In this Issue of: Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

🌤️ Weather: Windy, Clouds Giving Way to Some Sun in the PM - Temps 74-77

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

 📰 Local News: 📰 Ohio Lands 25th in National Economic Outlook, Showing Mixed Progress

 📰 Great Lakes Mall in Mentor Expected to Hit Market Amid Ownership Struggles

 🐰 Last Chance to Dive into the Underwater Easter Egg Hunt!

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Special Section: 🎫 Willoughby’s Annual Basket Auction Fundraiser

⚾ Sports: ⚾ Guardians Drop Series Finale to Orioles Despite Early Power Surge

⚾ Mentor Shuts Out Brunswick 4-0, Remains Perfect in Conference Play

 🤔 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 18

See All the Events
MentorLocalEvents.com/Events

📰 Ohio Lands 25th in National Economic Outlook, Showing Mixed Progress

Ohio has earned a middle-of-the-road ranking in a national economic outlook report, placing 25th among U.S. states in the latest "Rich States, Poor States" index from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

The 18th annual edition of the ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index shows that while Ohio's current position reflects a modest improvement from last year, it's still a few notches lower than its rankings in 2023 and 2022.

The ALEC report, which evaluates each state’s economic policies and growth potential, credited Ohio for making significant strides over the past two decades, including notable tax cuts and reversing long-standing population losses. The state, once among the lowest-ranked, has shown steady progress toward a more competitive business environment.

Ohio received high marks in several specific areas, including estate and inheritance taxes (ranked first), average worker compensation costs (fourth), top corporate income tax rate (sixth), and tort system costs (eighth). However, its overall ranking was weighed down by factors such as not being a right-to-work state, high debt service relative to tax revenue (40th), and steep personal income tax progressivity (38th).

Compared to neighboring states, Ohio ranked behind Indiana (3rd) and West Virginia (16th), but ahead of Kentucky (27th) and Pennsylvania (36th).

Read the Full Article at fwbusiness.com

📰 Great Lakes Mall in Mentor Expected to Hit Market Amid Ownership Struggles

Great Lakes Mall in Mentor Poised for Sale, Future May Shift Beyond Retail

The future of Great Lakes Mall in Mentor appears to be on the brink of transformation, as its current owner, Washington Prime Group, prepares to place the property on the market. Industry watchers expect that the mall, once a bustling retail hub, could be reimagined into a different kind of community space.

The mall’s parent company, headquartered in Columbus and Indianapolis, has been grappling with financial difficulties and workforce reductions, prompting speculation about the fate of several properties in its portfolio. As traditional shopping centers across the country continue to evolve or decline, Great Lakes Mall may soon follow suit, with redevelopment possibilities ranging from mixed-use spaces to residential or entertainment-oriented facilities.

While no official sale has been announced, signs point to significant changes ahead for one of Lake County’s most recognizable commercial landmarks.

Source: Google

🐰 Last Chance to Dive into the Underwater Easter Egg Hunt!

Still a Few Spots Left—Don’t Miss Out! 🐣
Dive into spring fun at the Underwater Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday, April 19 at the Mentor Community Recreation Center! 🏊‍♂️🐰
Time slots are filling fast—ONLY 30 spots per age group! Ages 6-10 at 10am is already sold out, so register now to snag your spot!

💦 $15 (Members) | $20 (Non-Members)
🎟️ Register at the Rec Center
📍 Egg hunt runs from 10am–4pm
👓 Bring goggles & a basket!

Help the scuba bunny scoop up sunken eggs—Easter fun like you’ve never seen!
Tickets are here

🎫 Willoughby’s Annual Basket Auction Fundraiser Set for April 26–27

Two-Day Basket Auction Returns to Willoughby’s American Legion Post 214

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 214 is bringing back its popular Annual Basket Auction, this time spanning two days on April 26 and 27, 2025. The event will run from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day at the VFW Post 1500 / American Legion Post 214, located at 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby.

A lively fundraiser for a worthy cause, the auction will feature a wide selection of themed baskets, alongside raffles, a 50/50 drawing, a bake sale, and plenty of snacks and refreshments. Attendees can try their luck to win baskets filled with everything from local goods to specialty items, while helping raise funds for Auxiliary-supported veteran charities.

The event supports ongoing efforts to aid veterans and their families, with all proceeds directed toward these initiatives. Winners of the basket raffles will be announced late Sunday afternoon.

Local residents are encouraged to stop by, enjoy the festivities, and take part in this annual tradition that makes a difference in the lives of those who served.

See the Facebook Page for American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 214 to Stay Updated and Get More Information

⚾ Guardians Drop Series Finale to Orioles Despite Early Power Surge

The Guardians couldn't hold an early lead Thursday night at Progressive Field, falling 6-2 to the Baltimore Orioles as their recent momentum came to a halt.

After back-to-back solo homers from Daniel Schneemann and Austin Hedges in the third inning gave Cleveland a 2-1 advantage, the Orioles responded with a surge of their own. Baltimore's Ryan O’Hearn delivered the key blow — a three-run homer in the third off Tanner Bibee — flipping the game and putting the O's in control for good.

Bibee (1-2) struggled through 5 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on five hits and four walks. The right-hander's ERA jumped to 5.85 after a rocky outing in which he also gave up home runs to Gunnar Henderson and Heston Kjerstad. O’Hearn’s blast was the first hit Bibee had surrendered this season with runners in scoring position.

Cleveland (12-8), coming off a five-game win streak, has now dropped three of its last four. The loss also marked the Orioles' first series win of the season, as they claimed back-to-back victories to close out the three-game set. The Guardians will look to regroup on the road, heading to Pittsburgh for a weekend series.

Cleveland’s lead evaporated quickly when O’Hearn launched a three-run homer in the third inning — the first pitch of his second at-bat — sending a 95.6 mph fastball from Bibee over the right-center wall. The call stood after a video review confirmed the ball cleared the yellow line.

Read the Full Article at espn.com

⚾ Mentor Shuts Out Brunswick 4-0, Remains Perfect in Conference Play

Mentor Blanks Brunswick 4-0 Behind Strong Pitching, Timely Hits

The Mentor Cardinals varsity baseball team earned a 4-0 shutout over Brunswick on Thursday, riding stellar pitching and a steady offensive effort.

Mentor opened the scoring with a run in the first inning and added two more in the fifth before tacking on one in the sixth. Pat Collins led the offense, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a stolen base. Tyson Cendrowski went 2-for-3 with a double, while Austin Vanhuss and Jake McCartney also added hits.

Peter Kennedy pitched six shutout innings for the win, allowing just four hits and striking out five. Jacob Gunvelson closed it out with a scoreless seventh.

Brunswick managed five singles, struck out five times, and left seven runners on base.

The win improves Mentor to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in conference play. They host Cleveland Heights today at 4 p.m.

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣