In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

☁️ Weather: Partly to Mostly Cloudy - Temps 27-28

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

 📰 Local News: 🎅🏻 Holiday Magic Returns: Country Lights Drive-Thru Reopens

 🍂 Final Week for Yard Waste Pickup in Mentor is December 8–12

 📰 Painesville Twp Nonprofit Prepares to Serve as Emergency Warming Center

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Real Estate:💲How Gig Workers Can Qualify for a Mortgage in Today’s Market

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

 🏀 Sports: 🏈 Titans Win Snaps Skid, Sanders Shines in Browns’ Loss

 🏀 Coleman Leads Balanced Attack as Mentor Tops Titans

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

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

👉 Events in Mentor & the Area! Visit
MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events
Featured Event for Dec 8

See All the Events
MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events

🎅🏻 Holiday Magic Returns: Country Lights Drive-Thru Reopens at Lake Farmpark

Country Lights Drive-Thru Returns with New Holiday Magic

Lake Metroparks Farmpark’s Country Lights Drive-Thru is back in Kirtland, offering families a festive drive-through light experience through December. The drive-thru, which opened Dec. 5, brings back favorites like the Genome Rock Concert, elf village, and reindeer barn, plus new zones inspired by a green grump and a red-nosed reindeer. Several displays were refreshed, with a few surprises added.

Guests can grab hot chocolate and funnel cakes without leaving their vehicles. One change this season: no craft or toy sales in the drive-thru; those happen during daytime visits. Advance tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online.

See the Lake Metroparks website for more information

🍂 Final Week for Yard Waste Pickup in Mentor is December 8–12

Mentor residents, take note — the city’s annual yard waste collection program wraps up for the year this week. December 8–12 marks the final week for curbside yard waste pickup in 2025.

Households with curbside service may place up to 25 units of yard waste at the curb on their regular trash collection day. A unit is defined as one bag, bundle, or container of yard waste.

To ensure your yard waste is collected:

• Each unit must weigh less than 35 pounds

• Branches must be no thicker than 3 inches and cut to 4-foot lengths

• Only biodegradable paper bags are accepted — no plastic bags

• Reusable containers (up to 32 gallons) must be labeled “YW” and have small drainage holes

This extended fall limit has been in place since October 27 to help residents with seasonal cleanup, but the program ends this week. For full guidelines, visit the city’s Waste Removal and Recycling page or contact Public Works at 440-974-5781.

Source: cityofmentor.com

📰 Painesville Twp Nonprofit Prepares to Serve as Emergency Warming Center

Sub Zero Mission is working to receive a zoning permit from Painesville Township to serve as an overnight Code Blue Warming Center this winter. With final approval expected at a Dec. 15 meeting, the nonprofit is prepared to shelter up to 30 people during dangerously cold nights. Though no Code Blue temperatures are currently forecast, Sub Zero has pledged to open regardless if a weather emergency arises.

Connect with Sub Zero using their website

 💲How Gig Workers Can Qualify for a Mortgage in Today’s Market

How Gig Workers Can Navigate the Homebuying Process

With over a quarter of Americans holding side jobs in 2025—many in gig or freelance work—more buyers are entering the housing market with non-traditional income. While gig workers once faced challenges in securing a mortgage, today’s lenders are increasingly flexible.

Curtis Knuth, CEO of National Credit-reporting System and Service 1st, shared expert advice on how gig workers can improve their chances of qualifying for a mortgage.

Proving Income Without a W-2

Gig workers typically receive 1099 income, but this is no longer a disqualifier. The key is consistent income history and proper reporting on tax returns. Lenders want to see steady earnings, even across multiple jobs, to assess borrower reliability and reduce default risk.

Tips to Strengthen Credit and Improve Approval Odds

One often-overlooked step is allowing lenders to verify income early. If a borrower doesn't qualify initially, lenders can offer customized plans—such as paying off specific cards or resolving collection accounts—to raise their credit score.

Once a credit report is pulled, borrowers should avoid financial changes: no big purchases, new accounts, or increased credit use. A stable credit profile helps ensure a smooth approval process.

Understanding the Timeline

Credit reports typically operate on a 45-day window. If the process exceeds that, a supplemental report may be required, sometimes involving calls with creditors. Delays often happen when borrowers miss communications, slowing the loan process.

Final Advice for First-Time Buyers

Knuth’s top guidance: ensure all income is accurately reported to the IRS, and keep credit activity minimal during the mortgage process. Gig workers who prepare and stay disciplined can still compete in today’s housing market.

Read More at themortgagereports.com

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

7340 Maple St., Mentor, OH 44060
5 Beds, 3.5 Baths, 4,566 Sqft. 0.98 Acre Lot
Sale Price $519,900
Listed by: Clorice L. Dlugos Brokered by McDowell Real Estate
Link to Property Listing

9936 Hoose Rd., Mentor, OH 44060
4 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 2,744 Sqft. 0.87 Acre Lot
Sale Price $459,900 ⬇️$40K
Listed by: Asa Cox Brokered by CENTURY 21 Asa Cox Homes
Link to Property Listing

6067 Collins Rd., Mentor OH 44060
3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,598 Sqft., 2 Acre Lot
Sale Price $385,000
Listed by: Chris Olsen Brokered by Olsen Ziegler Realty Llc
Link to Property Listing

6595 Devonshire Ct., Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 1.5 Baths, 1,684 Sqft., 0.34 Acre Lot
Sale Price $299,900
Listed by: Paul Paratto Brokered by Howard Hanna - Willoughby
Link to Property Listing

7325 Adkins Rd., Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 1.5 Bath, 1,727 Sqft., 0.41 Acre Lot
Sale Price $249,900
Listed by: Brett Munich Brokered by Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Realty
Link to Property Listing

Link to All the Home Listings in 44060 (154 in Total) in Zip Code 44060

🏈 Titans Win Snaps Skid, Sanders Shines in Browns’ Late Rally Attempt

Pollard, Titans Outlast Browns in 31-29 Victory

Tony Pollard rushed for a career-high 161 yards and two touchdowns as the Tennessee Titans held off the Cleveland Browns 31-29 to end a seven-game losing streak.

Rookie quarterback Cam Ward threw two touchdown passes, guiding Tennessee to its first win under interim coach Mike McCoy. The Titans built a 14-point lead in the third quarter, capitalizing on a key interception and a fumble recovery.

Cleveland rookie Shedeur Sanders totaled four touchdowns—three passing, one rushing—and threw for 364 yards. Despite a late push, including two touchdowns in the final five minutes, the Browns failed on both two-point attempts. Tennessee recovered the onside kick to secure the win.

Pollard’s touchdowns came on long runs of 65 and 32 yards, helping flip a 17-14 halftime deficit. Ward’s second TD pass followed a Browns turnover deep in their own territory.

Myles Garrett reached 20 sacks for the season, joining an elite group of NFL pass rushers. Cleveland dropped to 3-10 and suffered several injuries, including to Denzel Ward and Ethan Pocic.

Read More, See Highlights at espn.com

🏀 Coleman Leads Balanced Attack as Mentor Tops Titans

Lady Cardinals Crush Lorain Titans in 60-18 Home Victory

The Mentor Lady Cardinals delivered a commanding performance Saturday afternoon, rolling to a dominant 60-18 win over the visiting Lorain Titans.

From the opening tip, Mentor set the tone on both ends of the floor, overwhelming Lorain with aggressive defense and efficient scoring. The Cardinals' well-balanced attack was led by sophomore Keira Coleman, who poured in 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting while adding 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal.

Senior leader Nina Rodriguez contributed 13 points, including two makes from beyond the arc, while also grabbing 7 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists, and collecting 3 steals in a well-rounded effort.

Freshman Ashlyn McKinney made a strong impact with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, an assist, and a block. Fellow freshman Peyton Willis added 11 points to the scoring column, along with 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal.

With the win, the Lady Cardinals (3-1) continue to build momentum early in the season. They’ll return to their home court on Wednesday, December 10, to host Eastlake North (1-2). Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

Kids!!?? The best!