The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the deadline to file crop acreage reports for agricultural producers in Ohio impacted by flooding and heavy moisture. The new Monday deadline applies to reporting spring-seeded crops to USDA’s Farm Service Agency county offices and federal crop insurance agents.

COLUMBUS — The State Executive Director for Ohio’s Farm Service Agency, Leonard Hubert, reminds producers that the signup period for Lake Erie CREP runs through Aug. 23. CREP is a federal conservation partnership with the state of Ohio through ODA. CREP is designed to address agriculture-related environmental concerns. Ohio’s Lake Erie CREP began back in 2000 with the main objective to improve water quality in all of our rivers, streams and tributaries within the Lake Erie watershed with a special emphasis on the Blanchard and Tiffin Rivers as important tributaries of the Maumee River. These conservation practices will target environmentally-sensitive areas to reduce sediments and nutrients, minimize the risk of flooding, and improve habitat for a variety of wildlife species.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency opened enrollment for the Dairy Margin Coverage program on June 17 and has started issuing payments to producers who purchased coverage. Producers can enroll through Sept. 20, 2019.

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s agricultural economy is experiencing a number of stresses in 2019. Challenging weather and uncertain market conditions are leaving many farmers across the state under considerable financial stress. The reality is no one is immune to financial stress.

Sparks were flying Monday afternoon in Wharton after a tree limb fell on a live electric wire during tree trimming. The Wharton Fire Department and Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office secured the scene until the electric company arrived to fix the wire.

Upper Sandusky Exempted Village School Board President Eric Landversicht will give rival Carey credit when its due. He said at Monday evening’s board meeting that he likes a Carey program that indiscreetly gives out hygiene products to students so well that he would like for Upper Sandusky to copy it.

CAREY — During Monday’s Carey Exempted Village School District Board of Education meeting, local resident Don Stock voiced concerns about sections of the lower rows of the football stadium’s bleachers not having railings. Stock said after speaking to Carey EMS, he learned two people fell in the bleachers. He asked if railings could be put in to prevent falls in the future.

Upper Sandusky City Council was informed of a major shake-up with the city’s water department at its meeting Monday. Upper Sandusky Mayor Scott Washburn informed the council that Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor Aaron Putnam submitted his letter of resignation over the past week and the city needed a new plant operator with grade III certification for 20 hours per week.

CAREY — At Monday’s meeting of the Carey Village Council, councilman Jacob Wentz resigned from his seat on council. Wentz began his term on council in August 2017 and his term was set to conclude Dec. 31. He has resigned so he can take the property maintenance officer position in the village.

COLUMBUS — Recent trends in safety, demographics and demand have spurred the Ohio Department of Transportation to develop its first-ever policy plan for walking and biking. Stakeholder and public engagement will help ensure that policies and investments meet the needs of people walking and biking.