STATEHOUSE NEWS

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In honor of the life and service of Preble County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Hamilton and the life of Michael Gayhart ll, Governor DeWine has ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Preble County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower Dec. 18, and will remain until sunset on the day of the second of the two funerals.
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.

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(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— In honor of the life and service of U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brian Kody Johnson, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Licking County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower from sunrise to sunset on the day of his funeral, Saturday, December 16, 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.

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Columbus, OH – The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) invites the public to celebrate holidays in December at the Ohio Statehouse. Starting at the 2023 Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting, CSRAB then welcomes all to enjoy other activities throughout the rest of the month: performances by local schools, decorations, tours and special items and sales at the Statehouse Museum Shop.

Capitol Square will kick off the holiday season at the annual Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting on Monday, December 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. After Santa, the Governor, and First Lady of Ohio light the tree in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium, cookies, craft activities and performances by Ohio choirs and dance companies will be available throughout the evening. Find further details about this family-friendly event on the Statehouse calendar at OhioStatehouse.org.

During the rest of December, other special performances by students from across Ohio will be open to the public. On weekdays, school choirs will perform at noon in the Museum Gallery, on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse. As the legislative schedule allows, The Ohio Channel will also live-stream many of the concerts:

Dec. 5 - Milton-Union "Center Stage" Show Choir
Dec. 6 - (10 a.m.) Harp Music by Olivia Claggett
(12 p.m.) Bells of Our Lady & Schola Cantorum
Dec. 7 - Immaculate Conception Academy
Dec. 8 - Warren High School Choir and Hand Bells
Dec. 11 - Centennial High School Choir
Dec. 12 - Columbus Alternative High School Ensembles
Dec. 13 - Grandview Heights “The Grandview Singers”
Dec. 14 - Hamilton Twp. High School Choir
Dec. 15 - Belle Haven Unified Chorus and Orff Ensemble
Dec. 18 - Lancaster High School Chamber Singers
Dec. 19 - Hilliard Davidson High School BKOTB

Throughout the month, the Statehouse Museum Shop will feature Ohio-themed gifts and the collectible 2023 Ohio Statehouse Christmas Ornament. Visitors to the Ohio Statehouse from December 4 through December 8 may have a sweet discount during the Candy Cane Sale. Shoppers may pull a candy cane to find a discount of 15% to 40% off their total purchase. See Shop for details and exclusions.

The Ohio Statehouse also offers public tours every day except state holidays. Guided tours start in the Map Room, on the ground floor, at the top of every hour, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 12 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Out-of-town guests may enjoy a free tour of the Ohio Statehouse during their stay in Ohio.

Inside the Ohio Statehouse, modern decorations reminiscent of the nineteenth century highlight the historical character of the building, completed in 1861. Outside, red and green lights will illuminate Capitol Square.

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In honor of the lives of Concord-Green Fire Chief Ralph Stegbauer and Fire Captain Jeffery Skaggs, the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Fayette County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower on November 26, 2023, and will remain until sunset on the day of their funerals. This flag lowering will run concurrently with the flag lowering to honor former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, which is in effect until November 29.

All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may lower at their discretion for the same time period.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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. Older Posts Newer Posts