Guy Stephens

While they aren’t seeing the catastrophic losses of the most hard-hit areas, northern Illinois farmers are still expecting a significantly reduced corn crop as a result of this summer’s drought. The outlook for soybeans isn’t so clear. Farmers are keeping their fingers crossed.

Paul Rassmussen farms both corn and soybeans in DeKalb County. He says it’s still too early to predict what kind of soybean harvest it will be.

National Night Out 2012 will be observed Tuesday, August 7th, in communities across the country. People are being encouraged to hold block parties that include visits from local police, to foster improved neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

Local, state and federal officials joined with representatives of private industry July 27th to break ground on an expansion of the City of Rochelle Railroad.

15 private and governmental entities were involved in developing the nearly $5 million project, the bulk of which will be paid for by federal and state grants.

State Representative Bob Pritchard says the effort serves as a good example for the rest of the country.

An Indiana auto parts maker is planning to consolidate its North American manufacturing operations in Rockford by early 2013.

Late Tuesday Afternoon Update:

Tens of thousands of people in northern Illinois were without electricity hours after a fast-moving thunderstorm downed trees and severed power lines.

The early morning storm knocked out power to about 300,000 homes and businesses in the northern part of the state.

Commonwealth Edison said that by mid-afternoon, 91,000 customers were still without electricity, most of them to the west of Chicago.

Company officials expect power will be restored to most of them by Thursday evening or Friday.