The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles has resumed in-person driving tests, going back to the testing model it used before the COVID pandemic.

It’s the first time instructors have conducted in-person testing since March of 2020 when testing was changed in reaction to the pandemic.

That meant drivers took the exam in a closed course, without the examiner in the vehicle with them.

Now, people will be on actual roads for the exam, with someone with them.

Both the student and instructor will be required to wear a mask during the test.

Get more information about scheduling a test by clicking here.

LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay held a street painting event to kick off Pride Month.

At the intersection of South Main Street and Main Cross Street is painted an outline of Ohio colored in with rainbow colors and a star showing where Findlay is located.

Dr. Jasmin Bradley says Findlay has made progress recently when it comes to respecting the LGBTQ community.

Bradley added that it’s more important than ever to speak up for marginalized voices and she’s noticing that more and more people want to be a part of that voice.

LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay joined Marathon Petroleum for a Pride Flag raising on the Marathon campus.

This weekend is Findlay Pride Weekend with several events planned. Get more details by clicking here.

Findlay’s Riverside Pool opened for the season on Memorial Day.

Saturday was going to be the opening day but it was too cold, as was Sunday.

Manager/Lifeguard Abby Federici says it can get pretty busy on those long, hot summer days.

And looking at the forecast, it appears the heat is going to be turned way up come the weekend and next week.

Abby says something new this year is that they’re selling ice cream once again.

She says things are back to the way they were pre-COVID, and there are no pandemic health measures in place.

She said, while the pandemic health measures are no longer in place, they have decided to keep up with the extra cleaning and disinfecting they put in place last summer to keep germ spread to a minimum.

The pool is open 1 to 6 daily.

Get more information on the pool by clicking here.

As Ohio’s pandemic health orders are lifted on Wednesday, including the statewide mask mandate, Governor DeWine says it’s still important to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and for those who are not fully vaccinated to wear a mask indoors.

DeWine said Ohioans have done a great job during the pandemic, and with more than 5 million Ohioans having received at least one dose of the vaccine, we’re getting back to the lives we want.

However, he says it’s important to remember that there are still many Ohioans who are not vaccinated and remain at risk.

He says it’s important for those not fully vaccinated to wear a mask indoors and follow other preventative measures to keep themselves as healthy as possible.

Blanchard Valley Health System will be hosting an online event to discuss their organizational updates regarding COVID-19.

The Facebook Live entitled “BVHS COVID-19 Update,” will be held on Wednesday, June 2nd beginning at noon.

BVHS President and CEO Myron Lewis and Dr. William Kose, vice president of special projects will discuss the current state of COVID-19 guidelines, visitor restrictions and more.

To submit questions, send a direct message to their Facebook page or send an email to community@bvhealthsystem.org.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging people to drive sober, slow down and pay attention as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer gets underway.

Last year, there was a significant increase in fatal crashes on Ohio roadways over the summer months after being on the decline over the four previous years.

Full details are in the following news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The time period from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend is referred to as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to drive buckled, focused and sober.

Last year, 452 fatal crashes killed 478 people during this time period. From 2016 to 2019, this number was on the decline. In 2020, this number jumped by more than one-third. These 100 days only represent 27 percent of the calendar year, but they account for more than one third of all fatal traffic crashes and deaths. Operating a vehicle while impaired and speeding significantly contributed to these crashes. In fact, during this time period, 59 percent of all fatal crashes were OVI-related and 31 percent were speed related.

“Protect yourself and others on the road by committing to safe driving habits such as driving sober, obeying the speed limit and not driving distracted,” said Colonel Richard S. Fambro, Patrol superintendent. “The safety of everyone using our roads is our primary concern.”

The 100 days also encompass the primary motorcycle riding months. Last year, 60 percent of all motorcycle-related crashes and 28 percent of motorcycle fatalities occurred during this time frame.

You can help contribute to roadway safety by calling #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired driving.

A statistical map detailing citations and other motorcycle related information can be found by clicking here.