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

📰 Local News: 💸 RITA Issues Tax Non-Filing Letters to Mentor Residents

📊 Virtual PUCO Hearing Jan. 29 to Discuss Aqua Ohio Rate Hike

🚨 Fatal Early Morning Fire Investigated in Painesville

❄️ Mentor’s Snow and Ice Removal Process (4:01)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Pet Corner: 🥔 From Elphie to Tater: 2025’s Top Trending Pet Names

🏀 Sports: 🏀 Cavaliers Crush Lakers, Spoil LeBron’s Homecoming

🏈 Browns Name Monken New Head Coach Amid Schwartz Uncertainty

🤼‍♂️ Mentor Wrestling Claims Five Podium Spots at Hephner Memorial

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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

RITA Sending Tax Non-Filing Letters to Mentor Residents This Week

Some residents in Mentor can expect to receive letters from the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) this week, as part of an outreach to individuals who may have missed filing their municipal income tax returns in recent years.

While recipients of the notice may not necessarily owe any taxes, the correspondence serves as a prompt to ensure compliance. Residents are encouraged to carefully read the instructions included in the mailing and respond accordingly. Ignoring the notice could lead to more serious consequences, including the possibility of receiving a formal subpoena.

RITA offers several convenient ways to submit the requested documents listed in the non-filing notice:

More information about non-filing notices and the filing process is available on RITA’s Non-Filing Notice page. For any additional questions, residents can also reach RITA by phone at 800-860-7482.

PUCO Hosts Virtual Hearing on Aqua Ohio Rate Hike Proposal

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is giving residents a chance to voice their opinions on proposed rate increases by Aqua Ohio and Aqua Ohio Wastewater. The companies are seeking approval to raise charges for water and sewage services across their service areas.

Three public hearings have been scheduled, culminating in a virtual session on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be hosted via Microsoft Teams, offering a remote opportunity for customers to participate. Those interested in speaking must register in advance, either through the PUCO website or by calling the PUCO Call Center at (800) 686-7826. All testimony given will be added to the official case record.

Previous in-person hearings were held in Columbus on January 27 and in Marion on January 28.

Aqua Ohio is requesting to raise its annual water service revenues by $13.4 million, which represents a 16.4% increase. However, PUCO staff has suggested a smaller increase—between $8.7 million and $9.9 million—equating to a 10.63% to 12.14% rise.

An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for February 4, 2026, at PUCO’s offices in Columbus.

Customers who are unable to attend the hearings can still share their comments by submitting them online at www.PUCO.ohio.gov or by mailing letters to:

PUCO
180 E. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Comments should reference case numbers: 25-593-ST-AIR, 25-594-WW-AIR, and 25-595-WW-ATA.

The PUCO is responsible for ensuring that all Ohioans have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services, while supporting a competitive utility environment.

A Tuesday morning house fire in Painesville has resulted in one death and left another resident in critical condition.

Emergency crews responded to a residence on Levan Drive, located off Mentor Avenue, shortly before 7:30 a.m. Upon arrival, fire officials discovered a woman who had succumbed to the blaze. A male occupant was rescued from the home and transported to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

The fire also claimed the lives of two household pets, a dog and a cat. While the structural damage to the home was visible from the residential street, the specific point of origin and the cause of the fire have not yet been determined.

The State Fire Marshal’s office has assumed leadership of the scene to conduct a formal investigation. Local authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims pending notification of kin. This remains a developing situation as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Read More at fox8.com

America’s Pet Name Trends Reveal a Surge in Creativity and Pop Culture Influence

Pet names in the U.S. are undergoing a playful transformation, with more owners drawing inspiration from nostalgic trends, movies, nature, and even food. While classic names like Luna and Charlie still dominate overall, a deeper look into 2025’s naming data reveals fresh and fast-rising favorites.

According to Rover, a leading pet services platform, pet names haven't changed drastically over the last decade—but among younger pets, new patterns are emerging. The company reviewed its data from August 2024 through September 2025, focusing on pets under two years old. The analysis revealed clear naming categories, including references to beloved films, throwback trends, snacks, and famous athletes.

Geographic differences also influenced naming choices. Pet parents in the Western U.S. leaned into rugged and adventurous names such as Boots, Bandit, and Ranger, reflecting a frontier spirit. Meanwhile, Midwestern states favored pop culture—North Dakotans gravitated toward the name Simba, while South Dakotans preferred Loki.

A survey of 1,000 pet owners helped explain these trends. About one-third already had a name picked before adopting, but nearly half let their pet’s personality or appearance guide their choice. Others used breed characteristics as a naming cue.

Among the newest wave of puppies and kittens, some names are gaining popularity at record rates. For puppies, Elphie saw the biggest spike, rising 244 percent in 2025. Tsuki, Caesar, and Jelly Bean also made the list. As for kittens, Tater had a 92 percent increase, with names like Milton, Gatsby, and Martini gaining traction.

Below are the top trending pet names for 2025.

Top 10 Trending Puppy Names:

Did you find your dog’s name?
Click to read the original story and see the Top 10 cat names

The Cleveland Cavaliers extended their win streak to five games with a commanding 129-99 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, fueled by a 42-point third quarter. Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points and Jaylon Tyson added 20, while LeBron James was held to just 11 in a quiet return to Cleveland. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 29 points despite an ankle scare. The Cavs shot 68% in the third quarter, seizing control and handing James his worst loss in his hometown as a visiting player.

Read More at espn.com

Todd Monken Named Browns Head Coach, Begins Overhaul of Offense

The Cleveland Browns have named former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as their new head coach, replacing Kevin Stefanski. Monken returns to Cleveland after previous stints with the team and brings a strong offensive track record, particularly in the run game. He takes over a struggling offense and is expected to have input on quarterback decisions. While Monken inherits a top-tier defense, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s future with the team is uncertain. Monken will lead the Browns into a critical offseason with 10 draft picks, including two in the first round.

Read More at espn.com

Mentor High School Wrestlers Medal in Hephner Memorial Tournament

Mentor High School's boys wrestling team had an impressive showing at the Joshua Hephner Memorial tournament over the weekend, bringing home hardware in five weight classes. The two-day competition, known for attracting tough talent from across the region, proved to be a valuable test for the Mentor squad—and they delivered.

Among the standout performances was JJ Hoynes, who secured 6th place at 106 pounds, showcasing speed and resilience on the mat. At 132 pounds, Isaac Opatrny fought his way to a 7th-place finish, while Colten Pollock also claimed 6th at 150 with a strong series of bouts. Corbin Bissett earned 7th at 157, and Cam Brown rounded out the group of placers with a hard-fought 6th place at 175 pounds.

The team is already looking ahead, ready to build on this momentum and continue grinding through the season.

See all the images on Mentor Wresting’s Facebook Post

Ok, Batman! Stay off the trampoline!