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

📰 Local News: ❄️ Mentor Crews Work Nonstop to Tackle Weekend Snowstorm

🥶 Cold Weather Pushes Mentor Schools Closer to Instructional Time Limits

📊 Mentor Holds Second-Lowest Jobless Rate Among Large Ohio Cities

💥 Icy Conditions Lead to Multi-Vehicle Pile-Up on I-90 in Lake County

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Wellness Wednesday: 🙆🏻‍♀️ Back to Basics: Simple Health Habits for 2026

⚾ Sports: ⚾ Cleveland’s 2026 Baseball Season Begins Under West Coast Lights

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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Mentor Shares Storm Response Update Following Weekend Snowfall

On the morning of January 27, the City of Mentor issued a public update detailing its response to the major winter storm that impacted the area over the weekend. With nearly nine inches of snow falling across most of the city, crews have been working around the clock to keep roads safe and passable.

The city’s update outlines the scale of the snow removal effort, challenges posed by freezing temperatures, and the continued use of cold-weather brine solutions to supplement plowing. Residents are also reminded of their responsibilities regarding sidewalk clearing, as well as the importance of maintaining visibility around fire hydrants.

Additional cleanup is expected to continue throughout the week, weather permitting. The city also provided contact information for those with plow-related mailbox damage.

More details from the city's full statement can be found here.

Mentor Schools Navigate Calamity Day Limits as Extreme Cold Forces Closure

As Northeast Ohio experiences one of its coldest stretches in over a decade, school closures are mounting—along with concerns about meeting state-mandated instructional time.

On Tuesday, January 27, Mentor Schools closed for the sixth time this school year due to dangerously low wind chills. The National Weather Service predicted “feels like” temperatures between -20 and -27 degrees during morning bus routes, prompting officials to cancel in-person classes for student safety. An Extreme Cold Warning remained in effect until late morning.

The sixth closure marks a critical point. While “calamity days” is still a familiar term, Ohio schools now follow a system based on instructional hours. The Ohio Department of Education requires:

Once districts near the minimum, they must make up time. Options include virtual learning, cutting non-instructional days, or extending the school year.

To stay ahead of make-up requirements, Mentor Schools assigned at-home work during Tuesday’s closure. Teachers shared materials via Seesaw, Schoology, email, or Loop, with assignments due upon students’ return.

Mentor is among hundreds of Northeast Ohio districts facing similar winter-related challenges. Some, like Bedford, have already used up their allotted time due to earlier weather-related outages.

Districts, including Mentor, continue assessing options while keeping families informed. The aim remains the same: balancing safety with academic progress as winter continues.

Mentor's Unemployment Rate Inches Up, Still Among Ohio's Lowest

Mentor’s unemployment rate rose slightly in December 2025, increasing by 0.1 percentage points to 3.0%, according to the latest labor data. Despite the uptick, the city continues to hold one of the lowest jobless rates among Ohio cities with over 50,000 residents.

In December 2024, Mentor’s unemployment rate was 2.9%. The city’s civilian labor force also declined by 300, bringing the total to 25,700 workers.

In Lake County, unemployment rose 0.4% to 3.4%, up from 3.3% a year ago. Among large Ohio cities, Lakewood posted the lowest rate at 2.5%, followed by Mentor at 3.0%, Cleveland Heights at 3.1%, and Parma at 3.4%.

Statewide, Ohio’s jobless rate rose to 4.0% in December, up 0.1% from November, but lower than the 4.2% reported in December 2024.

The figures are from the December 2025 Civilian Labor Force Estimates by the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services.

Source: cityofmentor.com

A pile-up involving four semis and two cars shut down a section of I-90 eastbound in Concord Township on Jan. 27 for about three hours. No injuries were reported from the crash, though one person nearby had a medical emergency. Authorities believe unsafe speeds in poor weather conditions contributed to the accident.

Read More at news5cleveland.com

Wellness Without the Noise: Experts Say Simplicity Still Wins in 2026

Every January, millions make ambitious promises to eat better, work out more, and finally get healthy. But with so many voices competing for attention — from influencers and advertisers to wellness gurus — these good intentions can quickly spiral into confusion.

Health experts say the key to lasting wellness in 2026 isn’t a new product or program. It’s about tuning out the noise and returning to the basics.

Nutrition is a frequent target of trends — high-protein snacks, fiber supplements, detox teas — but registered dietitians say most of it is unnecessary for the average person.

“If you’re eating enough balanced meals throughout the day, you’re likely getting sufficient protein,” say nutrition experts. And while many people do fall short on fiber, the solution isn’t trendy powders or “fiber-maxxing” hacks. Instead, adding whole foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains to your plate is the most effective (and affordable) way to support digestion and long-term health.

The same logic applies to supplements and treatments like IV therapy. Unless directed by a doctor, you probably don’t need high-dose vitamin infusions — especially when most nutrients are better absorbed through food or basic oral supplements.

For those intimidated by gyms or expensive workout programs, experts are quick to point out that some of the most effective forms of exercise require no equipment at all.

Calisthenics — using your own body weight for strength and cardio training — have made a strong comeback, and for good reason. They’re accessible, scalable, and rooted in evidence. Exercises like squats, push-ups, lunges, and jumping jacks can boost endurance, build muscle, and improve heart health — all from your living room.

And if structured workouts aren’t appealing, simply walking more can be just as powerful. Studies continue to show that regular walking improves both physical and mental health. Some healthcare providers have even begun prescribing outdoor time as part of their treatment plans.

The takeaway: you don’t need a personal trainer or a boutique fitness membership. What you need is consistency and a routine you can stick with.

As wellness marketing explodes across social media, experts urge people to think critically about the information they consume. Slick advertising can make even questionable products seem legitimate — from microbiome test kits to glucose monitors marketed to non-diabetics. While they might sound science-backed, many of these tools offer little benefit unless prescribed or interpreted by a medical professional.

But misinformation doesn’t just waste money — it can impact mental health too. Constant exposure to “optimized” routines and perfect bodies can feed anxiety and set unrealistic expectations.

Mental wellness isn’t just about meditation apps and screen-time limits, though both can help. Experts encourage people to build stronger offline social connections, practice better boundaries with technology, and simply get more sleep. These habits don’t just improve day-to-day well-being; they can reduce the risk of long-term conditions like depression and dementia.

Above all, experts recommend discussing any health concern — physical or mental — with a trusted healthcare provider. While the internet can be a useful tool, it shouldn’t replace professional advice.

In 2026, the best path to health may not be the newest — but the most grounded. Eat real food. Move your body regularly. Care for your mind. And when in doubt, talk to someone qualified.

Read More at vindy.com

Cleveland Guardians Face Frustrating Start Times as 2026 Season Schedule Drops

During this cold, blustery week, let’s talk baseball. Cleveland Guardians fans had mixed feelings as the team released its 2026 game times and broadcast schedule. While Opening Day is now just two months away, the early season slate includes a stretch of late-night starts that could test fans’ dedication.

The season begins March 26 in Seattle with a 10:10 p.m. ET first pitch. That’s followed by two 9:40 p.m. starts, and then a 7:20 p.m. nationally televised game on Sunday night. The attention is welcome, but the timing makes it hard for fans in Northeast Ohio to tune in live.

Next, the team heads to Los Angeles for three more late weekday games before returning home for the April 3 home opener against the Chicago Cubs.

Starting the season out West is a common move for cold-weather teams like Cleveland. Late March conditions aren’t ideal for hosting games at Progressive Field. Still, the run of late starts leaves little room for local fans to catch full games without sacrificing sleep.

In the background, the Guardians have had another quiet offseason. However, a reported contract extension for José Ramírez offers some good news, possibly keeping the star third baseman in Cleveland for the rest of his career. Fans remain hopeful the front office will add more support around him.

Despite the frustrating schedule, the return of baseball brings excitement after a long winter. A few late nights feel worth it for fans eager to get back to the familiar rhythm of the 162-game season.

Even with the season starting under West Coast lights, anticipation is high in Cleveland as Opening Day approaches.

Read More at si.com