In this Mentor Local Buzz Issue…

 🌨️ Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Scattered Snow Showers - Temps 9-13

 🎉 Events: 50+ Live Events. Direct Link to Mentor Live Events

 📰 Local News: 📰 City of Mentor Observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Office Closures

 📸 Life on Lake Erie Photo Contest returns for its 33rd year.

🗓️ City Council Meeting Scheduled for Jan 21, Civic Center Park Discussion

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Special Section: Real Estate: 🏘️ Ways to Lower Your Mortgage Payment and Save Money

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

 🏀 Sports: 🏀 Lake Catholic Boys Basketball Secures 65-56 Win Over John Marshall

 🏀 Ava Budrys-Rini’s Buzzer-Beater Lifts Lake Catholic Over NDCL

 🏀 Mentor’s Nina Rodriguez Earns GCC Player of the Month Honors

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

 📢 Advertise With Us!

👉 Mentor Live Events 👈
Jan 20

Complete list of events and all the details in the link above “Mentor Live Events”. New Events Added Daily.

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

📰 City of Mentor Observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Office Closures

Mentor city offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2025, in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Residents are encouraged to plan accordingly for any city services that may be affected by the holiday closure. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, January 21.

Source: cityofmentor.com

📸 Life on Lake Erie Photo Contest returns for its 33rd year.

The Ohio Lake Erie Commission has launched its 33rd annual Life on Lake Erie Photo Contest, inviting photographers to capture the beauty, wildlife, and communities surrounding the Great Lake. The contest aims to highlight the environmental significance of Lake Erie while raising awareness about its preservation.

Participants can submit up to five high-resolution digital photos that showcase the essence of life on the lake, including scenic landscapes, wildlife, recreational activities, and local events. Winning photographs will be featured on the commission’s website, social media channels, and at partner venues.

This year’s contest offers a variety of Ohio-based prizes, including Cedar Point gift certificates, museum memberships, ferry tickets, overnight stays at lakeside resorts, parasailing experiences, and curated Ohio-made product bundles. Entries will be judged on creativity, composition, and how well they align with the contest theme.

Submissions are due by July 31, 2025. Participants must email their entries along with a completed form to [email protected]. More details are available at lakeerie.ohio.gov.

🗓️ City Council Meeting Scheduled for January 21, Civic Center Park Discussion Planned

The Mentor City Council will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Before the meeting, a work session focused on Civic Center Park projects will take place.

Residents are encouraged to attend, as all council meetings are open to the public. For those unable to attend in person, City Council and Municipal Planning Commission meetings are broadcast live on the Mentor Channel. However, work sessions are not televised. Additional information and documentation for the meeting are available online.

Click Here for Additional Information or Documentation

🏘️ Ways to Lower Your Mortgage Payment and Save Money

Smart Strategies to Lower Your Mortgage Payment

For homeowners looking to ease their financial burden, reducing monthly mortgage payments can provide much-needed relief. Several strategies can help lower housing costs, whether through refinancing, adjusting loan terms, or exploring other cost-saving options.

Refinancing is one of the most effective ways to secure a lower interest rate, which can significantly reduce monthly payments. However, even if refinancing isn’t an option, homeowners can explore loan term extensions to spread payments over a longer period, reducing the monthly amount.

Another approach is removing private mortgage insurance (PMI) or FHA mortgage insurance premiums (MIP), which can add hundreds of dollars to monthly payments. Homeowners who have built at least 20% equity in their property may be eligible to eliminate these extra costs.

Additionally, reviewing property taxes and homeowners insurance policies can reveal potential savings. Appealing an overestimated property tax assessment or shopping for more affordable insurance coverage may lower monthly escrow payments.

For those experiencing financial hardship, loan modification or mortgage forbearance can provide temporary relief by adjusting loan terms or pausing payments. Alternatively, a mortgage recast, which involves making a lump sum payment toward the principal, can lower monthly obligations without requiring a full refinance.

By exploring these options, homeowners can find ways to reduce their mortgage payments and improve financial stability. Consulting with a lender can help determine the best solution based on individual circumstances.

Read the Full Article at themortgagereports.com

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

9316 Wyant Dr., Mentor, OH. 44060
4 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 2,141 Sqft. 0.38 Acre Lot
Sale Price $365,000
Listed by: Lisa Sisko Brokered by Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Realty
Link to Property Listing

5636 Hopkins Rd., Mentor, OH 44060
5 Beds, 3 Baths, ???? Sqft., 6,508 Sqft. Lot
Sale Price $285,000
Listed by: Dathan Williams Brokered by YUR Better Homes LLC
Link to Property Listing

7408 Avon Dr., Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 1.5 Baths, 1,800 Sqft., 6,970 Sqft Lot. (Condo)
Sale Price $199,990
Listed by: Christian Platzar Brokered by Real Estate Quest, Inc.
Link to Property Listing

7050 Chillicothe Rd. Apt C9, Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 1,798 Sqft. (Condo)
Sale Price $173,900
Listed by: Carrie Bregitzer Brokered by Howard Hanna - Mentor
Link to Property Listing

4685 Homewood Dr., Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 1 Bath, 924 Sqft. 6,970 Sqft. Lot
Sale Price $145,000
Listed by: Chris Olsen Brokered by Olsen Ziegler Realty Llc
Link to Property Listing

Link to Other Listings in Zip Code 44060

🏀 Lake Catholic Boys Basketball Secures 65-56 Win Over John Marshall

The Lake Catholic Cougars secured a 65-56 victory over the John Marshall Lawyers on Saturday, improving their season record to 7-5.

Ace Peterlin led the Cougars in scoring with 13 points, despite a challenging shooting night at 31% from the field. DJ Sears contributed 12 points and dominated the boards with 9 rebounds. Aiden Webb had a standout performance, tallying 11 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals, making a significant impact on both ends of the court.

With momentum on their side, the Cougars now set their sights on their next matchup against the Jefferson Area Falcons on January 21.

🏀 Ava Budrys-Rini’s Buzzer-Beater Lifts Lake Catholic Over NDCL

The Lake Catholic girls' basketball team pulled off a thrilling 35-34 victory over NDCL on January 17, thanks to a clutch final play by Ava Budrys-Rini.

After spending most of the first half on the bench due to foul trouble, Ava returned to make the game-winning putback with just three seconds left, securing the Cougars’ 10th win of the season.

The game remained close throughout, with NDCL taking a six-point lead in the third quarter after a pair of key three-pointers. However, Lake Catholic steadily chipped away, fueled by Carmella Sowers, who finished with 10 points.

In the final moments, Avery Budrys-Rini, who led the team with 15 points, drove to the basket, drawing a triple team. Though her shot missed, it set up Ava perfectly for the game-winning rebound and score.

NDCL had one last chance but turned the ball over near the three-point line, sealing the win for the Cougars. The loss drops NDCL to 6-7 on the season.

Next up, Lake Catholic (10-5) travels to Holy Name on January 20, while NDCL (6-7) hosts Gilmour on January 22.

🏀 Mentor’s Nina Rodriguez Earns GCC Player of the Month Honors

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

Kids are always the best!!!