🌨️ Weather: Windy, AM - Wintery-Mix, PM - Showers/T-Storms - Temps 49-53°

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

📰 Local News: 🌦️ From Snow to Spring: Weekend Weather Swings from 30s to 70 Degrees

💰 Mentor Superintendent Explains Need for New School Levy on May Ballot

🗽 Mentor to Unveil James A. Garfield Statue During July 3 Celebration

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Event Spotlight: 🛍️ Shop Local and Meet the Easter Bunny at Eastlake’s Spring Craft Fair March 14

🏀 Sports: ⚾ Guardians Bet on Youth Again: Can Cleveland’s Low-Payroll Model Win?

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🤣 Something Funny

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A strong cold front will bring impactful weather to the region beginning early Friday and continuing through the weekend.

Friday morning may start with a brief period of snow moving through the area. As temperatures rise, any snow that falls will melt quickly upon contact with the ground.

By Friday afternoon, temperatures will climb into the mid-50s with scattered rain showers developing. The main concern throughout the day will be powerful winds. Gusts between 50 and 60 miles per hour are expected across much of the region, prompting a High Wind Warning for many counties, while Tuscarawas and Carroll counties remain under a Wind Advisory. These strong winds could bring down trees and power lines, potentially causing scattered outages.

Conditions begin to calm late Friday night as winds gradually diminish.

Saturday will be quieter with dry weather and cooler temperatures. Afternoon highs are expected to reach only the upper 30s.

A dramatic warm-up arrives Sunday as temperatures surge to around 70 degrees during the afternoon. Winds will increase again, but most areas should stay dry through the day.

Mentor Public Schools officials are explaining why the district will ask voters to approve a new operating levy this May.

The Mentor Board of Education recently approved placing a five-year, 4.9-mill levy on the ballot. If approved, the levy would generate about $13.5 million annually for the district.

Based on district estimates, the measure would cost property owners about $172 per year for every $100,000 of property valuation. With the average Mentor home valued at approximately $242,000, the annual cost would be about $415.

District leaders say the request comes as they work to balance rising costs while maintaining current programs and services for students.

Local taxes account for roughly 67% of Mentor Public Schools’ funding, while the state provides about 22%. Despite the reliance on local funding, the district maintains the second-lowest Class 1 tax rate in Lake County, helped in part by Mentor’s large business community.

Superintendent Craig Heath said the district has already taken steps to control spending. Mentor schools are currently in the first year of a five-year plan to reduce expenses by $10 million. More than 30 positions have already been eliminated, including administrative, teaching, and support roles.

The district also expects 28 teacher retirements at the end of the school year, giving administrators an opportunity to evaluate whether positions should be refilled or adjusted. In addition, the school board recently approved reductions to administrative benefit packages.

Mentor schools have made a number of financial adjustments since entering fiscal crisis in 2004, including closing, selling, and consolidating buildings and adjusting staffing levels as enrollment declined. The last new-money levy approved by voters was in 2016.

If the levy fails, the district says it would need to make an additional $3.4 million in cuts. Those reductions could affect staffing, transportation services, and certain programs.

Mentor Public Schools serves about 6,500 students across seven elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a preschool building, and a specialized autism program.

Read the story or watch the video at news5cleveland.com

The City of Mentor is preparing to honor one of its most notable historical figures with a new public monument this summer. A statue of former U.S. President James A. Garfield will be unveiled at the Mentor Municipal Center on Friday, July 3, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM.

The sculpture, designed to be slightly larger than life, is being created by acclaimed artist Alan Cottrill. Cottrill is widely recognized for an extensive portfolio of more than 400 works, including a statue of inventor Thomas Edison displayed in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol.

The unveiling ceremony will include a brief program before transitioning into a free community picnic at the nearby Mentor Civic Amphitheater. City officials are inviting residents and visitors alike to attend the celebration, which aims to commemorate Garfield’s legacy while bringing the community together for an evening of history and fellowship.

Organizers note that more details about the event will be shared as they become available.

Source: cityofmentor.com

The Spring It On! Craft & Vendor Fair will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eastlake North High School. The event is hosted by the North High School Class of 2027 After Prom Committee to help raise funds.

Admission is by donation, and visitors can shop from dozens of local craft and food vendors offering handmade goods, treats, and specialty items. The event will also feature raffle basket auctions, concessions with hot food and snacks, and a special Easter Bunny photo opportunity for $5.

Organizers are still accepting vendor applications. For more information or vendor inquiries, contact [email protected]

See the Full List of Vendors on our Event page

The Cleveland Guardians continue to prove that a small payroll does not necessarily mean small expectations.

This offseason, Cleveland signed all 30 of its non-arbitration eligible players, with the entire group costing just over $24 million. With the league minimum salary around $780,000, the total highlights how the organization relies heavily on young, team-controlled talent rather than expensive veteran contracts.

The Guardians are expected to enter the 2026 season with one of the five lowest payrolls in Major League Baseball. Despite that, the franchise has remained consistently competitive. Cleveland has won three American League Central titles in the past four seasons, fueled largely by a player development system that continues to supply major-league talent.

The roster’s youth is a defining feature of the organization’s approach. Many players are still in the early years of their careers, giving the team both depth and long-term control. Having all eligible players sign their contracts without renewals also reflects stability within the clubhouse and confidence in the organization’s direction.

Cleveland’s strategy has become a model for other small-market teams. By drafting well and focusing on development, the Guardians have stayed competitive while maintaining financial flexibility.

Still, one major accomplishment remains missing: a World Series championship.

The 2026 season may represent the biggest test yet for the Guardians’ model. With a young core already in place and payroll flexibility available, the question now is whether Cleveland’s homegrown roster can take the next step and finally deliver a title.

Read More: cleveland.com

Baseball can be hard on a coach. But so funny!