In this Issue of: Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

⛈️ Weather: Spotty AM Showers, Windy and Partly Cloudy - Temps 63-67

 📢 Local Events from Mentor & the Area: MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events!

 📰 Local News: 🛣️ Flooding Disrupts Morning Commute After Overnight Storms in Northeast Ohio

 📰 Mentor Sees Slight Rise in Unemployment, Maintains Strong Ranking

 📰 Mentor Yard Waste Collection Returns on Monday April 7

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Special Section: The Pet Corner: 🐈🐕 Raising a Confident Pet: Why Socialization Matters

 🥎 Sports: 🥎 Mentor Crushes Euclid 13-0 with Power Surge and Speed

⚾ Padres Sweep Guardians, Merrill Shines with Power and Payday

 🏀 Cavs Erase 15-Point Deficit, Dominate Knicks to Stay Perfect in Season Series

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

 📢 Advertise With Us! 

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🛣️ Flooding Disrupts Morning Commute After Overnight Storms in Northeast Ohio

Overnight storms have exited the region, but early Thursday drivers across Northeast Ohio should remain alert. Heavy rainfall has led to ponding and localized flooding, increasing the risk of hydroplaning during the morning commute.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has reported flooding-related lane closures on I-90 West. If you’re heading downtown this morning, the right lane remains blocked just past East 185th Street, and additional flooding has closed lanes near Eddy Road.

Motorists are urged to reduce speed and use caution, especially on highways and low-lying roads where water may still be accumulating.

Looking ahead, more steady and widespread rain is expected over the next several days. A Flood Watch remains in effect through Sunday for much of the region, with multiple rounds of rain and thunderstorms in the forecast.

Source fox8.com

📰 Mentor Sees Slight Rise in Unemployment, Maintains Strong Statewide Ranking

The City of Mentor saw its unemployment rate rise to 4.3% in February 2025, a 0.4% increase from the previous month and up slightly from 3.9% recorded in February 2024. Despite the uptick, Mentor continues to maintain one of the lowest unemployment rates among Ohio cities with populations over 50,000.

In Lake County, the unemployment rate also climbed 0.4% in February to 4.9%, compared to 4.6% a year ago. The city’s civilian labor force declined by 400 workers, dropping to 25,500.

Mentor ranks second among large Ohio cities for lowest unemployment, trailing only Lakewood, which posted a 3.7% rate. Cleveland Heights follows closely at 4.4%, while Kettering stands at 4.8%.

Statewide, Ohio’s unemployment rate increased slightly to 5.4% in February, up from 5.3% in January and 4.5% in February 2024.

The data comes from the February 2025 Civilian Labor Force Estimates, released by the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services.

Source: cityofmentor.com

📰 Mentor Yard Waste Collection Returns on Monday April 7 with Seasonal Guidelines

The City of Mentor’s 2025 yard waste collection program is set to begin on Monday, April 7, and will continue through Friday, December 12.

Residents are reminded to follow the city’s guidelines to ensure proper pickup. Yard waste must be set out in manageable units weighing less than 35 pounds. Brush should be no more than three inches in diameter, cut into four-foot lengths, and bundled with twine or rope.

Grass clippings, leaves, garden plants, small twigs, and hedge trimmings should be placed in paper yard waste bags or rigid containers (up to 32-gallon capacity). Containers must have holes near the bottom for drainage, be left uncovered, and marked clearly with "YW" for yard waste identification.

From April through the third week of October, collection is limited to 12 units per week per household. During the heavier fall season—from the last full week of October through December—the limit increases to 25 units per week.

For full details and preparation tips, residents can visit the Waste Removal and Recycling page or download the official 2025 Waste Management Schedule for Mentor, Ohio.

🐈🐕 Raising a Confident Pet: Why Early Socialization Matters

If you’ve recently welcomed a new pet into your life, you're likely focused on helping them feel comfortable at home. But there's another essential step that can shape their entire future: socialization. This process, especially important in the early weeks of life, lays the groundwork for a pet's behavior and well-being for years to come.

What Socialization Really Means

Socialization isn't about making your pet "friendly"—it's about helping them feel secure in various environments, around different people, animals, sounds, and even types of touch. It’s a form of exposure therapy, building confidence and reducing fear-based reactions.

For dogs, exposure should align with your lifestyle and surroundings. In cities, this might include noisy streets and bustling parks. In suburban or rural areas, it could mean getting used to bicycles, other animals, or open spaces. Early and gentle handling—touching paws, ears, and mouths—can also make vet visits and grooming less stressful in the future.

Cats require a slightly different approach. Since they were domesticated later than dogs, they often retain more wild instincts. One example? Many cats fear their carriers because they associate them only with vet trips. To counter this, keep the carrier out regularly so it becomes a normal, even comforting, part of their environment. Choose carriers that allow vets to examine them while they stay inside for added security.

Reading Body Language

Careful observation is key when socializing your pet. Look for signs of stress like yawning, lip licking, or backing away. If these behaviors show up, it’s time for a break. Keeping interactions short and positive encourages future curiosity and confidence.

Young animals, especially puppies and kittens, can only handle a few minutes of stimulation at a time. The goal is to end sessions on a high note, leaving them eager for the next one.

Yes, Cats Can Be Trained Too

Training isn’t just for dogs—cats are surprisingly good learners when treats are involved. Simple tricks, like high-fiving or standing on their hind legs, offer mental stimulation and help them feel more comfortable around humans.

Genetics and Health Matter, Too

While socialization shapes behavior, genetics also play a role. For instance, Border Collies are known for intelligence, but their cautious nature can lead to anxiety. Sometimes behavior issues stem from underlying health concerns, not training problems. That’s why new pet parents—especially those adopting older rescues—should consider a full medical workup to rule out any issues.

It’s Never Too Late

The best time to socialize a pet is between 8 and 12 weeks old, but it’s never too late to start. Older pets can still adapt and thrive with positive reinforcement and patient exposure. In the long run, a well-socialized pet is happier, healthier, and more connected to the people around them.

Read the original article at yahoo.com

🥎 Mentor Crushes Euclid 13-0 with Power Surge and Speed on the Bases

The Mentor Cardinals girls softball team cruised to a dominant 13-0 win over the Euclid Panthers, putting on an offensive showcase that ended the game early.

Mentor wasted no time taking control, launching three home runs and collecting two additional extra-base hits in a lopsided performance. Power came from all parts of the lineup, with long balls courtesy of Sophia Smalley, Maggie Haydu, and Addison Belviso.

The Cardinals also showed speed on the bases, racking up five stolen bases in the shortened contest. Euclid struggled defensively, committing three errors that only added to the uphill climb. Mentor’s pitcher Addison Belviso got the win and did not give up a hit in the game.

With the win, Mentor improves to 2-3 on the season and looks to carry this momentum into their next matchup against Howland (Warren, Ohio) on Saturday, April 5.

⚾ Hot-Streak Padres Sweep Guardians, Merrill Shines with Power and Payday

The Cleveland Guardians fell 5-2 to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, wrapping up a tough series sweep on the West Coast and running into a red-hot Padres team that’s now 7-0 to start the season.

San Diego broke the game open in the third inning, scoring four runs — including a two-run homer from Jackson Merrill just hours after finalizing a nine-year, $135 million contract. Cleveland starter Ben Lively gave up the blast on the first pitch of Merrill’s at-bat, part of a rally that also featured a double steal and a throwing error that allowed two earlier runs to score. Cleveland had a chance to stop the damage earlier in the inning, but a miscue during the double steal allowed Fernando Tatis Jr. to score from third, and José Ramírez’s errant throw on a single added to the trouble.

Luis Arraez homered in the seventh to stretch the Padres’ lead, while Guardians bats struggled to solve Dylan Cease, who struck out seven over 6 1/3 innings. Cleveland managed just four hits and a single run off Cease before turning to the bullpen.

The sweep at the hands of the Padres follows a strong 4-1 start to Cleveland’s season, but facing playoff-tested San Diego proved a tougher challenge. Cleveland looks to bounce back Friday in Los Angeles, where Gavin Williams is scheduled to start against the Angels.

Read the Full Article Here

🏀 Cavs Erase 15-Point Deficit, Dominate Knicks to Stay Perfect in Season Series

The Cavaliers proved their Eastern Conference dominance once again on Wednesday night, storming back from a 15-point deficit to beat the New York Knicks 124-105 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Cleveland, rested and ready, handed New York its third straight loss to the Cavs this season. Despite an early surge by the short-handed Knicks, the Cavaliers overwhelmed them with a blistering second half — shooting 81% from the field in the third quarter and going a perfect 15-for-15 on two-pointers.

Donovan Mitchell led the way with 27 points in just 28 minutes, thriving against New York’s defense. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen combined for 34 points and 12 rebounds, taking full advantage of the Knicks' depleted frontcourt. De’Andre Hunter added 16 off the bench, continuing his strong play against New York.

The win snapped the Knicks’ streak of 71 straight wins when leading by 15 or more points and emphasized the gap between Cleveland and the East’s challengers. With a 3-0 season lead over New York and a final matchup set for April 11, the Cavaliers are looking like a team built for a deep postseason run — and one that New York still hasn’t figured out.

Read the Full Article at sandiegouniontribune.com

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

Guilty of Cute.