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- 📰 Marn Stands Firm, Police Warn of SSA Scam, Maple Sugaring Weekend
📰 Marn Stands Firm, Police Warn of SSA Scam, Maple Sugaring Weekend
Issue #414
In this Mentor Local Buzz Issue…
🌨️ Weather: Windy, Morning Snow / 1-3” - Temps 20-22
🎉 Events: 50+ Live Events. Direct Link to Mentor Live Events
📰 Local News: 📰 Mentor Councilman Stands Firm Amid Racial Slur Controversy
🚨 Mentor Police Alert: Scammers Targeting Social Security Applicants
🚧 Lane Closure on Mentor Ave. Until Friday
📰 Mentor Officials Warn of Bird Flu Amid Rise in Waterfowl Deaths
🥞 Family Fun: 🥞 Sweeten Your Weekend: Maple Sugaring at the Farmpark
👨👩👧👦 Special Section: The Pet Corner: 🐈 Ohio Paws with Purpose Offers Free Pet Food to Families in Need
🏀 Sports: 🏀 Lady Cougars Fall in District Semifinal After Hard-Fought Comeback
🏒 Mentor Advances to Kent District Semifinals with 5-2 Win Over Kenston
🤔 Trivia Question
🤣 Something Funny
Windy, Morning Snow / 1-3” - Temps 20-22
👉 Mentor Live Events 👈
Feb 20-21
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
📰 Mentor Councilman Stands Firm Amid Racial Slur Controversy
Despite mounting pressure from the community and city officials, Mentor City Councilman Scott Marn is standing firm in his decision not to resign after being accused of using a racial slur during a public altercation last year.
Marn addressed the controversy during a public meeting Tuesday, marking the first time he has spoken about the incident since details became public. He insists he did nothing wrong, calling it a case of "wrong place at the wrong time."
The altercation in question occurred in September when Marn and his wife were walking to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings in Mentor. According to Marn, 27-year-old Tony Jackson-Davis nearly hit them with his vehicle in the parking lot, leading to a confrontation that escalated into a physical altercation. Marn claims Jackson-Davis attacked him, knocking him to the ground.
However, body camera footage from Mentor police officers captured Marn's wife telling officers that her husband had used a racial slur during the exchange. This revelation has fueled public outrage, with many residents calling for Marn’s resignation.
Supporters of Jackson-Davis, including his girlfriend, believe the police reports and footage provide enough evidence for Marn to be removed from office. Others in the community, however, argue that Marn was the true victim of an unprovoked attack and should not be forced out of his position.
Jackson-Davis has since pleaded guilty to felonious assault and was sentenced to four to six years in prison. Meanwhile, Marn has announced plans to seek reelection in the fall.
City Council had planned to vote on a resolution calling for Marn’s resignation, but the decision was postponed due to absent members. The issue is set to be revisited on March 4.
Read More at wkyc.com or WATCH the video above.
🚨 Mentor Police Alert: Scammers Targeting Social Security Applicants
Mentor police are alerting residents about a new scam targeting individuals applying for Social Security retirement benefits. According to authorities, scammers are impersonating officials from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and directing victims to fraudulent websites, where personal information is stolen.
The scam typically involves calls, texts, or emails from imposters who claim to be from the SSA. Victims are then asked to provide sensitive details such as Social Security numbers, birthdates, and bank account information. Scammers may use this data immediately for fraud or sell it for future misuse.
Officials warn residents to be cautious and avoid sharing personal information through unsolicited communications. If you suspect a scam, you can report it on the Social Security Administration’s official website. Victims are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency to file a report.
Read the Article here at cleveland19.com
Report a scam at oig.ssa.gov
🚧 Lane Closure on Mentor Ave. Until Friday
The eastbound curb lane of Mentor Ave., just east of Middlesex Road, is closed until Friday afternoon due to a water main break. Traffic will be managed with signs, cones, and an arrow board.
Source: City of Mentor
📰 Mentor Officials Warn of Bird Flu Amid Rise in Waterfowl Deaths
City of Mentor
The City of Mentor’s Natural Resources Division reports an increase in dead waterfowl, likely due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu. The virus spreads among wild birds, including ducks and geese, and can infect pets, particularly cats, which face a higher risk of severe illness. Residents should keep pets away from sick or dead birds.
Protecting Yourself
Health officials recommend:
Avoiding raw or unpasteurized milk.
Not touching wild birds or dead poultry.
Washing hands after handling animals.
Avoiding face contact after exposure to birds.
Changing clothes after handling sick animals.
The risk of human infection is low, with no confirmed human-to-human transmission in the U.S. The Ohio Division of Wildlife is monitoring cases and testing birds in several counties.
Residents should report sightings of six or more dead birds to 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543). Dead birds in public areas can be reported to Mentor Public Works at (440) 974-5781, while those on private property should be reported to the Natural Resources Division at (440) 974-5717.
More information is available at LCGHD.org.
Source: cityofmentor.com
🥞 Sweeten Your Weekend: Maple Sugaring and Pancakes in Kirtland
lakemetroparks.com
Maple Sugaring Weekends: A Sweet and Educational Experience in Kirtland
Families and nature enthusiasts can experience the magic of maple sugaring while meeting adorable newborn animals during Maple Sugaring Weekends in Kirtland at the Lake Metroparks Farmpark. The event offers a hands-on look at the process of turning sap into syrup, with plenty of opportunities to learn and taste the sweetness of fresh maple products.
Visitors can take a wagon ride to the Woodland Center, where they will see sap being collected from 1,000 taps using a network of tubing and pumps. The journey continues with demonstrations on how sap is gathered, boiled, and transformed into maple syrup and candy. Guests can even try their hand at collecting sap from bucket taps and get tips on how to make syrup at home.
In addition to the maple activities, the event features an all-day pancake café for an extra fee, serving up delicious treats made with Farmpark’s own syrup. Maple syrup and candy will also be available for purchase, allowing guests to take home a taste of the experience.
The event will take place from 9am to 5pm on two weekends, February 22-23 and March 1-2, offering a unique blend of education, nature, and sweet indulgence.
See the Event page at lakemetroparks.com
See video here from Fox8.com
🐈 Ohio Paws with Purpose Offers Free Pet Food to Families in Need
Ohio Paws with Purpose is hosting a free pet food distribution event on February 22, running from 8-10 a.m. The event will take place at Willow Praise Church, located at 32901 Vine St. in Willowick, and will operate as a drive-thru. No identification is required to receive pet food.
The organization prepares approximately 275 bags for each distribution, which include a mix of dry food, canned food, and treats. The goal of the pantry is to help pet owners facing financial or medical difficulties so they can keep their pets rather than surrendering them.
This distribution is part of a recurring program held on the fourth Saturday of each month from 8 to 10 a.m. at the church. Registration is available on-site while waiting in line. Those seeking more information can visit ohiopawswithpurpose.org.
🏀 Lady Cougars Fall in District Semifinal After Hard-Fought Comeback
Lake Catholic Falls to Chippewa in Overtime Heartbreaker
Lake Catholic’s playoff run ended on February 18 with a 42-38 overtime loss to visiting Doylestown Chippewa in a Division V district semifinal. The Cougars erased an eight-point halftime deficit and briefly led in overtime, but Chippewa managed to claw their way back.
Avery Budrys-Rini led all scorers with 15 points, including a clutch three-pointer to tie the game in the final minute. Carmella Sowers contributed nine points, 10 rebounds, and five steals, while Maddie Cox also scored nine.
The Cougars trailed 23-15 at halftime after committing 14 turnovers but tightened their defense in the second half, forcing overtime. Cox’s basket to open the extra period gave Lake Catholic its first lead since early in the game, but turnovers and five Chippewa offensive rebounds proved costly.
Chippewa’s Elena Mayer scored 13 points and went 7-for-7 at the foul line, including five key free throws in overtime.
Lake Catholic finishes the season 13-11, an improvement from 2024. The team will lose five seniors, including Sowers and Budrys-Rini, but made great strides for the future.
🏒 Mentor Advances to Kent District Semifinals with 5-2 Win Over Kenston
Mentor Secures Kent District Semifinal Spot with 5-2 Win Over Kenston
Mentor’s ice hockey team started strong and finished even stronger in its Kent District quarterfinal matchup against Kenston on Feb. 19, securing a 5-2 victory to advance to the semifinals.
The Cardinals wasted no time, scoring twice in the first three shifts. Just nine seconds into the game, A.J. Trobenter sent a puck toward the net, and senior captain Dominic Trem redirected it into the top corner for his 20th goal of the season. Less than a minute later, Hayden Vallance fired a wrister from the right circle to double the lead.
Kenston fought back, cutting the deficit to 2-1 early in the second period when Nick Niazov capitalized on a rebound. Mentor responded three minutes later with a long-range shot from Nathan Andree to restore a two-goal lead. Niazov struck again for the Bombers, narrowing the gap to 3-2.
The turning point came just 16 seconds into the third period when Andree skated through the right circle and slipped a shot in the goal to give Mentor breathing room. A power-play goal from Ruslan Sherstiuk sealed the win.
Mentor (22-9-2) now faces second-seeded Walsh Jesuit in the Kent District semifinals on Feb. 22, seeking redemption after three earlier losses to the Warriors this season.
