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

📰 Local News: 📰 Why Mentor Bought Land Next to Black Brook Golf Course

🍓 Kirtland’s Beloved Strawberry Festival Returns for 67th Year of Summer Fun

📰 End of an Era: Jeff Cassella Concludes Distinguished Career at Mentor Schools

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Better Pet Living: 🐾 The Backyard Dangers Many Northeast Ohio Pet Owners Overlook

⚾ Sports: ⚾ Lake County Stays Even with Dayton After Rain-Shortened Day Ends in Victory

⚾ Guardians Fall 9-4 as Brewers Strike Early in Milwaukee

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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

A 12.5-acre property next to Black Brook Golf Course could have eventually become housing. Instead, Mentor decided to buy it.

MENTOR, Ohio — City Council approved the purchase Tuesday night after hearing how the land could play an important role in the future of one of the city's most popular recreational assets.

According to city officials, the property gives Mentor options that may not have been available later. Those possibilities include future golf course improvements, expanded maintenance space, facility upgrades, and even potential changes to the layout of certain holes if improvements are made elsewhere on the course.

Officials also raised another concern: what happens when homes are built next to active golf holes.

During the discussion, city leaders noted that golf balls already regularly land on the neighboring property. If multiple homes were eventually built there, complaints and conflicts could become far more common.

The purchase creates a buffer around part of the course while preserving flexibility for future planning.

While no immediate changes are planned, city officials described the acquisition as a long-term investment in Black Brook Golf Course and an opportunity they didn't want to lose.

👉🏻 Read more about the future possibilities city leaders discussed and why council viewed the purchase as an investment rather than simply a land acquisition.

Kiwanis Strawberry Festival Returns to Kirtland June 18-20

KIRTLAND, OH. —- One of Lake County’s favorite summer traditions is returning as the Kiwanis Club of Kirtland hosts the 67th Annual Strawberry Festival from June 18-20 at Kirtland Schools on Route 306.

The three-day event features free admission, family-friendly entertainment, food vendors, rides, games, and plenty of strawberry-themed treats. A community parade is scheduled for Friday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m.

Festival hours are 5-10 p.m. on Thursday, 3-11 p.m. on Friday, and noon-11 p.m. on Saturday.

The Strawberry Festival has been a longtime community tradition, bringing together residents and visitors for a weekend of summer fun while supporting local Kiwanis initiatives.

For more information, visit kirtlandkiwanis.org
See the event on our website.

Mentor Athletic Director Retiring After 35 Years

MENTOR, Ohio — Mentor Schools will bid farewell to longtime athletic director Jeff Cassella on June 30 as he retires after 35 years of service to the district.

Cassella began his career as an athletic trainer before spending the past 18 years leading Mentor High School’s athletic department. During his tenure, he helped support generations of student-athletes and coaches while overseeing one of Northeast Ohio’s most recognized athletic programs.

Earlier this year, the Mentor community honored Cassella with a special on-field tribute alongside his family, recognizing his decades of dedication to the Cardinals.

A Mentor resident who raised his family in the community, Cassella leaves behind a lasting legacy of leadership, service, and commitment to student-athletes throughout the district.

Primary Source: spectrumnews1.com

For many pets, the backyard is their favorite place to spend a summer afternoon.

Whether it's chasing squirrels, lounging in the shade, or exploring every corner of the yard, outdoor time is often part of a pet's daily routine. But while most backyards feel safe, a few common hazards can catch even attentive pet owners by surprise.

One of the biggest concerns in Northeast Ohio during the warmer months is ticks. Pets that spend time near wooded areas, tall grass, or shrubs can easily pick them up. Regular tick checks and veterinarian-recommended prevention can help reduce the risk.

Lawn treatments are another area worth paying attention to. Fertilizers, weed killers, and insect control products may require pets to stay off treated areas until they're fully dry or absorbed.

Standing water can also become problematic. Buckets, birdbaths, and puddles may attract insects or bacteria that can make pets sick if consumed.

Finally, keep an eye on plants and landscaping materials. Some common plants, mulch varieties, and garden products can be irritating—or even toxic—to dogs and cats.

The good news is that most backyard risks are easy to manage once you know what to look for. A quick walk around your yard can help ensure your favorite outdoor space stays safe for every member of the family, including the four-legged ones.

Before your pet heads outside this weekend, take a few minutes to look around your yard. You may be surprised by what you notice.

👉🏻 From ticks and toxic plants to hidden landscaping hazards, we've put together a complete backyard safety guide for Northeast Ohio pet owners.

MIDLAND, MI — The Lake County Captains completed only one game of a scheduled doubleheader against the Great Lakes Loons on Wednesday as rain forced the postponement of the second contest. The game that was played proved important for Lake County, which earned a 7-3 victory and remained tied for first place in the Midwest League East Division with the Dayton Dragons.

The Captains jumped out quickly, scoring in the first inning on an RBI single by Aaron Walton. Lake County added four more runs in the second inning, highlighted by a two-run error, an RBI single from Dean Curley, and a run-scoring hit by Jace LaViolette to build a 5-0 lead.

Great Lakes answered with a run in the second, but the Captains extended their advantage in the fifth. Nolan Schubart drove in a run with his eighth double of the season before Garrett Howe added an RBI single to make it 7-1.

The Loons scored twice in the sixth inning, but Lake County's pitching staff closed the door the rest of the way.

The Captains used four pitchers in the win. The starter worked two innings, allowing one run on two hits. Logan McGuire improved to 3-0 after tossing three strong relief innings, giving up just one hit while striking out two. Izaak Martinez recorded the final outs for his fourth save of the season.

The loss dropped Great Lakes to second place, one game behind the division leaders. Lake County and Dayton entered the final day of the first half tied atop the East Division standings.

The Midwest League uses a split-season format, with first-half and second-half division champions each earning a berth in the postseason. The first half concludes Thursday, June 19, while the playoffs are scheduled to begin September 8.

See box score and more

MILWAUKEE, WI — The Cleveland Guardians couldn't recover from an early deficit Wednesday night, falling 9-4 to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Milwaukee built a 7-0 lead through four innings behind home runs from Christian Yelich and Jackson Chourio, who has six homers in his last seven games.

Guardians starter Gavin Williams struggled, allowing a season-high seven earned runs in five innings. The loss dropped him to 9-4 and kept him from becoming the majors' first 10-game winner.

Cleveland managed just three hits all night. Daniel Schneemann provided the offensive highlight with a fourth-inning grand slam that cut Milwaukee's lead to 5-4.

The Brewers quickly answered and maintained control the rest of the way. Rookie Cooper Pratt also contributed with his first major league hit, run scored, and RBI one day after making his MLB debut.

Milwaukee's bullpen shut down Cleveland after Schneemann's homer, securing the victory and setting up Thursday's series finale.

See the Highlights at espn.com

🐝 Buzz Fact:
Nature is full of surprises. Today's answer involves an animal that most people have never seen in person—but it possesses one of the most powerful strikes in the animal kingdom. Answer: Google

This is the reason why I don’t go to the gym. Yeah, this is it. haha