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📢 Local Events from Mentor & the Area: MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events!

📰 Local News: 📰 Rose Ioppolo Resigns From Mentor School Board

🏫 Mentor Schools Delays Building Closure Decisions

🎃 FREE Trunk or Treat Returns to Mentor Nissan THIS Sunday

🐕 Better Pet Living: Dental Chews: Read Beyond the Promise

⚾ Sports: ⚾ Guardians Move Thursday’s Game to 1 P.M. as Rain Threatens

⚽🏐 Local Sports Roundup: Cougars Rally Past NDCL; Loncar Records 21 Digs

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🤣 Something Funny

Contact Mentor Local Buzz - [email protected] - 440-256-6115

The board will appoint a replacement as major decisions on school funding, consolidation and leadership remain ahead.

Mentor Public Schools will soon have a new Board of Education member following the resignation of Rose Ioppolo, whose departure was accepted at the board's October 13 meeting.

In a statement released Wednesday, the district thanked Ioppolo for her service and confirmed it would begin the process of filling the vacancy under board policy and Ohio law.

Ioppolo offered her explanation in a public resignation letter.

According to The News-Herald, which reported on the letter she posted to Facebook, Ioppolo described the board environment as hostile and intimidating. She said resigning was a difficult decision involving her family, health and conscience.

The vacancy arrives as Mentor Schools prepares for the November 3 vote on Issue 5, a proposed 3.5-mill operating levy, while continuing school-consolidation planning and its search for a permanent treasurer.

What happens next? Under Ohio law, the remaining four board members must fill the vacancy within 45 days. The appointment requires a majority vote of those remaining members.

Ioppolo was elected in 2023, and her original term runs through December 2027. The district has not yet announced application instructions or a selection date.

➡️ What led to Ioppolo's decision, who will choose her replacement, and what does this mean for the district's upcoming decisions? Read our full report for the background, appointment details and what residents should watch next.

Families must wait until after the November election to learn which buildings will close, but major grade-level changes remain on track.

Mentor families waiting to learn which schools will close will have to wait a little longer.

During Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Craig Heath announced that final building-closure decisions will be delayed until after the November 3 election as officials continue evaluating classroom space, special-education needs and renovation costs.

“We don't want to rush this final part just to get it out before the levy,” Heath told board members.

The delay does not change the district's planned restructuring for the 2027–28 school year. Under the proposed configuration, kindergarten through third grade would attend four elementary schools, grades 4–7 would attend Memorial or Shore middle schools, and grades 8–12 would attend Mentor High School.

The plan calls for closing three elementary schools, with the Garfield building potentially becoming a fourth closure. No final closure list has been approved.

Heath explained that the levy outcome could influence which buildings the district can afford to renovate and keep open.

Importantly, consolidation is planned regardless of whether Issue 5 passes. The district expects approximately $3.4 million in annual savings from consolidation, while officials say a levy defeat would require at least another $9.6 million in budget reductions.

Meanwhile, administrators are developing plans to keep younger students in separate classroom areas, preserve age-appropriate activities and help eighth-graders transition to the high school.

Heath indicated that building decisions could be announced within a week or two after the election, with an update expected November 10.

➡️ Which schools are being considered, why might Ridge remain open, and what challenges could affect the final choices? Our full report examines the building options, potential costs and changes families can expect.

Mentor Nissan is gearing up for its fifth annual Trunk or Treat Block Party, a family-friendly Halloween celebration on Sunday, October 18th from 12 PM to 2 PM at the dealership, located at 6960 Center Street in Mentor.

Families are invited to bring their little ghouls and goblins for an afternoon of Halloween fun featuring creatively decorated vehicle trunks, candy and treats, and activities for the kids. Local businesses and nonprofit organizations will join in the festivities helping create a safe, welcoming environment where children can show off their costumes and enjoy the spirit of the season.

In addition to trick-or-treating, families can enjoy music, games, outdoor activities, LEGO play, sidewalk chalk fun at Chalk the Lot, and Halloween photos at the Boo Mobile. A complimentary hot dog lunch including chips and juice will be served.

Young artists can get creative in the events coloring contest for a chance to win a $25 gift card. The contest features three age categories; ages 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12, with one winner selected from each group. Coloring pages are available in advance at the dealership or at the event’s coloring station. All entries must be submitted by the end of the event on October 18. Winners will be notified by phone.

“Trunk or Treat is one of our favorite events of the year,” says Managing Partner Ray Sminchak. “It’s all about bringing people together — families, local organizations, and businesses — to create a safe, fun, and memorable experience for kids. We’re proud to be part of a community that shows up with such creativity and heart.”

Mentor Nissan’s Trunk or Treat Block Part is free and open to children and their families. The event will take place rain or shine, so bring your costumes, trick-or-treat bags, and Halloween spirit for an afternoon of festive fun!

More information: Call Mentor Nissan at 440-951-1100

The label matters. So do your pet’s chewing habits, diet and dental health.

You reach for a bag of dental chews because you want to do something good for your pet’s teeth. But between “fresh breath,” “natural” and “dental care,” the package can leave you wondering what you are actually buying.

Start with the claim you can check. The Veterinary Oral Health Council, or VOHC, awards its Seal of Acceptance for helping control plaque, tartar or both. Look up the exact product on its accepted-products list. A tartar claim does not automatically include plaque control, and one accepted product does not speak for an entire brand.

Next, read the directions for the pet in front of you: species, weight range, minimum age, daily amount and warnings. Choose the labeled size rather than cutting a larger chew into smaller pieces unless the manufacturer specifically allows it. Cat owners should choose products intended for cats.

Then consider how your pet eats. A dog that gulps treats or breaks off big chunks may need a different option. Supervise chewing, and ask your veterinary team before introducing a chew if your pet has damaged teeth, mouth discomfort, recent dental work or dietary restrictions. AAHA’s dental guidelines caution against hard treats, including antlers and bones, that can damage teeth.

Calories count, too. WSAVA advises keeping treats to about 10 percent or less of a pet’s daily calorie allowance. Dental chews share that allowance with training rewards and other extras.

Finally, keep the promise in perspective. A chew can support home care; it cannot replace veterinary examinations or treatment. Bleeding, dropped food or changes in chewing deserve a call to your veterinarian.

Before your next purchase, photograph the package’s front, directions and ingredients. Ask your veterinary team: “Does this fit my pet’s mouth, habits and feeding plan?” That is a more useful buying question than which bag makes the biggest promise.

➡️ Before your next shopping trip, read our full Better Pet Living guide for a practical label checklist, a simple calorie example and five questions to ask your veterinary team. Read the Dental-Chew Label Guide.

Cleveland’s first home game of the series will begin five hours earlier than planned, with gates opening at 11 a.m.

The Cleveland Guardians are bringing postseason baseball back to Progressive Field a little earlier than expected.

Thursday’s American League Championship Series Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays has been moved to 1 p.m. on October 15, five hours ahead of its originally scheduled 6 p.m. start, because of rain expected in Cleveland Thursday evening.

Major League Baseball announced the change Wednesday, hoping to avoid a weather-related delay and keep the best-of-seven series on schedule.

Gates will open at 11 a.m. Fans holding tickets for Thursday’s game can use their original tickets, and existing game parking passes will automatically transfer to the new start time.

The Guardians return home with the series tied 1–1 after winning Monday’s opener 7–3 before falling 3–1 Tuesday. Cleveland is expected to turn to right-hander Gavin Williams as it looks to regain the series lead in front of the home crowd.

Thursday’s game will be televised on TBS.

Planning to attend? Adjust your travel arrangements for the earlier start. Additional tickets are available through the Guardians’ official postseason ticket page.

Lake Catholic’s volleyball team recovered from an opening-set loss to defeat Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 3–1 on Tuesday, October 13, with contributions at the net, on defense and from the service line.

Volleyball: After dropping the first set 11–25, the Cougars won 25–15, 25–17 and 25–23. Their third consecutive victory brought their posted record to 17–4.

Individual highlights from the NDCL match included:

Loncar and Newland combined for 31 digs, helping keep rallies alive as Lake Catholic turned the match around.

Girls soccer: The Cougars fell 3–0 to NDCL at home on Wednesday, October 14, moving to 4–9–2.

Boys soccer: Lake Catholic lost 2–0 at NDCL on Tuesday, October 13, bringing its record to 6–6–3. The teams were scoreless at halftime before NDCL scored twice in the second half.

🐝 Buzz Fact: Rabbits can leap, twist, kick, and change direction in midair when they're happy. Meanwhile, most of us over 50 can throw out our backs just trying to put on a sock.
Answer: Google

Teamwork makes the dream work…. boys being boys