STATEHOUSE NEWS

---

In accordance with the order issued by the President of the United States of America and to honor the life and legacy of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered the flags of the United States of America and the State of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the State of Ohio effective immediately until sunset the day of her interment, November 29, 2023.

---

Columbus, OH— On Monday, December 4, the Ohio Statehouse will host its annual Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The evening will feature activity tables, complimentary cookies, dance performances, choirs and other demonstrations that will certainly put guests in a jolly holiday spirit. This joyous event is free and open to the public.

The night will begin with the Governor and First Lady, Mike and Fran DeWine, starting the tree lighting ceremony and introducing Santa and Mrs. Claus. After the tree has been lit, everyone will be free to roam the Atrium, Rotunda and ground floor to find craft tables, mascots, entertainment and refreshments. The refreshments will be provided by the Ohio Statehouse approved caterers. Do not forget to grab a memento through snapping a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Entertainment will take place in the Atrium and the Museum Gallery at various times throughout the night:
· Columbus Children’s Choir (Atrium-5:00 p.m.)
· OhioDance (Atrium-5:45 p.m.)
· K-9 Demonstration by Ohio State Highway Patrol (Museum Gallery-5:45 p.m.)
· JG Company of John Glenn High School (Museum Gallery-6:10 p.m.)
· All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir (Museum Gallery-6:35 p.m.)
· Pickerington High School Chamber Strings (Museum Gallery-7 p.m.)
· Drake Dance Academy (Atrium-7 - 7:30 p.m.)

An assortment of craft tables will be all around the Statehouse with wonderful organizations running them:
· Ohio Paper Folders
· Ohio Queens
· Ohio Department of Natural Resources
· National Veterans Memorial Museum
· Office of Ohio State Treasurer
· Office of Ohio Auditor of State
· Office of Ohio Secretary of State
· 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A
· Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center
· TourismOhio

Also, keep a look-out for some fun-loving mascots moseying about:
· The Chick-fil-A Cow
· LouSeal and Krash of the Columbus Clippers
· S.C. and Crew Cat of the Columbus Crew
· The Geico Gecko
· Fireball of Fire & Ice
· Honeybee of Lifeline of Ohio
· Bee-Thovan of the Columbus Symphony
· Goaldie of the Columbus Eagles
· Butters D. Cow of The Ohio State Fair

Stop by the Statehouse on December 4 to kick off the holiday season! For your convenience, affordable parking will be available within the Statehouse’s underground parking garage. We hope to see you there!

###

---

To honor the lives of those killed in the Tuscarawas Valley Local School District bus crash, Governor DeWine has ordered U.S. and State of Ohio flags to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Tuscarawas and Stark counties, at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower from sunrise on November 15, 2023 until sunset on November 18, 2023.

All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.

---

To honor former U.S. Congressman, State Senator, and State Representative Ronald Mottl,

Governor DeWine has ordered U.S and State of Ohio flags to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Parma and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower from sunrise to sunset on November 15, 2023.
All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the U.S. and State of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.

To honor former State Representative Charles ‘Chuck’ Calvert,

Governor DeWine has ordered U.S. and State of Ohio flags to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Rittman Township and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower from sunrise to sunset on November 15, 2023.
All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.

---

(COLUMBUS, OH) — Members of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will meet Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus. The business meeting will be held in the State Room (room #108) and will begin at 2 p.m. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting agenda is available upon request.

# # #

---

In accordance with the order issued by the President of the United States and in remembrance of the victims of the shooting in Lewiston, Maine on October 25, 2023, and by proclamation of the Governor, the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the State of Ohio until sunset on October 30, 2023.

---

(Columbus, Ohio) – The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) and the Capitol Square Foundation (CSF) announce that the nomination process for the 2024 “Great Ohioans Award” is now open and the CSF is accepting nominations. The Great Ohioan Award commemorates Ohioans who have played a significant role in an event or series of events of lasting significance in world, American or Ohio history. To be selected for the Great Ohioan Award, the nominee must have resided in Ohio for a minimum of five years. In addition, at least 25 years must have passed since the event in which the nominee participated is being commemorated. Nomination deadline is Sunday, December 3, 2023.

The list of Great Ohioans includes 59 people with notable achievements. Neil Armstrong, Toni Morrison and Judith Resnik are among the names of those who made their mark in our history. An exhibit at the Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center lets visitors learn about the recipients of the Great Ohioan award and discover how they affected local, national and world history. The display uses videos, facts and photos to explore the life and legacy of each Great Ohioan.

For more information on the Great Ohioan Award and to nominate an individual, please visit ohiostatehouse.org and https://ohcapitolsquarefoundation.org/great-ohioans/


# # #

---

Two elevators in the Ohio Statehouse will be closed for modernization. The work will continue for several months.

South Light Court Elevator Closed

The elevator in the South Light Court will be closed beginning October 18 for construction. The stairs will remain open to the public for several months during the project.

For elevator access to the House of Representatives and the House Clerk’s office, please follow signage to the south elevator near the Map Room and Atrium. On the second floor, turn right and enter the House Chamber. A member of the House Sergeant-at-arms team will be available for assistance in the House Chamber.

South Entrance Elevator Closed

Next week, the southwest elevator leading to and from the parking garage sliding doors will be closed for renovations from October 24 through the month of November.

Those who require elevator access may use the northwest elevator near the revolving doors to and from the parking garage. Visitors in the garage without ID badges may use the intercom to call the Ohio State Highway Patrol for security check and entrance to the Ohio Statehouse.

If you have questions, please contact the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board office at 614-752-9777.


### Older Posts Newer Posts