In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

⛅ Weather: Partly Cloudy - Temps 55-57

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

 📰 Local News: 🗳️ Mentor Voters to Decide Council Races, School Board Races, Park Levy, and More

🚇 Laketran Rolls Out Free Rides to the Polls for Election Day

📺 Mentor Channel Back Online After Cyber Outage

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Home Front: 🏡 Big Savings, Bigger Decisions: Your 2025 Guide to Buying Large Appliances

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

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Featured Event for Nov 4

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🗳️ Mentor Voters to Decide Council Races, School Board Races, Park Levy, and More

Lake County voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, to weigh in on local leadership, funding for public parks, and proposed land use changes in the City of Mentor.

Three at-large Mentor City Council seats are on the ballot, each with different term start dates in early 2026. Nine candidates are vying for these positions, offering a range of priorities—from expanding housing options and improving infrastructure to increasing community engagement and enhancing public safety. Voters will choose one candidate per seat.

Voters in Mentor will also decide who will fill three open seats on the Mentor Board of Education. Six candidates are running for the at-large seats. Board President Maggie Cook seeks re-election alongside newcomers Robert Haag and Daniel Hardesty, who prioritize academic growth, fiscal responsibility, and school safety. They face the conservative “Team ISO” slate—Robert Izzo, Don Schutz, and Linda O’Brien—who advocate for stricter discipline, bathroom policies based on biological sex, revised book selection, and lower administrative costs. Team ISO blames current policies for declining enrollment and opposes federal Title IX updates expanding transgender protections.

Also on the ballot is a 10-year renewal of Lake Metroparks’ 1.9-mill levy, which funds the operation, maintenance, and development of parks throughout the county. If renewed, the tax rate will remain the same—costing property owners approximately $35 per year per $100,000 of appraised property value—and is expected to generate $11.6 million annually.

Mentor voters will also decide on two zoning amendment proposals:

• Zone #1 involves 12.7 acres off Deepwood Boulevard, where the city seeks to rezone the land to allow for mixed-use development.

• Zone #2 covers 14.5 acres south of Adkins Road, with proposed changes to support residential development aligned with city growth plans.

Both zoning questions appear on the ballot and have been the subject of public discussion about future development, infrastructure, and housing availability in Mentor.

Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Voters can check their registration, view a sample ballot, and request absentee ballots through the Lake County Elections Board website.

With council control, park funding, and local land use all in play, the results of this election are expected to influence Mentor’s direction for the next decade.

Mentor, Ohio See copy of the ballot

🚇 Laketran Rolls Out Free Rides to the Polls for Election Day

Laketran Offers Free Rides to the Polls for November Election

To support voter access, Laketran is once again offering free transportation through its Vote & Ride program. Lake County residents can ride Local Routes 1–9 or use the Dial-a-Ride service at no cost to reach early voting or Election Day polling locations.

Free rides are available for early voting at the Lake County Board of Elections, located at 105 Main Street in Painesville, from October 7 through November 2. Today, on Election Day, November 4, polling places are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. In-person voting is not available at the Board of Elections on Election Day.

Riders using Local Routes simply need to inform the driver they are traveling to vote or returning from voting. Dial-a-Ride trips are also free with a reservation made 1 to 14 days in advance by calling Laketran Customer Service.

The Vote & Ride initiative aims to ensure transportation isn’t a barrier to civic engagement, encouraging all eligible residents to participate in the democratic process.

For early voting hours or polling site information, contact the Lake County Board of Elections or visit their website.

Read More at cityofmentor.com

📺 Mentor Channel Back Online After Cyber Outage

Mentor Channel Broadcasts Resume Following Cyber Disruption

Broadcast service for the Mentor Channel has been fully restored after a cyber-related outage in late October. Regular programming, including the November 3, 2025, Mentor City Council meeting, aired as scheduled at 7:00 PM.

The channel remains accessible to long-time subscribers via Spectrum Channel 1024 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99. However, viewers using updated digital boxes or streaming hardware on these platforms may encounter access issues.

While content is produced in high definition, broadcasts through Spectrum and U-verse are delivered in standard definition. For optimal quality, the city encourages viewers to use the Mentor Channel app, available on Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple, and Android devices. Programming is also available for live streaming through the city’s official website and YouTube channel.

For more details and app download links, visit www.thementorchannel.com.

🏡 Big Savings, Bigger Decisions: Your 2025 Guide to Buying Large Appliances

Shopping for a major appliance—like a refrigerator, washer, or wall oven—requires more than picking the first deal you see. With high costs and lifespans of over a decade, buyers should focus on performance, reliability, and smart timing to get the best value.

Key Considerations Before You Buy

Large appliances are meant to stay in place for years, so choosing the right model—and buying it from a reputable dealer—is crucial. Reliability and service quality are just as important as features. Top-performing brands tend to be the most dependable, and independent dealers often offer better service and flexibility than big-box stores.

Most buyers don’t haggle—but they should. In a 2024 survey, only 21% of shoppers negotiated, but nearly two-thirds of them saved an average of $123. Tactics like bundling multiple appliances, asking for group discounts, or mentioning competitor prices were most successful.

When and Where to Get the Best Deals

Major discounts arrive during Black Friday (averaging 24% off), but July 4th sales are also strong, typically offering 22% off. Samsung and LG frequently provide the steepest cuts—up to 30%—during these events.

Prices have risen slightly compared to 2024, even though discount rates remain steady. Tariffs could also raise appliance costs in late 2025, especially for budget models sourced from high-tariff regions. Higher-end appliances may still see significant discounts, giving shoppers more room to save.

Repair or Replace?

Appliance repairs can be delayed due to part shortages, especially for imported brands like LG, Samsung, and Bosch. Some consumers wait months for critical parts like control boards, which are now standard in nearly all large appliances.

Experts recommend repairing appliances under six years old. For older units or those with unavailable parts, replacement may be the only option—especially during peak summer months when repair services are booked out.

Fewer Models, Less Choice

Manufacturers are streamlining their appliance lineups to focus on their most profitable products. As a result, some popular models are hard to find, and new product launches are slower than in past years. Many new models aren’t expected until 2026.

Tips for Urgent vs. Delayed Purchases

Need it now? Independent dealers may offer quicker delivery, better service, and even loaners while you wait. Major retailers can also help—use their websites to find in-stock items available locally.

Can wait? Join waiting lists at independent stores or set up stock alerts from big-box chains. With fewer new models and longer restock times, patience can pay off.

Read More at: consumerreports.org

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

Dad and Son in Sports