On Monday, Governor Mike DeWine joined Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks and others to officially cut the ribbon on a major reconstruction of Interstate 70 in Clark County. The four-year, $50 million project included adding a third lane in each direction between U.S. Route 68 and State Route 72, the final stretch of four lane interstate remaining between Columbus and Dayton.

“Ohio is a state that makes and moves things. As our economy continues to grow, this additional capacity will help us meet the demands of today and the future," said Governor DeWine. "At the same time, we’re making this stretch of interstate safer by reducing the pinch points that can often lead to congestion and crashes."

In addition to the new lanes, the project replaced the existing pavement and seven bridges. Noise walls, improved drainage, and cable barriers in the median were also installed to reduce the risk of crossover crashes.

By eliminating two pinch points where the highway went from two to three lanes in each direction, these improvements will make travel safer and more reliable for the nearly 70,000 vehicles that use this stretch of I-70 daily. Traffic volumes are expected to increase by 40 percent by 2033.

“The last few years have taught us a lot about the importance of an unhindered supply chain. As truck traffic continues to increase in Ohio, we have to make sure goods and workers can get to their final destination safely and on time. This project ensures that Ohio isn’t the chokepoint in the national supply chain,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks.

On Tuesday, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who serves as Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced the results of the May round of TechCred, which will provide the opportunity for Ohioans to earn nearly 4,000 tech-focused credentials. This most recent round marks a TechCred milestone, as the program has officially reached and exceeded the goal outlined in the most recent state budget to fund 20,000 industry-recognized, tech-based credentials each year.  

“With these results, we have exceeded our goal of funding 20,000 TechCred credentials each year, highlighting the continued need for more technically skilled workers, specifically in the manufacturing industry,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “Technology and technical job skills are becoming more important for Ohio’s economic future each and every day, and TechCred is a great way for businesses to keep their workforce competitive, while helping Ohioans upskill so they can earn more and grow in their careers.”

Lt. Governor Husted announced that 293 Ohio employers were approved for funding in the 14^th round of the program, resulting in Ohio employees earning up to 3,953 technology-focused credentials. Manufacturing businesses topped the list of awarded credentials, requesting nearly 1,900 tech-focused credentials. Since the start of the program, almost half of the businesses using TechCred have been awarded multiple times.

On Wednesday, Governor DeWine issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Brown and Clermont counties due to the damaging conditions caused by last week's severe summer storms and tornadoes that resulted in power outages and damages to homes and businesses.

“Brown and Clermont counties were hit with severe storms and three confirmed tornadoes that affected the life, health, safety, and welfare of many residents. We're blessed that no one was killed in this storm, but it truly brings home to us how fragile life is, and how in one minute, the world can fundamentally change,” said Governor DeWine. “By declaring this state of emergency, we will ensure that Brown and Clermont counties continue to receive the state resources they need.”

The agency that has been called on to provide assistance is the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Following 18 months of careful preparation, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is pleased to announce that Ohioans experiencing suicidal crisis, mental health or addiction-related distress will soon be able to call 988, an easy-to-remember three-digit number to access free, 24/7, confidential support for themselves or loved ones. The nationwide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline goes live on Saturday, July 16.

“Mental health is just as important as physical health,” said Governor DeWine. “988 is a statewide resource that will quickly connect anyone who needs immediate support or crisis treatment to a trained counselor who can listen and connect them with resources. I encourage Ohioans who are in crisis themselves, or helping someone who is, to call 988 for help.”

In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s (NSPL) network of more than 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers across the country. The service was established to improve access to crisis services in a way that meets the nation’s growing suicide and mental health related crisis care needs. The existing 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) launched in 2005 and will remain active following the transition to 988, as will local helplines and hotlines, keeping important safety nets in place.

“Too often Ohioans in crisis don’t know where to turn for help, and the stigma of asking can keep them from reaching out,” said OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss. “We are working to change all this in Ohio. Moving to a 3-digit crisis number helps increase the visibility of the help available to Ohioans experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis,” said Director Criss. “988 is more than just an easy-to-remember number—it is a direct connection to a compassionate person on the other line who is trained to provide support to anyone in distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, emotional distress, or substance use crisis.”

On Friday, Governor DeWine announced three judicial appointments: 

- Jason M. Despetorich to the Hocking County Court of Common Pleas, General and Domestic Relations Division

- Julie A. Schafer to the Medina County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

- Anita Bechmann to the Clermont County Municipal Court

Additionally, the Governor made several appointments to several boards today, including to the Central Ohio Technical College Board of Trustees, State Lottery Commission, Transportation Review Advisory Council, Education Commission of the States, and more.

On Friday, Governor DeWine announced that the first payments of funds to local governments from the OneOhio settlement with national opioid distributors have been made electronically. Local governments will determine how to use the payments, totaling more than $8.6 million, to best combat the opioid epidemic in their own communities. Following these initial payments, governments will continue receiving payments from the settlement over the next 18 years.

In 2017, as Ohio Attorney General, Governor DeWine was one of the first in the nation to sue opioid makers and drug distributors for their role in flooding the market with massive amounts of highly addictive opioids.

“Ohio’s families and communities have been hit hard by the opioid epidemic,” said Governor DeWine. “While nothing can make whole the losses sustained by Ohioans who have been affected by opioids, it is welcome news that the first payments are going out this week to local governments.”