COLUMBUS, OH—Buckeye Power, Inc. was one of 16 electric cooperatives selected nationwide to receive a portion of $7.3 billion to build additional renewable energy projects to power Ohio’s 24 electric cooperatives. During a visit to Wisconsin today, President Joe Biden and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack will formerly announce the 16 cooperatives selected to receive the financing through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program, which is part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. The program received 157 letters of interest for 750 projects across the country. Buckeye Power, Inc. is honored to have its proposed projects selected.

“Buckeye Power will use the New ERA funds to deploy 36MW of renewable energy and 80 MWH of energy storage across rural Ohio, in conjunction with closure of Cardinal Unit 3,” said Pat O’Loughlin, President and CEO of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives and Buckeye Power, Inc. “We anticipate this will further lower our carbon footprint by 1.9 million tons annually and reduce power generation rates paid by our members into the future—all while supporting our commitment to provide reliable, affordable environmentally responsible electricity to cooperative members. Buckeye looks forward to working with its members to finalize the community benefit plans associated with these projects.”

The funding supports Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives’ and Buckeye Power’s mission to deploy an all-of-the-above approach to power generation. Current generation assets include coal- fired generation, natural gas, hydropower, solar, wind, and biogas from farms and landfills.

“The Inflation Reduction Act makes the largest investment in rural electrification since FDR and the New Deal in the 1930s,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. “Today’s awards will bring clean, affordable, reliable power to rural Americans all across our nation.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio — From brittle, brown lawns and cracked soils to dry ponds and crops, the signs are clear: A large portion of Ohio is again officially in a drought.

Parts of central, southeast, and southern Ohio are grappling with drought conditions that are wreaking havoc on local agriculture. The recent stretch of hot temperatures combined with scant rainfall has resulted in at least 63% of the state considered abnormally dry or worse, including 24% considered severe drought and 12% in extreme drought, according to the Aug. 22 update from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

This prolonged dry spell has left pastures parched and forage availability critically low, forcing some farmers to confront a dire shortage of hay, said Garth Ruff, an Ohio State University Extension field specialist in beef cattle and livestock marketing.

“Farmers are facing mounting challenges as they struggle to sustain their livestock,” Ruff said. “In areas where ponds, creeks, or springs have dried up, farmers are now hauling water daily, adding both cost and labor to their already strained operations.

“The deteriorating pasture conditions are pushing livestock growers to consider supplemental nutrition for their herds as they head into fall. Without significant rainfall, many may have to resort to early marketing of beef calves or, in the driest areas, culling animals to manage the dwindling resources.”

Amid growing concern among farmers and producers statewide about what drought can mean for their crops and livestock, The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) has activated its Drought Rapid Response Team, which convenes weekly to monitor conditions and provide farmers, producers, gardeners, turfgrass managers, and others with information on how to manage a drought.

“Despite heavy rainfall across western and parts of northeastern Ohio, southern and southeastern counties have largely missed the most beneficial rains over the last 90 days,” said Aaron Wilson, state climatologist of Ohio and OSU Extension’s field specialist in agriculture weather and climate. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of CFAES.

“Combined with periods of hot temperatures, the soil has lost a tremendous amount of water due to evaporation, which has affected pasture conditions; lowered creeks, ponds, and private wells; and impacted grain fill across this portion of the state,” Wilson said.

And the situation is likely to get worse, he said.

“The next seven days show that most of the state will not receive any rainfall over this period, while the six- to 14-day outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center show temperatures are likely to be above normal with near- to below-normal precipitation,” Wilson said. “With temperatures rising into the 90s this weekend, drought conditions are likely to persist or worsen across the state.”

The team updates its Drought Conditions and Resources webpage to provide resources for Ohio’s farmers, said Chris Zoller, OSU Extension interim assistant director, agriculture and natural resources.

He said the Drought Rapid Response Team was activated because OSU Extension was hearing from educators and specialists statewide about concerns farmers and producers were expressing about increasing drought conditions.

The team was activated last spring due to significant May precipitation deficits, and in 2019 for extreme flooding impacts on agriculture. The team assesses rapidly changing weather conditions; surveys ground impacts on agriculture, water, and soil; and ensures effective public communication and education to help clients respond.

“The Drought Rapid Response Team is part of fulfilling CFAES’ and OSU Extension’s land-grant mission through mobilizing people and resources to address issues of concern to crop and livestock producers in Ohio that are impacted by the drought,” Zoller said. “We’re here to serve Ohio by providing the best research-based information they need to make informed decisions as they deal with drought considerations.

“We’re also coordinating and collaborating with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, as well as providing state and federal elected officials up-to-date information on what we’re finding and recommending.”

The drought webpage also provides links to numerous CFAES resources and newsletters, including information specific to agronomic crops, dairy, farm management, fruits, livestock, poultry, vegetables, wine grapes, and turfgrass. The information is especially timely and significant, considering that the rapidly expanding drought conditions are negatively impacting farmers and producers.

As it stands now, 43% of Ohio corn crop conditions are considered fair to very poor, while 44% of Ohio soybean crop conditions are considered fair to very poor, according to the Aug. 19 crop progress report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Ohio Field Office. And more than half, 66% of pastures and ranges are considered fair to very poor, the report said.

As drought conditions persist, livestock producers are facing critical challenges in managing their herds. Jason Hartschuh, an OSU Extension field specialist in dairy management and precision livestock, said some farmers are concerned about forage availability and potential toxicity issues affecting cattle.

“When crops like corn and sorghum experience drought conditions, nitrates can accumulate in the plant,” Hartschuh said. “Due to drought stress hindering active growth, plants fail to utilize these nitrates for protein synthesis, leading to potentially toxic levels.

Hartschuh explained that some producers normally use pastures to feed their livestock all summer, but this year, because of drought, they’ve had to feed their livestock hay. And without getting a second cutting on their hay crops, these folks might run out of hay this winter. “This scarcity could lead to increased production costs, as farmers may have to purchase feed instead,” he said.

Many grain crop farmers are also feeling the heat.

“Drought stress during grain fill in corn and soybean means shortened grain-fill periods,” said Stephanie Karhoff, OSU Extension field specialist in agronomic systems. “This leads to lower seed weights and yields, as well as premature maturity. Drought-stressed corn might also suffer from increased lodging issues.

“Lower corn yields also mean soil-residual nitrogen will be higher due to reduced nitrogen uptake.”

Karhoff suggested that farmers consider planting overwintering cover crops such as cereal rye after fall harvest to retain this nitrogen. However, she cautioned that continued dry conditions might render this strategy unfeasible if soil moisture remains insufficient for cover crop establishment.

And some vegetable and specialty crop farmers have also been negatively impacted, said Logan Minter, OSU Extension field specialist in specialty crops production systems.

“The hot and dry conditions this summer, following a mild winter, have exasperated and compounded issues in many vegetable and specialty crops with increased insect pest pressure,” he said.

For up-to-date drought resources, visit go.osu.edu/ohiodrought.

From brittle, brown lawns and cracked soils to dry ponds and crops, the signs are clear: A large portion of Ohio is again officially in a drought.

Parts of central, southeast, and southern Ohio are grappling with drought conditions that are wreaking havoc on local agriculture. The recent stretch of hot temperatures combined with scant rainfall has resulted in at least 63% of the state considered abnormally dry or worse, including 24% considered severe drought and 12% in extreme drought, according to the Aug. 22 update from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

This prolonged dry spell has left pastures parched and forage availability critically low, forcing some farmers to confront a dire shortage of hay, said Garth Ruff, an Ohio State University Extension field specialist in beef cattle and livestock marketing.

“Farmers are facing mounting challenges as they struggle to sustain their livestock,” Ruff said. “In areas where ponds, creeks, or springs have dried up, farmers are now hauling water daily, adding both cost and labor to their already strained operations.

“The deteriorating pasture conditions are pushing livestock growers to consider supplemental nutrition for their herds as they head into fall. Without significant rainfall, many may have to resort to early marketing of beef calves or, in the driest areas, culling animals to manage the dwindling resources.”

Amid growing concern among farmers and producers statewide about what drought can mean for their crops and livestock, The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) has activated its Drought Rapid Response Team, which convenes weekly to monitor conditions and provide farmers, producers, gardeners, turfgrass managers, and others with information on how to manage a drought.

“Despite heavy rainfall across western and parts of northeastern Ohio, southern and southeastern counties have largely missed the most beneficial rains over the last 90 days,” said Aaron Wilson, state climatologist of Ohio and OSU Extension’s field specialist in agriculture weather and climate. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of CFAES.

“Combined with periods of hot temperatures, the soil has lost a tremendous amount of water due to evaporation, which has affected pasture conditions; lowered creeks, ponds, and private wells; and impacted grain fill across this portion of the state,” Wilson said.

And the situation is likely to get worse, he said.

“The next seven days show that most of the state will not receive any rainfall over this period, while the six- to 14-day outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center show temperatures are likely to be above normal with near- to below-normal precipitation,” Wilson said. “With temperatures rising into the 90s this weekend, drought conditions are likely to persist or worsen across the state.”

The team updates its Drought Conditions and Resources webpage to provide resources for Ohio’s farmers, said Chris Zoller, OSU Extension interim assistant director, agriculture and natural resources.

He said the Drought Rapid Response Team was activated because OSU Extension was hearing from educators and specialists statewide about concerns farmers and producers were expressing about increasing drought conditions.

The team was activated last spring due to significant May precipitation deficits, and in 2019 for extreme flooding impacts on agriculture. The team assesses rapidly changing weather conditions; surveys ground impacts on agriculture, water, and soil; and ensures effective public communication and education to help clients respond.

“The Drought Rapid Response Team is part of fulfilling CFAES’ and OSU Extension’s land-grant mission through mobilizing people and resources to address issues of concern to crop and livestock producers in Ohio that are impacted by the drought,” Zoller said. “We’re here to serve Ohio by providing the best research-based information they need to make informed decisions as they deal with drought considerations.

“We’re also coordinating and collaborating with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, as well as providing state and federal elected officials up-to-date information on what we’re finding and recommending.”

The drought webpage also provides links to numerous CFAES resources and newsletters, including information specific to agronomic crops, dairy, farm management, fruits, livestock, poultry, vegetables, wine grapes, and turfgrass. The information is especially timely and significant, considering that the rapidly expanding drought conditions are negatively impacting farmers and producers.

As it stands now, 43% of Ohio corn crop conditions are considered fair to very poor, while 44% of Ohio soybean crop conditions are considered fair to very poor, according to the Aug. 19 crop progress report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Ohio Field Office. And more than half, 66% of pastures and ranges are considered fair to very poor, the report said.

As drought conditions persist, livestock producers are facing critical challenges in managing their herds. Jason Hartschuh, an OSU Extension field specialist in dairy management and precision livestock, said some farmers are concerned about forage availability and potential toxicity issues affecting cattle.

“When crops like corn and sorghum experience drought conditions, nitrates can accumulate in the plant,” Hartschuh said. “Due to drought stress hindering active growth, plants fail to utilize these nitrates for protein synthesis, leading to potentially toxic levels.

Hartschuh explained that some producers normally use pastures to feed their livestock all summer, but this year, because of drought, they’ve had to feed their livestock hay. And without getting a second cutting on their hay crops, these folks might run out of hay this winter. “This scarcity could lead to increased production costs, as farmers may have to purchase feed instead,” he said.

Many grain crop farmers are also feeling the heat.

“Drought stress during grain fill in corn and soybean means shortened grain-fill periods,” said Stephanie Karhoff, OSU Extension field specialist in agronomic systems. “This leads to lower seed weights and yields, as well as premature maturity. Drought-stressed corn might also suffer from increased lodging issues.

“Lower corn yields also mean soil-residual nitrogen will be higher due to reduced nitrogen uptake.”

Karhoff suggested that farmers consider planting overwintering cover crops such as cereal rye after fall harvest to retain this nitrogen. However, she cautioned that continued dry conditions might render this strategy unfeasible if soil moisture remains insufficient for cover crop establishment.

And some vegetable and specialty crop farmers have also been negatively impacted, said Logan Minter, OSU Extension field specialist in specialty crops production systems.

“The hot and dry conditions this summer, following a mild winter, have exasperated and compounded issues in many vegetable and specialty crops with increased insect pest pressure,” he said.

For up-to-date drought resources, visit go.osu.edu/ohiodrought.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is preparing for a major winter storm expected to impact the state starting Thursday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings for much of Indiana starting Thursday afternoon through at least Friday, depending upon location. Blizzard warnings have been issued for counties bordering Lake Michigan. NWS is calling for snow with high winds and dangerously cold temperatures, causing snow-covered roadways and low visibility for holiday travel.

INDOT will be at a full call in most locations with nearly 1,000 trucks treating and plowing highways across the state by Thursday afternoon through the weekend. Trucks will remain out in full force for the duration of the storm and afterward to continue cleanup efforts.

Road conditions will be difficult as the storm moves through. INDOT’s goal is to keep highways passable during the storm. Travel should be carefully considered Thursday afternoon through at least Friday morning. Motorists that must travel should expect to encounter snow and ice-covered roads, blowing and drifting snow, and whiteout conditions due to high winds.

Light rain and some wintry mix is expected during the day Thursday, and will make a rapid transition to snow once the cold front passes through. Due to rain, pre-treatment will be challenging, but will occur in some locations as conditions allow. Drivers should note that without pre-treatment, highways are more likely to develop slick spots and snow will more easily stick to pavement and bridges. Low temperatures will also impact the effectiveness of salt. INDOT is prepared to utilize additives as necessary to help the salt melt snow and ice from roadways.

INDOT urges motorists to closely monitor forecasts and adjust holiday travel to avoid higher-impact timeframes during the storm, which are anticipated Thursday evening through Friday morning in most areas. Travel impacts may linger through Saturday in the northern part of the state. Avoiding travel will keep drivers safe at home and give plow trucks room to work safely and complete their routes as quickly as possible.

If travel is absolutely necessary, slow down, increase following distance, don’t crowd plow trucks, allow extra time to reach your destination, and pack an emergency kit with supplies such as blankets, extra clothing, snacks, water and a phone charger.

Monitor real-time travel conditions and view traffic and snow plow cameras online at 511in.org or via INDOT’s TrafficWise app. Regular updates will also be shared on INDOT’s social media channels. Check for travel advisories in your area at in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory.

BOWLING GREEN (Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022) – A winter storm is looming, looking to disrupt travel for the Christmas holiday.

Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) crews in District 1 and District 2, which includes 16 counties throughout northwest Ohio, are preparing by checking trucks and all equipment; and organizing full-time, auxiliary, and seasonal employees to prepare them to begin 12-hour shifts when needed.

Based on predictions by our meteorology partners, ODOT is preparing its plow operators for the following:

• A winter storm watch remains in effect for Thursday night through Saturday, with a brief and light wintry mix possible early Thursday before turning to rain.
• Falling temperatures Thursday night will bring a fast changeover to all snow.
• Friday and Friday night, snow accumulations of two to four inches are expected with high winds causing widespread blowing and drifting and possible blizzard conditions.
• Saturday, gusty winds, dangerous cold and blowing snow continue.
• Christmas day Sunday, it’s expected to remain cold and breezy.

“This storm will be challenging as our ability to pretreat highways with brine (salt and water mixture) will be limited because the rain will wash it away. We will monitor pavement temperatures and apply material as temperatures drop and the changeover to snow begins,” said Rod Nuveman, ODOT District 1 highway management administrator.

“Our trucks will be out at all times through the storm. We ask motorists to use caution if travel is necessary, and to be respectful of our plow operators. Our goal is to keep roads passable for emergency vehicles, but we don’t expect highways to be completely clear until the winds have diminished,” said Pat McColley, ODOT District 2 deputy director.

Motorists are reminded to be aware that ODOT trucks travel at slower speeds and to give them plenty of space to work. Last winter, ODOT plow trucks statewide were struck 62 times. Three strikes have occurred already this year.

Motorists who must travel can check OHGO. com for current conditions.

On Wednesday June 1st, at 6:55 p.m., the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana, issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Paulding County. As the storm cell entered southwest of Payne it intensified into a much stronger cell, with damaging winds and rotation in the storm. Damage started to be reported in the Payne area as the storm moved in a northeasterly direction. At some point before it reached Latty, the rotation may have formed a brief “tornmanic” active southwest of the village. The NWS issued this statement on the damage: “A thunderstorm rapidly intensified as it moved out of southeastern Allen County, Indiana into southwestern Paulding County. Damaging winds, ranging between 60 to locally over 80 mph, caused damage from Payne, OH through Latty and south of Melrose. The most extensive damage appears to have occurred from Payne to Latty where tree damage, minor structure damage and damage to power poles occurred. Tree limbs also fell onto parked vehicles, causing damage. A resident shared a picture on the Paulding County EMA Facebook page, south of Latty showing a home weather station recorded an 83.4 mph wind gust. We would like to thank Paulding and Van Wert county EMA officials as well as those that posted pictures on the Paulding County Facebook page”, this from Meteorologist Lonnie Fisher of the Northern Indiana National Weather Service, in North Webster, Indiana. 

Reports, posted on social media, did not indicate any serious or significant structural damage to residential property. Although there was damage to roofs and siding, with some damage to barns and other outbuildings. In some places large tree limbs landed on vehicles. The good news out of all of this was, no one was injured and the rotation in the storm cell was very brief and did not develop into a destructive tornado. 

EMA Director Rick McCoy from Van Wert County toured the track of the storm for the National Weather Service and assisted Director Bohn from Paulding County. The photos submitted by Director McCoy along with his years of studying meteorology provided much needed information for the National Weather Service to make their determination and issue their findings.

The melting snow and the warm temperatures has caused the Maumee River to dam up by the breaking of the winter ice. Near the Vagabond is where the ice is currently at but extends for miles, causing the water to overflow out of the banks of the river.

The ice appears to be stopping much of the flow and forcing the water to make a new path into nearby fields and yards. The warming the new few days may break the dam but freezing temperatures afterwards may create new problems if the ice does not break free in the next few days!

Friday of last week there were reports of rain fall that accumulated to over 6” of rain. Paulding had standing water rise from Blue Creek and Flat Rock Creek. The fields tiling has increased the volume of water arriving at ditches, creeks and water in a certain amount of time. Housing areas were also flooded and have begun to recede. These amounts were on on top of the  rain amounts received prior to Friday that were also making July one of the wettest months for some of the Paulding County residents. 

Paulding County EMA director, Ed Bohn, described a developing occurrence of what is called “rain bombs”. That is where three or more inches of rain fall on an area in a quick burst. 

The flood waters in Paulding County are receding after over six plus inches of rain fell most of Friday into Saturday morning. The Blue Creek and Flatrock Creek impacted a good portion of the Village of Payne and some areas of the village of Paulding, causing flooding in basements and crawl spaces in a number of homes. Area township, county and St. 500 were closed west of US 127. Residents in the village of Payne sand bagged their properties, thanks to the Paulding County Engineer’s Office and Benton Twp. hauling loads of sand and providing the sand bags to those in need. For more information contact the Paulding County EMA office.

The next 10 day forecast does not look near as wet as the previous week. Perhaps farmers will be able to get the standing wheat harvested. 

Ed Bohn, Paulding County EMA sent in a field report that at 6:27pm tonight a weather event damaged a livestock barn, a addition under construction to a house and overturned a westbound semi on US 24, all this occurred near the intersection of Paulding County Road 143 and US 24, in the northeastern part of Paulding County. Contact the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Patrol (419) 238-3055, for information about the semi-tractor trailer and the condition to the driver. Contact the Northern Indiana National Weather Service at (574) 834-1104, in regards to the weather event that caused the damage and overturning the semi-tractor trailer. 

Paulding County Sheriff Jason K. Landers has issued a Level 2 Road Advisory for Paulding County. This Level 2 Road Advisory means that roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow and most of the roadways could be icy. Only those individuals who feel it is necessity to travel should be on the roadways. Sheriff Landers urges people to use caution and common sense in deciding if travel is really necessary. Level 2 doesn’t close the roadways to travel, but it is an advisory against unnecessary travel.

Due to road and weather conditions Sheriff Landers urges anyone driving to leave early, allowing plenty of extra time to arrive at your destination.

While the road conditions may look adequate in the Villages and wind protected areas, they are hazardous out in the county. Everyone is advised to continuously monitor the weather conditions.

This advisory will be reevaluated at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. 

Sheriff Jason K. Landers