Thanks to the increased use of cover crops, Indiana farmers have set new milestones for soil conservation, according to a new state survey.

The conservation survey conducted this spring by a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture says 1.7 million acres of farmland in Indiana are now under cover crops, beating last year’s total of 1.6 million.

Cover crops include types of grasses, wheats and oats and are planted after the fall harvest to improve the soil. The cover crops provide the soil with living roots which helps with fertilization and prevents sediment from collecting in waterways. State environmental officials estimate cover crops prevent around 1.8 million tons of sediment from entering waterways each year.

SDA conservationist Damarys Mortenson said in a news release that the results of the study reflect an increasing awareness of ways to increase soil health, which in turn makes farms more productive.

“These results are very encouraging,” Mortenson said. “The adoption of cover crops on such a large scale indicates that farmers are recognizing the long-term benefits of these practices for both their land and the environment.”

In recent years state policy has been geared toward soil protection with the Cover Crop Premium Discount program being one example where the state is giving discounts on farmers’ crop insurance if they plant more cover crops.

In the last cycle of that program, 117 farmers participated, planting 35,000 acres of cover crops.

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CHICAGO (CBS) — Severe storms brought heavy rain, high winds, and tornadoes across the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana Monday night. 

Efforts are underway to clear the storm damage and check on residents hit hardest by the severe conditions. 

The National Weather Service reported as many as 10 tornadoes on the ground during the evening. NWS officials are expected to provide an updated report later Tuesday. 

Data collected from 311 calls indicate that Chicago’s West Side was hit hard. 

ComEd outages continue

Over 200,000 ComEd customers woke up Tuesday morning to power outages caused by severe storm damage with flooding and downed trees. 

ComEd said about 80% of customers can expect their power to be restored by Wednesday afternoon. The remaining outages could be restored by Friday.   

ComEd crews and emergency management teams are working to clear roadways and residential areas.   

Oswego tornado destruction 

One of the confirmed tornadoes touched down in suburban Oswego. Heavy winds uprooted large trees, which toppled over onto homes and cars. One Oswego resident said she heard a crash that was “like a bomb.” 

“I haven’t called the insurance yet. I don’t know where to start. This is the first time I’ve ever been through this,” Carol Gillette said.  “I’m just happy we are all alive.”

ComEd is working to restore power to the Oswego area after trees hit utility poles along Route 71. 

Downed power lines in Joliet

In suburban Joliet, the 1500 block of Jefferson Street is filled with debris and downed power lines. 

Police confirmed most of the businesses on the street and in the area are still without power. 

Uprooted trees in West Loop 

Large trees were uprooted from streets in Chicago’s West Loop. 

Downed trees on Madison Street damaged cars.

Trees and branches were blocking Madison Street and drivers should seek alternate routes. 

Woman killed by downed tree in Cedar Lake, Indiana 

A woman was killed after a tree fell on a home during severe storms near Cedar Lake, Indiana, Monday night. Lake County officials responded to the home in a heavily wooded area at 8902 W. 141st Lane around 10:20 p.m.   

According to the Lake County Coroner’s Office, the victim was identified as 44-year-old Laura Nagel. Her manner of death was listed in connection with the severe storm damage.  

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – Five more football stars from Northeast Indiana joined the Indiana Football Hall of Fame on Monday evening.

The Indiana Football Coaches Association hosted another induction dinner at the Goeglein’s Banquet Hall in Fort Wayne, celebrating the class of 2024.

That group included Roosevelt Barnes, Bob Bergeron, Chris Dittoe, Chandler Harnish, and Glen Steele.

Barnes (who was unable to attend) was a multi-sport star at Wayne and Purdue, before getting picked by the Lions in the 10th round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He played several years in the NFL before becoming a pro agent.

Bergeron played as a kicker at Bishop Luers and Michigan. He would spend most of his football career as a coach, serving as a longtime assistant at Snider.

Dittoe suited up at quarterback for Bishop Dwenger and Indiana. He played for the Detroit Lions, and in NFL Europe.

Harnish also played quarterback, becoming one of the best players in Norwell and Northern Illinois history. He joined the Colts as “Mr. Irrelevant,” the final player selected in the 2012 NFL Draft (round seven, pick 253). He spent time on the Colts and Vikings rosters.

Steele was a defensive standout at West Noble and Michigan. He joined the Cincinnati Bengals as a fourth round pick in 1998. Steele played in Cincinnati from 1998-2003.

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