In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

🌤️ Weather: Sun, Partly Cloudy - Temps 81-83

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

 📰 Local News: 🚨 Officials Warn Amateur Predatory Stings May Violate Law, Risk Safety

 🎒 Backpack Fund to Distribute 500 Free School Supply Kits Across Lake County

 🎶 COLLAGE Brings Dance Floor Favorites to Billy’s Martini Bar August 7

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Real Estate: 🏘️ Housing Market Softens as Contract Signings Decline

🏘️ Featured New Home Listings for Sale in Mentor, Ohio (44060)

⚾ Sports: ⚾ Cleveland Misses Sweep as Twins Hold On for 5–4 Win

⚾ Lake County Edges Wisconsin in Tight 10-Inning Battle

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

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Featured Event for Aug 4

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 🚨 Officials Warn Amateur Predatory Stings May Violate Law, Risk Safety

Lake County Sheriff Warns Public to Avoid Vigilante Investigations

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) is warning residents against posing as underage girls online to expose suspected sexual predators. Some individuals have been conducting their own sting operations, arranging meetings with adults and then requesting law enforcement to make arrests.

However, the sheriff’s office clarified that such arrests aren’t legally possible. Under Ohio law (R.C. 2907.07), only law enforcement officers are authorized to pose as minors in these cases for the communication to qualify as a criminal offense.

Officials stressed that these citizen-led efforts not only put individuals at risk but also create volatile situations and interfere with official investigations. The LCSO also noted that legal action may be taken against those continuing such practices.

The sheriff’s office reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting sexual offenders through its well-trained Sex Offender Registration and Notification (SORN) Unit. Residents with credible information are encouraged to contact law enforcement directly, rather than take matters into their own hands.

Read More cleveland19.com

🎒 Backpack Fund to Distribute 500 Free School Supply Kits Across Lake County

The Backpack Fund will host The Supply Drop on August 16, offering over 500 free school supply kits to Lake County families. The event will take place at four locations throughout the day and is open to anyone in need of help preparing for the school year.

Created in 2020 by Riverside High School graduates during the pandemic, The Backpack Fund was founded to support local students and families. Since then, the group has provided over 3,000 supply kits to the community.

Each backpack includes essential school supplies—pencils, notebooks, earbuds, and more—based on standard school district lists. Families can choose from a variety of colored backpacks, and pick up kits for all children in the household.

At least 100 kits will be available at each location, and distribution will be first come, first served. The four locations were selected to make supplies more accessible across the county, and families may attend more than one site if needed.

Supply Drop Locations and Times — August 16:

• 10:30–11:30 a.m. – Painesville Township Park

• 12:00–1:00 p.m. – Planet Fitness parking lot, 1521 Mentor Ave., Painesville Twp.

• 2:00–3:00 p.m. – Morley Library, Painesville

• 4:00–5:00 p.m. – Pine Ridge Plaza, Willoughby

🎶 COLLAGE Brings Dance Floor Favorites to Billy’s Martini Bar August 7

Collage Brings High-Energy Dance Party to Billy’s Martini Bar August 7

Get ready to hit the dance floor—Cleveland-based party band COLLAGE is bringing its high-energy mix of pop, rock, and dance hits to Billy’s Martini Bar in Mentor on Thursday, August 7, from 7 to 10 p.m.

Known for their eclectic setlist spanning the ’80s through today, COLLAGE keeps the crowd moving with a blend of music.

Whether you're into throwback jams or current chart-toppers, this band promises a night of non-stop fun. For a look at their current setlist, check out the “Influences” section on their site collagecle.com.

🏘️ Housing Market Softens as Contract Signings Decline

Pending Home Sales Dip Again, Reflecting Ongoing Market Stagnation

The U.S. housing market continues to show signs of stagnation as pending home sales slipped once again in June. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)—which tracks signed contracts on existing homes—fell by 0.8% last month. This decline follows a brief uptick of 1.8% in May but ultimately continues a long-standing trend of weak market activity.

Compared to a year ago, contract signings are down 2.8%. The index has remained below 80 since mid-2022, signaling a persistently sluggish housing environment influenced by high mortgage rates and affordability concerns. Despite a recent increase in available listings, buyers remain hesitant to enter the market.

Regionally, the Northeast was the only area to post month-over-month growth, rising 2.1%, while the Midwest, South, and West all saw declines. Year-over-year comparisons show the Northeast holding steady, but other regions—especially the West—have continued to fall, with a 7.3% drop compared to June 2024.

The data reinforces a pattern of limited buyer engagement. With mortgage rates hovering near 7%, the cost of financing remains a key barrier. Without a notable drop in borrowing costs, experts expect this sluggish trend in contract activity to persist throughout the summer.

Read More: mortgagenewsdaily.com

🏘️ Featured New Home Listings for Sale in Mentor, Ohio (44060)

4673 Brooksdale Rd., Mentor, OH. 44060
6 Beds, 5.5 Baths, 8,482 Sqft. 2.06 Acre Lot
Sale Price $4,500,000
Listed by: Mark and Denise Zervos Brokered by Platinum Real Estate
Link to Property Listing

9458 Whalers Cv., Mentor, OH 44060
4 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 3,016 Sqft. 0.50 Acre Lot
Sale Price $499,900
Listed by: Denise Kovatch Brokered by Howard Hanna - Mentor
Link to Property Listing

8548 Cornwall Ct., Mentor OH 44060
4 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 2,009 Sqft., 0.55 Acre Lot
Sale Price $379,900
Listed by: Wendy Priscak Brokered by Homesmart Real Estate Momentum Llc
Link to Property Listing

9557 Hoose Rd., Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 1 Baths, 1,196 Sqft., 1.08 Acre Lot
Sale Price $275,000
Listed by: Judie Crockett Brokered by Howard Hanna - Mentor
Link to Property Listing

6358 Southgrove Rd., Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 1 Baths, 1,482 Sqft., 0.35 Acre Lot
Sale Price $259,900
Listed by: Luanne Lette Brokered by Exp Realty, Llc.
Link to Property Listing

Link to Other Listings in Zip Code 44060

⚾ Cleveland Misses Sweep as Twins Hold On for 5–4 Win

The Minnesota Twins avoided a sweep in Cleveland on Sunday, scoring four runs in the first inning and edging the Guardians 5–4 to end a four-game skid.

Trevor Larnach led the early surge with a two-run single, while Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis each added RBI hits off Guardians starter Joey Cantillo. Despite allowing four straight hits to start the game, Cantillo settled in and struck out a season-high nine over 5⅔ innings.

The Twins added a key insurance run in the eighth when Kody Clemens laid down a bunt single to score DaShawn Keirsey Jr. That run proved critical as the Guardians rallied in the ninth. Brayan Rocchio’s pinch-hit single brought home two runs, cutting the deficit to one. However, Erasmo Ramírez shut the door by retiring Daniel Schneemann and José Ramírez for the save—his first MLB appearance since August 2024.

Minnesota's bullpen delivered, with Kody Funderburk tossing two scoreless innings for the win. Starter José Ureña gave up two runs across four innings in his debut for the Twins, his fourth MLB team this season.

Cleveland’s José Ramírez homered in the first, Schneemann notched his second straight three-hit game, and rookie C.J. Kayfus doubled for his first MLB hit.

Read More, See Highlights: espn.com

⚾ Lake County Edges Wisconsin in Tight 10-Inning Battle

The Lake County Captains pulled off a hard-fought 2–1 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in a 10-inning contest on Sunday, wrapping up the weekend series with some late-game heroics and strong bullpen work.

The game was a pitching duel for most of the afternoon, with the Captains breaking the scoreless tie in the fifth inning. Ralphy Velazquez drove in the first run with a sharp line-drive single to right, scoring Juan Benjamin and advancing Alfonsin Rosario to third.

Wisconsin tied it in the bottom of the eighth when Steward Berroa doubled to left, bringing home Blayberg Diaz and knotting the score at 1–1.

After a scoreless ninth, Lake County regained the lead in the top of the 10th. With Nick Mitchell starting on second base under extra-inning rules, Jacob Cozart delivered a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Mitchell to score what proved to be the winning run.

Josh Harlow earned the win for Lake County, holding Wisconsin scoreless in the ninth inning. He improved his record to 5–3 with a 3.92 ERA. Jack Jasiak closed the door in the 10th for his 13th save of the season, preserving the Captains' narrow lead.

See the box score and more at milb.com

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣