In this Mentor Local Buzz Issue…

☀️ Mentor Weather - Mostly Sunny - Temps 80-82

 🎉 Mentor Live Events - 40+ Live Events. Events Added Daily

⛸️ Mentor Ice Arena Celebrates 40 Years of Skating Excellence

 📰 Fall Webworms Spin Giant Webs Across Ohio Trees

 📰 Painesville Man Charged with Murder in Father's Shooting

 📰 Northeast Ohio Speaker Series to Spotlight Human Trafficking Awareness

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Special Section: Real Estate: 💰 USDA Loan Income Limits for 2024: What You Need to Know

🏘️ Featured New Home Listings for Sale in Mentor, Ohio (44060)

⚾ Guardians' Pitching Dominates as Cleveland Blanks Rays 2-0

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

👉👉 Put Your Local Business in the Spotlight! Click Here

Mentor Live Events
Sept 16

See the details for these events in the link above for Mentor Live Events. New Events Added Daily

See All the Upcoming Events Here at:
Mentor Live Events!
40+ Event Dates

⛸️ Mentor Ice Arena Celebrates 40 Years of Skating Excellence

The Mentor Ice Arena has been a beloved fixture in the community for over four decades, fostering generations of skaters, from figure skaters to hockey players. One such skater is Abigail Menser, who first took to the ice at just 18 months old. Now 11 and a competitive figure skater, Abigail has spent countless hours at the arena, which has become a second home for her and many others.

For 40 years, this arena has provided a space for skaters of all kinds—figure skaters, synchronized teams, and hockey leagues—alongside casual skaters seeking a fun outing. It also hosts open skates and birthday parties, making it a hub for family-friendly activities.

The arena’s history began with a humble start. It originated as a simple flooded field next to the fire station that would freeze in the winter. As its popularity grew, the city decided to build a dedicated rink, opening the doors to the first rink in 1982. Due to growing demand, a second rink was added in 1998.

Today, Mentor Ice Arena boasts the second-largest Learn to Skate program in Ohio, with over 400 participants. It serves as the home rink for several youth hockey leagues and high school teams, proudly displaying their championship banners. Additionally, it hosts special events, open skates, and even unique happenings like the annual turkey roll.

The arena has welcomed prominent guests, such as Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan, who visited in 2022, delighting attendees with her presence and performance. The arena's manager, Bill Furman, highlights the venue's unique offerings, including two NHL-sized rinks and a studio rink, which is uncommon in cities the size of Mentor. This setup not only supports local skaters but also attracts major competitions and events, providing an economic boost to the community.

This season alone, the arena hosted multiple youth hockey showcases and tournaments that brought in participants from outside the area, filling local hotels and restaurants. Next year, it will host a tournament featuring 45 teams from beyond Ohio, promising even more visitors.

Mentor Ice Arena has grown alongside the city, undergoing renovations and improvements to maintain its status as a top-tier facility. Frequent visitors like Kerin Smith, who spent many days at the arena with her children, appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and the dedicated staff that contribute to its reputation.

The arena continues to play a vital role in the community, not just as a sports facility but as a place where individuals like Abigail Menser can discover their passions and develop important life skills. For more information, visit www.mentoricearena.com or call 440-974-5730.

📰 Fall Webworms Spin Giant Webs Across Ohio Trees

As summer transitions into fall, Ohio residents might notice large, intricate webs appearing in the branches of trees. These webs, though impressive in size, are not the work of giant spiders but rather tiny caterpillars known as fall webworms.

During August and September, these caterpillars construct communal webs, often at the ends of tree branches, to protect themselves from predators and parasites while they feed. The webs can be eye-catching, spanning two to three feet or even larger, and are a common sight during this time of year.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, fall webworms feed on more than 400 species of trees and shrubs. Despite their widespread feeding habits, they typically do not harm the overall health of the trees.

The fall webworms themselves are generally pale yellow to gray with small dark spots and light-colored hairs, growing up to an inch and a half in length in their caterpillar stage. Once they mature into adult moths, they are usually white with a wingspan of about an inch and a half.

So, while these giant webs may cause a bit of a stir, they are simply part of the natural cycle as these tiny caterpillars go about their seasonal activities.

Read More at ohiodnr.gov

📰 Painesville Man Charged with Murder in Father's Shooting

A 23-year-old Painesville man, Christopher Paul Farmer, has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting and killing his 67-year-old father at their home on Sanford Street. Police responded to the incident on September 15, detaining the suspect at the scene. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is processing the crime scene as police continue their investigation. The suspect is currently held without bond pending arraignment.

Read More at cleveland19.com

📰 Northeast Ohio Speaker Series to Spotlight Human Trafficking Awareness

The "Human Trafficking in Northeast Ohio Speaker Series" on October 10, 2024, is an educational event featuring a keynote by Detective John Morgan and a panel of experts. The event, hosted by Women United of United Way of Lake County, aims to raise awareness about human trafficking in the region and provide valuable insights on its impact, warning signs, and resources available for victims. The series is open to the public with an option to attend either in person or virtually, with advance registration required by October 7, 2024.

For More Information or to Register for the Event: uwlc.org

Event Details:

• Date and Time: October 10, 2024, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

• Location: The Paradigm at Mentor High School, 6477 Center St., Mentor

• Fee: In-person $25 (includes light meal); Virtual Free

• Registration Deadline: October 7, 2024

Contact: Tami Lewis for more information.

💰 USDA Loan Income Limits for 2024: What You Need to Know

Understanding the income limits for USDA loans is essential for those considering this affordable home financing option. The USDA loan program offers zero-down payment options and typically lower mortgage insurance fees, making it an attractive choice for eligible borrowers.

2024 USDA Loan Income Limits Overview

The USDA sets income limits based on factors like household size and geographic location. Generally, the limits range from $112,450 for 1-4 member households to $148,450 for 5-8 member households in many areas. However, these limits can vary, with some rural areas having lower thresholds, around $91,900 for smaller households and $121,300 for larger ones.

Factors Affecting USDA Income Limits

1. Geographic Location: Income limits vary by county, reflecting the area's median income. For instance, Monroe County, FL, has higher limits than Tallahassee, FL.

2. Household Size: Larger households have higher income limits due to the increased cost of living.

3. Annual Adjustments: The USDA reviews and updates income limits annually to keep pace with economic changes.

Calculating USDA Loan Income Limits

USDA income limits are set at 115% of the area's median income. Adjustments are made for household size, allowing higher limits for larger families. All adult members' income in the household is considered, not just the applicant’s.

USDA Loan DTI Limits

Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is another key factor in USDA loan approval. The USDA prefers a front-end DTI ratio not exceeding 29% and a back-end ratio not exceeding 41%. However, exceptions can be made for borrowers with strong financial profiles.

Additional USDA Eligibility Criteria

Beyond income and DTI limits, USDA loan eligibility requires a minimum credit score of 640, a clean credit history, steady employment, and the property must be in an eligible rural area. Only single-family homes used as the primary residence are eligible.

USDA Loan Insurance and Property Eligibility

USDA loans require a 1.00% upfront fee and a 0.35% annual fee based on the remaining principal balance. These fees keep the USDA program affordable. Properties must be located in areas defined as rural by the USDA, typically with populations under 35,000.

Next Steps for Prospective Borrowers

USDA loans offer an accessible path to homeownership, particularly for first-time buyers with low to moderate incomes. Check your eligibility with a USDA-approved lender to explore this option.

Read the Full Article Here at themortgagereports.com

🏘️ Featured New Home Listings for Sale in Mentor, Ohio (44060)

7659 Saint James Dr, Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 2.5+ Baths, 3,708 Sqft., 0.43 Acre Lot
Sale Price $408,000
Listed by: Andrea Johnston Brokered by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty
Link to Property Listing

7569 Parker Dr, Mentor, OH 44060
4 Beds, 2 Baths, 2,944 Sqft., 0.51 Acre Lot
Sale Price $384,000
Listed by Joan Elflein Brokered by Ohio Broker Direct
Link to Property Listing

9071 Jackson St, Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,768 Sqft., 0.51 Acre Lot
Sale Price $312,000
Listed by: Kimberley Armstrong Brokered by Re MAX Results
Link to Property Listing

6340 Meldon Dr, Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,407 Sqft., 0.34 Acre Lot
Sale Price $259,999
Listed by: Susan Parker Brokered by Homesmart Real Estate Momentum Llc
Link to Property Listing

8116 Independence Dr. Apt D, Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 2 Bath, 1,218 Sqft., 0.30 Acre Lot
Sale Price $165,000
Listed by: Svetlana Fedorova Brokered by Homesmart Real Estate Momentum Llc
Link to Property Listing

Link to Other Listings in Mentor or Zip Code 44060

⚾ Guardians' Pitching Dominates as Cleveland Blanks Rays 2-0

The Cleveland Guardians secured a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, thanks to strong pitching and timely hitting. Ben Lively and four relievers combined for a four-hitter, leading Cleveland to its 12th shutout of the season. Lively (12-9) pitched five-plus innings, striking out two and allowing only four hits. Emmanuel Clase closed out the game, earning his career-high 45th save.

Brayan Rocchio's RBI single in the second inning put the Guardians ahead, and Angel Martínez added a run in the fourth on a delayed double-steal attempt. Tampa Bay starter Taj Bradley (6-11) suffered his seventh straight loss, allowing two runs in 4 1/3 innings.

This victory helps the Guardians maintain the best home record in the AL at 45-27 and brings them closer to clinching a playoff berth. The Rays, however, now trail the final AL wild-card spot by 6 1/2 games with 12 to play.

Up Next: The Guardians start a four-game home series against the Twins on Monday, with Matthew Boyd (2-1, 2.18 ERA) facing Pablo López (15-8, 3.88 ERA).

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🤣 Something Funny 🤣