Briefs: Patrol focusing on impaired driving arrests during the holiday season

Marion Star
·2 min read

More than 350 OVI-related crashes recorded in Marion County the past three years

As part of the Ohio State Highway Patrol's ongoing efforts to make Ohio roadways safe, troopers continue to focus on impaired driving this month and throughout the holiday season.

Since 2019 there have been 49,785 impaired driving-related crashes on Ohio roadways, killing 2,497 people and injuring 30,280 others. Alcohol and drugs played a role in more than 50% of fatal crashes in Ohio. During that same period, troopers removed more than 71,000 impaired drivers from Ohio roadways.

According to the OSHP, Marion County recorded 357 OVI-related crashes between 2019 and 2022.

The public is encouraged to call #677 to report reckless or impaired drivers, and drug activity.

Red Cross seeking blood donors ahead of hectic holiday weeks

As more people make travel plans to celebrate with family and friends this year, the American Red Cross asks donors to set aside a time to give blood or platelets for patients waiting for care over the holidays.

Here are the following opportunities to give blood in Marion County:

  • 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Friday, American Red Cross - Marion County Chapter House- Bless LLC, 1849 Summerset Drive

  • noon - 6 p.m. Dec. 20, Marion General Hospital, 1000 McKinley Park Drive

  • 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Dec. 22, Marion County Commissioners, 222 W. Center St.

  • 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. , Dec. 23, The Alber Red Cross Center, 1849 Summerset Drive

  • 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Dec. 28, The Alber Red Cross Center, 1849 Summerset Drive

  • 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Dec. 30, The Alber Red Cross Center, 1849 Summerset Drive

Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Those who come to give Dec. 16 - Jan. 2 will get a long-sleeved Red Cross t-shirt, while supplies last.

2023 Ohio fairs schedule now available

REYNOLDSBURG — Ohioans can start planning visits to all of their favorite fairs across the state. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has released the official dates for the 2023 fair season, which includes Ohio’s 94 county and independent fairs and the Ohio State Fair.

The Marion County Fair is set for July 3-8. The Paulding County Fair will kick off the 2023 fair season on June 12, and the season will wrap up on Oct. 14 with the Fairfield County Fair. For a complete schedule, go to agri.ohio.gov.

In addition to setting and approving the dates for the independent and county fairs, ODA is responsible for helping to assure the safety of fair amusement rides, monitoring livestock shows to help assure honest competition and coordinating animal health efforts with local veterinarians.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Ohio State Highway Patrol focused on impaired drivers this holiday