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

📰 Local News: 🥽 Morton Pool, Walsh Spray Park Welcomes Families Monday

🛶 Proposed Lagoons Dock Expansion Would Quadruple Kayak Launch Capacity

🚴🏻 Lake County Welcomes Special Olympics Torch Run With Community Support

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Travel & Discovery: 🛄 Where Northeast Ohio Is Going This Summer

⚾ Sports: ⚾ Boston Breaks Open Tight Game with Six-Run Ninth in Cleveland

⚾ Clark’s Two-Run Homer Sparks Lake County Victory in Beloit

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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

Morton Pool and Mentor Spray Parks Open June 1

MENTOR, Ohio — Mentor’s summer aquatic season begins June 1 with the opening of Morton Pool, Morton Spray Park, and Walsh Spray Park. The facilities will operate through the summer, with Walsh Spray Park remaining open daily through Labor Day.

The Mentor Civic Center Pool Complex and Garfield Park Splash Pad will remain closed for the 2026 season and are expected to reopen in 2027.

Morton Pool may close when temperatures fall to 65 degrees or below or if attendance remains under 15 swimmers for more than two hours.

Walsh Spray Park, located at 7221 Bellflower Road, features interactive water attractions, ground sprays, water cannons, and family restrooms. The spray park is free to use and operates daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The city is offering 20% discounted aquatic season passes for 2026. Daily admission to Morton Pool is $10, with resident and non-resident season pass options available. Residents must provide proof of residency to receive discounted rates.

Need More Information, See cityofmentor.com

Public Feedback Requested for Mentor Lagoons Kayak Dock Expansion

MENTOR, Ohio — The City of Mentor is seeking public input on a proposed expansion of the ADA-accessible kayak launch at Mentor Lagoons Marina, a project designed to increase access to kayaking and other water-based recreational activities.

Under the proposal, the existing kayak dock would be extended by approximately 150 feet, allowing the facility to accommodate up to four users at the same time. The current launch area supports only one user at a time. City officials say the expansion aligns with goals outlined in Mentor’s 2011 Master Plan, which encourages greater use and enjoyment of the community’s natural waterways.

The project carries an estimated price tag of $68,000. Funding support is expected through a NatureWorks grant administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which would reimburse the city for $50,000 of the cost, covering roughly 73% of the project.

Residents and interested stakeholders are encouraged to review the proposed plans and submit comments. Feedback should be directed to Kevin Grippi, Grant Supervisor, at [email protected] no later than July 27, 2026.

The proposal was originally announced on May 22, 2025, and was updated on May 28, 2026, to reflect revisions to the plan. See the plans here or at cityofmentor.com.

MENTOR, Ohio — The 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Ohio made its way through Lake County this week, bringing together law enforcement officers, athletes, and community members in a celebration of inclusion and perseverance.

The torch was passed from the Painesville Police Department to Mentor Police officers, who joined Special Olympics Ohio Lake County cyclists for part of the journey. The group then carried the torch onward before transferring it to the Willoughby Police Department. Participants continued together to Deepwood Industries’ Willoughby Branch, where supporters gathered to welcome the athletes and officers.

Community members lined the route and attended the event to encourage the cyclists and celebrate the ongoing mission of Special Olympics Ohio. The annual Torch Run highlights the strong partnership between local law enforcement agencies and Special Olympics athletes while promoting awareness, support, and opportunity throughout the state.

The event served as a reminder of the determination displayed by Special Olympics athletes and the communities that rally behind them each year. Organizers and participants expressed appreciation for the many residents who turned out to support the Torch Run and help continue a longstanding tradition.

See Facebook Post by Mentor Police Department

A Cool-Weather Mountain Escape + A Sunny Coastal Favorite

As summer enters its hottest stretch, many Northeast Ohio travelers are splitting into two camps: those looking to cool off in the mountains and those chasing sunshine along the coast. This week's featured destinations are becoming increasingly popular with Ohio families planning late-summer vacations.

Nestled in New York's Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid offers a refreshing break from summer heat. Best known for hosting two Winter Olympics, the village has transformed into a year-round destination filled with outdoor adventure and spectacular scenery.

Families can hike mountain trails, paddle across pristine lakes, ride scenic gondolas, explore Olympic venues, and enjoy a charming downtown packed with shops and restaurants. Temperatures are often noticeably cooler than many destinations farther south, making it especially attractive during late summer.

Why Ohio families love it: Mountain scenery, cooler weather, outdoor recreation, and a relaxing small-town atmosphere.

Hilton Head continues to attract families from across Ohio who are looking for a more relaxed beach vacation. Unlike some high-energy coastal destinations, Hilton Head is known for its beautiful beaches, miles of bike paths, family-friendly resorts, golf courses, and laid-back atmosphere.

Visitors spend their days biking beneath moss-covered oaks, exploring nature preserves, enjoying water activities, or simply relaxing on wide sandy beaches. The island's combination of natural beauty and upscale-but-family-friendly charm keeps travelers coming back year after year.

Why Ohio families love it: Beautiful beaches, safe family atmosphere, bike-friendly pathways, and a slower pace than many resort towns.

Late August and early September can be one of the best times to travel. Many destinations become less crowded after schools begin reopening around the country, while summer weather often remains excellent.

We'll feature two more trending destinations—including one hidden Great Lakes gem and one fast-growing Southern getaway that Northeast Ohio families are increasingly discovering for long weekend escapes.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Boston Red Sox used a strong late-game rally to defeat the Cleveland Guardians 9-1 on Saturday at Progressive Field.

Connor Wong and Jarren Duran each drove in three runs, while Caleb Durbin added two RBIs as Boston earned just its second win in eight games.

Cleveland took an early lead in the first inning on an RBI double from José Ramírez, but Boston answered in the fourth when Durbin tied the game with a sacrifice fly. Wong then put the Red Sox ahead in the sixth with a double off the left-field wall. The play was initially ruled a two-run homer before replay review changed it to a double.

The Red Sox broke the game open with six runs in the ninth inning, highlighted by Duran’s three-run homer.

Sonny Gray continued his strong May, allowing one run on four hits over six innings while striking out seven to improve to 6-1. Cleveland starter Parker Messick gave up one run in five innings, but the Guardians hurt themselves with a season-high four errors.

Travis Bazzana had two doubles for Cleveland, while Ramírez drove in the club’s only run.

The series concludes Sunday with Boston’s Ranger Suárez facing Cleveland’s Tanner Bibee.

See Highlights at espn.com

BELOIT, WI — The Lake County Captains defeated the Beloit Sky Carp 8-3 on Saturday, using a strong late-game rally to secure another series win.

Lake County scored the game's first two runs on wild pitches in the first and second innings. Beloit answered with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to tie the game at 2-2.

The Captains regained the lead in the seventh when Esteban González hit an RBI double. Logun Clark followed with a two-run home run to extend the advantage to 5-2.

Lake County added three more runs in the eighth. Luke Hill drove in a run with a single before Tommy Hawke delivered a two-run single to make it 8-2. Beloit scored once in the bottom of the inning, but could get no closer.

Starter Rafe Schlesinger pitched 4.2 innings and allowed one run, while Donovan Zsak earned the win with a scoreless relief appearance. The Captains finished with nine hits in the 8-3 victory.

See the Box Score

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