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

📰 Local News: 🚨 Federal Fugitive Arrested; Gun and Drugs Seized

🚒 Fire Officials Warn of Increased Wildfire Risk as Burn Ban Begins

🧾 What Mentor Residents Need to Know About Filing 2026 City Taxes

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Wellness Wednesday: 💪 Stronger Muscles, Longer Life: What New Research Means for Mentor Residents

🏀 Sports: 🏀 Cavs Outlast Pistons in Playoff-Style Clash

🏀 Mentor Rolls Past Whitmer 90–63 to Advance in Tournament Play

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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A joint operation between the Lake County Narcotics Agency and the Eastlake Police Department resulted in the arrest of a 25-year-old Euclid man wanted on federal and local charges Monday evening.

Monday afternoon, around 5:15 p.m., authorities were conducting surveillance at a Lake County shopping center after locating the suspect’s white Volkswagen Tiguan. Investigators believed the man, wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service on a weapons charge and by Willowick police for obstruction, was inside a nearby store. Officials also cited his alleged involvement in two prior drug-related fleeing and eluding incidents.

As the suspect exited the store and approached his SUV, officers moved in with unmarked vehicles to block him. The man rushed into his vehicle and attempted to flee, damaging two unmarked police cars before agents successfully stopped him.

He then tried to escape on foot but was tackled and taken into custody.

A search of the vehicle uncovered a loaded Beretta 9mm handgun, along with cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl. Additional items were seized as evidence.

The suspect was booked into the Lake County Jail on charges of possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine and having a firearm as a convicted felon. Authorities said more charges will be presented to the Lake County Grand Jury.

He was arraigned Tuesday in Willoughby Municipal Court, where bond was set at $500,000. He remains in custody.

Source: channel19.com

Fire departments across Northeast Ohio are reminding residents that the state’s spring burn ban is in effect from March 1 through May 31. Outdoor burning is prohibited daily between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Officials warn that dry grass, low humidity, and windy spring conditions can cause fires to spread quickly, putting homes, property, and first responders at risk.

During restricted hours, residents may not burn brush, leaves, yard waste, trash, or conduct open burning fires.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) states that certain materials are never permitted to be burned anywhere in Ohio, including food waste, dead animals, and materials containing rubber, grease, asphalt, or petroleum products.

Additional regulations require fires to be set more than 1,000 feet from a neighbor’s inhabited building. Burning is prohibited during air pollution alerts and must not obstruct visibility on roadways, railways, or airfields. Waste from off-site locations cannot be burned, and outdoor burning is not allowed within village or city limits or other restricted areas. Proper burn barrels must be used when burning during legal hours.

Officials urge residents to follow the guidelines to help prevent wildfires this spring.

Source: channel19.com

The 2026 municipal tax season is now underway, and Mentor residents must file all municipal tax or exemption forms by Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Taxpayers can complete filings through the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) at www.ritaohio.com. The website allows users to file returns, make payments, check refund status, review payment history, and securely message RITA. Printable and downloadable tax forms are also available.

Residents who prefer assistance may have RITA prepare their return. To do so, print an Individual Municipal Tax Drop-Off Sheet from the website, attach required tax documents, and drop them off at designated RITA locations, including the Mentor Municipal Center Lobby.

For questions, call RITA at 1-800-860-7482 any time of day for automated services for payments, checking refunds, and estimates are available 24/7. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Source: cityofmentor.com

Why Strength Training May Be the Most Important Exercise After 40

When most people think about living longer, they picture walking, jogging, or cycling. Cardio certainly helps, but emerging research suggests that muscle strength itself may be one of the most powerful predictors of longevity.

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open followed more than 5,000 older adults and found that those with greater muscle strength had a significantly lower risk of dying early—even after accounting for aerobic fitness and physical activity levels. In fact, stronger participants had up to a one-third lower risk of early death compared with weaker individuals.

Other large reviews have reached similar conclusions. Research shows that people who include muscle-strengthening exercises in their routine reduce their risk of premature death by roughly 10–17%, and just about 60 minutes per week of resistance training appears to provide meaningful benefits.

After age 30, adults naturally begin losing muscle mass in a process known as sarcopenia. This decline accelerates after age 50 and can lead to reduced mobility, balance problems, and higher risk of falls.

Strength training helps counter that process by:

In simple terms, stronger muscles help your body stay resilient.

The good news: you don’t need a gym membership to benefit. Mentor residents can start with small, manageable habits:

1. Resistance bands at home
Bands are inexpensive and gentle on joints. Exercises like band rows, squats, and presses can work major muscle groups.

2. Bodyweight movements
Push-ups, wall sits, lunges, and step-ups build strength without equipment.

3. Walk with light weights
Adding small hand weights or a weighted vest to your daily walk increases resistance and muscle engagement.

4. Focus on consistency
Experts recommend strength training two days per week alongside regular walking or other aerobic activity.

Many people focus only on cardio when thinking about longevity. But science increasingly suggests that maintaining muscle strength may be just as important—or even more important—as aerobic fitness for healthy aging.

For residents in Mentor and throughout Northeast Ohio, the goal isn’t becoming a bodybuilder. It’s simply staying strong enough to keep doing the things you enjoy—well into your later years.

Learn more about the research: jamanetwork.com

The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 113-109 on Tuesday night despite playing without injured star Donovan Mitchell.

Jaylon Tyson led Cleveland with 22 points, while James Harden and Evan Mobley each scored 18. Dennis Schroder added 15 as the Cavaliers secured a split in their four regular-season games with Detroit.

Mitchell missed his fourth straight game with a groin strain and remains day-to-day.

Detroit was led by Jalen Duren’s 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Tobias Harris scored 19 points in the second half. Cade Cunningham had 14 assists but finished with 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting.

The Pistons cut an 11-point deficit to one in the fourth quarter before Sam Merrill hit a key three-pointer to help Cleveland hold on.

Cleveland center Jarrett Allen left in the third quarter with a knee injury and did not return. Cleveland hosts Boston on Sunday.

Mentor avenged last year’s first-round tournament loss to Toledo Whitmer with a decisive 90–63 victory, placing five Cardinals in double figures. Logan Lynch led with 19 points, while Jack Kennedy added 16. Tony Katava scored 14, Tommy Pavicic had 13, and Nathan Sabin finished with 10.

Mentor led 23–21 after the first quarter, but the Cardinals took control in the second. A 15–0 run featuring a Pavicic four-point play and two Kennedy three-pointers grew into a 22–3 surge, giving Mentor a 52–29 halftime lead.

The Cardinals continued their push in the third quarter with a 13–2 run, as Lynch scored 10 points, including two three-pointers, extending the lead to 65–31.

Mentor now advances to face St. Edward on March 11 in Akron, a team the Cardinals scrimmaged earlier in the season. Though still young, Mentor has shown significant growth since the summer.

Love this… hilarious.
@Adamfunny-TH