Produce Bin for Foodbank at City Hall All Summer

Ever Thursday, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank will pick up donated fruits and vegetables.

The city of Stow is encouraging residents to share the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor this summer.  A green bin was placed outside of the front door to City Hall recently. The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank will pick up any donated produce on Thursday mornings throughout the gardening season.  For more information, call the mayor's office at 330-689-2800.

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Vandals Hit SKIP Playground

Estimated $500 damage done to park near city hall

Vandals hit the Stow Kids Playground near city hall some time during the schools' spring break last week. City officials reported finding nearly $500 in damage at the park on Saturday. Someone spray painted graffiti on the walls and doors of the public restrooms at the park, according to Stow Police. A stainless steel paper towel dispenser and a liquid soap dispenser were damaged. Stow Parks and Recreation employees made repairs at the park Monday.

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Wireless Update for City Hall Complex Planned

New system would create multi-level network with open public, protected employee access

The wireless network at Stow City Hall is about to get a major upgrade that will include mobile improvements for the city's police and firefighters. Stow City Council voted Thursday to update the wireless network at the city hall campus, which includes three buildings: the main city hall building; the safety center where the police and fire departments are located; and the service building. Dale Germano, Stow's manager of information systems, told council this week that the wireless network would be a significant update to the cumbersome hardwired system in place in city hall. Germano said that the update will work on multiple layers. "There will be public access in all three buildings very similar to what's in (council chambers) right now…

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Sen. LaRose Open House in Stow Saturday

Open house with state senator is 9-11am at Stow City Hall

One-Room Schoolhouse Finds New Home in Park, Donations Still Needed

City council will vote Thursday to relocate the school house from its location on Young Road to Silver Springs.

They did it. Members of the Stow Historical Society had until Dec. 1 to raise enough money to relocate the Stewart Corners School, which is the city's last one-room school house. Today, they have nearly $40,000 in the bank, according to historical society member Robert Flower.  The early 1880s schoolhouse is currently located at 5090 Young Road, where it has served as Green Valley United Baptist Church for about the past 45 years. Church trustees sold the property in January 2012 to Metro Parks, Serving Summit County for use as a parking lot for its adjacent hike and bike trail. The parks system was willing to donate the building — but only if it’s moved by Dec. 1. The building has yet to be moved, but there are plans in the works. …

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LOOK: What's Missing From City Hall Holiday Decorations?

This year's holiday lights were just set up at Stow City Hall. However, they did break tradition by making a change.

This year, you'll see thousands of Christmas lights at Stow City Hall, but they won't be accompanied by cutout Santa, reindeer, elves and the like. What do you think of the new lighting scheme? Tell us in the Comments! 

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Annual Luminary Event for Fallen Officers Approaching

The Stow Police Department will continue the tradition that fallen Officer Jonathan Bastock started three years ago.

LOOK: Scarecrows from Parks Contest on Display at City Hall

It was the first year for the event, but the parks and recreation department hopes to add new categories and continue the challenge every fall.

Creations from the parks and recreation department's first-ever scarecrow contest are on display at City Hall until Oct. 31, 2012.  The winners: “This is the first year of what we hope to be a yearly event,” said Kathy McConnell of Stow Parks and Recreation department.  “Next year we hope to add a business category so local merchants can get into the spirit and have a fun way to publicize their business. This would add to this year’s youth/family who competed for top honors.  

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Baby's Passing Prompts Family to Create Butterfly Garden

Quinn Rosalie Seymour, a Stow baby just shy of being 8-months-old, lost a battle with a rare genetic disorder in April and now her aunt is proposing some city space be turned into a memorial garden.

The aunt of an infant who passed away from the "worst disease you never heard of" in April is hoping to turn some space at the city's Sancturetum into a butterfly memorial garden to honor young loved ones that have died.  With City Council's expected approval Thursday, Stow resident Nici Hefflefinger wants to redevelop a vacant and overgrown area next to the Akron-General Wellness Pathway behind City Hall.  The plan was devised after Hefflefinger lost her very young niece, Quinn Seymour, to Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa — Herlitz (EB), a rare genetic disorder that causes blistering to the skin. Babies with this disorder were known as butterfly children, Quinn's aunt said.  "I was on the pursuit to find something to do for my sister and …

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Parks and Rec Department Moves, Open House Scheduled Thursday

Get familiar with the staff and the new location for the parks and recreation department. (There's free light refreshments, too!)

In an effort to save money and make better use of space, the parks and recreation department recently moved into City Hall. To get familiar with the staff, upcoming programs and new home, the city has an open house scheduled Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. "This relocation makes sense, in that the public will be served in a facility that is centrally located with ease of access," said Parks and Rec Director Linda Nahrstedt. "My hope is that, if our customers haven’t done so already, they will stop by the open house to familiarize themselves with our new space." During the open house, light refreshments will be available and attendees may sign up for parks and recreation classes, take a tour of the new parks and rec front offices where the public…

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