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

📰 Local News: 🚨 Mentor Police Investigate Possible Illegal Fireworks at Condo Complex

🚧 Phase 2 of Lakeshore Bridge Project Begins July 27

📰 Mentor Lagoons Main Trail Closing for Observation Tower Construction

🦮 Better Pet Living: 🦮 Tick Season in Northeast Ohio: What Pet Owners Should Know

⚾ Sports: ⚾ José Ramírez Makes Impactful Return but Twins Beat Guardians

⚾ Captains Erupt for Seven Runs in 9-1 Win Over Fort Wayne

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Mentor police were investigating the possible manufacture or storage of illegal fireworks Wednesday night at the Heatherstone Condominiums on Center Street.

Police were at the complex at 6400 Center Street investigating whether one of the units was being used to manufacture or store illegal fireworks. Nearby residents were notified, and the public was asked to avoid the area while officers worked.

The Lake County Bomb Squad was staged nearby and prepared to remove any incendiary materials that might be found.

As of the initial police announcement, officials had not confirmed that illegal fireworks or other incendiary materials were discovered. Police also had not released information about possible arrests or charges.

The confirmed information remained limited to the investigation, the location, the notification of nearby residents and the bomb squad’s presence.

This remains a developing story. Additional details are expected after investigators determine whether illegal materials were present and whether anything was removed from the unit.

👉🏻 This is a developing story. Visit Mentor Local Buzz for the latest confirmed updates as more information becomes available.

Drivers using the State Route 283 bridge over State Route 44 should prepare for a new traffic pattern beginning Monday, July 27.

Phase two of the Lakeshore Bridge Project will shift traffic onto the northern bridge structure while crews work on the southern structure. Traffic will remain limited to one lane in each direction.

The exit ramp from southbound State Route 44 to State Route 283 will also remain closed. The ramp is expected to reopen around August 21, although the date is approximate.

The changes will affect drivers traveling across the bridge as well as motorists who normally use the closed southbound exit ramp. Anyone traveling through the interchange should watch for posted signs and allow for the possibility of delays as the new pattern takes effect.

For drivers, the key points are straightforward: the bridge will remain open in both directions, traffic will use the northern structure, and the southbound State Route 44 exit to State Route 283 will remain unavailable.

The July 27 traffic shift marks the start of the project’s second construction phase.

Visitors to the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve will need to make other plans for nearly three weeks as work continues on the preserve’s new observation tower.

The main trail will be closed from Tuesday, July 28, through Sunday, August 16, 2026, while crews assemble the 95-foot tower overlooking Mentor Marsh. The City of Mentor said it will post updates if the construction schedule changes.

The closure affects the main trail, but the city’s notice does not say whether other trails or preserve facilities will remain available. Visitors should check official city updates and follow any signs posted at the preserve before entering the trail system.

The tower is part of a project approved by Mentor voters in May 2025. Plans announced at that time included a 25-foot-by-25-foot upper deck with panoramic views of Mentor Marsh, the surrounding uplands and Lake Erie. An ADA-accessible elevated platform was also included in the project plans.

Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve covers 230 acres and includes more than three miles of hiking trails along marsh, forest and Lake Erie environments. Under normal conditions, its trails are open from dawn to dusk.

For now, visitors should note the closure dates and watch for updates before planning a trip.

Ticks are part of outdoor life in Northeast Ohio, but pet owners can reduce the risk with a simple routine: prevent, check, remove and watch.

The Ohio Department of Health identifies several medically important ticks in the state. The blacklegged tick, American dog tick and lone star tick are among those Ohio residents may encounter. Depending on the species, ticks may be found in wooded areas, brush, tall grass, leaf litter and ordinary residential yards.

Start with a veterinarian-recommended preventive selected for your pet’s species, weight, age, medical history and lifestyle. Parasite-control guidance supports year-round protection because ticks may remain active whenever conditions permit. Never use a product labeled for dogs on a cat unless a veterinarian specifically directs you to do so.

Tell your veterinarian about any history of seizures, tremors or other neurologic problems when discussing flea-and-tick medication. The FDA considers isoxazoline products safe and effective for most dogs and cats, but neurologic reactions have been reported in some animals.

The CDC recommends checking pets that go outdoors every day. Run your fingers slowly through the coat and inspect around the ears and eyelids, beneath the collar, under the legs, around the tail and between the toes. Pets can also carry unattached ticks into the home.

When you find an attached tick, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers or an appropriate tick-removal tool. Grasp it close to the skin and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist, jerk or crush it.

After removal, note the date and watch for unexplained tiredness, reduced appetite, limping, joint discomfort or other changes in your pet’s health or behavior. Those signs can have many causes, but your veterinarian should know about the recent tick exposure.

👉🏻 Read the full Better Pet Living guide for a head-to-tail inspection routine, safe removal steps, yard precautions and a checklist of information your veterinarian may need.

José Ramírez made an immediate impact in his return, but the Guardians could not overcome a costly fourth inning in a 10-6 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night at Progressive Field.

Ramírez, back after missing five weeks following left hand surgery, went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. He singled in the first inning and later scored on Brayan Rocchio’s bloop hit, then added an infield RBI single in the second.

Kyle Manzardo also homered for Cleveland.

The game turned with the score tied 3-3 in the fourth. A throwing error by Rocchio helped extend the inning before Brooks Lee launched a three-run homer off Shane Cecconi. Lee finished with four RBIs.

Trevor Larnach added a solo homer and a two-run single for Minnesota, which ended a four-game losing streak. Cecconi allowed seven runs as Cleveland committed three errors, including one by Ramírez.

The Guardians will send Gavin Williams to the mound in Thursday’s series finale against Minnesota right-hander Taj Bradley.

See Highlights at espn.com

The Lake County Captains turned one big inning into a convincing road win Wednesday, scoring seven runs in the fourth to defeat the Fort Wayne TinCaps 9-1 at Parkview Field.

Fort Wayne scored an unearned run in the first inning, but Lake County allowed nothing else.

Juan Benjamin put the Captains ahead with a two-run single in the fourth. Jeffrey Mercedes added an RBI groundout, Garrett Howe drove in two runs with a double, and Jonah Advincula capped the rally with a two-run single.

The Captains sent 12 batters to the plate during the inning and turned a 1-0 deficit into a 7-1 lead. Tommy Hawke helped start the rally with a leadoff triple and later added an RBI single in the eighth. He reached base in four of his five plate appearances.

Jacob Zibin allowed one unearned run on four hits over four innings while striking out six.

Jogly García earned the win in relief, improving to 4-2. He allowed two hits and struck out three over three scoreless innings. Cam Schuelke also pitched well in relief.

Lake County drew 10 walks and improved to 51-37 overall and 14-10 in the second half.

The Captains continue the series tonight, in Fort Wayne. Will McCausland is scheduled to start for Lake County, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. EDT.

👉🏻 Read the full game recap for more on Lake County’s seven-run rally, Tommy Hawke’s big day and what the win means in the second-half standings. See the box score and highlights.

🐝 Buzz Fact: Guinea pigs are tiny, furry food critics—they can hear a refrigerator door open from three rooms away.
Answer: Google

Can you do this? Dare ya. 😀