Power was knocked out for a large number of residents and businesses across two states Wednesday after a crop-dusting helicopter struck an electrical line.
    Dale Elio, 54, was spraying herbicide just before 11:30 a.m. in a field near Substation Road between Lancaster and Potosi when the rotor of the helicopter he was piloting made contact with power lines. The front of the helicopter hit the ground, then fell on its side. Elio received a minor cut on his face, but refused medical treatment at the scene.
    The crash caused a brief power outage as the helicopter struck a transmission line belonging to Dairyland Power Cooperative. This affected 1,559 Grant County customers, with power out close to two hours in areas.
    Also affected were about 800 customers of Jo-Carroll Energy, who also lost electricity as a result of the accident. Jo-Carroll covers portions of East Dubuque and Galena, Ill. Power was restored to those customers at about 12:20 p.m.