In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

🌧️ Weather: Windy, Rain - Temps 50-51

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

 📰 Local News: 🏫 Mentor Board Election Could Shift Direction of District Serving 7,300 Students

 🍹 New Restaurant Replaces Melt in Mentor, Adds Live Music and Craft Cocktails

🗓️ Mentor BZA Schedules November 12 Meeting to Review Zoning Requests

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Pet Corner: 🐶 From Dumpster to Forever Homes: Abandoned Puppies Make Inspiring Recovery

 🏀 Sports: 🏀 Cold Fourth Quarter Dooms Cavaliers in Loss to Celtics

 🏐 Mentor Girls Sweep Perrysburg in Regional Semifinal

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

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

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🏫 Mentor Board Election Could Shift Direction of District Serving 7,300 Students

Voters will decide Nov. 4 who will fill three open seats on the Mentor Board of Education, a high-stakes election that could shift the direction of a district serving 7,300 students.

Six candidates are competing for the at-large positions. Board president Maggie Cook is seeking a second term, joined by newcomers Robert Haag and Daniel Hardesty. While running individual campaigns, they share priorities: academic improvement, financial responsibility, and school safety.

Cook highlights Mentor’s rise from 3 to 4.5 stars on state report cards, expanded AP and career-tech programs, and placing school resource officers in all buildings. Hardesty warns of looming state funding gaps and emphasizes transparency. Haag calls for a functional, cooperative board that avoids dysfunction.

Challenging them is the conservative “Team ISO” slate: Robert Izzo, Don Schutz, and Linda O’Brien. Their platform includes revising the district’s book selection process, implementing bathroom policies based on biological sex, advocating for more traditional discipline measures, and proposing reductions to administrative costs.

They blame current board policies for declining enrollment and rising interest in private and home schooling. The slate opposes the board’s support for federal Title IX updates related to transgender student rights. O’Brien, speaking at a 2023 board meeting, openly opposed trans-inclusive bathroom policies.

Team ISO is backed by prominent Lake County Republicans, including state Sen. Jerry Cirino and Sheriff Frank Leonbruno.

The top three vote-getters will serve four-year terms starting in January. With sharply divided priorities, the election could redefine leadership and policy in Mentor schools.

🍹 New Restaurant Replaces Melt in Mentor, Adds Live Music and Craft Cocktails

A new restaurant and bar is set to bring fresh energy to Mentor this December. Mason Social Bar, the latest concept from Cleveland Restaurant Group, will open December 1 in the Points East Shopping Center at 7289 Mentor Avenue, taking over the former Melt Bar and Grilled location.

The 4,400-square-foot space has been fully renovated, featuring a redesigned dining room and kitchen, a 26-seat bar, and a stage for live music. Guests can expect a modern, casual atmosphere with 20 TVs, 15 beers on tap, and a robust craft cocktail program.

Mason’s menu will offer “elevated bar food,” including scratch-made dishes, specialty sandwiches, and signature items like the Oklahoma burger. Consulting chefs Julian Kuczma and Scott Stiving are leading the kitchen, handling staff training and menu development.

The dining room will seat about 115 guests and operate 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday–Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The name reflects the restaurant’s values: “Mason” symbolizes craftsmanship, while “Social” conveys its focus on gathering and celebration, said co-owner Michael DuBois.

Mason is one of two new venues from Cleveland Restaurant Group opening in the plaza. On the opposite end, Original Pancake House is expected to launch in January 2026 in the former Panera Bread space.

Cleveland Restaurant Group owns more than 20 restaurant concepts across Northeast Ohio, including Manhattan Deli in Willoughby Hills, Capriccio’s in Solon, and multiple Original Pancake House locations.

🗓️ Mentor BZA Schedules November 12 Meeting to Review Zoning Requests

At its upcoming meeting on November 12, 2025, the Mentor Board of Building and Zoning Appeals (BZA) will consider two variance requests from local residents during a public hearing scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Mentor Council Chambers.

Both variance requests will be reviewed by the board, which includes Chairman Richard Zaleski, Vice-Chairman Lisa Marinelli, Secretary C. Todd Green, and members Jacob Hailperin-Lausch, Kathy G. Miller, Alexander Koenig, and Diane Popelas.

Source: cityofmentor.com

🐶 From Dumpster to Forever Homes: Abandoned Puppies Make Inspiring Recovery

In Franklin County, five six-week-old dachshund-mix puppies who were found abandoned in a box inside a dumpster have made a stunning turnaround and are now preparing for new beginnings in loving homes.

The pups were discovered in heartbreaking condition—suffering from fleas, sores, and clear signs of neglect. Thankfully, the medical team at the Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center stepped in, providing the intensive care needed to nurse them back to health. Now, they’re full of energy, wagging tails, and puppy playfulness.

The shelter shared the puppies' story on social media, where it quickly went viral and touched hearts across the community. As a result, all five puppies have already received adoption or foster holds. However, they won’t be ready to leave the shelter for another two to three weeks, once they’re old enough to be safely adopted.

Located at 4340 Tamarack Blvd., the Franklin County Dog Shelter continues to welcome visitors and reminds the public that over 200 other dogs are still in need of homes. While the dumpster rescue pups may already have potential families lined up, the shelter encourages anyone moved by their story to consider adopting another furry friend in need.

See the Original Story at myfox28columbus.com

🏀 Cold Fourth Quarter Dooms Cavaliers in Loss to Celtics

The Cleveland Cavaliers saw their three-game winning streak come to an end Wednesday night, falling 125-105 to the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Despite a strong start, Cleveland couldn't maintain momentum as Boston surged late in the first half and never looked back.

The Cavaliers held a 57-55 lead late in the second quarter, fueled by Donovan Mitchell’s hot shooting—he hit all four of his 3-point attempts in the opening period. But a 20-3 Celtics run, capped by two deep threes from Jaylen Brown, including a buzzer-beater, sent Boston into halftime with a 75-60 lead.

Cleveland struggled to regain footing in the second half. Though they trimmed the deficit to single digits in the third quarter, the offense faltered down the stretch, shooting just 33% in the final period.

Mitchell cooled off after his early burst, finishing with 15 points on just one made basket in his final eight attempts. Evan Mobley and Jaylon Tyson each contributed 19 points, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with Boston’s depth.

The loss drops Cleveland to 3-2 on the season. They’ll look to bounce back Friday night when they host Toronto to open the NBA’s new in-season tournament.

Read More, See Highlights: espn.com

🏐 Mentor Girls Sweep Perrysburg in Regional Semifinal

In a commanding performance at Barberton High School on Wednesday, October 29, the Mentor Cardinals girls volleyball team swept Perrysburg High School in straight sets to win the Division I Region 1 Regional Semifinal. The top-seeded Cardinals, now 20-5 on the season, defeated the Yellow Jackets from suburban Toledo by scores of 25-21, 25-20, and 25-14.

Mentor established control early with a tightly contested first set and maintained steady momentum throughout the match, pulling away decisively in the third. While individual statistics were not reported, the Cardinals’ strong all-around play proved too much for Perrysburg to overcome.

With the win, Mentor advances to the Region 1 Regional Final, where they will face the Jackson Polar Bears (20-5) of Massillon. Jackson, the No. 4 seed, secured their spot in the final after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Strongsville on the same evening.

The regional final will be held on Saturday, November 1, once again at Barberton High School. The winner will move on to the state semifinals on November 8th.

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

Funny Grandmas!