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

📰 Local News: 📰 Three Lake County First Responders Honored by Blue Coats

👮🏻 Mentor PD Opens Applications for Junior Police Academy

🏫 Kindergarten Registration Now Open in Mentor Public Schools

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Travel & Discovery: ✈️ The New Frontier of Travel: Authentic Destinations Without the Crowds

🏀 Sports: 🏀 Mentor Falls in Regional Final Despite Rodriguez’s Grit

🏀 St. Edward Pulls Away From Mentor for District Title

⚾ 3 Weeks from Baseball, Watch the Prettiest Slides in the M - L - B.

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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Three Lake County first responders were honored for acts of bravery during the Lake County Blue Coats’ 59th annual banquet March 4 in Mentor.

The organization presented Dr. Jorge Medina Distinguished Service Awards to Painesville Township Fire Department Lt. Kevin Falvey, firefighter Matthew Watson and Mentor Police Officer Ryan Heramb. The award recognizes police officers and firefighters who demonstrate exceptional courage in protecting others.

Falvey and Watson were recognized for their response to a Sept. 27, 2025 house fire in Painesville Township, where they rescued a special-needs woman trapped inside a burning home. The victim was taken to a hospital and later transferred to a Cleveland burn unit, where she recovered.

Heramb was honored for stopping a wrong-way driver on state Route 2 on Oct. 18, 2025. After redirecting traffic, he intentionally positioned his cruiser in the vehicle’s path, causing a collision that stopped the car and prevented a potentially serious crash.

The 97-year-old driver was not injured, while Heramb suffered a concussion and missed more than three months of work before fully recovering.

Lake County Blue Coats officials say the awards recognize the dedication and sacrifice first responders show in protecting their communities.

Read the Full Article at yahoo.com

The Mentor Police Department is accepting applications for its 2026 Junior Police Academy, open to students entering 7th, 8th and 9th grades in the 2026–27 school year who are interested in law enforcement and public safety.

The program offers an inside look at police work through classroom lessons and hands-on activities. Cadets will learn about patrol procedures, traffic enforcement, K-9 operations, SWAT, CPR, crime scene processing and self-defense.

Participants will also take part in physical fitness sessions and drill instruction, emphasizing teamwork, discipline and leadership.

Due to strong interest, the department will offer two sessions, with enrollment limited and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis:

Cadets are expected to take the academy seriously and follow rules similar to those used in schools. Additional details, including the academy flyer and application packet, are available through the Mentor Police Department.

Get More Info and Application Packet at mentorschools.net

Mentor Public Schools has opened kindergarten registration for the 2026–2027 school year, beginning March 1, 2026.

Children who will be five years old on or before Aug. 17, 2026 are eligible to enroll. The requirement follows Ohio House Bill 114, which standardized kindergarten enrollment statewide and requires public schools to admit children who turn five by the first day of instruction.

Registration is completed online and requires several documents, including an official birth certificate, two proofs of residency, parent or guardian photo ID, immunization records and custody paperwork if applicable.

Families without internet access may register in person at the Mentor Schools Administration Building during designated hours.

Current Mentor families can register through the Parent Portal under More → Annual and Household Updates → 26–27 New Student Registration (including Preschool and Kindergarten).

Families new to the district can complete registration through the district’s online enrollment system.

See mentorschools.net for more information.

Off-the-Beaten-Path & Hidden Routes: Discovering Travel’s New Frontiers

For travelers based in Northeast Ohio, escaping the crowds doesn’t require viral destinations or packed resorts. A growing trend in travel focuses on authentic experiences, quieter seasons, and under-the-radar locations that feel more personal and immersive.

Instead of battling crowds in places like Paris or Cancun, savvy travelers are exploring destinations that are just beginning to gain global attention. These places offer incredible culture, scenery, and affordability—especially when you travel during shoulder or off-peak seasons.

One standout is Colombia’s Coffee Triangle, where visitors can stay on working coffee farms, hike lush valleys, and explore colorful towns like Salento. Flights from Cleveland often connect through major hubs, and the region offers boutique eco-lodges for a fraction of big-city prices. ☕

Another rising favorite is Northern Laos, particularly the town of Luang Prabang. This UNESCO-listed destination blends Buddhist temples, jungle waterfalls, and peaceful river life. Visiting during the shoulder season means fewer crowds and more meaningful cultural encounters.

Europe also has hidden gems beyond the famous coastlines. Inland Croatia, including regions like Slavonia and the Plitvice Lakes area, offers vineyards, medieval towns, and spectacular national parks without the heavy tourism of Dubrovnik.

Traveling off-season or slightly outside major hotspots has major advantages:

For Northeast Ohio travelers eager for something fresh, the real adventure may lie just beyond the destinations everyone else is posting about.

Bonus Angle - Trending Destinations to Watch – Insights from American Express Travel include rising interest in places like the Indian Himalayas, Marrakech, and Okinawa — perfect for a Top 10 destinations for 2026 spin-off.

Mentor’s girls basketball season ended March 7 with a 64–55 loss to Wadsworth in the Division I regional championship, but senior Nina Rodriguez still delivered a determined performance in her final game.

Rodriguez suffered a severe ankle sprain late in Mentor’s regional semifinal win over Canton McKinley just three days earlier. With little time to recover, the Cardinals’ senior leader took the court anyway, playing through pain in the championship matchup at Barberton.

Rodriguez, the Greater Cleveland Conference MVP and district Player of the Year, averaged 19.2 points per game this season. The injury limited her speed and movement, key parts of her game, and she finished with seven points after scoring just once in the first half.

Mentor (24–2) scored the game’s first basket but quickly fell behind as Wadsworth built a 20–10 lead after the opening quarter. The Cardinals stayed within striking distance and mounted a strong push in the third quarter, using defensive pressure and timely shooting to cut the deficit to 41–39 late in the period.

Wadsworth responded with a decisive stretch, scoring the final four points of the third quarter and opening the fourth with a 10–3 run to extend the lead to 55–42. Mentor was unable to recover as fatigue set in late.

Freshman Ashlyn McKinney and sophomore Keira Coleman led the Cardinals with 15 points each. Rodriguez, along with Lyla Willis and Peyton Willis, added seven points apiece. Mentor returns most of its roster next year so things look bright for the Lady Cardinals.

Mentor started fast, but St. Edward’s depth and defensive adjustments led to an 87–68 win in the OHSAA Division I boys basketball district final March 7 at Lakewood High School.

Mentor opened with the game’s first six points and built a 13–5 lead behind sophomore point guard Jack Kennedy, who hit two early 3-pointers. St. Edward responded by closing the first quarter on a 14–2 run to take control.

After settling in defensively and limiting second-chance opportunities, the Eagles created separation with balanced scoring from seniors J.T. Kelsheimer, Bryan Vlosich and Zymir Knox.

Kelsheimer led the way with 16 points and eight assists, while Vlosich scored 15. Knox added 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Sophomore Kaleb Gettis chipped in 10 points and two blocks as St. Edward’s bench contributed 30 points.

St. Edward pushed its lead to double digits midway through the second quarter and Mentor never got closer.

Kennedy led the Cardinals with 21 points and Logan Lynch added 16, with both players making four 3-pointers.

The victory sends St. Edward (20–4) to the Division I regional semifinals Wednesday at the University of Akron’s James A. Rhodes Arena, where the Eagles will face either St. Ignatius or Cleveland Heights. St. Edward has now won 12 of its last 14 games and sits two wins away from the state Final Four.

Cat vs. Dog! Not really… its funny.