Four million Ohioans will hit the road, during the Christmas and New Years’ holiday travel period.
Nationally, more than 100 million Americans are traveling at least 50 miles for the holidays. 90 percent are going by car.
Heavy travel means more law enforcement officers are on the road.
They’ll be out in full force through January 3rd. Last year in Ohio, two dozen people died in 23 traffic crashes between Christmas Eve and New Years’ Day. Alcohol was a factor in nine of those crashes.
As we have for many years, we’ll air tonight’s Christmas Eve services, live from St. Peter Lutheran Church in Norwalk.
The first service begins at 7, and the second one starts at 11.
Of course, all government offices and banks will be closed for tomorrow’s Christmas holiday.
Trash pickup throughout the area will be delayed by one day.
Another mixed bag, in terms of area unemployment rates.
Two counties were at or near the statewide average of 4.5 percent. According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Lorain County’s November jobless rate was 4.2 percent. It was 4.4 percent in Seneca County, 4.5 percent in Sandusky County, and 4.8 percent in Ashland County. Richland County’s November jobless rate was 5.4 percent, and it was 5.5 percent in Erie County. Huron County checked in at 6.1 percent, and Crawford County, 6.5 percent. Monroe County had Ohio’s highest jobless rate last month, 9.7 percent. Geauga and Medina counties tied for lowest, 3 percent.
Figures from the Ohio Association of Realtors show the Columbus area has the highest average price, in terms of home sales.
Between January and November, the average cost of a house there was just over $193,000. The most affordable housing market is in Marion, just over $101,000. The average cost for a home in the Firelands area is just shy of $128,000.