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

📰 Local News: 🏛️ Mentor Council Approves Major Projects and Preps for 250th Celebration

⛳ Snow, Swings, and Support: Chili Open Returns to Lake County

🏛️ Hometown History: The Enduring Legacy of Old Council Hall

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Pet Corner: 🐾 Do Dogs Dream? What Your Pup Might Be “Reliving” During Sleep

🏈 Sports: 🏈 Cavs Hold Off Hornets After Explosive First Quarter in 94-87 Win

🏀 Rodriguez Shines in Mentor Win; Lake Catholic Falls Late to Beaumont

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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

Mentor Council Approves Major Projects, Addresses Growth & Infrastructure

At its January 20, 2026 meeting, Mentor City Council approved key projects that highlight community growth and upcoming national celebrations. A $1.84 million contract was awarded to Great Lakes Crushing Ltd. to build a 100-foot observation tower at Mentor Marsh, expected to be completed within nine months. The project is partially funded by a $450,000 state grant.

Council also approved a 7-foot bronze statue of President James A. Garfield, scheduled for unveiling on July 4 as part of America’s 250th anniversary. Additional funding was authorized for related infrastructure improvements, including storm sewers and traffic signal upgrades.

Traffic congestion at Chillicothe, Heisley, and Mentor Avenue was a topic of concern, with studies underway to explore solutions like a right-turn lane and updated signal timing. Streetlight outages along Bellflower and Civic Center Boulevard are also being addressed.

The 2026 Hometown Heroes Banner Program launched with over 70 banner spots now available, and three new local businesses were welcomed to the community.

For more details, including new business names, upcoming events, and full project breakdowns, read the full article on our website:
👉 Full Council Meeting Recap

Snowy Golf and Chili Warm Hearts at Annual Lake County Chili Open

Golfers in Lake County are preparing to brave the winter elements for a good cause. The annual Lake County Chili Open returns to Black Brook Golf Course on Saturday, January 24, 2026, offering a fun mix of outdoor activity and community support.

Participants will play nine holes of snowy golf, putting a chilly spin on the traditional summer sport. Afterward, they can warm up with a hearty bowl of chili, hot dogs, and hot chocolate served in the clubhouse.

Hosted by the City of Mentor at Black Brook Golf Course & Practice Center, the event costs just $20 per person. All proceeds benefit the United Way of Lake County, supporting local residents in need.

With limited spots still available, those interested can register by contacting the Mentor Recreation Department at 440-974-5720.

Hometown History: Old Council Hall

Tucked along Jackson Street stands one of Mentor’s oldest landmarks — Old Council Hall, a building rich with civic and spiritual history.

Built in 1856 as a Disciples of Christ church, the original structure stood at the northeast corner of Jackson Street and Mentor Avenue. Among its early congregants was President James A. Garfield, the only U.S. President to be an ordained minister. He occasionally preached from its pulpit.

In 1912, the church was relocated — minus its steeple — to its current site at 7250 Jackson Street to make room for the larger Mentor Christian Church still in use today. From there, it became the Mentor Township Hall, eventually serving as a government building for the unified City of Mentor.

Over time, the aging hall faced demolition, but the Old Mentor Foundation intervened, advocating for its preservation. Thanks to their efforts, the building still stands today — a preserved piece of Mentor's legacy.

To explore more historic sites in the area, follow the Mentor History Trail at www.mentorhistory.com .

Do Dogs Dream? What Your Pup Is Really Doing During Sleep

If you’ve ever watched your dog sleep—legs paddling, tail wagging, soft woofs escaping—you’ve probably wondered: Are they dreaming? As someone trained in canine behavior, I’ll tell you this: while science can’t say with 100% certainty, all signs point to yes, dogs almost certainly dream.

Here’s what we know. Mammals share similar brain structures, especially the hippocampus, which stores memories. Research highlighted by MIT has shown that when animals learn something new while awake, their brains replay those same memory patterns during sleep. The activity looks nearly identical—suggesting the brain is “re-living” past experiences.

Dogs also experience REM (rapid eye movement) sleep—the same sleep stage when humans dream. According to National Institutes of Health, REM sleep is marked by irregular breathing, eye movement beneath closed lids, and muscle twitching. In dogs, this is exactly when you’ll see paw movements, facial twitches, or hear quiet growls and barks.

So what are they dreaming about? Most behavior experts believe dogs replay real-life moments—walks around the neighborhood, chasing squirrels at the park, greeting their favorite humans, or sniffing something very interesting on a recent stroll through Mentor. Puppies and highly active dogs tend to dream more, simply because they’re processing more new information.

One important note for dog parents: don’t wake a dreaming dog abruptly. Just like people, dogs can be startled out of REM sleep and may react defensively. If your dog seems distressed, gently call their name from a distance instead.

Watching a dreaming dog is a sweet reminder that their inner world is rich, emotional, and closely tied to the life you share together—right here at home.

If you ever notice unusual sleep behaviors or concerns, your veterinarian is always your best resource for guidance and peace of mind.

Read Further About this Topic at pethealthnetwork.com

Cold Shooting but Cavs Fast Start is Enough to Hold on For Win

The Cleveland Cavaliers rode a dominant opening quarter to a 94-87 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night, securing their fifth road win in six games.

Cleveland surged to a 21-point lead early, hitting 11 of their first 15 shots. Their defensive intensity forced Charlotte into rushed plays and turnovers, holding the Hornets to 32 first-half points on just 26% shooting. At halftime, the Cavaliers led comfortably, 56-32.

Donovan Mitchell paced the Cavaliers with 24 points, including 14 in the first half. Evan Mobley posted a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Jaylon Tyson and Jarrett Allen combined for 27 points, helping Cleveland dominate the boards with a 60-47 edge.

Charlotte found momentum in the second half, fueled by fast-break plays and alley-oops from LaMelo Ball to Brandon Miller. The Hornets trimmed the deficit to four in the final seconds, but Cleveland held firm.

Ball, coming off the bench as part of a rest strategy, had a tough night, scoring just four points on 1-of-15 shooting, missing all 10 of his three-point attempts. Miller led Charlotte with 24 points, while rookie Kon Knueppel added 21 points and 11 rebounds.

The Cavaliers return home to host the Kings on Friday.

Beaumont Edges Past Lake Catholic; Mentor Rolls Over Lorain

The Lake Catholic Lady Cougars suffered another tough loss on Wednesday, falling 30-24 to the Beaumont School Blue Streaks. The game remained tightly contested through three quarters, but Beaumont pulled away late to secure the win. With the loss, Lake Catholic’s record drops to 4-11, and the team has now dropped seven straight games.

The Lady Cougars will look to rebound on Saturday, January 24, when they host the Crown Conference-leading Holy Name Green Wave. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Holy Name enters the matchup at 10-4 overall and 6-1 in conference play.

In other local action, the Mentor Lady Cardinals cruised to a dominant 73-45 win over the Lorain Titans. Mentor was in control from the outset, improving to 15-1 on the season. Nina Rodriguez starred for the Cardinals, notching a career-high 30 points along with contributions across the stat sheet in assists, steals, and rebounds.

Mentor hits the road this Saturday to take on the struggling Euclid Panthers (2-13). Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

Meet your new teacher. Out of the mouths of babes…