In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

🌥️ Weather: Mostly Cloudy & Windy, Warmer - Temps 53-55

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

 📰 Local News: 👷🏻‍♂️ Action Contractors Selected for $5M Garfield Park Renovation

 🚗 Mentor Civic Center May Get EV Chargers; Public Comments Open

🎅🏻 Get Festive at Billy’s Ugly Sweater Christmas Party – Cash Prizes Included!

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Pet Corner: 🐕 Best Pet Insurance of December 2025: What to Know Before You Buy

 🏀 Sports: 🏀 Duffy Delivers Late as Benedictine Edges Lake Catholic in Thriller

 🏀 Cavaliers Fall Again as Bulls Snap Skid in Dominant Fashion

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

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

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Featured Event for Dec 18

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👷🏻‍♂️ Action Contractors Selected for $5M Garfield Park Renovation

Garfield Park Splashpad and Bathhouse Project Moves Forward with Approved Bid

Mentor City Council has officially approved a $5.09 million construction bid for the new splashpad and bathhouse at Garfield Park. The contract was awarded to Action Contractors, whose bid came in under the city engineer’s estimate of $5.77 million.

Construction is set to begin in early January 2026, with completion aimed for July 4. Depending on progress, the facility may open earlier in the summer season.

The new amenities will replace the original Garfield Park swimming pool, which was built in the early 1960s and closed in 2020. While the pandemic initially caused the closure, a continuing lifeguard shortage prevented reopening. Before its closure, pool attendance had declined significantly.

The splashpad design was selected to reduce staffing needs and allow year-round availability, regardless of lifeguard staffing. This approach also ensures greater accessibility for residents.

The project supports the city's long-term goal of enhancing recreational offerings without duplicating existing facilities elsewhere in Mentor. The splashpad and bathhouse will serve a growing population on the city’s south side and are expected to meet increased demand from newly developed neighborhoods.

With funding approved and a contractor selected, Mentor is on track to bring new life to Garfield Park with a modern, family-friendly water attraction.

 🚗 Mentor Civic Center May Get EV Chargers; Public Comments Open

Proposed EV Chargers at Mentor Civic Center: Public Comments Open

The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), in partnership with the FHWA and the City of Mentor, is proposing the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers at the Mentor Civic Center Complex as part of its Phase 2 expansion.

Plans call for two Level 2 chargers and two fast chargers at three parking locations near the municipal buildings on Munson Road. While the exact location has not yet been finalized, three parking lots are being considered, which would include about four existing parking spaces. The work would require one to two days, with no detours or major disruptions expected. Access and parking at the complex will remain available throughout the brief installation.

Because the Civic Center Complex is a protected public recreational space, federal agencies must assess the project’s impact. The proposal is expected to be classified as having de minimis impact—meaning no significant effect on the park’s use or features—pending public input and city concurrence.

Mitigation measures include limiting work to off-peak hours, restoring any affected landscaping, and maintaining clear pedestrian paths. The City of Mentor has already indicated the project would not negatively impact park use.

Residents are invited to submit comments by January 19, 2026. Its recommended that you visit the City of Mentor’s website for further details.

Allison Bunce
Transportation Planner, NOACA
[email protected]

🎅🏻 Get Festive at Billy’s Ugly Sweater Christmas Party – Cash Prizes Included!

Holiday Fun Heats Up at Billy’s with Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

If you're looking for a festive way to celebrate the holiday season, Billy’s – A Cappelli Martini Bar – has just the event for you! This Friday, December 19th, from 7 PM to 11 PM, the popular Mentor hotspot will host its Ugly Sweater Christmas Party, and everyone is invited to join in on the holiday cheer.

Guests are encouraged to don their most outlandish, over-the-top holiday sweaters for a chance to win cash prizes. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, so get creative with your holiday fashion – the uglier, the better!

In addition to the friendly competition, attendees can expect a lively atmosphere filled with seasonal spirit, great drinks, and a welcoming crowd. Whether you come for the prizes or just to show off your best (or worst) Christmas look, it’s sure to be a fun and memorable evening.

The event will take place at Billy’s – A Cappelli Martini Bar, located at 7338 Industrial Park Blvd., Mentor.

So grab your friends, pull out that wonderfully tacky holiday sweater, and head to Billy’s for a night of laughs, libations, and good old-fashioned holiday fun!

🐕 Best Pet Insurance of December 2025: What to Know Before You Buy

With the cost of veterinary care rising—up nearly 8% in the past year alone—pet insurance is becoming a must-have for many pet owners. To help consumers choose the best plan, a recent in-depth analysis ranked the top pet insurance companies for December 2025, evaluating over 50 data points including coverage options, affordability, policy flexibility, and customer experience.

Top picks and their standout features:

• AKC Pet Insurance – Offers rare coverage for pre-existing conditions after a 12-month waiting period and includes support for breeding-related issues.

• Embrace – Known for its healthy pet discount, high reimbursement caps, and optional wellness add-ons for routine care.

• Figo – One of the only providers offering 100% reimbursement with no annual limits, ideal for high-cost emergency scenarios.

• MetLife – Best for households with multiple pets, thanks to shared deductibles and flexible plan terms.

• Nationwide – Unique in offering coverage for exotic pets like birds, reptiles, and small mammals.

• Pets Best – Covers prosthetics and wheelchairs, making it a great option for pets with mobility issues.

• Pumpkin – Tailored coverage for puppies and kittens, including preventive packages and microchipping.

• Spot – Offers unlimited coverage, 24/7 telehealth access, and flexible reimbursement options with no age restrictions.

Most of these insurers offer customizable plans with options for deductibles, reimbursement rates, and annual payout limits. Many also include multi-pet discounts, and some provide access to telehealth services and direct vet payments.

While pet insurance may not be necessary for every pet, it can be invaluable during emergencies or for chronic conditions. Premiums vary significantly depending on species, age, breed, and location, with costs for older pets climbing substantially.

Looking ahead, a proposed federal bill—the PAW Act—could make up to $1,000 in pet care expenses eligible under health savings and flexible spending accounts, potentially easing the financial burden on pet owners.

For in-depth comparisons and full company reviews, visit the original story on Money.com.

🏀 Duffy Delivers Late as Benedictine Edges Lake Catholic Boys in Thriller

Benedictine secured a thrilling 56-52 win over Lake Catholic on Dec. 16, with junior Bryant Duffy stepping up in the final seconds. After a quiet game, Duffy scored a tough layup through contact with 9.5 seconds left and converted the free throw to seal the victory.

The game was close from the start. Benedictine took an early lead on a steal and assist from Steph Bohanon to Ford Schneider. Lake Catholic responded with deep three-pointers from Liam Coyne, and the Cougars led 16-15 after one quarter.

Benedictine's top scorers struggled early, with Bohanon in foul trouble and Duffy scoreless. That opened the door for younger players like Schneider, who hit a mid-range shot and a four-point play in the second quarter to keep the Bengals in it.

Lake Catholic started the third with a 16-6 run, led by Brody Bohr's two threes and layups from Stanton Powaski and Colin Kleppel. But Benedictine answered late in the quarter with layups from Bohanon, Carter Bogard, and Jonathan Spikes to tie the game at 44.

Bogard scored again early in the fourth to give Benedictine the lead. The Cougars regained the advantage on baskets from Coyne, Kleppel, and a Bohr jumper. But a Spikes steal and assist to Antwan Livingston, followed by Powaski’s layup, set the stage for Duffy’s go-ahead play. Bohanon hit a free throw in the final seconds to secure the win.

Lake Catholic, now 2-3 (0-2 in conference), travels to play Holy Name tomorrow, December 19th @ 7pm.

🏀 Cavaliers Fall Again as Bulls Snap Skid in Dominant Fashion

Giddey, White Lead Bulls to 127-111 Win Over Slumping Cavaliers

The Chicago Bulls earned a much-needed 127-111 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, powered by a triple-double from Josh Giddey and a strong showing from Coby White. Giddey recorded 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, tying a career high with five three-pointers. White led all scorers with 25 points.

Nikola Vucevic added 20 points and nine rebounds as the Bulls shot 56.2% from the field and hit 14 three-pointers. After building a 15-point third-quarter lead, Chicago sealed the game with a decisive fourth-quarter run. It marked just their second win in 14 meetings with Cleveland.

Donovan Mitchell paced the Cavaliers with 32 points, but the team continued its recent struggles, falling to 15-13 after dropping seven of their last ten games. Jaylon Tyson and Darius Garland added 21 and 15 points, respectively.

Vucevic led an 11-3 run midway through the fourth, extending the Bulls’ lead to 17 with under five minutes left. Ayo Dosunmu missed his third straight game due to a thumb injury. The two teams will face off again Friday in Cleveland.

Read more, See Highlights at espn.com

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

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