STEUBENVILLE - Motorists can expect detours near Steubenville High School Monday morning as city law enforcement officials prepare for Gov. John Kasich's visit to Wells Academy and his historic State of the State address in the high school auditorium.
Police Capt. Joel Walker, the administrative commander of City Police, announced the streets surrounding the facility shared by Wells Academy and Steubenville High School will be closed with barricades at 2 a.m. Monday.
"The streets to be blocked off include the 300 block and part of the 400 block of Dock Street. We will also close all of the 400 block of North Fourth Street as well as part of the 300 block of North Fourth Street and part of the 300 block of North Court Alley," said Walker.
"There will be no public parking around the school. The parking lots around the school will be by permit parking only and will be monitored by security. Vehicles parked in the prohibited areas without the proper pass will be towed for security reasons," warned Walker.
"This is a ticketed event so no one will be permitted in the closed areas without a ticket or a press pass," stated Walker.
Kasich is scheduled to deliver his annual speech in the building auditorium at 1 p.m. Tuesday.
"We had one official request for a rally permit from a group concerned about oil and gas drilling in Ohio. We told that organization and will tell anyone else who comes here to protest the governor that they must stay behind the barricades," City Manager Cathy Davison said.
Steubenville Police Chief Bill McCafferty said there will be limited access to the school building during the State of the State event.
"We have met with the Ohio Highway Patrol and we are coordinating our security for the day. No one will be allowed near the school building unless they have a ticket for the speech, a press pass or official identification allowing them into the restricted area," said McCafferty.
