On Tuesday, in preparation for legal sports gambling in Ohio, Before You Bet Ohio released their Guide to Responsible Gambling. 

On Wednesday, Governor DeWine announced that he is nominating Anne M. Vogel to be the next director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OhioEPA).  If confirmed by the Ohio Senate, Vogel will replace outgoing director Laurie A. Stevenson who announced her intent to retire at the end of the year.

“Anne Vogel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the helm of the Ohio EPA,” said Governor Mike DeWine.  “Because she worked with me as Policy Director, Anne knows my priorities and will provide leadership to this important agency charged with protecting Ohio’s air, land, and water.”

On Thursday, Governor DeWine announced that he dispatched support from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to aid in emergency snow removal efforts in the state of New York following the deadly Christmas-weekend blizzard.

A convoy of 28 ODOT workers, 12 tandem dump trucks, two utility mechanic trucks, and four crew cab pick-up trucks departed from Ashtabula this morning for a 6-day deployment. The ODOT team includes highway technicians, mechanics, and managers from District 4 (Akron), District 11 (New Philadelphia) and District 12 (Cleveland).

“ODOT snowplow drivers and mechanics have been remarkable during this Christmas winter storm,” said Governor DeWine. “We are happy to help our neighbors in New York state and know that they would do the same for us in Ohio if the situation was reversed.”

Also on Thursday, Governor DeWine and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced the awarding of federal funding grants worth $1.635 billion for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project – giving the landmark bridge and corridor project the green light to move toward construction.

“Ohio and Kentucky have been discussing the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project for almost two decades, and now, we can finally move beyond the talk and get to work,” said Governor DeWine. “This project will not only ease the traffic nightmare that drivers have suffered through for years, but it will also help ensure that the movement of the supply chain doesn’t stall on this nationally significant corridor. My administration vowed to press the federal government to fund this project, and we’re glad that they have recognized its significance. I’m grateful to the teams in both states who have worked so hard to make this project a reality.”

Finally on Thursday, Governor DeWine made the following appointments: 

• Joan Synenberg to the Cuyahoga Court of Common Pleas. 
• Rhonda Burggraf to the Marion County Family Court. 

On Friday, in preparation for the College Football Playoffs and the new year, the Ohio Department of Public Safety is reminding Ohioans to celebrate safely and to have a designated driver in place. 

Also on Friday, Governor DeWine and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp placed a friendly wager ahead of the College Football Playoff semifinal between The Ohio State University and the University of Georgia at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.