In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

🌧️ Weather: Chance of Afternoon Showers - Temps 44-46

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

 📰 Local News: 🏊🏻 As Lake Access Grows, NE Ohio Grapples with Water Safety

 📰 Big Changes Brewing at Lake County History Center

 🦆 Birders Brave the Cold for Annual Christmas Bird Count in Lake County

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Home Front: 🏘️ Why Your Sump Pump Could Freeze This Winter—Even in a Warm Basement

 🏈 Sports: 🏈 Browns Fire Kevin Stefanski After Six Seasons

 🏒 Mentor Falls Short After Fast Start Against Hudson, 3-2

 🤔 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 Jan 6

See All the Events
MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events

🏊🏻 As Lake Access Grows, NE Ohio Grapples with Water Safety

As more people visit Lake Erie’s shores—from Cleveland’s reimagined lakefront to Mentor’s Headlands Beach—recent drownings have heightened concerns about water safety in Northeast Ohio.

Lake Erie’s shallow depth and fast-changing conditions make it especially dangerous. In 2025, local fatalities included a paddle boarder at Headlands, swimmers in Bay Village, and a man fishing at Edgewater. Many incidents happen close to shore, often outside lifeguard hours. Lake Erie averages about 20 drownings per year.

To address safety gaps, programs like AquaMissions teach students how to identify risks and stay safe in natural water. Community groups in Cleveland also provide swim and scuba lessons to underrepresented youth.

Some fire departments, like Bay Village’s, now train crews for open-water rescues, a model gaining traction. Still, most beaches have limited staff, and many post “swim at your own risk” warnings.

Advocates urge more investment in education and resources, warning that Ohio lags behind neighboring states. With more residents heading to the lake, safety planning must keep pace.

Read More, What’s Your View? ideastream.org

 📰 Big Changes Brewing at Lake County History Center

Lisa Lewins, in her first full year as director of the Lake County History Center, is leading a revitalization effort that includes new programs, exhibits, and a unique attraction: a Prohibition-themed “history pub” set to open in spring 2026.

Previously interim director, Lewins has focused on organizing the museum and identifying opportunities for growth—starting with the building’s basement, once part of the county poor house. The new pub will target adults under 50 with trivia nights, performances, and history-themed happy hours. The space will also be available for rentals and tied to museum events.

Program coordinator Mandy Spencer says the pub will feature a wraparound bar, stage area, and exhibits on local Prohibition history.

The museum is also preparing for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, working with nearby counties to coordinate and promote regional events. Updates will be posted on Facebook.

New exhibits are in the works, including a women’s suffrage room and a display on local baseball history. Theater professor Jerry Jaffe is helping develop these as immersive storytelling experiences.

Recent improvements include an elevator installation and expanded homeschool programs. The museum plans to add HVAC to its infirmary wing and make structural upgrades for better accessibility. Future goals include a garden, 4-H club, scholarships, and possibly overnight stays.

Though the main building is closed for winter, programs continue in the Barber Event Barn. Staff are available Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by appointment. Contact: 440-639-2945 or [email protected]

🦆 Birders Brave the Cold for Annual Christmas Bird Count in Lake County

Birders across Lake and Geauga counties took part in the Blackbrook Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count on December 27, covering a 15-mile area from Lake Erie to Big Creek Park. This event, part of a national tradition since 1900, helps track bird populations and environmental shifts.

Local count compiler Dan Donaldson began at Shipman Pond in Mentor, where he quickly spotted Canada geese, ducks, goldfinches, sparrows, and a distant bald eagle. Weather impacts how many birds are seen, but volunteers typically find 65 to 70 species, including both waterfowl and feeder birds.

Mentor Marsh is a key birding location thanks to its mix of wetlands and forest, attracting diverse species. Bird counts help scientists monitor changes as some species shift northward due to climate change and habitat loss. Occasionally, rare “irruptive” birds appear when food is scarce farther north.

Birders log their sightings using the eBird app, which captures location, time, and images—making it easy to contribute to national research.

Blackbrook Audubon offers public bird walks monthly at Veterans Park in Mentor. Details are at blackbrookaudubon.org.

🏘️ Why Your Sump Pump Could Freeze This Winter—Even in a Warm Basement

Don't Let Your Sump Pump Freeze — Even in a Warm Basement

As a homeowner who prides themselves on staying ahead of home maintenance issues, I’ve learned that some of the biggest headaches come from the smallest oversights—especially in winter. One of those sneaky problems? A frozen sump pump discharge line.

Now, you might be thinking, “My basement’s warm, so what’s the problem?” That’s the trap. While your sump pump may be working perfectly inside your home, the real trouble starts once the water exits your house.

Here in Northeast Ohio, we see this all the time: during winter thaws—especially when snow melts rapidly and temperatures suddenly drop again—sump pump discharge pipes can freeze where they run outside. When that happens, water has nowhere to go, and it can back up right into your basement. It's a preventable mess, and I always make sure to take a few simple steps to keep things flowing smoothly.

Here’s what I do every winter:

• Check the slope: Your discharge pipe should have a steady downward slope away from the house. This helps ensure gravity keeps the water moving, so it doesn’t sit and freeze.

• Clear the area: Make sure the end of the pipe isn’t buried in snow or ice. I keep the area shoveled and use a small barrier to keep snow from piling up near the outlet.

• Extend the pipe: It’s crucial that the pipe leads water far enough away from the foundation—ideally 10 feet or more. I use a flexible extension hose during winter that I can easily reposition if snow starts to build up.

Winter weather can be unpredictable here, and a mid-season thaw followed by a sudden freeze is the perfect storm for sump pump problems. I’ve seen neighbors deal with basement flooding that could’ve been avoided with a quick outdoor check. So I make it a routine: after any heavy snow or freeze-thaw cycle, I walk the perimeter of my house and make sure everything’s still draining as it should.

A few minutes of prevention can save you thousands in water damage and cleanup. It’s just one more way I stay in control of my home—and keep winter surprises outside, where they belong.

🏈 Browns Fire Kevin Stefanski After Six Seasons, Turn Focus to Future

The Cleveland Browns have parted ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski after a disappointing 5-12 finish to the 2025 season, ending a six-year tenure marked by early playoff success and recent setbacks.

The decision, announced by team owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, signals a shift for the franchise as General Manager Andrew Berry begins the search for a new head coach. The Haslams praised Stefanski’s leadership but noted the past two seasons didn’t meet expectations.

Stefanski, hired in January 2020, delivered immediate results. In his first year, he led the Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002 and their first postseason win in 26 years. That season’s 11 regular-season victories were the most by a Browns coach in a debut season since Paul Brown in 1946. Stefanski earned AP NFL Coach of the Year honors in 2020 and again in 2023, becoming only the second Browns coach to receive the award.

Over six seasons, Stefanski posted a 45-56 record, with two playoff appearances and two 11-win campaigns. He joined Paul Brown as the only head coaches in team history with multiple 11-win seasons. However, consecutive losing seasons ultimately led to the team’s decision to move on.

Berry credited Stefanski for his steady leadership during organizational transitions and his role in building a professional culture. Still, he emphasized the need for a fresh voice to lead the team’s young core—particularly on offense.

The Browns now focus on finding a new head coach capable of capitalizing on their defensive talent and significant offseason resources as they prepare for a pivotal 2026 season.

Read More at clevelandbrowns.com

🏒 Mentor Falls Short After Fast Start Against Hudson, 3-2

The Mentor Cardinals came out strong in their latest matchup against the Hudson Explorers, taking an early 2-1 lead by the end of the first period. However, their offensive momentum stalled as Hudson answered with two goals in the second period and shut down the Cardinals for the rest of the game. Despite multiple efforts, Mentor couldn’t find the back of the net again, falling 3-2 on the road.

Mentor had one opportunity on the power play but couldn’t capitalize, while Hudson played a disciplined game without conceding any power plays. Five different Cardinals players recorded a point in the game, with Luke Palmer and Adam Stoops each scoring once to give Mentor their early advantage.

The loss drops Mentor to an overall record of 11-8-2, though they remain strong in conference play at 3-1. Hudson improves to 10-9 on the season.

Mentor now looks ahead to its next challenge — a conference matchup on the road against the Steele Comets of Amherst. The game is set for a 7:15 p.m. puck drop.

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

Ok, I laughed … I’m sorry but yes its true.