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- Does Verizon Owe You?, Skimmers at Giant Eagle, Teacher Fired
Does Verizon Owe You?, Skimmers at Giant Eagle, Teacher Fired
Issue #009
Issue
In this Mentor Local Buzz Issue…
🗓️ Events around the community
🌨️ Weather Forecast
📱 Claim Your Share: Verizon's $100 Million Settlement for Admin. Charge Lawsuit
📈 Mentor's Retail Vacancy Rate Sees Slight Increase in 4th Quarter
🗞️ John T. Plecnik Elected President of Lake County Board of Commissioners
🚨 Giant Eagle's Discovery of In-Store Skimmers Sparks BBB Warning
💡 How to Identify and Avoid Credit Card Skimmers
🏈 Jeff Driskel Opens Up About Joining Browns and Upcoming Game Challenges
🚨 Inappropriate Behavior Allegations Lead to Teacher’s Firing at Lake Catholic High School
🎓 Bruce Cline Honored as 2023 Conservation Teacher of the Year
🤣 Something Funny
January 5th
January 7th
January 9th
January 10-14
January 13th
📱 Claim Your Share: Verizon's $100 Million Settlement for Administrative Charge Lawsuit
Verizon has agreed to a $100 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over administrative charges. This affects current and former U.S. customers who paid these charges between January 1, 2016, and November 8, 2023. Eligible customers can claim up to $100 each, with the final amount depending on the total number of claims. The minimum payment is $15, and the maximum is $100. Claims must be submitted by April 15, and payments will follow the settlement's final approval.
Read More from Alix Martichoux on Fox 8 News
Submit Your Claim Online - Click Here
Photo by Marques Thomas on Unsplash
📈 Mentor's Retail Vacancy Rate Sees Slight Increase in 4th Quarter 2023
The latest Retail Market Report for the 4th Quarter of 2023, focusing on Cleveland and released by CoStar, reveals some intriguing trends in the retail sector, particularly for the city of Mentor. This comprehensive report encompasses about 202 million square feet of retail space across eight counties in the region, including Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Portage, Medina, and Summit.
Mentor, located within Lake County, is a significant contributor to the county's retail landscape, offering around 7.9 million square feet of retail space, which is 43% of Lake County's total. However, the report shows a slight increase in Mentor's retail vacancy rate, rising to 4.2%, marking a 0.1% increase from the previous quarter and a 0.2% increase from the same quarter in 2022.
In contrast to the rising vacancy rate in Mentor, Lake County as a whole has experienced stability in its retail sector. The county's overall vacancy rate remains at 5.5%, and over the past year, it has actually seen a decrease in the vacancy rate, dropping by 0.8% from 6.3% in the 4th Quarter of 2022. This indicates that while Mentor is experiencing a slight uptick in vacant retail space, the broader Lake County area is seeing an overall reduction in vacancies.
Specifically in Mentor, 6.7% of the retail space is currently vacant, a decrease from both the 3rd Quarter of 2023 and the 4th Quarter of 2022. The largest available retail spaces in the city are located at 7906-8000 Plaza Blvd, 7723 Mentor Ave, and 7797-7885 Mentor Ave.
This report was prepared by the City of Mentor's Planning & Development Department in January 2024. It provides valuable insights into the retail market trends within the region. The slight increase in Mentor's vacancy rate, juxtaposed with the overall decrease in Lake County, highlights the need for targeted strategies to attract more retail businesses to Mentor.
For More Information, Visit the City of Mentor’s Website
🗞️ John T. Plecnik Elected President of Lake County Board of Commissioners
John T. Plecnik has been elected as the President of the Lake County Board of Commissioners on January 4, 2024. Previously serving as Commissioner, appointed in 2021 and re-elected in 2022, Plecnik has a strong background in public service, including key roles in Willoughby Hills and with the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Libraries. His experience is expected to benefit his leadership in making Lake County a desirable place to live and work.
Read More on this story at LakeCountyOhio.gov
🚨 Giant Eagle's Discovery of In-Store Skimmers Sparks BBB Warning
The Better Business Bureau warns of a new twist in credit card fraud with skimmers found inside stores, as seen in five Giant Eagle locations in Ohio.
Skimmers have been found at the following Giant Eagle locations:
4000 West Powell Road, Powell, Ohio
2801 N. High Street, Columbus, Ohio
6300 Biddulph Road, Brooklyn, Ohio
1825 Snow Road, Parma, Ohio
4401 Mayfield Road, South Euclid, Ohio
Skimmers are devices that steal account information from card swipes. Giant Eagle has conducted inspections and removed the devices for analysis. Consumers using magnetic swipe cards are particularly at risk, and the BBB advises regular account monitoring and immediate reporting of any suspicious charges to banks and stores.
Read More from Jon Rudder at wkbn.com
💡 How to Identify and Avoid
Credit Card Skimmers
Credit card skimmers, though difficult to detect, can often be identified with careful visual and physical inspection. Here are some tips to help spot potential skimming devices at ATMs or gas pumps:
Check Alignment: Look closely at the alignment between the card reader and the panel underneath. Skimmers are typically placed over the actual card reader, which can cause it to protrude oddly or obscure panel markings, such as arrows. If possible, compare the card reader with others nearby for any noticeable differences.
Inspect Security Features: If the checkout’s credit card reader or the large console itself appears to be tampered with, it's a red flag that the machine may have been compromised.
Look Inside the Card Reader: Examine the card slot to see if anything unusual is inserted. Sometimes, skimmers are thin plastic circuit boards placed inside to steal card information.
Physical Inspection: Gently wiggle the card reader and keypad. Authentic card readers are solidly built and should not move easily. If any part of the card reader feels loose or out of place, it could be an indication of an illicitly installed device.
Keypad Sensitivity: If the buttons on an card reader’s or ATM’s keypad are unusually hard to press, it might be a sign of tampering. In such cases, it's advisable to use another machine.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides visual examples of card skimming devices on their website, which can be a helpful reference.
Regularly practicing these precautionary measures can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to credit card skimmers. It's always better to err on the side of caution when using ATMs or gas pumps, especially in less secure or unfamiliar locations.
Read more here by Chauncey Crail at Forbes.com
Photo by KeepCoding on Unsplash
🏈 Jeff Driskel Opens Up About Joining Browns and Upcoming Game Challenges
Jeff Driskel recently signed with the Cleveland Browns, joining their quarterback roster along with Joe Flacco and P.J. Walker. In a conversation with Fox 8 News, Driskel expressed his understanding of the NFL's unpredictability and his readiness to contribute to the team. He emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities and is focused on the team's goal of winning games. Driskel praised the Browns' resilience and team culture in the face of this season's challenges.
Driskel joins a team buoyed by Joe Flacco, a Comeback Player of the Year Candidate, and former XFL player P.J. Walker. This signing comes after the Browns secured a playoff berth on December 28. Speaking about his new role, Driskel acknowledged the unpredictability of the NFL and expressed his readiness. He highlighted his eagerness to join the active roster, seeing it as the quickest path to playing time.
Read More From Celeste Houmard at Fox 8 News.
🚨 Inappropriate Behavior Allegations Lead to Teacher’s Firing at Lake Catholic High School
Andrew Piczer, a teacher at Lake Catholic High School, was fired following a police investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior. Initially placed on administrative leave by the Diocese of Cleveland, Piczer's termination was confirmed on December 21. The details of the investigation are not public, as it remains active under the Lakewood Police Department. The school and the Diocese emphasize their commitment to student safety and the seriousness with which they approach such allegations.
Read More About this story by Justin Dennis at Fox 8 News
🎓 Bruce Cline Honored as 2023 Conservation Teacher of the Year
Bruce Cline, an intervention specialist at Gaitway High School, has been honored with the title of 2023 Conservation Teacher of the Year by the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District. This prestigious recognition is awarded to educators who demonstrate exceptional commitment and accomplishments in conservation education.
With a remarkable teaching career spanning 42 years, Cline started his journey at Mentor Christian School and has spent the last 11 years at Gaitway High School. This unique educational institution, located at Fieldstone Farm Therapy Riding Center in Bainbridge Township, Geauga County, caters to students facing social and emotional challenges that hinder their success in traditional school environments. Gaitway High School serves a diverse group of students from 11 school districts across four counties.
Cline, also a Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator, has been dedicated to providing his students at Gaitway with rich, hands-on learning experiences. He has actively involved them in exploring the pond, forest, and meadow ecosystems of their campus. His teaching methods include practical activities like water sampling, wildlife observation, hiking, fishing, and other inquiry-based learning experiences. These outdoor educational ventures have significantly enhanced his students' interest and proficiency in science.
One of his notable contributions is the implementation of a small greenhouse project at the school, funded by an Ag in the Classroom grant from Geauga SWCD. This project not only facilitates project-based learning but also helps integrate math and language arts standards into the curriculum. Furthermore, the students engage in planting edible garnishes in raised beds, which are then sold to local restaurants, adding a practical business element to their education.
Bruce Cline's dedication to environmental stewardship and his passion for teaching have had a profound impact on his students. His innovative approach to education is shaping the future of his students and, by extension, the future of Geauga County.
Read More From Farm and Daily
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
🤣🤣 Something Funny
A ham sandwich walks into a bar
and orders a beer,
bartender says,
“sorry, we don’t serve food here.”
Something Funny 🤣🤣
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