A local television meteorologist has been dismissed from WKYC Studios nine months after her Thanksgiving arrest for OVI.
Hollie Strano, who had worked at WKYC Channel 3 News for over 20 years, announced her termination on social media Monday morning.
“I am saddened to inform you that after more than 22 years of dedicated service, WKYC and Tegna have decided to end my employment following my public disclosure of my recovery journey,” Strano wrote. “This decision reflects the stigma surrounding addiction that many in our community face daily.”
Strano pleaded guilty to one count of OVI, a first-degree misdemeanor, after crashing her vehicle on Akron-Peninsula Road. A police officer from Cuyahoga Falls reported that she was driving 70 mph in a 35 mph zone, with a blood alcohol level of 0.244%, significantly above the legal limit of 0.08%. Since her arrest, she has shared updates on her recovery efforts.
A representative from Tegna, the parent company of WKYC located in Tysons, Virginia, was not available for comment.
In addition to her role as a meteorologist, Strano also hosted WKYC’s “GO” morning show and “It’s About You.”