LIMA, OH (WLIO) - There's been an increase in weather-related accidents with last week's snowfall.

The Lima Allen County Regional Planning Commission has been selected by Governor Mike DeWine to become one of seven regional transportation planning organizations in the state. The newly formed West-Central Ohio Rural Planning Organization, or WORPO, will serve Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Van Wert, Putnam, and Wyandot counties. This organization can give rural counties outside of the Allen County Metropolitan Planning Organization funding and resources for transportation projects and allow multi-jurisdictional collaboration. The process of getting this designation took two years but will now give rural counties an opportunity to finance more road projects.

January 3, 2025, press release from the Ohio Department of Public Safety: COLUMBUS — Ahead of the forecasted snowy and icy weather conditions over the next several days, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) is encouraging all Ohio drivers to pay attention to local weather alerts and avoid driving in inclement weather unless necessary. Thousands of crashes occur each year in Ohio due to dangerous winter weather conditions, resulting in serious injuries and fatalities.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says three people died on Ohio roadways over the New Year's holiday. Troopers say two crashes led to the three fatalities between Tuesday morning and Wednesday night. One was because someone was operating a vehicle impaired, and two pedestrians were struck. The number is significantly down from 7 last year.

Train cars carrying corn derailed on tracks just east of Lima. According to a spokesperson for the Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern Railroad, the incident happened around 8 o'clock on Wednesday. Two cars carrying corn derailed; there were no injuries or hazardous materials involved.

January 2, 2025, press release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol: COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol wants all motorists to be prepared for inclement winter weather during the month ahead. As some portions of Ohio experienced in late November and early December, the ever-changing winter weather patterns can catch drivers off guard. The best way to promote safe travel during the winter months is to follow general roadway safety and ensure vehicles are winterized.

January 2, 2025, Press Release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol: COLUMBUS - The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting two fatal crashes resulting in three fatalities on Ohio’s roadways during the 2024-2025 New Year’s holiday, according to provisional statistics. The two-day reporting period began at midnight on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, and ran through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025

January 2, 2025, press release from the Van Wert County Sheriff's Office: The information provided allows for a timely snapshot of events in our community. The crimes reported here are preliminary investigations, taken in the field by deputies, and may or may not be assigned to a Detective for further investigation. The information provided may be found after further investigation to be incorrect or false. Certain details of these incidents have been removed due to potential follow-up investigation into the incident and/or for privacy rights.

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - If you plan on having fun this New Year's, make sure you do so safely.

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - The Ohio State Highway Patrol released their holiday report.