In this Mentor Local Buzz Issue…

🌨️ Weather: Possible Afternoon Snow Showers - Temps 24-28

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

 📰 Local News: 📰 JBS Strong: How an Ohio State Star Honors a Young Fan’s Legacy

 📈 Mentor Residents Urged to Engage in FirstEnergy Rate Increase Process

📺 Spectrum Outage Disrupts Mentor Channel Broadcast, Alternative Viewing

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Special Section: The Pet Corner: 🐕‍🦺 Keeping Your Senior Dog Active: Training Tips for Older Pets

 🏀 Sports: 🏀 Twinsburg Girls Basketball Falls to Mentor in Tight 50-46 Battle

 🏀 Garland’s Missed Free Throws Cost Cavaliers in One-Point Loss

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

 📢 Advertise With Us!

👉 Mentor Live Events 👈
Jan 23-24

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

 📰 JBS Strong: How an Ohio State Star Honors a Young Fan’s Legacy

A Mentor family is finding solace in the success of Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer, who helped lead the team to a National Championship—all while honoring the life and memory of their late son, Jack Bennett Sawyer.

Dawn and Matt Sawyer watched with pride as their favorite football player celebrated the championship with a special inscription on his wrist: JBS Strong, a tribute to their son, who passed away from Ewing Sarcoma in November 2023. The connection between the two Jacks was more than just a shared name—it became a story of inspiration, resilience, and kindness.

A Courageous Battle

Jack Bennett Sawyer was a dedicated Cleveland sports fan and an Ohio State football superfan. His life took an unexpected turn in 2022 when he was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that forms in bones or soft tissue. Despite enduring intense treatments at UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Jack remained positive, embracing the mantra: "PACE – Positive Attitude Changes Everything."

During his treatment, OSU’s Jack Sawyer learned about the diagnosis and sent a heartfelt care package, including snacks and a letter encouraging him to keep fighting. The gesture meant the world to Jack and his family, showing the impact of simple kindness from a star athlete.

Jack achieved remission in early 2023, but the cancer returned aggressively months later. Wise beyond his years, he made the difficult decision to stop treatment and spend his final days surrounded by loved ones. He passed away on November 5, 2023.

A Lasting Legacy

Though Jack is gone, his memory lives on. Throughout Ohio State’s championship season, Jack Sawyer continued to wear "JBS Strong" on his wrist, honoring his young friend with every play. His strip-sack touchdown against Texas in the Cotton Bowl felt particularly special, with the athlete later sharing that he felt Jack’s presence guiding him into the end zone.

The Sawyer family remains deeply connected to the OSU standout and plans to support him at his future NFL games. Meanwhile, Jack’s impact continues in Mentor, where a scholarship in his name is helping other students pursue their dreams. The Jack B. Sawyer Memorial Scholarship is funded primarily through the annual Jack B. Sawyer Golf Outing, set for June at St. Denis Golf Course in Chardon. This year, five $2,000 scholarships will be awarded.

Those who wish to contribute can mail donations to:
Jack B. Sawyer Memorial Scholarship
7755 Chillicothe Rd.
Mentor, OH 44060

WATCH or Read the Full Story at fox8.com

📈 Mentor Residents Urged to Engage in FirstEnergy Rate Increase Process

The video segment above on this topic is less than 15 minutes. However, we’ve summarized the issue below.

Angela O’Brien of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) spoke at the January 21, 2025, Mentor City Council meeting to address FirstEnergy’s proposed $190 million rate increase. During her presentation, she provided information on how residents can stay informed and participate in the decision-making process.

Residents can watch the full presentation on YouTube (above) or download a PDF version for review. Those seeking additional details can contact Tonja Stewart Shaw at (614) 752-0230 or via email at [email protected].

The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, which advocates for residential utility consumers, is also available for inquiries at 1-877-742-5622 or [email protected].

What is this all about?

FirstEnergy has submitted a request to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for a $190 million rate increase on top of recent distribution hikes. If approved, the increase would significantly impact nearly two million residential customers across the state.

Under the proposed rate changes, a typical customer using 1,000 kWh per month would see their monthly bill rise. Illuminating Company customers would see an increase from $173.48 to $187.35, adding up to more than $166 per year. Ohio Edison customers would experience a smaller increase from $169.70 to $173.68, while Toledo Edison customers would see their average bill rise from $171.74 to $173.30.

The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC), the state agency responsible for representing residential utility customers, is assembling a team of industry experts to scrutinize FirstEnergy’s proposal. OCC plans to challenge the request to ensure that any rate adjustments remain fair and reasonable for consumers.

FirstEnergy had previously referred to its 2024 rate case as “The Ohio Hole,” suggesting it might lead to a rate decrease. However, the utility now argues that an increase is necessary.

Consumer input is an important part of the decision-making process, and residents are encouraged to voice their opinions to PUCO regarding the proposed rate changes.

Read an article on the subject at occ.ohio.gov

📺 Spectrum Outage Disrupts Mentor Channel Broadcast, Alternative Viewing Available

Residents tuning in to watch the January 21, 2025, Mentor City Council meeting on Spectrum Channel 1024 were met with an unexpected disruption, as the channel was offline during the scheduled broadcast. As of now, the Mentor Channel remains unavailable on Spectrum.

The outage appears to be related to recent upgrades implemented by Spectrum. The city's team has reached out to Spectrum's technical support to investigate the issue and work toward a resolution.

Despite the Spectrum outage, the City Council meeting was still available through multiple alternative platforms, including ROKU, Apple, Google Play, Fire TV apps, AT&T U-VERSE, the city's website, and YouTube. Officials encourage residents to explore these options to ensure uninterrupted access to city meetings and other local programming.

For those who missed the live broadcast, the full January 21 meeting can be viewed on YouTube at this link. Additional information and streaming options are available at www.thementorchannel.com.

The city apologizes for any inconvenience and appreciates residents' patience as the issue is addressed.

🐕‍🦺 Keeping Your Senior Dog Active: Training Tips for Older Pets

When dogs reach their senior years, training might seem unnecessary, especially if they've already mastered basic commands and household rules. However, continuing to engage them in training can offer significant benefits, both mentally and physically.

Keeping Your Senior Dog Active and Engaged

Maintaining a training routine can help keep older dogs mentally sharp and physically active. Dogs that continue to have a "job" or purpose tend to stay more engaged, much like aging humans who remain socially and physically active. Training also strengthens the bond between a dog and its owner, providing quality one-on-one time that dogs naturally crave.

Even if a dog has slowed down with age, there are always new skills to learn. Before starting any new training activities, it's essential to consult a veterinarian to ensure the dog’s physical condition allows for certain exercises. While high-impact sports may not be ideal for senior dogs, activities like AKC Trick Dog, AKC Rally, or AKC Scent Work can keep them mentally stimulated without putting too much strain on their bodies.

Adapting Training to Meet Your Dog’s Changing Needs

As dogs age, they may experience cognitive or physical changes, such as slower response times, joint stiffness, or diminished hearing and eyesight. Adjusting training methods to accommodate these changes is crucial. For example, if a dog struggles to see hand signals, switching to verbal cues can help. Conversely, if their hearing declines, using exaggerated hand signals may improve communication.

Short and positive training sessions are ideal for senior dogs. It's important to recognize when they are tired and allow them to rest before continuing. Choosing activities that align with their physical abilities, such as scent work instead of agility, ensures they stay engaged without discomfort.

Using Motivation to Encourage Learning

Understanding what motivates a senior dog is key to successful training. Whether it's food, praise, or playtime, using enticing rewards can make learning enjoyable. For food-motivated dogs, selecting treats with age-related health benefits, such as those containing antioxidants or omega-3 fatty acids, can be especially beneficial.

Rather than thinking of senior dogs as "retired," owners should continue engaging them in training and outings. Keeping them active helps maintain a healthy weight, promotes mental sharpness, and strengthens their social interactions. Training should always be fun and fulfilling—for both the dog and the owner.

Read the Full Article at akc.org

🏀 Twinsburg Girls Basketball Falls to Mentor in Tight 50-46 Battle

Twinsburg Girls Basketball Falls Short in 50-46 Loss to Mentor

The Twinsburg varsity girls basketball team came up just short in a hard-fought home game on Wednesday night, falling 50-46 to Mentor in a non-conference matchup.

With the win, Mentor improved to a 12-4 overall record (5-3 in conference play). The Lady Cardinals will look to keep their momentum going in their next game on Friday.

Twinsburg put up a strong effort but was unable to close the gap in the final minutes. The game remained competitive throughout, with both teams battling on both ends of the floor. However, Mentor’s late-game execution proved to be the difference as they secured the narrow victory.

🏀 Garland’s Missed Free Throws Cost Cavaliers in One-Point Loss

The Houston Rockets held off the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 109-108 victory on Wednesday night, thanks to late-game heroics from Alperen Şengün and a missed opportunity by Darius Garland.

Fred VanVleet led Houston with 26 points as the Rockets recovered after nearly squandering a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter. Cleveland stormed back with a 19-0 run, taking a 104-98 lead with about four minutes remaining. However, VanVleet ended Houston’s lengthy scoring drought with back-to-back three-pointers to tie the game.

The game’s defining moment came with just over two seconds left when Garland was fouled on a three-point attempt, earning three free throws. With a chance to give the Cavaliers the lead, he missed the first two before sinking the third, leaving Cleveland down by one. The Cavs still had a final opportunity, but Donovan Mitchell’s three-point attempt at the buzzer was off target.

Şengün played a crucial role in securing the win, grabbing a key rebound after a missed shot by Mitchell in the final seconds. Fouled by Jarrett Allen, Şengün stepped up and sank two free throws with 4.5 seconds left, sealing the victory for Houston.

Garland finished with 26 points for Cleveland, who remain the NBA’s top team despite suffering just their fifth road loss of the season. The Cavaliers missed Evan Mobley’s presence in the paint, as the injured forward sat out his third straight game. Houston, meanwhile, will need to avoid the scoring droughts that nearly cost them this game if they hope to continue their winning ways.

Read the Full Article at espn.com

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

Gotta watch that Kung-Fu!