Update from the publisher

Before we jump in today, I’d like to share with you all the outline of a plan for the future of The Spotlight. We’ve decided that local news in Stow, Munroe Falls and Silver Lake must continue.

Over 1,500 of you depend on this weekly newsletter to know what’s happening around town, keep track of local government and schools, and stay informed about local businesses and nonprofits. We’re going to continue giving you this coverage. But for financial and operational reasons, we’re going to do it under the banner of The Summiteer. We simply haven’t had the necessary reader and advertiser support to make hiring a new editor feasible after Tom retires. That could change in the future, but for now I think this is a good compromise.

The Summiteer is a sister publication that publishes a weekly email newsletter and a monthly newspaper. Its coverage area already includes Stow, Munroe Falls and Silver Lake, as well as Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Tallmadge, Twinsburg, Springfield and Mogadore. Our plan is to bulk up The Summiteer a bit more with the Spotlight news, events and obituaries you’re accustomed to seeing. The Summiteer costs $12/month, $60/half year or $115/year. We’ll be adding a paid edition to The Summiteer, similar to the way we split The Spotlight into free and paid versions. And all current Spotlight subscribers will be grandfathered into their current rate for at least a year.

We’ll start working on the transition next week, and depending how that goes we’ll have our last Spotlight in the coming weeks. In the meantime if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach me at [email protected]. It’s been a pleasure to serve you, and we’re not going anywhere.

Ben Wolford

Today is May 14, 2026.

• Morning, all! We still haven’t broken free from that spring chill — but it looks like we’re about to. Today we’ll have a couple of showers in the morning, but otherwise it’ll be mostly cloudy, breezy and cool, with a high of 57 and a low of 41. The weekend, though, looks downright summerlike, with highs near 80 on Sunday and then reaching the mid-80s on Monday. Could it be?
  

• SOLAR OPEN HOUSE: See and learn firsthand about powering your home with solar energy at Stow residents Cari Orris and Kurt Koenig’s Solar Open House, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at 3855 Kent Rd. in Stow. Cari and Kurt invite you to see how their 46 solar panels, two backup batteries and two all-electric vehicles work together for sustainable living. The open house is free to attend; attendees should park on Oneida Street. For more information, call 330-524-3558 or email [email protected].
  

• STOW PD ADVISES WHAT TO DO WHEN SOLICITORS GO ROGUE: The Stow Police Department posted May 13 on Facebook that it has been made aware of some solicitors in the community who are not adhering to posted signs. Stow PD states: “Stow City Ordinance 737.06 declares that it is unlawful for solicitors to knock or ring your doorbell if you have a clearly visible ‘Do Not Solicit’ sign posted at the main entrance of your home. You can call our non-emergency line if you have any trouble with solicitors and we will attempt to locate them and address the issue. 330-689-5700. (Our non-emergency line is automated, but if you follow the prompts and answer the questions an officer will be dispatched when available).”
  

• SILVER LAKE RESIDENTS INVITED TO SPECIAL MEETING ABOUT WATER SUPPLY STUDY: Silver Lake Village Council will hold a special meeting concerning the results of the recently completed Alternative Water Supply Study, and all residents are invited to attend to learn more about the issue and participate in the public comment period. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 20 at Village Hall at 2961 Kent Rd. At the meeting, the village’s engineering team will present the results of the study, which evaluates options for the village’s long-term water service. The presentation will provide an overview of the study findings, outline potential paths forward and highlight key considerations for the community. Following the presentation, village officials will engage in an open discussion regarding the results and possible next steps. “This is an important opportunity for residents to hear directly from our engineers, understand the study’s findings, and be part of the discussion as we consider our options moving forward,” Mayor Therese Dunphy said.
  

• THE CHURCH IN SILVER LAKE RUMMAGE SALE: As part of its 80th anniversary celebration, The Church in Silver Lake will hold a rummage sale and open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 30; the church is located at 2951 Kent Rd. Aside from rummage sale treasures, the event will also include concessions, church history and tours. The rummage sale will accept donations of items (no clothing or baby furniture) beginning Thursday, May 21 at the church. Residents may sell their own items at the rummage sale by renting an 8×11 space for $20. For questions and vendor requests, contact Lisa at [email protected].
  

• MUNROE FALLS ROAD WORK UPDATE: The City of Munroe Falls announced that its 2026 street repairs project was scheduled to get underway May 13, with Barbicas Construction Co. of Akron starting the seasonal road work that day with grading and milling work on Cathy Drive. Crews will grade and mill roads to remove asphalt in preparation for repairs and resurfacing.
  

• “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: Bomb threat, Coach Dave Close, Stow Acme, Memorial Day event, farmers market and more local news. Get full access for just $2.99/month.

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Stow

Mark your calendar: Historical society’s Joshua Stow Festival set for June 20 at Heritage Park

It’s just about time for those big community summer events to get started, and first up on the docket is the Stow Historical Society’s annual Joshua Stow Festival, set to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 20 at the historical society’s Heritage Reserve Park at Silver Springs Park, located at 5120 Young Rd.

Here’s what’s on tap for attendees:

• The Stow Historical Society’s three furnished historical houses, one-room schoolhouse and antique tool barn will be open for all guests to tour.

• There will be an assortment of other activities and events on the grounds as well.

• SHS members will be selling food outside the Heritage Barn.

Admission to the event is free. All festival profits are used to preserve the history of Stow at Heritage Reserve Park.

Note: Look for all the details about the Munroe Falls Summerfest in next week’s edition of The Spotlight. That event will take place Sunday, June 21.

Stow

And keep marking: A bevy of #CelebrateStow events are on tap for the city’s Fourth of July celebration

Right after the Joshua Stow Festival kicks off summer event season, the City of Stow has a whole bunch of #CelebrateStow festivities scheduled for the July Fourth holiday time frame.

Here’s what’s coming:

• Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library program: Library Red, White & Blue Scavenger Hunt for Kids — Friday, June 26 to Wednesday, July 22

• Patriotic Stow Community Farmers Market — 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27 at the Community Church of Stow (1567 Pilgrim Dr.)

• Stow Paddle Battle Pickleball Tournament — Saturday, June 27 to Sunday, June 28 at Oregon Trail Park

• Building the Beat: Kids Build The AMP Pop Up — 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 30 at The AMP site (1680 Norton Rd.)

• Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library program: Library Mini Golf — Wednesday, July 1 to Thursday, July 2

• 4th of July Pancake Breakfast — 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4 at First Christian Church (3493 Darrow Rd.)

• Stow Firecracker Run — 7:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4. Features 4-mile run & 2-mile Fun Run; race starts and ends at Holy Family Parish (3179 Kent Rd.)

• Stow Fourth of July Parade — 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4. Parade steps off at Stow Community Shopping Center (Target plaza) and ends at Holy Family Parish

Check today’s and future newsletters for more details on these events.

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