In this Issue of: Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

🌧️ Weather: Mostly Cloudy w/ Rain & Gusty Winds - Temps 45-47

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

 📰 Local News: 📰 Mentor Municipal Tax Deadline is Today

 🛼 Skate, Snack, and Smile with the Easter Bunny on April 19

 📰 Yard Waste Pickup Underway with Weekly Limits

 🚨 Mentor Man Convicted for Failing to Pay Federal Employment Taxes

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Special Section: The Home Front: 🏡 Is Your Dryer Working Overtime? Your Vent May Be to Blame

⚾ Sports: ⚾ Mentor Cardinals Rally Late to Defeat Shaker Heights, 6-4

⚾ Lake Catholic Storms Back to Beat Elyria Catholic, 8-4

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

 📢 Advertise With Us! 

Contact Mentor Local Buzz - [email protected] - 440-256-6115

👉 Events in Mentor & the Area!
Visit MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events
Featured Event for April 15-16

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MentorLocalEvents.com/Events

📰 Mentor Municipal Tax Deadline is Today

The 2025 tax season has been underway, and residents of Mentor probably don’t need reminded that the deadline to file Municipal Tax or Exemption forms is today, Tuesday, April 15.

Filers can visit the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) website at www.ritaohio.com to submit returns, make payments, check refund statuses, or view payment history. The site also provides downloadable forms and secure email options for contacting RITA.

For questions, residents can call RITA at 1-800-860-7482. Self-service phone options are available 24/7, while live assistance is offered on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Source: cityofmentor.com

🛼 Skate, Snack, and Smile with the Easter Bunny on April 19

Get ready for a fun-filled afternoon at the Lunch with the Easter Bunny skate event! Families are invited to lace up and hit the ice for a festive celebration full of laughter, music, and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

📅 Date: Saturday, April 19
🕧 Time: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
💵 Cost: $18 per person (includes admission, skate rental, 1 slice of cheese pizza & a drink)

Pizza and drinks will be served from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM, giving skaters plenty of time to refuel while enjoying great music and the festive atmosphere.

Whether you're skating with friends or snapping a selfie with the Easter Bunny, this springtime tradition is sure to delight attendees of all ages.

See the Facebook event here

📰 Yard Waste Pickup Underway with Weekly Limits

Mentor’s annual yard waste collection program is officially underway for the 2025 season, having started on April 7.

Residents can place up to 12 units of yard waste at the curb each week. Each unit must weigh under 35 pounds. Brush must be cut into lengths no longer than four feet, with a maximum diameter of three inches, and bundled securely for pickup.

Acceptable yard waste items include grass clippings, leaves, plants, small twigs, and hedge trimmings. These should be placed in paper yard waste bags or rigid containers (up to 32 gallons) that have holes drilled near the bottom for drainage. Containers should be uncovered and clearly marked with “YW”.

This seasonal service helps residents keep their yards clean while supporting Mentor’s ongoing commitment to environmentally responsible waste disposal.

Source: cityofmentor.com and here at updates

🚨 Mentor Man Convicted for Failing to Pay Federal Employment Taxes

A federal jury has convicted 38-year-old Michael Roberts of Mentor on two counts of failing to pay required employment taxes to the IRS.

Roberts served as executive director and co-owner of Progressive Alternatives, an in-home care provider for individuals with developmental disabilities in Lake and Ashtabula counties. He took over payroll and financial responsibilities for the business in 2014. The business was originally purchased by his spouse, Larry Keith Gildersleeve III, in 2011.

Though employee paychecks showed proper tax withholdings and W-2s were issued, federal investigators discovered that the company never filed W-2 forms with the IRS or submitted required quarterly Form 941 payments.

In late 2017, a retiring employee learned through the Social Security Administration that taxes had not been paid. Despite being informed, Roberts did not make the payments.

Roberts was found guilty of failing to pay taxes for the fourth quarter of 2017 and first quarter of 2018. His sentencing is scheduled for July 17. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

Gildersleeve previously pleaded guilty to eight similar counts and will be sentenced April 22. He faces up to 40 years in prison.

🏡 Is Your Dryer Working Overtime? Your Vent May Be to Blame

Most homeowners clean the lint trap after each load—but that’s only part of the job. The real concern lies in the vent system that carries hot air and lint out of your home. When that vent becomes clogged, it can lead to longer dry times, higher utility bills, reduced appliance life—and worst of all, fire.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean dryer vents is a leading cause of residential dryer fires.

Watch for these warning signs:

• Clothes take more than one cycle to dry

• A burning or musty odor is present during use

• The dryer or laundry room is hotter than usual

• The outdoor exhaust flap isn’t opening fully

DIY Cleaning Tips: Unplug the dryer and disconnect the vent hose. Use a long brush or vacuum attachment to remove lint buildup from both the hose and the wall or floor connection. Check the exterior vent and ensure it's free of obstruction.

Professional Tip:
If your dryer vent runs long distances or includes multiple elbows, it may be wise to schedule a professional cleaning annually. A certified technician has the tools to clean the entire run safely and thoroughly.

This quick but critical task improves airflow, reduces drying time, and significantly lowers fire risk. Make dryer vent maintenance part of your yearly home care checklist.

⚾ Mentor Cardinals Rally Late to Defeat Shaker Heights, 6-4

The Mentor Cardinals earned a 6-4 comeback win over Shaker Heights on the road, improving to 5-1 on the season.

Mentor opened the scoring with two runs through the first three innings. Shaker Heights answered with four runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-2 lead. The Cardinals responded quickly, scoring three in the fifth and adding another run in the sixth to secure the win.

Jake McCartney led the offense, going 2-for-3 with two runs and a double. Pat Collins and Austin Vanhuss also collected two hits each, contributing to the team’s .300 batting average. Collins also collected 3 RBIs on the day.

On the bases, Valeri, Brayden Bortnick, and McCartney each stole a base, helping to keep the pressure on.

Carmello Stropko set the tone on the mound with two hitless innings. Sophomore Phelan Harrold provided three good innings with two strikeouts and three walks. He gave up two earned runs in three innings. Jacob Gunvelson pitched a solid inning of baseball and got three outs on nine pitches. Dom Luvison struggled some, giving up a homerun.

Mentor hosts Shaker Heights again today at 5 p.m.

⚾ Lake Catholic Storms Back to Beat Elyria Catholic, 8-4

The Lake Catholic Cougars erased an early deficit to defeat Elyria Catholic 8-4 on the road, improving their season momentum with a strong mid-game rally. The Cougars are perfect on the season at 6-0.

After falling behind 4-0 through three innings, the Cougars responded with three runs in the fourth and five more in the fifth to take control. Their offense produced eight hits and took advantage of eight walks to fuel the comeback.

Patrick Radigan led the charge with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Several other Cougars chipped in with key hits to keep the pressure on.

On the mound, Frankie Trinetti earned the win, throwing five innings while allowing four runs (two earned) and striking out six. Tyler Rhiber closed the game with two shutout innings, giving up just one hit and striking out one.

The two teams will meet again today, with Lake Catholic hosting Elyria Catholic at 5 p.m.

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

I can relate to a few of these… not gonna tell you which ones.