🔦 What's always falling but never down?

Munroe Falls! The state of the city, car wash ban, plant festival, 5k and more

Today is April 14, 2023.

  • ...Munroe Falls!

  • Good morning, all! We've been getting a little taste of summer in the last week, and it's going to continue -- for a few days, anyway. It's going to be very warm with clouds and sun today, with a high of 83 and low of 56. We're still going to be pushing 80 over the weekend -- expect showers and a heavier thunderstorm Sunday -- before temperatures plummet early next week with lows reaching the mid-30s. Welcome back, spring.

Latest news in brief

State of the City: Police and fire upgrades, water system improvements highlight Mavrides' busy first year as Munroe Falls mayor

Munroe Falls Mayor Allen Mavrides faced the same unique challenges in 2022 as just about every other mayor in America: putting the Covid-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror and getting their towns — and budgets — back up to speed.

Only in Mavrides' case, 2022 also happened to be his first year on the job. Talk about hitting the ground running.

"In February, I completed my first year as mayor and it was a busy one," Mavrides said at his State of the City presentation held March 21 at the Acker-Moore Memorial Post in Stow. "Thanks to a fantastic city staff and employees -- city hall, service department, police and fire -- who made me feel at home, my first year flew by and I learned a lot."

Among the highlights from the State of the City, held jointly with Stow Mayor John Pribonic:

  • In May 2022, Munroe Falls residents renewed the police levy and passed a new capital improvement levy that will finance the purchase of a new ladder truck for the fire department, which will replace a 28-year-old fire engine that is currently in service.

  • Munroe Falls received grants to help purchase body cameras for police officers and cameras for the police cruisers, and was also able to upgrade its police car fleet with three newer models. The city also hired three part-time officers.

  • The city continues to work on water system improvements, which include the booster station on Munroe Falls Avenue and the River Crossing Project. Through an AMATS grant, the city was able to pave Munroe Falls Avenue, and it has also just awarded a contract for the resurfacing of the parking lots at the City Center Complex.

  • Munroe Falls is also working on new plans for Guise Park Lodge and received an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant to help offset the costs for improvements to the basketball and tennis courts, which will include pickleball.

"We are planning ahead and continue to seek funding to augment the budget so that we can continue to make the city of Munroe Falls a great place to call home," Mavrides said.

More local news:

  • If you and your group want to be part of the 2023 Stow Fourth of July Parade, the time to act is now. Online registration is underway for the popular community event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 4. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. at the Stow Community Center (Target plaza parking lot) and travels west down Route 59 past Holy Family Church, ending at Park Drive. This year's parade theme is "Show STOW Spirit!" The Stow Parks & Recreation Department and the Kiwanis Club of Stow-Munroe Falls, who collaborate to make this traditional event happen, are anticipating 100 entries in the parade and tens of thousands of spectators. Go here to register online and for a parade application packet. Registration ends Tuesday, May 30.

  • The Summit Metro Parks' Native Plant Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 20 at Munroe Falls Metro Park at 521 S. River Rd. Join Summit Metro Parks staff and local native plant nurseries at the event's new location to discover the vital role of native plants in our ecosystem. Browse a wide variety of plants available for purchase, or attend an educational session to learn how to incorporate native plants into your landscaping. Attendees can also receive a free seedling while supplies last.

  • It's time to break out those running shoes: The 11th Annual Fishcreek Raccoon Run will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. Sunday, April 30, starting from the Heritage Barn at Silver Springs Park at 5238 Young Rd. in Stow. The event will consist of a 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run centered through the neighborhoods of Fishcreek Elementary School. Each registrant will receive a T-shirt and sponsor packet, while all 5K finishers will receive a finishers medal. Cost is $30 for the 5K and $25 for the 1-Mile Fun Run. Go here to register and for more information (including virtual options). The Raccoon Run supports the students of Fishcreek Elementary.

  • Registration is underway for the City of Stow's 2023 Safety Town, a safety education program for children who will be entering kindergarten in the fall. Students are taught topics such as fire safety, safety belts, pedestrian safety, bike safety, bus safety, personal safety and playground safety. The Stow Police Department's Stow Youth Services coordinates this program along with two full-time certified Stow-Munroe Falls School District teachers and teen volunteers. To be eligible for the program, children must live in the city of Stow and be 5 years old on or before Aug. 1, 2023 (entering kindergarten). Parents may register their child for one of the following classes: 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 12-16; noon to 2:30 p.m. June 12-16; 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 19-23; and noon to 2:30 p.m. June 19-23. Education specialists from the Stow fire and police departments and other outside safety experts will join the program throughout the week. An optional information session for parents to meet the teachers and discuss what their child will learn in Safety Town will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 8 in the Community Room at the Stow Safety Building at 3760 Darrow Rd. Registration fee is $40 per child and can be done here or at the Stow Parks and Recreation office at 3760 Darrow Rd. (first floor). Registration deadline is Friday, May 19. Once your child is registered, parents will receive additional information in an email by Friday, May 26. For more information, contact Safety Town Coordinator Toni Carter at 330-689-5860 or email [email protected]. If you're a student between grades 8 and 12 and you're interested in serving as a volunteer for the program, register here by Friday, May 19.

  • Lawn care season has begun in earnest, and the Summit Soil & Water Conservation District has these reminders for us: Don't leave fertilizer pellets and grass clippings on your driveway and other hard surfaces. They wash into streams and rivers, blocking water flow and adding unwanted nutrients. Aim your mower so grass clippings stay on the lawn where nutrients are needed. Also, it may sound counterintuitive, but tolerate some weeds in your yard -- they are not the enemy. Plant biodiversity in your lawn provides food for pollinators and beneficial soil organisms.

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Community calendar

📚 Sat., April 15, 10 a.m.-noon: Book Donation Day. What: Bring your good, clean, used books and puzzles to the back door of the library. Curbside pickup service will be available. Materials will be used by the library or sold at the Friends’ Book Sale. Proceeds benefit library programming, and donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Donate 10 items or more and receive a pass to the next Friends’ Presale. This free pass is only issued at the back door of the library on Book Donation Days. If you are unable to accommodate this date and time, call Joan at 330-388-0355 to schedule an appointment to drop off donations.

🧏 Sat., April 15, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.: Celebrate American Sign Language Day with the Greenleaf Family Center. What: Celebrate American Sign Language Day by learning some ASL basics with the Greenleaf Family Center. Among the topics discussed at this free program will be Deaf culture, including what is appropriate and what isn’t; using polite words to refer to a Deaf or hard of hearing person; and what it means to be Deaf or deaf. Common questions that will be covered include: Why do we use a big D or a little d? What do I do if I meet a Deaf person? How do I act? Where do I look? What if there is an interpreter? Attendees will also learn the alphabet in ASL and how to spell their names. In addition, attendees will learn how to say “hello” and “goodbye”, “please”, “thank you” and “you’re welcome,” as well as some library-related words such as help, library, book, computer and more. There will also be candy rewards (let the library know of any allergies). Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Registration is required. To register, go here, call 330-688-3295 ext. 5, or stop by the library; register each child and adult who wishes to attend. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

🦸 Sat., April 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Superhero Training. What: Stow Parks & Recreation Department event where kids can enjoy a fun-filled day with superheroes -- and wear their favorite superhero costume! (optional). Program includes photos with superheroes, treats, games and activities. Where: Leona Farris Lodge (Silver Springs Lodge) at Silver Springs Park (5027 Stow Rd.). This event is open to Stow residents only, costs $25 per child (space is limited), and only two adults per child can attend. Go here to register.

🎤 Tues., April 18, 6-7 p.m.: City of Stow Inclusion Committee Meet and Greet. What: Meet the committee members of the City of Stow Commission on Inclusion and learn about what they have accomplished for our community. Come with questions, ideas or suggestions; committee members will be on hand to give a short presentation about the background of the commission and answer your questions. 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.

📚 Wed., April 19, 4-6 p.m.: Book Donation Day. What: Bring your good, clean, used books and puzzles to the back door of the library. Curbside pickup service will be available. Materials will be used by the library or sold at the Friends’ Book Sale. Proceeds benefit library programming, and donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Donate 10 items or more and receive a pass to the next Friends’ Presale. This free pass is only issued at the back door of the library on Book Donation Days. If you are unable to accommodate this date and time, call Joan at 330-388-0355 to schedule an appointment to drop off donations.

🌎 Thurs., April 20, 6-7 p.m.: Ohio Through Time: A Presentation on Ohio's Geologic History. What: Molly Hunt, a geologist and paleontologist with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geological Survey, will invite guests to explore the deep geological history of Ohio. Spanning more than 200 million years, Ohio’s fascinating past includes dynamic events and curious creatures. This family-friendly program is for all ages and includes the opportunity to view and touch Ohio rocks, minerals and fossils. 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.

🌎 Sat., April 22, 10 a.m.-noon: Connect with Nature: Earth Fest. What: Celebrate Earth Day with the Stow Parks & Recreation Department. Program will include guided hikes at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. to explore signs of spring and marvel at the beauty of nature, and there will be representatives on hand from Summit County Master Gardeners, Rubber City Reuse, Summit Soil and Water Conservation District, and City of Stow Urban Forestry to share information. Attendees can also make seed balls with the Master Gardeners and learn about the Summit Metro Parks' Wild Back Yards Incentive Program. There will also be a scavenger hunt for the kids. Where: Adell Durbin Park (3300 Darrow Rd.) Earth Fest is free for all ages, and there's no need to register.

📚 Mon., April 24, 2-4 p.m.: There's More to the Story: What's Going On at Your Library. What: Celebrate National Library Week by discovering some of the more obscure benefits the library provides. Did you know that your library offers unique items for checkout such as air quality monitors, board games and Wi-Fi hotspots? Want to know what digital resources you have access to within the library or on the go? Join a staff member from the Information Services department for this open house as they show you what's going on at the library. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). No registration necessary.

💸 Mon., April 24, 7-8 p.m.: Retirement: Making Your Money Last. What: Are you either preparing for or are already in the process of retirement planning? Join Scott Marsh from Edward Jones as he teaches us about investment strategies to last throughout your retirement. Scott will address key strategies such as inflation, health-care expenses, and how to prepare in advance for unexpected costs. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Go here to register for this free program or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🕴️ Wed., April 26, 7-8 p.m.: Leveraging the Modern Resumé. What: Learn how to build an effective resume, including common resume myths, what does and does not belong on a resume, and how to put a resume in order by relevance. Additionally, attendees will learn how to create an applicant tracking system-friendly resume using both chronological and functional platforms. Note: This is an informational session, not a hands-on workshop. 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., April 27, 7-8:30 p.m.: There's More to the Story: What's Going On at Your Library. What: Celebrate National Library Week by discovering some of the more obscure benefits the library provides. Did you know that your library offers unique items for checkout such as air quality monitors, board games and Wi-Fi hotspots? Want to know what digital resources you have access to within the library or on the go? Join a staff member from the Information Services department for this open house as they show you what's going on at the library. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). No registration necessary.

🌳 Fri., April 28, 6-8 p.m.: Stow Tree Festival Drive-Thru Event. What: Celebrate Arbor Day by getting your own seedling from the City of Stow. Mayor John Pribonic and members of the Stow Urban Forestry Commission will hand out one 3-gallon seedling (4-5 feet tall) and a City of Stow Tree Festival Tote Bag full of additional Arbor Day goodies to each vehicle -- and it's all free! Participants may take only one seedling per family/address/vehicle. Where: Stow City Hall (3760 Darrow Rd.). Go here to register (registration is required). For more information, call the urban forestry department at 330-689-5120.

🧶 Sat., April 29, 1-4 p.m.: Community Craft Supply Swap. What: Did your new hobby not work out? Well, your loss is someone else’s gain -- and vice versa. Bring your gently used craft supplies to exchange, pick up some new ones for your own collection, and mingle with other craft enthusiasts. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Registration is not required for this program.

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Awash in car washes: City council votes to extend ban another six months while it mulls legislation

We've all seen this conversation on social media: "What's going in that vacant commercial space over by such-and-such?" someone will ask. "Probably a Mexican restaurant -- with a car wash attached," invariably is the answer.

It's been a long-running joke in Stow. But city council doesn't think it's funny — and it's doing something about it. Council voted 6-1 on April 12 to extend the moratorium on car washes by another six months; the extension will expire at the end of October. Council had originally passed an 18-month ban on new car washes in October 2021, an ordinance that was set to expire April 29.

  • Stow, with a population of 34,342 as of the 2021 U.S. census estimate, currently has 10 car washes within its city limits. These washes run the gamut of full-size, self-service and those attached to gas stations. Five of those car washes have opened in the past two years, although they had been previously approved but their construction delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • According to Stow City Council President Jeremy McIntire, the moratorium extension will give the city's planning commission time to study and make recommendations on the car wash legislation that council hopes to eventually pass. The proposed legislation would not allow more than one car wash per 10,000 residents -- and any new car washes would be allowed only as an accessory to gas stations.

  • McIntire told WOIO 19 News in Cleveland in a story published April 10 that no existing car washes would have to close if the proposed legislation goes through — even though the current number of 10 washes far exceeds the proposed ratio of one per 10,000 residents.

City council will hold a public hearing on car wash regulations at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 in Council Chambers at Stow City Hall at 3760 Darrow Rd.

And another issue is in the books. The Spotlight thanks everyone for their interest and support — we're sailing well north of 2,000 subscribers now — and we hope to hit a point soon where we can begin to expand our coverage. We don't want Stow, Munroe Falls and Silver Lake to dry up in news deserts like some of our neighboring communities have. So keep spreading the word, have a great week, and we'll meet back here next Friday!