• Mentor Local Buzz
  • Posts
  • 📰 Honoring K9 Hero, Hockey’s Big Return & Holiday Community Highlights

📰 Honoring K9 Hero, Hockey’s Big Return & Holiday Community Highlights

Issue #691

In partnership with

In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

  🌥️ Weather: Partly Cloudy - Temps 52-54

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

 📰 Local News: 📰 Willoughby Hills Police Department Mourns the Loss of K9

 🏒 Lake Catholic to Reinstate Ice Hockey in 2026 After Four-Year Pause

 📰 Lake County PERI to Host Holiday Luncheon with Andrews-Osborne Choir

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Real Estate: 🏠 Ohio Offers Forgivable Loans, Grants, and Low-Interest Mortgages for New Buyers

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

 🏈 Sports: 🏈 Sanders’ Debut, Garrett’s Record-Setting Day, Power Browns Win

 🏀 Mitchell Drops 37, Leads Cavaliers Past Clippers

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

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

🌥️ Partly Cloudy - Temps 52-54

👉 Events in Mentor & the Area! Visit
MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events
Featured Event for Nov 24

See All the Events
MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events

Save 30% for Black Friday at Medik8!

Black Friday is here, but these skin care deals won’t last long! Rediscover your skin's youthful glow with Medik8, the British clinical skincare brand, delivering results without compromise. There is no better time to shop Medik8’s best-selling, results driven skincare at 30% off!*

*Terms & Conditions Apply

📰 Willoughby Hills Police Department Mourns the Loss of K9 Mya

The Willoughby Hills Police Department is mourning the loss of K9 Mya, a dedicated six-year veteran of the force who passed away following an unexpected medical emergency. Despite receiving immediate care, Mya succumbed to the sudden illness with her handler by her side. The Department and her handler have requested privacy during this difficult time.

K9 Mya was a vital part of public safety efforts in Willoughby Hills. Over the course of her career, she contributed to numerous successful operations, including locating missing individuals, detecting illegal substances, and assisting with suspect apprehensions. Her sharp instincts and unwavering loyalty made her an essential member of the police team.

🏒 Lake Catholic to Reinstate Ice Hockey in 2026 After Four-Year Pause

Lake Catholic Ice Hockey Returns in 2026–27 with Alum Tim Okicki as Head Coach

Lake Catholic High School will relaunch its ice hockey program in the 2026–27 winter season after a seven-year break. Tim Okicki, a 2006 graduate, has been named head coach.

The Cougars’ hockey program ran from 1995 to 2019, earning a 401-349-37 record and a 2014 State Frozen Four appearance. The return reflects rising interest among students and alumni.

Okicki, a longtime coach and founder of Okicki Hockey, previously served as a Lake Catholic assistant coach and worked with Orange High School and Mentor Youth Hockey.

Several current students play for Mentor High School and could join Lake Catholic’s team in 2026. Younger players in local youth leagues are also expected to help reestablish the program.

Read More at lakecatholic.org

📰 Lake County PERI to Host Holiday Luncheon with Andrews-Osborne Choir

🗓 Monday, Dec. 4 | 🕛 12:00 PM
📍 Pine Ridge Country Club, 30601 Ridge Rd., Wickliffe

The Lake County Chapter 28 of Public Employee Retirees, Inc. will hold its next meeting featuring a special holiday performance by the Andrews-Osborne Academy Choir. The event will also include a 50/50 raffle and collection of holiday cash donations to benefit Immaculate Conception Church in Madison.

Lunch: $22 — Reservations required by noon on Nov. 26. Gluten-free and vegetarian options available.

📞 RSVP or get more info:
Sherri Jukiewicz
440-357-8118 | [email protected]

Open to all OPERS members.

🏠 Ohio Offers Forgivable Loans, Grants, and Low-Interest Mortgages for New Buyers

Buying your first home in Ohio comes with strong support, including down payment assistance, tax credits, and low-interest loans.

The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) runs the My Ohio Home program, offering 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loans. To qualify, buyers must work with an OHFA-approved lender, complete a homebuyer education course, and meet income and credit score requirements (minimum 640–650).

Down payment assistance includes the Your Choice! DPA, providing 2.5% or 5% of the home price. It's forgivable after seven years if the buyer stays in the home. Grants for Grads offers similar aid but is forgiven after five years for recent graduates.

Another option, Communities First DPA, gives 3%–5% in grant funds that don’t need to be repaid. Buyers need a 640+ credit score, a debt-to-income ratio under 45%, and must meet income limits.

Local programs are available too. In Columbus, first-time buyers may qualify for up to $7,500 in forgivable aid. Cuyahoga County offers a deferred loan up to 10% of the purchase price—repayable only when the home is sold, refinanced, or transferred. Cincinnati provides $5,000 in forgivable assistance after five years.

Loan options with low or no down payments include FHA (3.5%), Conventional 97 (3%), VA (0%), and USDA (0%). Most allow assistance or gifted funds.

With Ohio’s average home price at $261,000, these programs can reduce upfront costs. Buyers are encouraged to explore OhioHome.org or HUD-approved housing counselors for guidance.

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

8138 Midland Rd., Mentor, OH 44060
5 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 2,880 Sqft. 0.36 Acre Lot
Sale Price $364,900
Listed by: Claire Jazbec Brokered by Keller Williams Grt Cleve Ne
Link to Property Listing

7339 Sharonlee Dr., Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,705 Sqft. 0.34 Acre Lot
Sale Price $349,900
Listed by: Angie Grajzl Brokered by RE MAX Results
Link to Property Listing

8002 Stockbridge Rd., Mentor OH 44060
4 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,906 Sqft., 0.48 Acre Lot
Sale Price $295,000
Listed by: Elaine Hanf Brokered by Platinum Real Estate
Link to Property Listing

6284 Seneca Rd., Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,818 Sqft., 5,227 Sqft. Lot
Sale Price $205,000
Listed by: Kay Zabivnik Brokered by McDowell Real Estate
Link to Property Listing

4773 Belle Meadow Rd., Mentor, OH 44060
2 Beds, 1 Bath, ???? Sqft., 0.32 Acre Lot
Sale Price $199,900
Listed by: Michael Kaim, Agent Brokered by Real Brokerage Technologies, Inc.
Link to Property Listing

Link to All the Home Listings in 44060 (157 in Total) in Zip Code 44060

🏈 Sanders’ Debut, Garrett’s Record-Setting Day, Power Browns Past Raiders

Sanders Impresses in Debut as Browns Break Losing Streak Against Raiders

Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders led the Cleveland Browns to a 24-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, ending a three-game skid and making a strong NFL debut.

Sanders replaced Dillon Gabriel, who is in concussion protocol, and threw for 209 yards and a touchdown. His performance broke a 17-game losing streak for Browns quarterbacks making their first career start and provided a spark to the offense.

The Browns’ defense dominated with 10 sacks. Myles Garrett led the charge with three sacks, two forced fumbles, and several quarterback hits. With 18 sacks this season, he broke his own franchise record and nears the NFL single-season mark.

Cleveland jumped ahead early, scoring twice in the first quarter with Quinshon Judkins finding the end zone both times out of the wildcat. Sanders later connected with Dylan Sampson on a short pass that turned into a 66-yard touchdown.

The Raiders, now 2-9 after five straight losses, struggled to move the ball. They punted eight times, lost a fumble, and failed on two fourth-down tries. Geno Smith threw for 285 yards and a touchdown—mostly in garbage time—as the Browns shifted to soft coverage. Maxx Crosby notched a personal-best five tackles for loss, but the defense couldn't overcome the team’s offensive issues.

Sanders energized a franchise in search of consistency at quarterback, delivering on the buzz surrounding his debut. His confident play and poise drew attention from fans and teammates alike.

Cleveland improves to 3-8 and will host the San Francisco 49ers next week.

Read More, See Highlights espn.com

🏀 Mitchell Drops 37, Leads Cavaliers Past Clippers

Donovan Mitchell scored 37 points and led a third-quarter surge that powered the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 120-105 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night.

After the Clippers cut a 13-point deficit to one, Mitchell answered with 11 points in the final three minutes of the third, including two three-point plays and a deep three. He also assisted on two baskets during a 15-3 run that put Cleveland up 92-79.

Mitchell stayed hot in the fourth, adding another three-pointer and two more assists as the lead stretched to 18. He finished with five threes, eight rebounds, and six assists.

Evan Mobley posted 18 points and 10 rebounds, while De’Andre Hunter added 17. Despite injuries and frequent lineup changes, the Cavs wrapped up a 4-2 homestand on a high note.

Ivica Zubac led the Clippers with 33 points and 18 rebounds. James Harden, fresh off a 55-point outing, missed all eight three-point attempts but scored 19. Chris Paul, in his farewell season, received a warm reception and tallied five assists in 17 minutes.

Read More, See Highlights espn.com

All the news that matters to your career & life

Hyper-relevant news. Bite-sized stories. Written with personality. And games that’ll keep you coming back.

Morning Brew is the go-to newsletter for anyone who wants to stay on top of the world’s most pressing stories — in a quick, witty, and actually enjoyable way. If it impacts your career or life, you can bet it’s covered in the Brew — with a few puns sprinkled in to keep things interesting.

Join over 4 million people who read Morning Brew every day, and start your mornings with the news that matters most — minus the boring stuff.

Newsletter cut short in your email? If so…

🤣 Something Funny 🤣