Statewide News

Ohio Gov. John Kasich doesn't live at the state's official governor's residence, but taxpayers paid to fix the mansion's roof and to keep cable running at the home this year.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that more than $438,000 was spent in 2011 to staff, maintain and repair the mansion in Bexley, just outside of Columbus.

Kasich and his family have chosen to stay at their home in nearby Westerville. The state provides security for that home at an undisclosed cost.

The family has used the official governor's residence for occasional stays and meetings.

The State Highway Patrol says it's using federal traffic safety funding to pay overtime for troopers providing an increased presence on Ohio roadways this holiday season.

The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reports that the patrol got $1.9 million in federal traffic safety funding this fall through the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services.

The patrol says the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day can be one of the most dangerous for Ohio drivers.  During that period last year, more than three dozen people died in accidents that involved alcohol. 

Ohio Republican Party Chair Kevin DeWine and Ohio Democratic Party Chair Chris Redfern say they are friends but they are usually adversaries when it comes to political issues and candidates.  But now they have issued a joint news release, asking an appeal to Ohioans.