99 NEWS HEADLINES FOR THURSDAY, 8/13/09

POTATO, TOMATO BLIGHT CONTINUES TO SPREAD THROUGHOUT NORTH COUNTRY--"Late Blight," the fungus that caused the Irish Potato Famines of the 1800's is decimating local crops. Organic farmers are particularly nervous, as they do not use chemical interventions other farmers use. Susan Rau of Massena, manager of the "North Country Grown" Cooperative that sells organically-grown produce SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Canton, St.Lawrence University and several local restaurants plus the Potsdam Food Co-Op says it's crucial to inform the public a potato or tomato that looks good may be contaminated with the blight and infect those with it in storage.

TOWN OF POTSDAM PETITIONED FOR LOWER SPEED LIMIT ON PART OF POTSDAM-MORLEY ROAD--Town Highway Superintendent John Keleher told the Town Council a State Trooper wrote 26 tickets in one hour on the stretch of road between 'Five Corners' and US Route 11. The Town will be making a formal request for a reduction in the area from 55 down to 40 or 45. Route 11 parallel to the road from the Village limits to beyond Wal-Mart recently got a reduction from 55 to 45.

BRASHER FALLS RESCUE SAVES FOUR PEOPLE--The Courier-Observer says numerous volunteers assisted with the rescue of a family group that was carried by the current of the St.Regis River in the heart of Brasher late Wednesday. One of the four, a 12-year-old boy fell in; a 19-year-old girl, another girl and Arshad Siddiqui of Potsdam all tried to save him. The 19-year-old was hospitalized after being pulled out; the rest were able to walk to safety after being pulled to shore.

SEACOMM TO BRANCH OUT IN OGDENSBURG--The Credit Union announced this week it will take over the former Community Bank facility in Gateway Plaza. the renovated facility is expected to be open for business early next year. CEO Scott Wilson says demand for a branch in the City has been high for many years.