The first SmartLane in Ohio has opened.

ODOT officials say drivers began using the lane on I-670 eastbound in Columbus on Wednesday afternoon.

The SmartLane is the left inside shoulder on eastbound I-670 and opens as an additional lane during peak times of traffic to relieve congestion.

It uses technology to manage access and the speed limit, as well as to communicate with drivers on the route.

A green arrow will appear when the lane is in use and a red X will appear when it isn’t in use.

“This project represents a shift in the way we think about dealing with traffic congestion. Not only will the SmartLane get Central Ohioans home faster, this new technology will allow us to truly manage traffic, not just monitor it,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks.

The SmartLane is a pilot project for Ohio, and stretches along eight lane miles of eastbound I-670, from I-71 to I-270.

On the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this week, Congressman Bob Latta called out Democrats, saying the impeachment process is being conducted behind closed doors.

“Where is the pride that we have in our sense of justice? Where is due process? Where are the rules? Where are the American values of fair play? Where is the evidence? Where is the House vote?”

The Republican from Bowling Green says this is a bold attempt by Democrats to overturn the 2016 election.

He says the people in the 5th District want action on jobs and healthcare and are tired of the Democrats playing political games.

Watch his full comments below.

The Ohio Senate has passed a new law that will create changes in the way the state inspects amusement rides.

The Senate unanimously approved Tyler’s Law on Wednesday, which raises amusement ride inspection standards and safety, along with increasing the qualifications needed to be a ride inspector.

The law is named after Tyler Jarell, a Marine Corps recruit who died when the Fireball ride he was on broke apart in mid-operation during the Ohio State fair in 2017.

“It’s a labor of love, not only for Tyler’s memory but for the future, and so we don’t have to stand here like this again,” said Tyler’s mom, Amber Duffield.

The bill will now head to the desk of Governor DeWine, who has said he intends to sign it.

A family’s house is a total loss after an overnight fire in Fostoria.

The fire department says they responded to 37 Barcelona Drive at 1:20 Wednesday morning on the report of a fire.

Crews arrived to find heavy fire coming from the house.

Family members were already outside.

Firefighters entered the burning house and went to work on the fire and quickly had it under control.

The home suffered extensive fire and smoke damage and is considered a total loss.

The cause is under investigation.

No one was injured in the fire.

The American Red Cross says it is assisting the family of eight with accommodations and needs like food and clothing.

A Hancock County grand jury has returned indictments for two people in connection with an armed robbery at the CashMax in Findlay over the summer.

The Courier is reporting that prosecutors say 31-year-old Andrew G. Hickle entered the business on June 19th while 25-year-old Ana M. Hernandez “aided and abetted” him.

Police said after the robbery that a man had robbed the store by showing a gun and handing an employee a note demanding cash.

Get more at The Courier.com.

A Columbus Police Officer is hearing a slew of new chicken crossing the road jokes after helping a chicken cross a road.

According to a story posted on the CPD Facebook page, Officer Brad White responded on Monday to call from an Ohio State veterinarian student who was trying to save a chicken trapped in a median on I-70 and I-270 on the west side.

White and the student helped to keep the chicken from dashing off into traffic until ODOT’s Farm Freeway Patrol arrived to finish the rescue.

New safety measures will be in place for Toledo high school football games this weekend.

Toledo Public Schools officials unveiled a host of new rules to prevent the violence that happened outside last week’s Woodward-Rogers game.

From now on, football games will kick off at 5:30 p.m. and only students who attend the participating schools will be allowed in the stadium.

Those students will also have to abide by the Toledo schools’ dress code.

Non-students will be asked to show ID at the gate and everyone’s bags will be subject to searches

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is on Saturday.

A medication collection drive will be held at the Findlay Municipal Building from 9 to noon on Saturday.

The Findlay Police Department says all you have to do is drive up, drop off your old, unused medications and go.

Officials point out that the drop off location is different than in past years.

This year people can drop off their medications behind the Hancock County Courthouse off of West Main Cross Street.

“Not only will you be cleaning out those cluttered cabinets, but you’ll be doing so in a way that is safe for the environment and good for the community,” officials say.

Many people flush their medications, leading to environmental concerns.

Others dispose of medications in the trash or leave them in their house, which is a bad idea because they might find their way to others who abuse them.

Officials say if you can’t make it on Saturday, both the Findlay Police Department and Hancock County Sheriff’s Office have medication collection boxes where you can dispose of your medications.

Main Street Deli is celebrating its 30th anniversary serving the Findlay community and they’re doing so with a fundraising competition.

Owner Elaine says that she wanted to use the milestone to do something good for the community and help out an organization that means a lot to her.

Elaine explained that you can go to socialfindlay.com and pay $20 to enter a sandwich recipe until October 28. Then from October 29 through November 10, you can pay $1 to cast a vote for your favorite sandwich.

Elaine said that the winning sandwich will be permanently added to the menu and be featured as a weekly special.

Elaine added that she hopes that the money and publicity will help out Cancer Patient Services, which is an organization based in Findlay that helps patients and their families through all aspects of treatment.

You can read the history of Main Street Deli here.