Big numbers of Ohio travelers are expected to leave home over the long Memorial Day weekend, spurred by more disposable income and lower gas prices than in recent years.  But the heavy traffic combined with widespread highway construction could slow them down.  AAA projects nearly 1.44 million Ohioans will travel this weekend, with 1.3 million going by automobile.  Travelers will have to deal with nearly 1,000 highway construction zones around the state.

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens of an increase of daylight burglaries in the county.  About ten burglaries have taken place in southern Wood County since March.  Authorities say the thieves are going in through back doors or windows and making off with jewelry, electronics, guns and cash.  To help cut back on the crimes, deputies will be patrolling the area.  They are also offering a vacation check service, where they can check on your home while you're away. 

James Ball of Fostoria received a $2,500 Blue Ribbon Arson Committee Reward from the State Fire Marshal’s Office on Thursday morning for his assistance in an arson investigation.  Ball provided law enforcement with information that led to the arrests of those connected with a fatal fire on Poplar Street that killed two persons nearly one year ago.  The Blue Ribbon Arson Committee Reward is funded through the Ohio Fair Plan

Facing growing opposition from teachers, parents and legislators, new standardized tests given to students in Ohio, along with 10 other states and the District of Columbia, will be shortened by 90 minutes next year.  But it might not be enough for Ohio lawmakers who have been considering getting rid of the exams.  The online tests in English/language arts and math debuted this year and took about 10 hours, depending on the grade.  The action comes a week after the Ohio House overwhelmingly passed legislation to dump PARCC tests and limit state achievement tests to three hours per year. 

Bowling Green City Council has approved $44,000 for a study concerning the future of the East Wooster Street Corridor.  The funds for the study will be used to merge together the city’s Land Use Plan and the Bowling Green State University Master Plan regarding the area.  Council has listed East Wooster Street as one of its top three priorities for the next two years, and the study “is an outstanding vehicle” to pursue that issue.

Major League Baseball and the Cincinnati Reds will determine Pete Rose's role at the All-Star game in Cincinnati after discussing what other obligations the banned career hits leader has.  Rose began work as a studio analyst for Fox this month.  The network will broadcast the game, which is being played in Rose's hometown on July 14th.

Governor John Kasich will be hitting the road for appearances in Georgia and South Carolina next week as he weighs a possible run for the White House.  Kasich has set up a committee allowing him to raise money for the potential run and has visited California in recent weeks to meet with potential benefactors.