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📰 Free Rides to Vote, Check Ballot Status. Help w/ Energy Expenses

Issue #310

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In this Mentor Local Buzz Issue…

🌤️ Mentor Weather - Partly Cloudy - Temps 75-78

 🎉 Mentor Live Events - 50+ Live Events. Events Added Daily

 📰 Bring Your Worn Flags for Retirement at Mentor’s November Ceremony

 🚌 Laketran Offers Free Rides to Polls on Election Day

  Ohio Voters: Check the Status of Your Early Ballot Online

💰 Ohio Launches Winter Energy Assistance Program to Support Families

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Special Section: The Home Front: 🏘️ Rising Home Maintenance Costs Squeeze Homeowners — Here’s How to Save

 🏀 Cavaliers Go 8-0 With Late-Game Heroics, Overcome Bucks in Tight Match

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

👉👉 Put Your Local Business in the Spotlight! Click Here

Partly Cloudy - Temps 75-78

👉 Mentor Live Events 👈
Nov 5-7

Complete list of events and all the details in the link above “Mentor Live Events”. New Events Added Daily.

See All the Upcoming Events Here at:
Mentor Live Events!
50+ Event Dates

📰 Bring Your Worn Flags for Retirement at Mentor’s November Ceremony

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

The city of Mentor will conduct a flag retirement ceremony on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the Mentor Municipal Cemetery. Residents with American flags that have become too worn for display are encouraged to bring them in for respectful retirement. Flags can be dropped off at three designated locations: Mentor Municipal Center, Mentor Community Recreation Center, or Mentor Municipal Cemetery. The deadline for flag drop-off is 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 15.

This ceremony provides a way to honor the American flag in accordance with tradition, allowing worn flags to be retired respectfully. For more details, residents may reach out to the Mentor Parks & Recreation Department at 440-974-5720 or via email at [email protected].

🚌 Laketran Offers Free Rides to Polls on Election Day

Laketran

Laketran is offering Lake County residents a convenient way to get to the polls this Election Day, providing free rides on its Local Routes and Dial-a-Ride services on November 5. This initiative aims to eliminate transportation as a barrier to voting, allowing all eligible residents easy access to their polling locations without worrying about fare costs.

From 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Lake County voters can hop on any Laketran Local Route (Routes 1 through 9) and simply inform the bus driver that they are heading to vote or have just voted. This acknowledgment will ensure the trip is free of charge. Additionally, Laketran’s Dial-a-Ride, a door-to-door service, is available by reservation and will also be fare-free for election-related trips. Riders can book this service between one and twelve business days before Election Day by contacting Laketran Customer Service.

As a reminder, Election Day does not include in-person voting at the Board of Elections, so residents should confirm their designated polling locations by contacting the Lake County Board of Elections.

Ohio Voters: Check the Status of Your Early Ballot Online

If you voted early in Ohio, either by mail or in-person, you can now confirm whether your ballot has been received and processed. The Ohio Secretary of State's website provides a convenient tool for tracking absentee ballots. Voters can go to VoteOhio.gov and select the "Track Your Absentee Ballot" feature. From there, they’ll be directed to a list of counties, allowing them to access their county’s Board of Elections (BOE) website. By entering their name, voters can view the type of vote submitted, as well as the date it was processed.

While ballots will not be counted until after the polls close on Election Day, November 5 at 7:30 p.m., counties will begin reporting early voting numbers shortly after. Full results will be updated throughout the evening. For those not voting early, polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

💰 Ohio Launches Winter Energy Assistance Program to Support Families Facing High Bills

The Ohio Department of Development has launched its Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program to support residents facing high heating bills this winter. Open now through the end of March, the program provides eligible Ohioans with one-time financial relief to help cover energy costs. To apply, residents must start the application process online and schedule an appointment with their local energy assistance office to complete it. This annual initiative supports thousands of households, helping nearly 77,000 last year alone, and aims to ensure families can keep their homes warm throughout the winter months. For more details, Ohioans can visit the program’s website at energyhelp.ohio.gov.

🏘️ Rising Home Maintenance Costs Squeeze Homeowners — Here’s How to Save

Homeownership brings a sense of stability and investment potential, but many buyers are caught off guard by the ongoing costs required to maintain their properties. A new study from USA TODAY Homefront highlights that the average homeowner now spends nearly $6,000 a year on home maintenance — a significant burden that is even higher for recent buyers. Those who purchased homes in the last 12 months spent an average of $12,225 on repairs and maintenance, double the general rate as they adapted their new spaces to be livable and comfortable.

These rising costs are largely due to both minor and major repairs that can quickly add up. Regular upkeep tasks like gutter cleaning, repainting, or appliance repairs are essential but often overlooked in budgeting. More expensive needs, such as replacing a roof, can cost upwards of $21,000. The survey found that 54% of homeowners spent more than they had anticipated on maintenance, while 38% admit to postponing needed repairs due to financial strain. Nearly one-third of respondents reported feeling "house poor" as a result, with millennials bearing the brunt: 39% said they spend an excessive portion of their income on home upkeep alone.

To help homeowners manage these ongoing costs, experts recommend several strategies to cut down on home maintenance expenses:

1. Prioritize Preventive Maintenance

Practicing regular preventive maintenance can keep minor issues from escalating into costly emergencies. Checking appliances, structural elements, and plumbing systems on a regular schedule can save hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars over time. For example, regular cleaning of HVAC filters and dryer vents helps these systems run efficiently, reducing utility bills and prolonging the life of the equipment.

2. Do-It-Yourself Solutions for Basic Tasks

While DIY may seem intimidating, certain home maintenance tasks are within reach and can help save money on labor costs. Tutorials for jobs like window washing, lawn fertilizing, and simple drain clearing are readily available online. However, safety should always come first; for example, tasks involving ladders or electrical systems may be better left to professionals.

3. Compare Quotes for Major Repairs

For larger projects or when professional help is essential, homeowners can reduce costs by comparing quotes from multiple providers. Major expenses, such as window replacement — averaging $9,000 to $13,000 nationally — can vary significantly by contractor. Similarly, homeowners may benefit from comparing service call fees for appliance repairs or checking alternative providers for home warranty coverage.

4. Use a Maintenance Checklist

Organizing regular maintenance tasks with a checklist can help spread out costs over the year. The Department of Housing and Urban Development's Healthy Homes Maintenance Checklist is a valuable resource, suggesting tasks like seasonal pest checks, gutter cleaning, and appliance inspections. Sticking to a checklist can reduce the likelihood of missing essential tasks, ultimately preventing expensive repairs down the line.

5. Consider a Home Warranty for Major Appliances

While home warranties don't cover all maintenance issues, they can provide some financial relief if a major system or appliance breaks down. Home appliance insurance generally requires a service call fee of $65 to $150, depending on the provider and plan. Though these policies have limitations, they may offer peace of mind for certain high-cost repairs.

The USA TODAY Homefront study underscores how vital it is for homeowners to set aside funds for regular maintenance. By budgeting wisely and taking advantage of preventive measures, many common maintenance costs can be minimized, helping to protect both the home and the homeowner's finances.

🏀 Cavaliers Go 8-0 With Late-Game Heroics, Overcome Bucks in Tight Match

The Cleveland Cavaliers extended their undefeated streak to 8-0 after a close 116-114 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night, marking their best season start since 1976. Darius Garland was the game’s top performer, scoring 39 points and sinking a critical 3-pointer with 45 seconds left, leading the Cavs to rally over Milwaukee in the game’s final moments. Evan Mobley added 17 points and showcased his versatile play, contributing both offensively and defensively.

The Bucks, playing without star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was sidelined with a strained adductor muscle, relied heavily on Damian Lillard, who scored 36 points. However, Lillard’s late-game turnover proved costly, preventing Milwaukee from breaking its six-game losing streak. Bobby Portis also stepped up with 21 points and a game-high 18 rebounds for the Bucks. This game marked Cleveland’s second nail-biting win over Milwaukee in three days, emphasizing the Cavs' resilient play against tough competition.

Read the Full Article at espn.com

Mentor High School Football Players of the Week:
Tyler Stapleton, Scotty Fox, Spencer Barninger, & Nick Sullivan

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🤣 Something Funny 🤣