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Today is Dec. 11, 2025.

• Is it the dead of winter already? It sure seems like it — and today will be more of the same. It’s going to be mostly cloudy, breezy and colder with a couple of snow showers, with snow accumulations of an inch or two. Temps will be fairly steady, with a high of 27 and a low of 21. The good news: According to the latest outlook from the Old Farmer’s Almanac and NOAA, this recent trend of cold and snow is boosting our odds for a white Christmas this year. Fingers crossed …
  

• APPLICATION PERIOD EXTENDED FOR VACANT MUNROE FALLS COUNCIL SEAT: The City of Munroe Falls has extended the application date for the vacant at-large council seat created when longtime Munroe Falls City Council Member Jim Iona died suddenly Nov. 21 at age 66. Interested applicants now have until Friday, Jan. 2 to email a resume and cover letter to Misty Smith, Munroe Falls City Hall deputy clerk, at [email protected]. Applicants must be a resident of Munroe Falls for a minimum of one year. The appointed member will serve through Dec. 31, 2027. The remainder of Iona’s four-year term will be filled by election.
  

• SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO … MUNROE FALLS!: The City of Munroe Falls reports that Santa Claus will take a brief break from his Christmas preparations at the North Pole to make an appearance in Munroe Falls from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 20. Santa will arrive in the city with the help of the Munroe Falls Fire Department, so be on the lookout for the jolly old elf as he rides through the city’s streets on the fire truck!
  

• A (PET) HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: The Humane Society of Summit County is offering adoption of animals that are at least 1 year old at 50% off from Friday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Dec. 14. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. The Humane Society is located at 752 W. Portage Trl. in Akron. See available pets for adoption at summithumane.org/adopt-foster.
  

• “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.
  

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Stow

Helping Hands: Here’s how to donate to the Stow families who lost everything in Nov. 30 condo fire

Donations are still being taken at Stow City Hall for the four families who lost everything in a devastating house fire late last month that gutted their fourplex condominium in the middle of the night.

The City of Stow’s “Boots of Hope” program to collect monetary donations and gift cards to directly support the families is underway through Monday, Dec. 15; from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, donations can be placed in the firefighter’s boot in the lobby of City Hall at 3760 Darrow Rd. to help the displaced families recover and rebuild.

The fire struck at about 1:50 a.m. Nov. 30 in the 4900 block of Friar Road. The good news: No injuries or fatalities were reported.

The bad news: The residents who lived there lost just about everything they owned — and their home:

• Authorities say that responding Stow police officers — risking their lives — went into the burning building to help two elderly residents escape the blaze, including one who was using a walker.

• Other occupants were able to get out of the building on their own.

• Residents of the condo were later evaluated at a local hospital.

• The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The city’s goal is to raise at least $1,000 for each of the four families. A total of about $2,000 in donations had been collected as of Dec. 8.

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