Around Windham: Windham PD will bring back 'Warning for Christmas Morning'
- Nicole Sweet
Hello Windham Family!
December in Bomber Country means togetherness and celebration; seeing all the beautiful lights and decorations brings feelings of joy, family time, festive decorations, cozy nights and a sense of reflection on the year that’s passed. I want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. I look forward to bringing you more Windham monthly news and feel-good stories in 2026. As always, please contact me with anything you may like featured. The Around Windham column runs on the third Friday of each month.
Village of Windham updates
Office closed Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas
Want to receive updates on the village? Download the new app “Windham Alerts” to your smartphone to receive real-time updates directly from the village. Find the app on the Apple & Google Play Store.
A huge thank-you to everyone who participated in our Parade of Lights Home Decorating Contest. Congratulations to our 2025 winners: first place - 9925 Short Dr.; second place - 9058 Store Dr.; third place - 9016 Horn Rd.
Shepherds Joy Ministry presents “Twas the Night Before Christmas”
You’re invited at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. SJM youth will be hosting their Christmas play and closing with a candlelight service. Come and help celebrate this Christmas event at 9736 E. Center St.
Free meal for kids: Holiday Lunch Buddies
The Windham United Methodist Church will be hosting a free warm lunch and activity for all Windham community children the week of Christmas and New Year’s. All children are welcome. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Windham UMC Fellowship Hall at 9051 N. Main St.
Dates: Christmas week: Dec. 22, 23 and 26. New Year’s week: Dec. 29, 30 and Jan. 2.
Warning for Christmas morning is back
From the Windham Police Department: Until Dec. 25, Windham PD officers will be providing individuals who are pulled over for minor traffic infractions a “Warning for Christmas Morning” voucher instead of a traffic citation.
This voucher asks that the driver of the vehicle provide a new (unwrapped) toy in lieu of receiving and paying for a traffic citation. This program is designed to give back to those in need this holiday season in Windham.
All donations can be dropped off at the Windham PD lobby 24/7. Any questions, call the Windham PD at 330-326-2212. Not all traffic violations qualify.
Windham Lions Club updates
The Windham Lions will host three pancake breakfasts in 2026: 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 4, Feb. 1 and March 1 at the Brick Chapel. The breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, coffee, tea or hot chocolate, and milk. Cost is $7 presale and $8 at the door for adults; $5 presale and $6 at the door for children 6 to 12; and free for kids 5 and under.
Thank you, Shannan Jursa – State Farm Agent
On Dec. 11, Shannan and her husband, Jeff, delivered 64 new and gently used coats to Mrs. Nita at Windham Exempted Village Schools, along with an array of new scarves and hats. The donation is the result of this year’s Warm Kids Coat Drive, a partnership with the Portage County Insurance Agent Association (PCIA). Special thanks to CRDN North Central Ohio for cleaning the spring/summer donations and to Blue Ribbon Cleaners for their last-minute cleaning of the fall/winter donations. We cannot thank them enough for ensuring the used coats were as good as new. Thank you to everyone who donated through various channels to support this cause.
Windham Bombers 8-man football team
Windham High School will move to 8-man football, effective immediately for the 2026 season. The Bombers will become members of the Northern 8 Football Conference, which was founded in 2020 and is sponsored by the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association.
I look forward to keeping the Windham community up to date with all the information I receive. Please contact me with anything you may like featured. The Around Windham column runs the third Friday of each month, and I will need all the information the week prior. You may contact me via text/call at 330-283-2711 or via email at nks1024@icloud.com.
Nicole Sweet