by Dan Starcher | Sep 5, 2024 | Blog
COLUMBUS, OHIO, Sept. 3, 2024 – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting 15 people lost their lives in 15 traffic crashes during the Labor Day reporting period, which began Friday, August 30 at midnight and ended Monday, September 2 at 11:59 p.m. In those fatalities in which safety belts were available, seven were unbelted. Ohio’s safety belt law remains a secondary violation; however, troopers continued to have zero tolerance during the holiday reporting period when motorists were stopped for other violations and were found not wearing their safety belt. Throughout the reporting period, troopers issued more than 2,000 safety belt and child safety seat citations.
Additionally, six of the fatal crashes were OVI-related. Troopers also made 378 arrests for impaired driving and 50 for drug-related charges. The Patrol responded to 519 crashes and made 25,674 traffic contacts in total. Troopers also issued 930 citations for distracted driving and provided assistance to 1,829 motorists. A statewide breakdown of enforcement and crashes during the Labor Day reporting period can be found here.
Motorists are encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers or drug activity.
by Dan Starcher | May 2, 2024 | Blog
WAYNE COUNTY, OH, May. 2, 2024 — The State of Ohio is taking a bold step towards creating safer communities for its citizens. With a significant investment of $15 million, the Governor’s Office is helping the Wayne County Jail bolster its capacity, security, and operational capabilities, promising far-reaching benefits for public safety, law enforcement, and the communities it serves.
Before the introduction of Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Wayne County Commissioner Ron Amstutz recounted the eight-year journey that finally led to the groundbreaking ceremony. In the face of adversity and a defeated levy, the commissioners finally achieved their goal with a new jail scheduled to be operational in 2026.
“The ones that collaborate are the ones that succeed,” Lt. Governor Husted told a group that gathered for the occasion. “Clearly, that is happening here; collaboration is what we do in administrative government across the state. The citizens benefit from the partnership between state and county governments. We recognize the challenges that local communities face.”
At nearly 50 years old, the current jail desperately needs renovation. Opened in 1977 and with a maximum allowable capacity of 80 inmates, the grant will add 72,000 square feet of space, bringing bed capacity to 200 when the project is complete. This groundbreaking is a testament to Ohio’s commitment to addressing the pressing concerns of jail overcrowding, outdated infrastructure, and inadequate resources in the state’s correctional facilities.
“There are many who contributed to our arrival to this day. We have more than 25 persons on our Community Corrections Planning Board, including judges, law enforcement, community members, social services, and other community leaders,” said Wayne County Commissioner Ron Amstutz. “We set this project as one of our top priority goals several years ago. The commissioners hired Greg Strollo’s Architect firm, and now we have hired local Bogner Construction Company as the general contractor and construction manager for what is underway as we speak.”
Nothing worthwhile comes easy.
Amstutz admitted that financing the project went through twists and turns, and features were redesigned occasionally.
“We thought we needed to raise our sales tax rate, but now we can avoid that because we have substantial state and federal funding. We are very thankful for that,” he said. “Patrick Herron, our administrator, has played a vital role in this from the beginning and continues to provide invaluable leadership.”
Ohio’s need for enhanced jail facilities is undeniable, and the statistics paint a stark picture. The opioid epidemic has led to a surge in overdose deaths, and jail facilities are struggling to provide adequate medical care to inmates with addiction.
No one is more familiar with the condition of the jail than Wayne County Sheriff Travis Hutchinson. “When I first started here, I was 20 years old,” he said. “We moved into this building, and at that time, it was state-of-the-art. Seeing this new phase start with another state-of-the-art project is very humbling. The support of the state, city, county, and citizens is overwhelming.”
Those in the criminal justice system recognize that many individuals incarcerated in local jails struggle with mental health issues, substance abuse, and other challenges that hinder their ability to reintegrate into society upon release.
By providing a facility with access to counseling, therapy, and treatment services, we proactively address the root causes of recidivism and promote a safer, more rehabilitative environment within its jails, lending to a safer community.
Dan Starcher is the Public Communications Coordinator for Wayne County.
by Dan Starcher | Mar 19, 2024 | Blog
Severe Weather Awareness Week will be March 17 – March 23.
The county wide tornado warning sirens will be activated the full cycle, Wednesday March 20 at 9:50 am. for severe weather week. The activation will take place unless severe weather is in our area, or any type of watch or warning are issued by the National Weather Service.
The Wayne County Justice Center activates the sirens in the area we cover on the first Monday of every month at 12:00 unless weather prohibits it.
If you would like more information on weather safety go to Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness or National Weather Service website.
by Dan Starcher | Jan 30, 2024 | Blog
WCLRC Special Meeting Notice
A special meeting of the Wayne County Land Reutilization Corporation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. on the second floor of the Wayne County Administration Building located at 428 W. Liberty St., Wooster, to discuss the Welcome Home Ohio Grant, and the Taylor Road in Chippewa Township decision.
by Dan Starcher | Nov 21, 2023 | Blog
COLUMBUS, OHIO, 21 Nov. 2023 — Traditionally, the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the busiest travel periods each year. As Ohioans and our visitors travel throughout the state, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers will be enforcing safe driving.
Troopers will be highly visible and cracking down on impaired drivers and those failing to wear a safety belt from Wednesday, November 22 at midnight through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 26.
“Driving sober, belted, and focused on the road can help prevent senseless tragedies,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “I urge everyone to drive responsibly and to buckle up.”
Many Thanksgiving celebrations involve alcohol, which increases the possibility of impaired driving. During last year’s Thanksgiving reporting period, which ran from November 23 – 27, there were 18 fatal crashes in which 19 people were killed, including four instances of pedestrians being struck. Of the 14 crashes where pedestrians were not involved, safety belts were available but not used in 11 of the incidents. Within the same reporting period, alcohol and/or drugs were linked to 12 of the fatal crashes.
“We hope everyone has a safe Thanksgiving,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “When you designate a sober driver, put your phone down and properly use safety belts, you are helping save lives.”
The Patrol also made 278 arrests for impaired driving and assisted 1,534 motorists.
Motorists are encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists.
