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

📰 Local News: 📰 Lake County Commissioners Join Push to End E-Check

📰 Lake County Traffic-Safety Funding Awarded in New Grant

📗 Young Readers Invited to Brighten Mentor Library’s Construction Wall

🍂 Mentor-on-the-Lake Shares Fall Leaf Cleanup Reminder

🛣️ NEXT STOP: Warren's Packard Museum Is More Than a Collection of Classic Cars

⚾ Sports: ⚾ Defensive Mistakes Cost Guardians as Rays Win 7–3, Even ALCS

🏃🏻‍➡️ Mentor Sweeps GCC Cross Country Titles; Cougars Win Five-Set Thriller

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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

The county's latest action adds local support as Ohio moves toward a critical November deadline.

The effort to eliminate Ohio's E-Check vehicle emissions testing program has gained new support from Lake County officials.

On Thursday, October 15, Lake County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution backing Gov. Mike DeWine's push to end mandatory emissions testing in seven Northeast Ohio counties, including Lake County.

The vote comes after Ohio began the formal process of seeking federal approval to discontinue the program.

Commissioner John Plecnik, who requested the resolution, argued that Lake County drivers face testing requirements motorists in most Ohio counties do not. Other commissioners supported reconsidering the program while continuing to protect air quality.

For Mentor drivers, however, E-Check isn't going away just yet. Federal approval is still required, and motorists must continue meeting existing testing requirements.

There's also an important deadline approaching. Ohio EPA is accepting public comments on the proposal through November 5, with a public hearing scheduled that afternoon in Mayfield.

➡️ Want to know whether your vehicle still needs E-Check in 2026? Our full report explains the current testing rules, which vehicles qualify for exemptions, how to submit a public comment, and what must happen before the program can officially end.

Lake County will receive $38,500 in federal traffic-safety funding for the coming program year.

The Lake County General Health District announced October 16 that it secured a combined $77,000 through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office for Safe Communities Coalitions in Lake and Geauga counties.

Each county's coalition will receive $38,500. However, a review of the health district's 2025 board records shows Lake County received $46,200 for the previous fiscal year — meaning its latest allocation is nearly 17% lower. Geauga County's funding remains unchanged.

The money supports educational campaigns addressing impaired driving, distracted driving, seat-belt use and other roadway-safety concerns.

The announcement comes as Lake County has recorded 10 confirmed fatal motor-vehicle crashes as of October 15, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol data. The figure alone does not establish an increase over previous years.

The health district has not explained the reduction or indicated whether it will affect local programming.

➡️ So what does the smaller grant mean for Mentor-area drivers? Our full report compares both years' funding, explains the safety programs operating in our community and shows how residents can get involved.

The Mentor Public Library’s is giving young book lovers a chance to turn a construction wall at the main branch into a colorful celebration of reading!

Through October 31, children in kindergarten through sixth grade can submit a short review of their favorite book. The library will display the reviews alongside pictures of the books, adding a little creativity to its construction area.

To participate, kids can pick up a review card at the Children's Desk at the Main Branch. Every submission also earns an entry into a drawing for a Barnes & Noble gift card.

It's a fun way for young readers to share their favorite stories—and help brighten the library along the way!

See the Library’s event page

Mentor-on-the-Lake has posted fall leaf information as autumn cleanup season gets underway.

As leaves accumulate and rainy weather continues, residents may also want to check for leaf buildup around drainage areas on their properties. Keeping debris away from drainage openings, where safe and permitted, can help prevent water from collecting during heavy rainfall.

Residents can review the city's official fall leaf information for details about seasonal cleanup. View the city's fall leaf notice →

What if one of America's great luxury automobile stories began just a short road trip from home?

It did—in Warren, Ohio, where two brothers helped turn an inventive family business into a name recognized by automobile enthusiasts around the world.

This week's Next Stop takes us to the National Packard Museum, a fascinating destination where beautiful cars, industrial innovation, and local history come together.

Brothers James Ward and William Doud Packard founded the Packard Electric Company in 1890. Nine years later, the first Packard automobile was built in Warren.

But here's a surprising twist: in 1911, Warren became the first American city to illuminate its streets entirely with incandescent lightbulbs, another chapter in the Packard family's remarkable industrial legacy.

You don't need to be a car enthusiast to enjoy this museum.

Its collection traces changing ideas about beauty, comfort, and craftsmanship, from early automobiles to the elegant luxury vehicles of later decades.

One standout is Old Pacific, a 1903 Packard associated with a pioneering cross-country automobile journey. Imagine attempting that trip when dependable roads and roadside services were far from guaranteed!

The museum is also celebrating Packard's Fabulous 50s, a special exhibit scheduled through December 31, showcasing an era when automobiles made bold statements about style.

The museum opens Sundays from 1–5 p.m., with adult admission at $15. Allow about 60–90 minutes to explore, then enjoy coffee, lunch, or dessert in downtown Warren.

Construction is underway on a museum expansion, so check visitor access before leaving.

Sometimes a memorable getaway doesn't require a packed itinerary—just one extraordinary collection and a story worth discovering.

➡️ Want to see what makes these Packards so special? Discover the remarkable story behind Old Pacific, the design details worth looking for, and our easy Warren afternoon itinerary—including museum admission, a construction update, and a delicious nearby stop. Explore the complete Next Stop Packard Museum guide.

The Cleveland Guardians let a close game slip away Saturday night, falling 7–3 to the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. The loss evened the American League Championship Series at two games apiece, setting up a pivotal Game 5 on Sunday.

Cleveland struck first on Chase DeLauter's RBI single in the opening inning, but Tampa Bay rallied to take a 2–1 lead in the sixth.

The turning point came in the seventh. Jonathan Aranda lined a single into right field that slipped past DeLauter, allowing two runs to score. Aranda advanced to third and scored on Chandler Simpson's sacrifice fly, stretching the Rays' lead to 5–1.

The Guardians fought back in the bottom of the inning. Rookie Travis Bazzana launched his first postseason home run, and Brayan Rocchio added an RBI single to cut the deficit to 5–3.

But Cleveland couldn't complete the comeback. Yandy Díaz delivered a two-run homer in the ninth to put the game away.

Aranda finished with three hits, while Rays starter Nick Martinez limited Cleveland to one run over 5⅓ innings.

With the series tied 2–2, Sunday's Game 5 begins at 5:08 p.m. in Cleveland. Rookie Parker Messick will face Tampa Bay's Drew Rasmussen, with the winner moving one victory away from the World Series. The series returns to Florida on Monday.

See highlights at espn.com

Mentor High School

Cross country: One point separated a championship from second place for Mentor’s girls Saturday, October 17. The Cardinals edged Shaker Heights 48–49, while Mentor’s boys won their Greater Cleveland Conference title with 21 points to Shaker Heights’ 61.

Carter Schaubert won the boys race in 16:06.2, leading seven Cardinals into the top 10. Carmella Curtis paced the girls, finishing second in 18:49.9.

Volleyball: Mentor swept Pennsylvania’s Pine-Richland 25–21, 25–19 Saturday, improving to 12–7. In Thursday’s three-set loss to Riverside, Vaiva Apanavicius recorded 21 assists, while Addi Keeper contributed 12 assists, eight digs and two aces.

Girls soccer: Kennedy McGarry recorded one goal and five assists in Mentor’s 10–0 home victory over Lorain on October 14. The Cardinals led 6–0 at halftime and improved to 9–4–3.

Lake Catholic

Volleyball: The Cougars won a five-set match at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy on Thursday, October 15, taking the deciding set 15–12. Their fourth consecutive victory improved Lake Catholic to 18–4.

Ahnna Bergant delivered 21 kills and 16 digs, Lola Loncar collected 28 digs and three aces, and Sophia Newland added 17 digs.

➡️ Who helped bring home Mentor’s two conference titles? Find the Cardinals’ runner-by-runner results, Lake Catholic’s conference meet leaders and more match details in our complete Local Sports Roundup.

🐝 Buzz Fact: Somebody once bought an entire bridge, shipped it across the ocean, and put it back together piece by piece. Meanwhile, I can't assemble an IKEA bookshelf without three arguments, two missing screws, and a marriage counselor.
Answer: Google

I watched this at least 3 or 4 times… cracked me up… LOL “Charlie!”