On Tuesday, Governor Mike DeWine joined state, local, and federal officials in East Palestine to provide an update on the status of remediation work at the site of the Norfolk Southern train derailment. Governor DeWine discussed the opening of the new Health Assessment Clinic, which is available for area residents who have medical questions or concerns related to the derailment. 

Also on Tuesday, Lt. Governor Jon Husted joined local leaders from Akron to discuss the $150 million allocated in the Executive Version of the State Operating Budget toward the creation of new innovation hubs throughout the state. The initiative aims to increase research and development, create new jobs, preserve existing jobs, and support improved economic conditions throughout Ohio.

Finally, on Tuesday Governor DeWine’s RecoveryOhio Initiative, the Ohio Department of Higher Education, and the Ohio Department of Health announced a collaboration to provide emergency naloxone access cabinets for installation on public college and university campuses around the state.

Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is a medication that can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug (heroin, fentanyl, or prescription pain medications). When administered during an overdose, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and quickly restores breathing. The wall-mounted emergency access cabinet is an effective and easy way to provide the public with access to life-saving naloxone.

“Moments after taking the oath of office, my first action as Governor was to create RecoveryOhio to ensure that we take an innovative approach to addressing the addiction crisis and invest in the health and well-being of our citizens. Through this new partnership with the higher education community, we are taking another step forward in reducing the stigma associated with addiction and mental illness while ensuring that help is available when needed,” Governor DeWine said.

Click here to watch the Ohio EPA's water testing process

On Wednesday, Governor DeWine provided a status update on the ongoing municipal water sampling, private well sampling, air monitoring, surface water cleanup, and soil removal in East Palestine, Ohio. 

In addition to the remediation work, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has created a team to specifically handle any workers’ compensation claims related to the derailment. 

On Thursday, Lt. Governor Husted provided remarks at the groundbreaking celebration for Rumpke’s new 200,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art recycling campus on the northeast side of Columbus. 

Click here to watch the current aquatic life in Bull Creek and North Fork Little Beaver Creek, which were areas impacted by the derailment.

Also on Thursday, Governor DeWine provided a status update on the contaminated waste removal, impacted aquatic species, animal disease testing, private well sampling, air monitoring, and surface water cleanup in East Palestine. 

On Friday, Governor DeWine issued a proclamation recognizing the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

"On the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ohio’s support for the people of Ukraine remains steadfast," said Governor DeWine. "Ohio is home to about 42,000 people of Ukrainian descent, and we welcome any Ukrainians who seek refuge in the Buckeye State."

Last March, Governor DeWine signed Executive Order 22-02D which prohibited the state from engaging in purchasing activity that would aid Russia in violating the rights of the Ukrainian people, and ordered all state agencies, boards, commissions, state educational institutions, and pension funds to divest investments in, and terminate contracts with Russian institutions or companies in support of Ukraine.

Also on Friday, Governor DeWine signed an Executive Order 2023-06D, officially creating the Ohio Governor’s Nursing Home Quality and Accountability Task Force.

During his 2023 State of the State Address, Governor DeWine announced his plan to form the task force to study issues surrounding quality of life and quality of care in Ohio’s nursing homes. The Governor also announced during his address that the group would be tasked with completing their work on an expedited timeline. In keeping with this directive, the task force will travel to communities across the state between now and May to hear directly from nursing home residents and their loved ones about their experiences and issue a report of their findings. 

“I promised that this task force would move quickly because we can’t afford to wait,” Governor DeWine said. “While many of our state’s nursing homes are very good, others are not meeting the standards we expect for those caring for our older loved ones. All too often – we hear of preventable tragedies occurring: medication errors, failure to provide care, poor infection prevention and control, and sometimes even elder abuse.”

Also on Friday, Lt. Governor Husted visited Belcan LLC, a global supplier of design, software, manufacturing, supply chain, information technology, and digital engineering solutions. He spoke with company leadership and employees about their use of the TechCred program and the additional funding allocated in the executive budget to enable the program to grow. Belcan has been approved for almost 100 credentials at more than $135,000.

After visiting Belcan LLC, Lt. Governor Husted visited Lakota West High School to highlight their Cyber Academy and presented a commendation to instructor Ben Dougherty for being awarded the 2022 Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award.

Click here to watch soil removal at the derailment site.

Also on Friday, Governor DeWine provided a status update on the East Palestine Health Assessment Clinic, contaminated waste removal, surface water sampling, private well sampling, and air monitoring. 

In addition to the ongoing remediation, Governor DeWine has directed the Ohio Department of Development to work to identify additional support that may be available for the East Palestine businesses and community members. Representatives from the agency traveled to Columbiana County on Friday to meet with local officials and engage with community members on recovery needs and how the department may be able to assist citizens and business owners. The Ohio Department of Development administers more than 80 programs that support local communities, individuals, and small businesses.  

Lastly, on Friday Governor DeWine made the following appointments: 

• Kimberly A. Winkle of Crestline (Crawford Co.) has been reappointed to the North Central State Collee Board of Trustees for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending January 16, 2026.

• Dale G. Foerster of Warren (Trumbull Co.) has been appointed to the Eastern Gateway Community College Board of Trustees for a term beginning January 18, 2023, and ending October 16, 2025.

• Kathy A. Maguschak of Mingo Junction (Jefferson Co.) has been reappointed to the Eastern Gateway Community College Board of Trustees for a term beginning January 18, 2023, and ending October 16, 2026.

• Lucas M. Sutter of Martin (Ottawa Co.) has been appointed to the Terra State Community College Board of Trustees for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 30, 2026.

• James A. Lahoski of Bellevue (Sandusky Co.) has been appointed to the Terra State Community College Board of Trustees for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 30, 2028.

• Jodi Lynn Rucker of Bellevue (Sandusky Co.) has been appointed to the Terra State Community College Board of Trustees for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 30, 2028.

• P. Kelly Tompkins of Rocky River (Cuyahoga Co.) has been appointed to the Cleveland State University Board of Trustees for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending May 1, 2031.

• Thomas F. Needles of Whitehall (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Higher Educational Facility Commission for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending January 1, 2031.

• Erin Limes Stickel of Bowling Green (Wood Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Expositions Commission for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 1, 2028.

• Angela N. Krile of Lancaster (Fairfield Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Expositions Commission for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 1, 2028.

• Margaret A. Hess of Morrow (Warren Co.) has been appointed to the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and continuing at the Pleasure of the Governor.

• Ty Dale Marsh of Columbus (Franklin Co.) has been appointed to the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending June 30, 2026.

• Kathryn Bartter Arnold of Columbus (Franklin Co.) has been appointed to the Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending June 30, 2026.

• Anita Hall of Millersburg (Holmes Co.) has been appointed to the Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending March 18, 2025.

• Brian H. Veith of Cincinnati (Hamilton Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 31, 2025.

• William E. Ackman of Upper Arlington (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 31, 2025.

• Courtney Rae Hineman of Hamilton (Butler Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 31, 2025.

• Debbie L. Lozano of Mentor (Lake Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 31, 2025.

• Jennifer Kucera of Berea (Cuyahoga Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 31, 2025.

• Jodi L. Young of Columbus Grove (Putnam Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 31, 2025.

• Pamela Green of Cincinnati (Hamilton Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 31, 2025.

• Keith A. Cheney of Lima (Allen Co.) has been appointed to the Ohio Casino Control Commission for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending February 21, 2027.

• Penelope R. Cunningham of Cincinnati (Hamilton Co.) has been appointed to the Ohio Casino Control Commission for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending February 21, 2027.

• Christopher Smitherman of Cincinnati (Hamilton Co.) has been appointed to the Ohio Casino Control Commission for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending February 21, 2026.

• Thomas J. Stickrath of Westerville (Delaware Co.) has been appointed to the Ohio Casino Control Commission and appointed to serve as Chair for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending February 21, 2027.

• Ronald J. O’Brien of Columbus (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed to the Liquor Control Commission and appointed to serve as Chair for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending February 8, 2029.

• Kathryn N. Farmer of Bluffton (Allen Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio AMBER Alert Committee for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending February 6, 2025.

• Christine H. Merritt of Columbus (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending February 6, 2025.

• Brian L. Castner of Powell (Delaware Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending February 6, 2025.

• Brent L. Currence of Carroll (Fairfield Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending February 6, 2025.

• Paul R. Jellison of Wilmington (Clinton Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending February 6, 2025.

• Harry W. Trombitas of Dublin (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed the Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending February 6, 2025.

• Clayton A. Harris of Solon (Cuyahoga Co.) has been reappointed the Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending February 6, 2025.

• Clark F. Donley of Columbus (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed the Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending February 6, 2025.

• Leslie J. Prater of Ridgeway (Logan Co.) has been reappointed the Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending February 6, 2025.

• Joshua S. Motzer of Columbus (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed to the Underground Technical Committee for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 31, 2026.

• Kevin L. Baxter of Powell (Delaware Co.) has been reappointed to the Underground Technical Committee for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 31, 2026.

• David Losinski of Gahanna (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed to the Underground Technical Committee for a term beginning February 24, 2023, and ending December 31, 2026.