Photo Provided

Mindy Strahl of Bridgeport, seated, is joined from left by Lt. William M. Boyd, Capt. Steven R. Rine and Lt. James M. Faunda of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Cambridge District staff as she applies as a cadet with the patrol, having passed all background requirements. She has begun training at the academy in Columbus. The entire time at the academy lasts about six months. There is a good chance Strahl could be assigned to a patrol post near her hometown, but the patrol, like many other agencies, is down in numbers right now and every post is experiencing staffing shortages.