⛈️ Weather: Breezy & Humid, Afternoon Storms Potential - Temps 80-82°

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

📰 Local News: 🥎 Home Run Derby, Celebrity Softball Today at Classic Auto Group Park

🚂 A Rare Steam Locomotive Moment Is Coming to Lake County

🛣️ Major Mentor Avenue Resurfacing Project Planned

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Dinner Rescue: What’s For Dinner Tonight?

⚾ Sports: ⚾ Cleveland Can't Hold Early Edge in 3-2 Loss to Rangers

⚾ Four Homers Power Captains to Another Comeback Win

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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

EASTLAKE, Ohio — A little Browns star power is headed to Eastlake today. The Lake County Captains announced that the Annual Clear Vision Celebrity Softball Game, hosted by Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, will take place today, Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Classic Auto Group Park. Gates are scheduled to open at 11:30 a.m., with a Home Run Derby at 1:30 p.m. and the celebrity softball game set for 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are on sale through the Captains’ website.

Ward brings a strong Northeast Ohio connection to the event. He was born in Macedonia, graduated from Nordonia High School, played at Ohio State, and was selected fourth overall by the Browns in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has also been named the Browns’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee twice, in 2021 and 2024.

The celebrity softball event has become a familiar summer stop for local sports fans, with previous hosts including David Njoku, Greg Newsome II, Jarvis Landry, and Joe Haden. Past events have featured well-known athletes from across the NFL, NBA, UFC, and Cleveland sports scene.

Some of the celebrities participating are: Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, Jerry Jeudy, Kevin Concepcion, Josh Cribbs, Greg Newsome II, Taylen Green, Alex Wright, and more.

Historic Steam Locomotive to Pass Through Mentor on June 8

MENTOR, Ohio — A rare piece of railroad history is expected to roll through Northeast Ohio this summer.

Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 — known as the world’s largest operating steam locomotive — is traveling east as part of a coast-to-coast tour tied to America’s 250th anniversary. The locomotive is scheduled to make a public whistle stop in Euclid on Monday, June 8, before continuing east toward Conneaut. Union Pacific’s current schedule lists the Euclid stop at the Chardon Road crossing, north of Euclid Avenue, from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m.

While many Mentor residents may be able to catch a glimpse as the train passes through the area, officials note that Big Boy will not stop in Lake County.

Safety is the biggest message for anyone hoping to see the locomotive locally: stay at least 25 feet from railroad tracks, do not trespass on railroad property, and avoid parking along the Heisley Road overpass.

A little planning will help make this a safe and memorable day for train fans, families, and history lovers.

For those looking for a safer and more organized viewing option, the Lake County Historical Society is hosting a Big Boy Day event from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at its campus at 415 Riverside Drive in Painesville Township. The event includes lawn viewing, food and refreshments for purchase, and overflow parking at Riverside High School with Laketran shuttle service. Registration is encouraged through the historical society.

Major improvements are coming to one of Mentor's busiest roadways.

MENTOR, Ohio — The City of Mentor is moving forward with a $2.81 million resurfacing project along Mentor Avenue between Old Johnnycake Ridge Road and Hopkins Road, a stretch used daily by thousands of residents heading to work, school, shopping, and restaurants.

The project covers the heart of Mentor's busiest commercial corridor, including areas near Target, Walmart, Meijer, Trader Joe's, and numerous local businesses.

While many drivers will simply notice a smoother road when the project is finished, the work goes beyond new pavement. Plans include repairing deteriorated sections of roadway, replacing damaged curbs where needed, adjusting utility structures, installing new pavement markings, and upgrading traffic signal detection systems at several major intersections.

The updated traffic technology is designed to help signals respond more efficiently to changing traffic conditions along the corridor.

Drivers should also expect some temporary inconveniences once construction begins. Lane restrictions, shifting traffic patterns, and occasional delays are likely throughout portions of the project, although access to businesses is expected to remain open.

For many residents, the project represents a long-awaited improvement to a roadway that sees heavy traffic year-round and serves as one of Mentor's primary east-west routes.

The city expects the work to be completed by October 2026.

👉🏻 The resurfacing project includes more than just new pavement. Here's a closer look at what work is planned, which intersections will receive upgrades, and what drivers can expect during construction.

Easy & Tasty Meals on a Budget!

Stuck wondering what's for dinner tonight? This week's Dinner Rescue features two easy family meals that deliver big flavor without a big grocery bill. One is a customizable comfort-food favorite, while the other brings takeout-inspired flavors to your dinner table with simple ingredients and easy preparation.

Few meals are as satisfying—and budget-friendly—as a loaded baked potato. This family favorite starts with fluffy baked potatoes and piles on tender chicken, melted cheese, and flavorful toppings for a meal that feels hearty without being complicated.

The best part? Everyone can customize their own potato. Kids can keep it simple with chicken and cheese, while adults can load theirs up with broccoli, green onions, sour cream, or other favorite toppings. It's an easy weeknight dinner that turns inexpensive ingredients into something everyone will look forward to eating.

👉 Get the recipe here: Loaded Chicken Baked Potatoes Recipe (Scroll down to recipe #4 on the list)

Skip the takeout menu and make this flavorful favorite at home. Tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and rice come together in a sweet-and-savory teriyaki sauce that's packed with flavor while still being family-friendly.

This meal is easy to adapt using vegetables you already have on hand, making it a great budget-conscious option. The combination of protein, vegetables, and rice creates a complete meal that's filling, nutritious, and perfect for busy weeknights.

👉 Get the recipe here: Teriyaki Chicken Bowls Recipe

Guardians Fall 3-2 as Rangers Rally Behind Returning Seager

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Guardians were six outs away from a road win Friday night before the Rangers used a pair of home runs to rally for a 3-2 victory in Arlington.

Cleveland struck first when rookie Travis Bazzana opened the game with the first leadoff home run of his major league career. He finished with three hits. Austin Hedges added an RBI single in the fourth inning to make it 2-0.

Guardians starter Parker Messick was outstanding early, retiring 15 of the first 16 batters he faced and carrying the shutout into the sixth.

That's when Texas turned the game around.

Kyle Higashioka led off the inning with a solo homer before Wyatt Langford doubled in his first game back from injury. Corey Seager followed with a two-run homer that gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead.

Seager had missed more than three weeks with back inflammation and entered the game in a 0-for-29 slump.

The Guardians were unable to answer over the final three innings and dropped the series opener despite strong performances from Bazzana and Messick.

Cleveland will look to even the series Saturday when Tanner Bibee faces Rangers right-hander Jack Leiter.

See Highlights at espn.com

FORT WAYNE, IN — The Lake County Captains continue to build momentum.

After falling behind early Friday night, the Captains rallied for an 11-8 victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps, marking their third straight win in the series and their seventh victory in the last 10 games.

Fort Wayne jumped out quickly against Lake County starter Rafe Schlesinger, who allowed six runs over four innings. TinCaps slugger Jake Cunningham did most of the damage, launching three home runs as Fort Wayne built a 7-3 lead through five innings.

Despite the deficit, the Captains stayed within reach thanks to home runs from Aaron Walton, Jeffrey Mercedes, and Jace LaViolette.

The game turned in the seventh inning when Tommy Hawke delivered an RBI triple and Welbyn Francisca followed with an RBI single. A bases-loaded walk later in the inning cut the deficit to one run.

Lake County took control in the eighth. Walton crushed a three-run homer to give the Captains their first lead of the night before Nolan Schubart added a solo shot moments later.

Francisca drove in an insurance run in the ninth as the Captains finished with 14 hits and completed another comeback win.

The bullpen settled things down after the rocky start, helping Lake County erase a four-run deficit and continue its recent hot stretch.

See the box score

That laugh… Happy Saturday!