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

📰 Local News: 🚨 Police Warn of Convincing Fake Ohio Traffic Ticket Scam

🗓️ Rain or Shine: Kids Garage Sale Finds New Home Indoors in Mentor

🗳️ Mentor Voters to Decide on Law Director Rules Amid Leadership Change

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Pet Corner:🐩 Spring Spike in Ticks Raises Concerns for Dogs Across Ohio

⚾ Sports: ⚾ DeLauter, Williams Lead Guardians Past Rays to End Losing Streak

🏀 Cavaliers Rally Late to Edge Raptors, Take 3-2 Series Lead

🥎 Mentor Softball Falls to Willoughby South Amid Defensive Struggles

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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

Authorities across several communities are warning residents about a sophisticated scam involving fake traffic violation notices designed to appear as official documents from the State of Ohio. These messages, often delivered digitally, mimic legitimate court enforcement notices and include detailed formatting, official-looking seals, and case information to appear credible.

The fraudulent notices claim recipients owe fines related to traffic violations and urge immediate action to avoid serious penalties. A key feature of the scam is a QR code that directs users to a payment website closely resembling the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The site is designed to trick individuals into submitting payments and potentially sensitive personal information.

Officials emphasize that these notices are not legitimate and are crafted to create a sense of urgency. Government agencies, including the BMV, do not request payments through unsolicited messages or QR codes. Residents are encouraged to verify any suspicious communication through official channels before taking action.

Law enforcement continues to advise caution, reminding the public to avoid clicking unknown links or scanning unexpected codes. Sharing awareness about these tactics is seen as a crucial step in preventing further victimization.

Mentor Police Department Facebook Post

The popular Just Kids Stuff Garage Sale is moving to a new indoor location at the Mentor Community Recreation Center, offering a more comfortable and reliable experience for attendees. Scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon, the event remains free for shoppers and promises a wide selection of gently used children’s items.

By relocating indoors, organizers are eliminating concerns about unpredictable weather, ensuring a consistent and pleasant environment for both buyers and sellers. Visitors can browse through a variety of children’s clothing, toys, books, and baby gear, all conveniently gathered in one space. The climate-controlled setting provides a steady temperature and a rain-free experience, making it easier for families to shop and participate without disruption.

Saturday, May 2 @ 9am-12pm
Mentor Community Recreation Center
6000 Heisley Rd, Mentor, Ohio

See the Facebook Event

Mentor city officials are making a significant shift in how legal services are delivered following the departure of longtime Law Director Joseph P. Szeman. City Council has approved a new agreement to retain outside legal counsel, bringing in attorney Brandon Dynes of the firm Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan to handle the city’s legal needs.

The change comes after Szeman stepped down last month, ending a tenure that began in 2018 as law director and spanned more than 20 years of service to the city in various legal roles. His departure prompted city leaders to reconsider how legal responsibilities should be managed moving forward.

In the interim, Council appointed Lisa M. Klammer to serve as acting law director. With extensive experience working alongside the city as both an assistant law director and prosecutor, Klammer has stepped in to maintain continuity during the transition.

At the same time, residents are preparing to vote on a proposed amendment to the city charter that would eliminate current residency and office-location requirements for the law director. If approved, the measure would remove the mandate that the law director live in Lake County and operate a law office within the county.

Advocates for the change believe the existing rules restrict the city’s ability to attract a broader range of qualified candidates, while opponents have raised concerns about maintaining strong local ties in the role. The issue will be decided by voters on May 5.

Veterinarians across the U.S. are reporting an earlier and more aggressive tick season in 2026, and that trend is already impacting parts of Ohio—including Northeast Ohio.

Warmer winter conditions and a wet early spring have created ideal breeding conditions for ticks, especially in grassy, wooded, and suburban edge areas like those found throughout Mentor and Lake County. Local vets say they’re already seeing an uptick in tick-related visits compared to this time last year.

For dog owners, the biggest concern isn’t just the tick itself—it’s what it can carry. Diseases like Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are transmitted through tick bites, often without immediate symptoms.

What makes this season different is timing. Ticks are appearing weeks earlier than normal, catching many pet owners off guard before they’ve started preventative treatments.

Here’s what to watch for:

Even short walks—especially near wooded trails, parks, or taller grass—can increase exposure.

Many vets are urging pet owners not to wait until summer to act. Preventative medications, regular tick checks after walks, and keeping grass trimmed can significantly reduce risk.

For Mentor residents, this is especially relevant with frequent use of local outdoor spaces like neighborhood trails, backyards, and parks now that spring weather is here.

Bottom line: Tick season isn’t coming—it’s already here. Staying ahead of it now can prevent bigger health issues for your pet later this summer.

Sources: apnews.com, manisteenews.com

The Cleveland Guardians snapped a four-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, powered by Chase DeLauter and a strong start from Gavin Williams.

DeLauter had two hits and drove in both runs during a key fifth inning, while Brayan Rocchio added three hits and scored twice to help Cleveland avoid a sweep. The Guardians opened the scoring in the third on a sacrifice fly, then broke the game open in the fifth after a Tampa Bay fielding error set up DeLauter’s two-run single.

Williams delivered one of his best outings of the season, allowing one unearned run over 7 2/3 innings while striking out nine and not issuing a walk. Cade Smith closed the game with a scoreless ninth to earn his seventh save.

The Rays, who entered on a six-game winning streak, were held in check offensively despite a multi-hit effort from Chandler Simpson. Their only run came in the seventh, scoring on a throwing error that disrupted a potential double play.

Tampa Bay starter Drew Rasmussen allowed three runs, two earned, over five innings in the loss, which also ended the Rays’ 13-game winning streak against American League opponents.

Cleveland now heads into an off day before opening a road series against the Athletics on Friday.

Read More and See Highlights at espn.com

The Cleveland Cavaliers rallied late to defeat the Toronto Raptors 125-120 in Game 5, taking a 3-2 lead in their first-round series.

Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, while Evan Mobley added 23 points and hit two key three-pointers during the decisive stretch. James Harden also scored 23, and Donovan Mitchell contributed 19.

Toronto led 74-67 at halftime and held a three-point advantage entering the fourth. Cleveland quickly erased the deficit with an 8-0 run to open the final period and never looked back.

The Raptors struggled offensively down the stretch, missing their first 11 shots of the fourth quarter. RJ Barrett led Toronto with 25 points, but injuries to Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes limited their impact late.

Despite 15 turnovers, Cleveland maintained control in the second half behind improved ball movement and timely scoring.

The Cavaliers now head to Toronto for Game 6, one win away from advancing.

Read More, See Highlights at espn.com

The Mentor Lady Cardinals softball team fell to Willoughby South 11-1 on Tuesday in a game marked by defensive struggles and steady offensive pressure from their opponent.

Mentor committed five fielding errors, which contributed to Willoughby South scoring in every inning. The Cardinals were limited offensively, managing just four hits and one run throughout the contest. Beam-Jones, Colon, Dadante, and Smalley each recorded a hit for Mentor.

Willoughby South’s pitcher, Halle Zupancic, delivered an efficient and dominant performance, securing the win with a low pitch count and keeping Mentor’s lineup under control.

With the loss, Mentor’s overall record moves to 11-7, while remaining undefeated in conference play at 5-0. A scheduled matchup against Brunswick on Wednesday has no reported result. The team’s next confirmed game is set for May 4 on the road against Lorain.

Get down baby! Its almost Friday!