⛅ Weather: AM Clouds, PM Sun - Cooler - Temps 37-39°

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

📰 Local News: 🌧️After Heavy Rain and Localized Flooding, A Week of Wind and Weather Swings Ahead

🏛️ Ohio’s Property Tax Debate Intensifies as Homeowners Seek Relief (with Poll)

🎨 Lake County Student Art Exhibition Opens at Mentor City Hall

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Pet Corner: 🦮 From Limping to Less Play: Subtle Signs Your Dog May Have Joint Pain

🏀 Sports: 🏀 Strong Season Pays Off: Lady Cardinals Recognized Across GCC Awards

🏀 Desmond Bane’s 35 Points Power Magic Past Cavaliers, 128–122

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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

Hold on to your hat! And your winter coat!

After a Wednesday of localized flooding caused by a day of heavy rain, a sharp weather shift is expected across the region. Over the next several days, the weatherman is bringing rain, snow, strong winds, and dramatic temperature swings to the area.

Rain moved out overnight, allowing colder air to settle in this morning as temperatures fell into the 30s. The colder air may allow a few snowflakes to mix in early. Afternoon highs Thursday will reach the upper 30s with breezy conditions continuing.

Another fast-moving system arrives Friday, bringing a scattered mix of rain and snow. Strong winds will be the main concern, with gusts potentially reaching 50 to 60 miles per hour. Temperatures will briefly climb into the 50s before dropping again.

Cooler air settles in Saturday with highs returning to the 30s.

A dramatic warmup follows Sunday as temperatures surge but the front is expected to bring a round of rain and thunderstorms Sunday night.

Property taxes remain a growing concern for many Ohio homeowners as costs continue to rise across the state.

Recent data shows Ohio ranks eighth in the nation for the highest property tax rates, placing a significant financial burden on property owners. For some residents, tax bills have increased sharply in recent years, with some reporting their payments have doubled within the past five years.

The rising costs have sparked a broader conversation about whether Ohio’s property tax system should be reformed or even eliminated. Some advocates argue that the tax places an ongoing financial strain on homeowners, particularly those on fixed incomes such as retirees.

However, eliminating property taxes would come with major consequences. Local governments and public school districts rely heavily on property tax revenue to fund essential services and education. Critics of eliminating the tax warn that removing it could create large funding gaps for communities across the state.

State leaders have also raised concerns about how the lost revenue would be replaced. One possibility discussed is increasing other taxes, such as the state sales tax, to make up the difference.

The issue continues to divide residents. Some believe property tax relief is necessary as costs climb, while others argue the tax remains a critical funding source for schools and local services.

As discussions continue, many are calling on lawmakers to closely examine Ohio’s property tax system and explore possible reforms that balance taxpayer concerns with the need to maintain funding for essential public services.

Lake County students with a passion for art will soon showcase their work at Mentor’s City Hall. The Lake County Student Exhibition, organized by the Wildwood Cultural Center and the City of Mentor Community Arts Commission, invites students in grades 6 through 12 to participate in a public display this spring.

The exhibition will be held at the Mentor Municipal Center, 8500 Civic Center Boulevard, from March 13 through April 24, 2026. Artwork can be viewed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Open to Lake County students, the exhibit gives young artists an opportunity to share their creativity with the community. Artwork submissions are free, and four awards will be presented to participating exhibitors.

A public reception will take place Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mentor Municipal Center, where visitors can view the artwork.

See the Event at mentorlocalbuzz.com/events

Joint problems such as arthritis are among the most common health issues affecting dogs, especially large breeds and senior pets. Veterinarians say many cases develop slowly, meaning pet owners may not notice early warning signs until discomfort begins affecting daily activities.

In many dogs, joint wear occurs gradually as cartilage breaks down and inflammation develops. While aging is a major factor, weight, genetics, and past injuries can also contribute to joint problems.

Because these changes often happen slowly, veterinarians encourage dog owners to watch closely for subtle shifts in behavior or movement. Catching these signs early can help owners take steps to protect mobility and reduce discomfort.

Common early signs of joint issues in dogs include:

Veterinarians say early intervention can help dogs stay active longer. Maintaining a healthy weight, providing regular low-impact exercise, and using veterinarian-recommended joint supplements can support joint health.

Common supplements include glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, MSM, and green-lipped mussel extract, which may help support cartilage and reduce inflammation.

Read More on the Best Supplements for your Dog

The Lady Cardinals girls basketball program earned major recognition in the Greater Cleveland Conference (GCC) awards, highlighting a standout season for both players and coaching staff.

Leading the honors is Nina Rodriguez, named Greater Cleveland Conference Player of the Year after an impressive season that helped power the Cardinals’ success.

Several teammates also received All-Conference recognition for their strong contributions. Keira Coleman, Ashley McKinney, and Lyla Willis each earned GCC All-Conference honors for their consistent play during conference competition.

Additional recognition went to Addi Keeper and Hayley McClintock, who were both named GCC Honorable Mention selections.

The team’s success extended to the sidelines as well. Head coach James Hrusovsky was named Greater Cleveland Conference Coach of the Year after guiding the Lady Cardinals to a strong 24-2 season. Together, the awards highlight the strength of the Lady Cardinals program.

The Orlando Magic defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 128–122 on Wednesday, extending their winning streak to five games.

Desmond Bane led Orlando with 35 points and sealed the win in the final seconds. He hit a difficult three-pointer while falling out of bounds with just over 17 seconds remaining and added two free throws shortly after to secure the victory.

Paolo Banchero finished with 25 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Tristan da Silva added 23 points, including nine in the fourth quarter.

Cleveland attempted a late comeback after trailing by 13 midway through the final period. James Harden led the Cavaliers with 30 points and eight assists, and Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points. Keon Ellis added 20 points during the rally, while Evan Mobley recorded 18 points and 13 rebounds. The Cavaliers at Dallas on Friday Night.

Read More, See Highlights

The same thing happens to me sometimes… for real.