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Great Lakes Mall's future, improvements at the Senior Center and shoreline protection at Mentor Lagoons were all part of a busy Council meeting.

Could Great Lakes Mall eventually become more than a shopping destination? Mentor's newly adopted land-use plan leaves that possibility open.

At its November 4 meeting, City Council approved the city's first comprehensive land-use plan update since 2011. It outlines a vision for future housing, businesses, transportation and development.

One of the more interesting ideas involves Great Lakes Mall, where underused parking areas could someday accommodate housing, restaurants and entertainment.

But no mall redevelopment project was approved. The plan provides direction for the future, not permission to start construction.

Council also advanced three other projects:

The contract amount and vote count come from a transcript-based meeting summary and await confirmation in the city's approved minutes.

Beyond these decisions, the new land-use plan raises some important questions about how Mentor could grow and change.

Last summer, when the cooling system at the Lake County Dog Shelter struggled during extreme heat, most of the dogs had to be moved temporarily to other facilities. Now the county has approved a major replacement aimed at providing more reliable temperatures year-round.

On Thursday, November 5, commissioners authorized a contract with Trane U.S. Inc. for up to $1,678,602 to replace the shelter’s aging heating and cooling system.

The plan discussed at the meeting includes backup equipment, so a single failure would not necessarily leave the kennels without heating or air conditioning. Officials are aiming to have cooling available by late May or June 2027, although the complete project could take at least eight months. Those are goals, not guarantees.

A $200,000 surplus from the Clerk of Courts’ title fund was also discussed as a way to help cover the expense. It would offset county costs, but it does not lower the maximum authorized contract amount.

The Painesville shelter serves all of Lake County, including Mentor, so the improvements matter to anyone concerned about lost dogs, adoption and animal welfare.

⬇️ What will the replacement change, how was the contract awarded, and what should residents know before adopting? Our full report explains the project and offers helpful shelter information.

Ever looked at a new development in Mentor and wondered who helps make those decisions? Some of the people involved aren't elected officials. They're residents who volunteer their time.

Now, Mentor is looking for six volunteers to serve on four city boards and commissions, giving residents an opportunity to help shape their community.

The openings include three seats on the Community Arts Commission and one each on the Municipal Planning Commission, Board of Building and Zoning Appeals, and Tree Commission.

Each has a different focus.

The Planning Commission reviews development and land-use proposals. The zoning appeals board considers requests for exceptions to city regulations. The Arts Commission helps guide cultural programming, while the Tree Commission works on Mentor's street-tree planning.

These are meaningful opportunities for residents interested in how their city operates. Members are appointed by City Council, with terms running three or four years.

Applicants must be City of Mentor electors and submit a completed application and résumé by 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 15.

⬇️ Interested in serving? Our website guide explains what each commission does, when it meets, which position might fit your interests, and exactly how to apply before the deadline.

A Local Buzz Original Magazine

Salmon with lemony spinach orzo and mushroom-Swiss turkey burgers—two satisfying dinners designed around two real portions, not a halved family recipe.

A dinner for two should not mean eating the same meal three nights in a row or trying to divide a family-size casserole into fractions nobody wants to measure. It should feel like a real dinner—with the right amount of food, a straightforward pan, and a sensible plan for whatever remains in the package.

This week’s Dinner Rescue brings two dinners built from the start for a smaller table.

Salmon and Spinach Orzo for Two puts a crisp-edged salmon fillet on a lemony, Parmesan-finished orzo base with just enough spinach to make the plate feel complete. The recipe uses two five-ounce fillets, half a cup of orzo and a couple of packed handfuls of spinach—not a scaled-down guess. It is a 30-to-35-minute choice for the night you want something fresh but still satisfying.

Mushroom-Swiss Turkey Burgers for Two takes another common small-household problem head-on: the one-pound package of ground turkey. The base recipe makes two generous burgers, each with a savory mushroom topping, melted Swiss and a toasted bun. The remaining turkey is not ignored; the full recipe gives you a safe, practical plan for it.

They also make room for the little things that make a weeknight meal feel finished: bright lemon and Parmesan in the orzo, deeply browned mushrooms and melted cheese on the burger. The point is not to use fewer ingredients. It is to buy and cook with a plan that makes two servings feel deliberate.

Neither dinner asks you to turn leftovers into the main event. They make two portions on purpose, while still helping you make the most of ordinary grocery-store packages.

On the website, you’ll find the exact two-serving ingredient lists, full step-by-step methods, substitutions, package-remainder ideas, scale-up notes for additional diners, and concise storage and food-safety guidance.

⬇️ Ready for two dinners that fit your table? Visit this week’s Dinner Rescue for links to both complete recipes (also above), the package-remainder plan, and practical scale-up notes.

Four touchdowns from Corbin Bissett and a second-quarter defensive surge send the Cardinals to the regional semifinals.

Five weeks ago, Strongsville put 56 points on Mentor. Friday night, the Cardinals made sure the rematch looked nothing like the first game.

Playing at Jerome T. Osborne Stadium on November 6, No. 3 Mentor overwhelmed No. 6 Strongsville 45–14 to advance to the Division I, Region 1 semifinals.

After falling 56–30 on October 2, the Cardinals (9–2) got their revenge when their season was on the line.

Sophomore Corbin Bissett accounted for four touchdowns — three rushing scores before halftime and a 15-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Deitrick in the third quarter.

Senior quarterback Brogan Jones helped move the offense and threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Paddy Coyne.

The night wasn't entirely smooth. Strongsville tied the game 7–7 after a Mentor interception in the first quarter. But Bissett's second touchdown run put the Cardinals back in front, and Mentor's defense took over from there.

Second-quarter fumble recoveries by Charlie Brunkala and Charlie Grano set up a Daniel Kristo field goal and Jones' touchdown pass to Coyne.

Bissett added another score just before halftime, sending Mentor into the locker room with a commanding 31–7 lead.

Liam Short supplied the exclamation point with a 38-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run.

Next up: No. 7 Canton McKinley, which upset No. 2 Austintown-Fitch 27–22. Mentor is set to host the Bulldogs on Friday, November 13, at 7 p.m., with a regional final berth at stake.

⬇️ Want to see exactly how Mentor turned October's painful loss into a playoff blowout? Our full game breakdown reveals the pivotal plays, individual player statistics, quarter-by-quarter scoring, and why next Friday's Canton McKinley matchup deserves everyone's attention.

Sources: The News-Herald (game reporting); OHSAA (playoff information).

Seven soccer players from Mentor High School and Lake Catholic earned first-team All-Greater Cleveland recognition in awards announced this week, giving local families another reason to celebrate the fall season.

Mentor High School — Boys Soccer

Three Cardinals received Division I first-team honors: Colin Fellenstein, a senior midfielder; Colin Szaibel, a senior forward; and Rapolas Ogorodnikas, a junior forward.

Mentor High School — Girls Soccer

Freshman forward Elizabeth Grano joined senior midfielders Juliana Odorcic and Lyla Willis on the Division I first team.

The recognition extended beyond the players. Andy Dubeansky was named Division I Public School Assistant Coach of the Year, while Mentor received the division’s team Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity award.

Lake Catholic — Girls Soccer

Cougars sophomore goalkeeper Cailyn Forkins earned Division III first-team honors, adding her name to the local athletes recognized by the Greater Cleveland Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association. www.ohiovarsity.com

Saturday’s State Meet and Regional Final

Mentor’s cross-country teams compete at the state meet at Fortress Obetz on Saturday, November 7, with the Division I girls scheduled for 10 a.m. and the boys for 10:40 a.m. mentorathletics.com

Lake Catholic’s girls volleyball team faces Elyria Catholic at 2 p.m. in Alliance, with a regional championship and a state semifinal berth on the line.

🐝 Buzz Fact: Cannoli are traditionally filled just before serving to keep the shells crispy. Which explains why I eat mine immediately. I'm not being greedy — I'm protecting the structural integrity of the dessert.

I love this kid! Enjoy. LOL

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