In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

⛅ Weather: Mostly Sunny - Temps 77-80

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

 📰 Local News: 📰 Lake County Sees Continued Drop in Overdoses, Honors Recovery Through Concert of Hope

 🦅 Lake County Marine Patrol Rescues Bald Eagle from Grand River

 📰 Community Support Grows as Mentor Schools Food Market Serves Hundreds

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Event Showcase: 🤠 Mentor Lagoons Hosts Evening of Music, Food, and Country Tunes!

⚾ Sports: 🏈 Mentor, Olmsted Falls Clash in High-Stakes Season Opener

 🏈 Lake Catholic Looks to Start Strong Against Physical Mooney Squad

⚾ Captains Shake Off Game 1 Loss, Storm Back Late for 6-5 Win

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

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 📰 Lake County Sees Continued Drop in Overdoses, Honors Recovery Through Concert of Hope

Lake County to Host Concert of Hope for Overdose Awareness Day

Lake County will honor Overdose Awareness Day with the inaugural Concert of Hope, a free, family-friendly event on Sunday, Aug. 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Fine Arts Association in Willoughby.

The program will feature live music by OPUS 216, art activities, food trucks, and resource tables in a supportive, drug-free setting. Organized in partnership with the ADAMHS Board, the City of Willoughby, county commissioners, The Fine Arts Association, and Ohio’s mental health department, the concert aims to provide healing and raise awareness about substance use disorder.

Overdose deaths in Lake County have dropped from 81 in 2022 to 41 in 2024, mirroring statewide declines. Officials credit expanded Medicaid access, a strengthened Quick Response Team, and wider treatment, prevention, and naloxone distribution.

Leading up to Aug. 31, additional events include a gathering for behavioral health professionals at Windsor Laurelwood and a public memorial tree planting at Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers’ Concord Pines Campus on Aug. 29.

Observed worldwide, Overdose Awareness Day remembers lives lost while supporting families and recovery.

See the Events Facebook Page

🦅 Lake County Marine Patrol Rescues Bald Eagle from Grand River

Lake County Marine Patrol Rescues Bald Eagle from Grand River

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol came to the aid of a young bald eagle Saturday morning after the bird was found struggling in the Grand River.

The juvenile eagle was spotted afloat in the water before officers stepped in. Patrol members carefully removed the bird from the river and placed it safely on dry land, giving it the opportunity to rest and recover.

The incident highlights the important role the Marine Patrol plays not only in keeping waterways safe for people, but also in protecting wildlife in need.

Source: channel19.com

📰 Community Support Grows as Mentor Schools Food Market Serves Hundreds

Mentor Schools Food Market Distributes Fresh Produce to Families in Need

Mentor Schools is continuing its effort to support the community through the Mentor Schools Food Market, a program providing fresh produce to families across the district. Each month, more than 12,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables are distributed with the help of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and dedicated volunteers.

The market is hosted at Mentor High School, 6477 Center Street, and is free and open to all community members in need. Families can visit from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. on scheduled dates throughout the school year.

The program runs monthly from June 2025 through June 2026, with the next distribution dates set for September 18, October 16, November 20, and continuing through the spring.

Organizers emphasize that the Food Market is just one way the district works to support families, providing both nourishment and a sense of community connection.

🤠 Mentor Lagoons Hosts Evening of Music, Food, and Country Tunes!

Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve & Marina will be alive with music as the Caliber Band takes the stage for “Tunes at the Lagoons.” The two-hour performance will feature a lively mix of modern and classic country, ranging from Y2K favorites to hits from the ’80s through today.

The event offers more than just music. Local food trucks will serve a variety of options, while beverage tents will provide beer, sparkling drinks, and refreshments for guests 21 and older. Payment options include cash, major credit cards, and popular digital wallets, making it convenient for attendees. Food and beverage service begins at 6 p.m., with the concert running from 7 to 9 p.m.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets, as seating is field-style only. Admission and parking are free, with attendants on site to guide traffic and ensure accessibility.

The Mentor Lagoons Marina, located at 8365 Harbor Drive, will host the event, offering a scenic backdrop for an evening of live music and community gathering.

See the Facebook Event Page

 🏈 Mentor, Olmsted Falls Clash in High-Stakes Season Opener

Mentor Set to Open Season Against Run-Heavy Olmsted Falls

The high school football season kicks off with a marquee nonconference matchup TONIGHT, Aug. 22, as Mentor travels to Olmsted Falls for a 7 p.m. showdown at Charles A. Harding Memorial Stadium.

This marks the first meeting between the two programs in recent memory, and both enter 2025 with high expectations following deep playoff runs last fall. Mentor finished 13-1 and reached the Division I regional final, while Olmsted Falls also made noise in the postseason and brings back a veteran-heavy lineup.

Mentor’s offense figures to be one of the most dynamic in Northeast Ohio again this season, led by standout running back Jackson Farley, who rushed for nearly 2,000 yards last year, and top receiver Justen Hodge. The Cardinals’ real strength lies up front, with three offensive linemen committed to Division I programs. That line—featuring Landry Brede (NC State), JoJo LoDuca (Navy), and Colin Prichard (Kent State)—returns intact and will anchor a unit adapting to a new starting quarterback, junior Brogan Jones.

Olmsted Falls, meanwhile, brings back its own star in the backfield. Senior Owen Singleton rushed for over 1,300 yards and found the end zone 21 times last year, running behind a line that also returns all five starters. Known for their punishing run-first approach, the Bulldogs will look to control possession and keep Mentor’s explosive offense on the sidelines.

Defensively, Mentor will need to grow up quickly. The Cardinals lost key experience from last year’s squad and will be tested immediately by Olmsted Falls’ clock-controlling style. With such contrasting approaches—the up-tempo firepower of Mentor versus the grind-it-out game plan of the Bulldogs—this opener has all the ingredients of an early-season thriller.

The game will be broadcast on WREO-FM 97.1 and WHK-AM 1420.

 🏈 Lake Catholic Looks to Start Strong Against Physical Mooney Squad

Lake Catholic Reloads, Hosts Cardinal Mooney in Season Opener

Lake Catholic enters 2025 with momentum after a 10-0 regular season and a run to the Division IV regional semifinals. Despite graduating one of its most accomplished classes in years, the Cougars are built to reload rather than rebuild in Coach Marty Gibbons’ seventh season.

Four of five starters return on the offensive line, led by first-team All-Ohio lineman Nathan Zappitelli. That veteran unit will anchor a more run-heavy offense, with a committee of backs expected to carry the load behind fullback Danny Zmorowski. The Cougars will have a new starting quarterback, with sophomore Max Pisano, junior Charlie Spies, and senior Liam Coyne (a transfer from South) all competing for the job.

Defensively, Lake Catholic brings back significant experience. Linebacker Marty Loncar returns after an All-Ohio season, along with senior safeties Pete Malchesky and Nick Biondolillo. Zmorowski, Nick Taillon, and David Iannini are back on the defensive line, though Iannini is sidelined with a knee injury.

The 2025 season also marks Lake Catholic’s debut in the new North Coast Conference, where it will face familiar opponents including CVCA, Elyria Catholic, Holy Name, Padua, and NDCL.

The Cougars begin their season at home on tonight, Aug. 22, against Cardinal Mooney, who they shut out 14-0 last year. Mooney comes in with a new head coach, Frank Colaprete, and key playmakers like quarterback Vince Gentile and RB/TE Dom Letlow. Though Mooney has struggled in recent seasons, its tough schedule has kept the team battle-tested.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Jerome T. Osborne Stadium in Mentor and will air on WINT-AM 1330 and FM 101.5.

⚾ Captains Shake Off Game 1 Loss, Storm Back Late for 6-5 Win

Captains Split Doubleheader with Fort Wayne, Rally Late in Nightcap

The Lake County Captains split their Thursday doubleheader with the Fort Wayne TinCaps, losing the opener 5-3 in extra innings before storming back for a 6-5 victory in the nightcap.

In Game 1, starter Matt Wilkinson pitched seven strong innings, allowing one run on four hits with six strikeouts. Lake County led early on a Jaison Chourio triple, but Fort Wayne scored late, including three runs in the ninth. The Captains added a sacrifice fly but came up short. Reliever Jay Driver took the loss, giving up four runs (two earned) in two innings.

Game 2 saw Fort Wayne build a 5-1 lead before Lake County rallied with five runs in the bottom of the seventh. Jose Devers cleared the bases with a double, Ryan Cesarini tied it with another double, and Kyle Dernedde was hit by a pitch to force in the winning run. Tyler Naquin, the fourth Captains pitcher, earned the win despite allowing a run in his lone inning.

See the box score and more at milb.com

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣