In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

☁️ Weather: Cloudy - Temps 48-49

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

 📰 Local News: 📰 Mentor Planning Commission Approves Key Developments Along Mentor Avenue

 📰 NOPEC Unveils New Electric Rates for 2026 with Fixed-Term Options

 📰 NOPEC Sets 2026 Natural Gas Rates with Budget-Friendly Options

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Food & Recipes: 🐖 Simple Roasted Pork Tenderloin Recipe

 🐷 Creamy Smothered Pork Chops Are the Ultimate Comfort Food

 🏈 Sports: 🏈 Cardinals Crush Jackson as Farley Exits Early With Injury

 🏈 Cougars Dominate Ground Game, Blank Streetsboro in Playoff Clash

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

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📰 Mentor Planning Commission Approves Key Developments Along Mentor Avenue

Mentor Planning Commission Approves Series of Local Developments and Business Expansions

The Mentor Planning Commission convened on November 6, 2025, to review several proposals that will bring new energy and development to Mentor Avenue. The meeting included four public hearings and multiple site and architectural reviews for commercial projects, all of which were approved—some with added conditions.

Giant Panda Market & Cafe Expands

The commission approved two conditional use permits for the Giant Panda Market and Cafe at 7777 Mentor Avenue. The first allows for outdoor dining and drinking on a newly proposed covered patio, complete with an outdoor fireplace and architectural enhancements matching the main building. This project repurposes a former bank and is one of several ventures in the area by local entrepreneur Miss Tran Bam, who also operates Panda Cafe locations within the mall and Lynn’s Cafe Garden, which is currently under construction.

The second permit allows for a drive-thru facility. The proposed drive-thru will utilize the location of the former bank's drive-up area but reoriented to accommodate customer convenience and safety. Plans include dedicated employee parking and space for vehicle stacking, as well as the addition of a menu board.

Rita’s Italian Ice Gets Outdoor Seating and Drive-Thru

At 7652 Mentor Avenue, Rita’s Italian Ice and Custard received approvals for outdoor dining and a drive-thru. The outdoor seating will feature four to eight picnic tables placed on a rubberized mulch surface, surrounded by curbing and protective bollards. The drive-thru plan calls for restriping and resurfacing the existing layout, originally approved in 2005. An additional safety measure was added: a four-foot decorative barrier with a bollard to protect pedestrians exiting the east-facing door from drive-thru traffic.

Uptown Mentor Development Clears Key Hurdle

The long-anticipated Uptown Mentor mixed-use development—spanning multiple addresses on Mentor Avenue—moved forward with approvals for its final site and architectural plans. The four-story building will include ground-level retail and restaurant space, with residential apartments on the upper floors. Features include underground and rear-surface parking, co-working spaces, a fitness center, a dog wash station, and in-unit laundry.

Although a few units fall below the city’s minimum size requirements, the commission used its discretion to approve them due to extensive shared amenities. Additional discussion addressed a condition regarding the building’s shared wall with the adjacent Carlton building, which was ultimately revised to clarify responsibilities and avoid implications of liability.

The project has undergone several design and planning stages since 2021 and still requires final approval from City Council. Developers expressed optimism about beginning construction in early 2026.

Read the Full Article at mentorlocalbuzz.com

📰 NOPEC Unveils New Electric Rates for 2026 with Fixed-Term Options

New NOPEC Electric Rates to Take Effect January 2026

Residents in communities served by Ohio Edison and the Illuminating Company will see updated electricity pricing options from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) starting in January 2026. The new rates aim to offer households both stability and flexibility as energy markets continue to evolve.

Three pricing plans will be available to NOPEC members:

• Standard Program Price: 8.999 cents per kilowatt-hour, available from January through May 2026 meter readings.

• 12-Month Fixed Term: 8.498 cents per kilowatt-hour, providing locked-in pricing for a full year.

• 24-Month Fixed Term: 9.198 cents per kilowatt-hour, guaranteeing the rate for two years.

These options are designed to help residents better manage their electricity costs by choosing between short-term predictability and long-term stability.

Enrollment and additional plan details can be found on NOPEC’s official website.

📰 NOPEC Sets 2026 Natural Gas Rates with Budget-Friendly Options

New NOPEC Natural Gas Rates Set for January 2026

Starting in January 2026, residents in Enbridge Gas Ohio communities will have access to updated natural gas pricing plans from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC). These new rates are designed to provide both competitive pricing and financial stability as energy markets continue to shift.

NOPEC members can choose from three plan options:

• Standard Program Price: $5.59 per Mcf, available for January through May 2026 meter readings.

• 12-Month Fixed Term: $5.25 per Mcf, with pricing locked in for a full year.

• 24-Month Fixed Term: $5.50 per Mcf, offering a stable rate over two years.

These fixed-rate options are especially beneficial for residents looking to manage household budgets more predictably through periods of market volatility.

Full details and enrollment information are available on NOPEC’s website.

🐖 Simple Roasted Pork Tenderloin Recipe Is a Weeknight Game-Changer

This easy roasted pork tenderloin recipe is a flavorful and versatile meal option that requires about 25 minutes of cook time per pound. Baked with garlic, onions, and herbs, it’s suitable for both casual dinners and larger gatherings, pairing well with a wide range of side dishes.

Get the Full Recipe for Roasted Pork Tenderloin

🐷 Creamy Smothered Pork Chops Are the Ultimate Comfort Food

Creamy smothered pork chops make for a satisfying and flavorful meal, featuring a rich sauce of mushrooms, garlic, onions, and double cream. Optional additions like wild mushrooms or bacon enhance the taste. Serve with noodles, rice, or potatoes and a fresh side of greens.

Get the Full Recipe for Creamy Smothered Pork Chops

🏈 Cardinals Crush Jackson as Farley Exits Early With Injury

Mentor remained unbeaten with a decisive 52-6 win over Massillon Jackson in a Division I Region 1 quarterfinal on Nov. 7 at Jerome T. Osborne Stadium. The Cardinals, now 11-0, advanced to the regional semifinal, where they will face Canton McKinley (9-2) on Nov. 14.

Mentor jumped ahead quickly, building a 28-6 lead in the first quarter and finishing the half up 52-6. All points were scored before halftime, triggering a running clock for the second half.

Senior running back Jackson Farley opened the game with touchdown runs of 51 and 64 yards, finishing with 115 rushing yards before exiting in the first quarter due to a knee injury. His availability for the next game remains uncertain.

Quarterback Brogan Jones threw four touchdown passes, connecting twice with Justen Hodge and also finding Brady Trivisonno and Logan Berwald. Braylon Callahan added a 15-yard rushing score, while freshman kicker Danny Kristo nailed a 37-yard field goal as the half expired.

The Cardinals’ defense stood firm throughout, highlighted by a goal-line stand in the third quarter. A key first-half interception by Ben Schenk also helped set up another score.

Mentor’s offense showed no rust following a first-round playoff bye, executing with precision and taking full advantage of its depth after resting many starters in the second half.

Read the Full Article at mentorlocalbuzz.com

🏈 Cougars Dominate Ground Game, Blank Streetsboro in Playoff Clash

Lake Catholic Shuts Out Streetsboro to Advance in Playoffs, Sets Up Rematch with Glenville

In a physical, playoff-style November football game, Lake Catholic delivered a dominant performance on both sides of the ball, shutting out Streetsboro, 16-0, in a Division IV, Region 13 quarterfinal matchup on Nov. 7. The victory not only marked the Cougars’ third shutout of the season but also secured their spot in the regional semifinal, where they will face Glenville—a team that ended their playoff run at the same stage last year.

From the outset, Lake Catholic leaned on its core strengths: a punishing ground game and smothering defense. Junior running back Danny Zmorowski set the tone, carrying the ball 22 times for 137 yards and a touchdown. His relentless running style helped the Cougars control the tempo and wear down Streetsboro’s defense.

The Cougars capitalized on early momentum when they recovered a fumble deep in Rockets territory, eventually converting it into a 36-yard field goal. Zmorowski added a short touchdown run early in the second quarter to stretch the lead to 10-0.

On defense, Lake Catholic was equally imposing. Defensive end Michael Barnes recorded three sacks, including a key fourth-down takedown in the first half. The Cougars' defense held Streetsboro to just 120 total yards—only 48 on the ground—despite facing an offense known for its explosive playmakers.

Interceptions by Joey Nagy and Marty Loncar further frustrated the Rockets' efforts to mount a comeback. Lake Catholic added a third-quarter touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Max Pisano to senior Pete Malchesky to seal the game.

While Glenville looms large on the horizon, Lake Catholic’s disciplined, physical performance against a dangerous Streetsboro team suggests they’re ready for the challenge ahead.

Read the Full Article at mentorlocalbuzz.com

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

Kids Stealing Food. Very funny!