On Wednesday, Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the official launch of Ohio’s new eWarrants system, a statewide criminal justice database that will improve the accuracy of state and federal background checks and streamline the process to file warrants and protection orders in Ohio.

The new eWarrants interface is a shared information technology system free for use by courts and law enforcement that simplifies the process of uploading warrant and protection order information into Ohio’s Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which are the background-check systems used to prevent inadvertent gun sales to wanted criminals and to aid law enforcement in identifying those with outstanding warrants and open protection orders.

Governor DeWine ordered the development of the eWarrants technology after an analysis by his Warrant Task Force discovered that an untold number of Ohio arrest warrants and protection orders were slow to be - or never - entered into LEADS and NCIC due to the fragmented, inefficient, and technologically-obsolete warrant entry practices in use by many courts and law enforcement agencies in Ohio.

“We developed the new eWarrants system to help our criminal justice agencies overcome the information-sharing barriers that have left dangerous holes in our background check systems,” said Governor DeWine. “Agencies that use the eWarrants interface will be able to get up-to-date, comprehensive information into the hands of law enforcement nationwide almost immediately so that they can better protect the public, protect themselves, and prevent the illegal purchase of firearms.”

On Thursday, Lt. Governor Husted visited Stark State College in Canton to participate in a roundtable discussion with area businesses to learn how they are partnering to prepare students for in-demand jobs. He also had the opportunity to tour the college's W.R. Timken Advanced Manufacturing Lab.

The visit was also to mark the most recent round of TechCred that launched on July 1 and runs through July 29. TechCred helps Ohioans learn new skills and helps employers build a stronger workforce with the skills needed in a technology-infused economy. All TechCred credentials take less than a year to complete and many can be completed online. 

Also on Thursday, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) announced the approval of more than $307 million in state funding for five school construction projects. Combined with $151 million in local funding, these projects represent more than $458 million in public construction work.

“OFCC’s action today supports student success in local communities across the state,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “The investments being made in these schools will create safe, modern, and flexible learning environments that promote opportunities for academic excellence and prepare students for a successful future.”

Additionally on Thursday, Governor DeWine visited Goshen to survey the damage left by this week's storms and tornado that came through the area. 

On Friday, Governor DeWine announced that 16 Ohio high school students have been selected for the inaugural Ohio Student Safety Advisory Council within the Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC).

Governor DeWine announced plans for the student-led council in April. The group will work with OSSC leadership to identify school safety concerns and develop innovative solutions to address them.

“Involving students in improving school safety is important because they know what is happening in our schools better than anyone,” said Governor DeWine. “Students are well-positioned to help protect their fellow students, their teachers, and staff, and we welcome their valuable input.”

Governor DeWine awarded $9.9 million to 25 local law enforcement agencies to help them strategically combat violence in their communities on Friday. 

The grants are part of the fourth round of Governor DeWine’s Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program. To date, the Governor has awarded $19.5 million to 69 Ohio law enforcement agencies to aid in their work to hold accountable the small number of criminals responsible for most violent crime in the state. A total of $58 million will be awarded as part of the grant program overall.

“My job as governor is to make sure that tools and resources are available at the local level to help our local law enforcement officers combat the violence they face,” said Governor DeWine. “These grants provide a means for local law enforcement to protect their citizens from violent crime through solid staffing levels and enhanced crime-fighting initiatives."