess.

• DSSS has issued this statement on its website: “Due to a printing issue, several June bills were reprinted which may result in some customers receiving a duplicate and/or delayed bill. As a result, the due date has been extended to August 19 for this cycle only. EFT payments will be drafted on the scheduled due date of 7/19/2024. For questions call 330-926-2400, Option 1 for Billing.”

The reason for the chaos? The department says it’s billing software program is about 20 years old, and it has been in the process of installing new utility billing software. “DSSS apologizes for any inconvenience this issue may have caused,” the department said in a statement.

Stow-Munroe Falls

Strength in numbers: Annual National Night Out event promotes civic unity, security

National Night Out is a night to learn how to make our communities safer and more caring places to live. In other words, it benefits all of us — so circle Tuesday, Aug. 6 on your calendar, because that’s when National Night Out 2024 takes place at the Stow Safety Building at 3800 Darrow Rd. (next to Fire Station #1). The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m.

• National Night Out is an annual event designed to strengthen our communities by encouraging neighborhoods to engage in stronger relationships with each other and with their local law enforcement partners.

• The goal is to heighten crime-prevention awareness, build support for and participation in local anti-crime programs and, most importantly, send a message that our neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

• It’s also the perfect opportunity to get to know your neighbors even better.

• Go here for more information about National Night Out.

Admission to the Aug. 6 event is free, and all Stow and Munroe Falls residents are invited. Entertainment will include a bounce house, slide and police vehicles.

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