63 new troopers are joining the state Highway Patrol. The 154th Academy Class graduated and took their oaths at the training academy in Columbus. Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. John Born says this class brings the number of troopers in Ohio up to 1,600 - its highest staffing level in six years.
New money from license and registration fees has allowed for more hiring at the Highway Patrol. This is the second graduation this year - 80 cadets completed their training in February. There were no cadet graduations in 2008 or 2010, and the Patrol loses about 60 people each year.