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- 📰 Sheriff Warns of Phone Scam, OVI Suspect Charged, March Gardening
📰 Sheriff Warns of Phone Scam, OVI Suspect Charged, March Gardening
Issue #427

In this Mentor Local Buzz Issue…
⛅ Weather: Mostly Cloudy - Temps 55-57
🎉 Events: 50+ Live Events. Direct Link to Mentor Live Events
📰 Local News: 🚨 Lake County Sheriff's Office Warns Residents of Phone Scam Impersonating Law Enforcement
🚨 OVI Suspect Charged After Deadly Bicycle Crash in Lake County
📰 Mentor Invites Community to Join 2025 Memorial Day Ceremony & Parade
✅ What Residents Need to Know About Garage Sales, Power Outages & More
👨👩👧👦 Special Section: The Home Front: 🥕 March Gardening in Northeast Ohio: What to Do Now for a Thriving Spring
🏀 Sports: ⚾ Guardians Fall to Mariners as Clase Makes Spring Debut
🤔 Trivia Question
🤣 Something Funny


Mostly Cloudy - Temps 55-57

👉 Mentor Live Events 👈
March 4-5
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

🚨 Lake County Sheriff's Office Warns Residents of Phone Scam Impersonating Law Enforcement

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
The Lake County Sheriff's Office is alerting residents about a new phone scam in which fraudsters pose as law enforcement officers to extort money. Scammers have been calling individuals while impersonating Lt. Bryan Bowen of the Sheriff’s Office, using spoofed phone numbers that make it appear as if the call is coming from the department itself. Victims are falsely informed of outstanding arrest warrants and pressured to make payments to clear them.
Sheriff Frank Leonbruno took to social media to emphasize that these calls are scams and urged residents not to fall for the deceptive scheme. He advised anyone receiving such a call to report it to their local police department. He also suggested that if someone is unsure about the legitimacy of a call from a supposed law enforcement officer, they should contact the agency directly to verify the claims.
The Sheriff's Office reiterated that they will never call residents demanding payment to cancel a warrant. This warning is part of their ongoing effort to educate the public and prevent scammers from exploiting trust in law enforcement.
Authorities urge Lake County residents to remain cautious and avoid sharing personal or financial information over the phone with unsolicited callers. For official updates and further information, residents are encouraged to follow the Sheriff's Office on social media.
Read the Full Article at hoodline.com
🚨 OVI Suspect Charged After Deadly Bicycle Crash in Lake County
A 38-year-old Madison man has been indicted for his alleged role in a fatal crash that claimed the life of a cyclist in November 2024. A Lake County Grand Jury formally charged Justin Hanusosky with operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI), aggravated vehicular homicide, and failure to stop after an accident.
Authorities say the crash occurred on November 23, 2024, when 64-year-old Mark Mitchell was riding his motorized bicycle eastbound on South Ridge Road in Madison Township. Hanusosky’s vehicle reportedly struck Mitchell from behind, throwing him from his bike. Instead of stopping, Hanusosky allegedly fled the scene.
Mitchell suffered severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where he died two days later on November 25.
According to the police report, Hanusosky admitted to looking down at his speedometer before swerving off the road, leading to the fatal collision.
Read the Full Story at Cleveland19.com
📰 Mentor Invites Community to Join 2025 Memorial Day Ceremony & Parade

Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash
The City of Mentor is inviting veterans groups, civic organizations, and community members to take part in its 2025 Memorial Day Observance.
The ceremony will take place at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 26, 2025, at Mentor Municipal Cemetery (6681 Hopkins Road). A solemn procession will precede the ceremony, stepping off at 9:30 AM from Memorial Middle School (8979 Mentor Avenue). The procession will travel north on Hopkins Road, entering the cemetery through the third entrance and stopping at the Memorial Promenade. Participants should arrive at the school by 8:30 AM for lineup instructions.
As this is a solemn occasion honoring fallen service members, all participants are reminded that candy distribution, political signs, apparel, or commercial messages are strictly prohibited during the event.
Those interested in participating should contact Recreation Coordinator Kevin Cindric at [email protected] or (440) 974-5720.
✅ What Mentor Residents Need to Know About Garage Sales, Power Outages & More

City of Mentor
City of Mentor: Important Community Updates
The City of Mentor has shared several key reminders and guidelines for residents:
Garage Sales: No permit is required for garage sales, but signs can only be placed on the property where the sale is happening. Posting signs at street corners, on tree lawns, or utility poles is prohibited, and any improperly placed signs may be removed by city staff without notice.
Power Outages: Residents should report power outages by calling the Illuminating Company’s Automated Outage Reporting Line at (888) 544-4877. This helps track and restore service efficiently. 911 should only be used for emergencies.
Street Tree Maintenance: Trees located in public right-of-way areas must be trimmed to ensure they do not obstruct sidewalks or roadways. Branches should be at least 7 feet above sidewalks and 14 feet above public roads for pedestrian and motorist safety.
Rental Inspection Program: The city’s rental inspection program ensures that rental properties meet safety and maintenance standards in line with Mentor’s Property Maintenance Codes.
Safety Assurance Programs: Mentor offers various programs for residents who may need additional assistance during emergencies. More information is available at cityofmentor.com/resident-info/safety-assurance-programs/.

🥕 March Gardening in Northeast Ohio: What to Do Now for a Thriving Spring
March has arrived with unpredictable weather in Northeast Ohio, bringing a mix of cold temperatures and the first signs of spring. While the forecast may be uncertain, it's time for gardeners to start preparing for the growing season. From indoor seed-starting to soil preparation, early spring tasks will help set up a successful garden in the months ahead.
Planning for Spring Planting
Before planting begins, it's important to plan where crops and flowers will go based on their light, water, and space needs. The U.S. National Arboretum suggests considering factors such as day length and mature plant size to ensure healthy growth.
Although the weather remains chilly, care for sprouting plants by protecting them from freezing temperatures with mulch or snow. Avoid walking on lawns when the ground is frozen or overly wet to prevent soil compaction. Once temperatures rise, yard cleanup can begin, removing leaves, sticks, and debris.
What to Plant in March
Depending on soil conditions, certain vegetables can be planted outdoors early in the season. If the ground has thawed, cool-season crops such as lettuce, onions, sugar snap peas, and potatoes can be sown directly into the soil.
For those starting seeds indoors, early March is an ideal time in Northeast Ohio. Following best planting practices will ensure a strong start:
Avoid working with soil that is too wet or dry.
Choose an overcast day or plant early or late in the day.
Prepare and test the soil before planting.
Remove plants from their containers carefully to allow proper root growth.
Water new plants thoroughly but infrequently.
Pruning for Healthier Plants
Late winter and early spring are ideal times for pruning, as recommended by Penn State University Extension. Pruning helps remove dead or damaged branches, improving plant health and encouraging better blooms and fruit production.
There are three common pruning methods:
Thinning Out – Removing branches from their point of origin to allow better air circulation.
Gradual Renewal – Cutting back the oldest and tallest branches over several years to promote new growth.
Complete Rejuvenation – Cutting all stems down to one or two inches above the ground for overgrown shrubs. This method may result in excessive regrowth that needs later thinning.
Using Horticultural Oils
To manage overwintering pests, some gardeners use horticultural oils, also known as dormant oils. These oils work by suffocating insects and can help prevent the spread of plant viruses. However, they can also impact beneficial insects, so careful application is recommended.
As March progresses, keeping up with these gardening tasks will ensure a strong start to the growing season. With careful planning, planting, and pruning, gardens across Northeast Ohio will soon be in full bloom.

⚾ Guardians Fall to Mariners as Clase Makes Spring Debut
The Cleveland Guardians fell to the Seattle Mariners, 7-2, in a spring training matchup on Monday. Emmanuel Clase made his spring debut, allowing one run in two-thirds of an inning with two strikeouts, while his fastball hit 98 mph. Cleveland briefly led after solo home runs from Johnathan Rodriguez and Daniel Schneemann, but Seattle regained control with a home run from Cal Raleigh and late-inning runs. Starter Luis Ortiz rebounded from a rough debut with a solid three-inning performance. The Guardians’ struggles continued, bringing their Cactus League record to 2-7-1.