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

📰 Local News: 🦅 Marsh Eagles Lay First Egg, Set New Early Nesting Record

🚨 Mentor Firefighters Train for Ice Rescues, Urge Public to Stay Off Frozen Water

🪳 Cockroaches, Crafts, and Laughs: Mentor Mall Hosts Offbeat Valentine’s Event

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Pet Corner: 🦎 ‘Lizard in a Blizzard’: Frozen Tegu Rescued from Snow

🏀 Sports: 🏀 Mentor Blows Past Strongsville in 100-61 Conference Rout

🤼‍♀️ Multiple Podium Finishes Power Mentor Girls to Strong Team Showing

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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Mentor Marsh Eagles Lay First Egg, Breaking Early Nesting Record

Braving February’s cold, the bald eagles at Mentor Marsh have laid their first egg—earlier than ever before. On February 3, 2026, the nesting pair set a new record, surpassing their previous early dates of February 6, 2016, and February 8, 2025.

The egg’s presence was confirmed by a noticeable change in behavior: one eagle began sitting low and consistently in the nest, signaling incubation. The nest, located on Middle Island in Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve, is monitored by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, which manages the site.

Bald eagles typically lay one to three eggs a few days apart. While the female does most of the incubating, the male assists by providing food, nesting materials, and occasionally trading off on incubation. Both eagles develop brood patches—featherless, warm patches of skin on their abdomens—that help regulate egg temperature.

The eggs are incubated for about 35 days. As this is a sensitive time, visitors on Zimmerman Trail are welcome to view or photograph the eagles but must avoid disturbing them.

This early egg signals a hopeful start to the 2026 nesting season, as nature lovers keep watch from a respectful distance.

Read More, See Photos

Mentor Firefighters Sharpen Ice Rescue Skills with Winter Training at Garfield Park

With winter in full swing, the Mentor Fire Department conducted its annual ice rescue training at Garfield Park, reinforcing a vital message: no ice is safe ice. The training, held in late January or early February each year, prepares firefighters to respond quickly and effectively when someone—or a pet—falls through thin or unstable ice.

During these sessions, firefighters practice in cold water conditions, simulating real-life emergencies on frozen ponds and lakes. The drills focus on rapid response and safe extraction techniques to ensure the department is ready to act in life-threatening situations.

Mentor officials emphasize that ice thickness can vary widely, even within the same body of water, due to changing temperatures. As a result, all ice should be treated as potentially dangerous.

Residents are strongly urged to avoid walking on frozen surfaces and to call 911 immediately if they see anyone—human or animal—in distress on the ice.

Source: CityofMentor.com

Mall Hosts Quirky Valentine's Alternative with Craft Show and Crawly Fundraiser

For those skipping the romance this Valentine’s season, Great Lakes Mall in Mentor offers a playful alternative. On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oliver’s Marketplace will host the Not-So-Anti-Valentine’s Day Craft Show, combining local shopping with a lighthearted fundraiser featuring cockroaches and rats—all for a good cause.

Attendees can donate to name a cockroach ($5) or rat ($10) after anyone they choose—an ex, a rival, or just for laughs. Proceeds benefit Herps Alive, a nonprofit focused on reptile rescue and public education.

The event also includes live animals and interactive displays, giving guests hands-on opportunities to learn about reptiles and small mammals.

Over 30 local vendors will offer handmade crafts, art, and unique gifts. Visitors can also browse Oliver’s Emporium inside the mall, home to another 30 vendors specializing in vintage and specialty items.

Free to attend and family-friendly, the event caters to shoppers, animal lovers, and anyone looking for something a little different.

Read the Full Article at cleveland.com

A South American tegu lizard somehow survived being buried in snow during a brutal cold snap in Providence, Rhode Island — and is now recovering after a dramatic rescue.

A local resident spotted the large reptile in his driveway and brought it inside, wrapping it in a T-shirt to help it slowly warm up. From there, the animal was transferred to New England Wildlife Center, with help from ET Reptiles, a Rhode Island reptile shop that helped transport the animal for emergency care.

Veterinarians found the tegu in rough shape. The cold-blooded reptile was extremely weak, underweight, and suffering from frostbite — including damage to its tongue. Because reptiles rely on external heat to regulate their body temperature, prolonged exposure to freezing conditions can cause cell failure and severe muscle weakness. A small portion of the lizard’s tongue had to be amputated to prevent further complications.

The wildlife center says the tegu is now warm, resting, and being closely monitored as it recovers.

It’s unclear whether the reptile escaped from a home or was intentionally abandoned. Tegus, native to South America, are popular in the exotic pet trade and can grow up to four feet long. In warmer states like Florida, released tegus have become an invasive species, raising concerns about owners who are unprepared for their size and care needs.

For now, though, this “lizard in a blizzard” is getting a second chance — thanks to one observant neighbor and a fast wildlife rescue response.

Read the Full Story at apnews.com

The Mentor Cardinals boys basketball team dominated from start to finish in a 100-61 conference win over the Strongsville Mustangs on Wednesday night. Mentor opened strong, building a 42-25 halftime lead, then blew the game wide open with a 33-point third quarter.

Tony Katava led the Cardinals with 19 points on 73% shooting, adding 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Jack Kennedy followed with 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists, also collecting 3 steals. Bernard Gnjatic added 14 points, including four three-pointers, plus 2 rebounds and 4 assists. Nathan Sabin chipped in 11 points, going 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.

The win boosts Mentor’s record to 12-4, while Strongsville falls to 6-11. The Cardinals return to the court Friday night for another conference matchup, hosting Cleveland Heights (9-7) at 7:30 p.m.

The Mentor High School girls wrestling team delivered a strong showing at a tournament in East Palestine, finishing fifth overall in a competitive field. Several wrestlers earned podium finishes, highlighting the depth and determination of the squad.

At 110 pounds, Maddie Beaumier secured a second-place finish, while Taylor Owen battled to seventh. In the 135-pound division, McKayla Herda claimed third place, and Molly Jorgensen-Farris followed closely with a fourth-place finish. Bella earned third at 140 pounds, Sydney Kemeliotis placed fifth at 145, and Jayla Biondolillo took second at 155 pounds.

The team’s collective effort earned them a fifth-place overall finish, marking another step forward in their season.

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This is so cute! Watch this if you’re having a rough day!