Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review
For the week ending February 6, 2026
Monday, February 2, 2026
 Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced additional support for local law enforcement body-worn camera programs around the state.
As part of the fifth round of the Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program, the Ohio Department of Public Safety's Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) will award $4.4 million in funding to help local law enforcement agencies across Ohio pay for body-worn camera equipment and associated costs.
A total of 131 law enforcement agencies will receive grant awards, including 10 agencies that will use funding to establish new body-worn camera programs and 121 agencies that will dedicate funding toward expanding or upgrading existing technology.
Governor DeWine created the Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program in 2021. In total, 370 law enforcement agencies have received funding as part of the initiative.
"Today, body-worn cameras on law enforcement officers are commonplace; they protect both the public and our first responders," said Governor DeWine. "My administration is proud to have helped hundreds of local agencies incorporate this valuable technology into their daily routines."
 Lt. Governor Jim Tressel traveled to Warren for the seventh and final stop of his statewide WorkOhio Kickoff Tour.
WorkOhio is a new initiative launched by Lt. Governor Tressel to connect Ohioans with in-demand jobs in their area through personalized support from teams of regional job experts.
“The Mahoning Valley is full of people who want to work, grow, and build better futures for their families, and right now is an incredible time to be looking for a job in this region, because opportunities are everywhere,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “WorkOhio is about helping people discover all the opportunities at their fingertips. By connecting job seekers with local experts who know the best jobs, industries, and resources in eastern Ohio, we will help people reach their full potential.”
 Lt. Governor Tressel kicked off round two of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge in 1,376 schools across Ohio, with 390,845 students enrolled in the newest challenge. The challenge will take students 30 days to complete and asks them to set SMART goals in fitness, nutrition, and sleep.
"At the heart of this challenge is a simple idea. When our students build healthy habits, they build confidence, discipline, and belief in themselves," said Lt. Governor Tressel. "When they commit to healthy habits in fitness, nutrition, and sleep, they're not only strengthening their bodies and minds, they're learning lessons that extend far beyond these 30 days and lead into a lifetime of success."
The challenge was created as part of Governor Mike DeWine’s efforts to make Ohioans healthier and help every person live up to their full potential. Round one, which ended in December, saw participation from almost 183,000 students at more than 700 schools.
"The excitement we’ve seen for the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge has been extraordinary, and it’s because Ohio students are learning how creating healthy habits can be a lot of fun," said Governor DeWine. "By helping children discover how exercise, good nutrition, and quality sleep help them feel better and more confident, we’re laying the groundwork for a generation of Ohioans who value wellness and carry those habits with them wherever life takes them."
Lt. Governor Tressel kicked off round two of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge at Robert Frost Elementary in Westerville. Students were pumped up and ready to get to work.
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Governor DeWine announced the appointment of Eva J. Yarger to the Van Wert Court of Common Pleas, Probate and Juvenile Division.
Yarger, of Van Wert, will assume office on February 17, 2026, and will take the seat formerly held by Judge Kevin H. Taylor, who retired. She will serve the remainder of the unfinished term and must run for election in November 2026 to retain the seat.
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Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Lt. Governor Tressel visited Gallia Academy Middle School to foster excitement for the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge. Football players from Rio Grande University and their head coach, Mike Bartum, helped show students the importance of setting SMART goals that lead to healthy habits and success in and out of the classroom.
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 Governor DeWine joined Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) Director Amy Ast to celebrate the opening of a new career technology center at Ralph C. Starkey High School on the campus of DYS's Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility.
The career technology center offers educational and vocational opportunities for justice-involved youth at the facility.
"All kids deserve the opportunity to live up to their full potential, including the justice-involved youth at DYS," said Governor DeWine. "The youth here have all gone through a lot in their young lives, but because of this new center, they know there are opportunities awaiting them. When they head home, they'll be leaving here with skills that are in demand and talents that employers are looking for."
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Lt. Governor Tressel visited the Greene County Career Center to spend time with their Sports & Exercise Science students and teach them about the importance of initiatives like the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge for youth health.
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 First Lady Fran DeWine thanked CareSource employees who generously supported nonprofit organizations such as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio.
Employees recently wrapped up participation in the CareSource Workplace Giving Campaign, which allows employees to select a specific nonprofit to financially support.
Currently, 415,460 children are participating in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio, which totals 62% of the state's eligible children. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio mails children one high-quality, age-appropriate book each month until his or her 5th birthday. All Ohio children – from birth to age five – are eligible to be enrolled in the program at no cost to their family by signing up at: Ohioimaginationlibrary.org.
Lt. Governor Tressel and Challenge Captain Donnie Evege visited Warner Middle School in Xenia to highlight the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge and kick it off at the school.
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Governor DeWine announced the appointment of Timothy W. Clary to the Eighth District Court of Appeals.
Clary, of Cleveland Heights, will assume office on February 17, 2026, and will take the seat formerly held by Judge Mary Eileen Kilbane, who retired. He will serve the remainder of the unfinished term and must run for election in November 2026 to retain the seat.
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Governor DeWine announced the appointment of Ryan Styer to the Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas, General and Domestic Relations Division.
Styer, of New Philadelphia, will assume office on March 2, 2026, and will take the seat formerly held by Judge Elizabeth Thomakos, who resigned. He will serve the remainder of the unfinished term and must run for election in November 2026 to retain the seat.
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Lt. Governor Tressel had a great time at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Toledo. Students were ready to continue growing and building their healthy habits from round one to round two of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge.
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Thursday, February 5, 2026
Governor DeWine joined the Ohio Township Association for its annual conference. Ohio is a local government state, so it's important to support our townships so they can deliver critical services to their constituents.
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Governor DeWine joined the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education and the Ohio Association of Career Tech Superintendents for their Career Tech Seminar. Governor DeWine discussed the work being done to give more students access to career tech options in Ohio. Career tech opens up a world of possibilities for students to discover what subjects they’re most passionate about!
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First Lady DeWine joined ABC6 and their sponsor Kroger for the Souper Bowl of Caring Day of Giving to help fight childhood hunger.
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Lt. Governor Tressel and Youngstown State Football punter Brendon Kilpatrick joined students at Champion Central Elementary in Warren to kick off the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge.
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Friday, February 6, 2026
 Governor DeWine wished Team USA and all Ohio athletes the best of luck at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
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