99 NEWS FOR TUESDAY, 7/31/12

STORM DAMAGE LIKELY NOT ENOUGH FOR FEMA, OWENS SAYS--Congressman Bill Owens told reporters on hand Monday as Owens toured the Potsdam downtown area ravaged by the torrential July 17th thunderstorm, that the dollar amount of damage the storm caused will probably not meet the threshold needed for non-loan aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The US Small Business Administration is expected to be in St. Lawrence County today to help local officials implement its low-interest loan program for business and homeowners affected by the event

POSITIVE AMISH TRENDS SEEN IN ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY--Cornell Cooperative Extension Ag Issues Leader Brent Buchanan told 99 News Monday information from an Ohio State rural sociology report issued Monday seems to hold true locally; the Amish population is growing. He says one of the main reasons is the Amish agribusiness model--they will take land that so-called "English" farmers will not, and do the needed work to make it profitable, such as adding drainage or clearing trees. He says the Amish have done a great deal for the county's dairy industry through some of its leadership allowing communal bulk tanks with electricity that can produce Grade A milk. Buchanan also says the Amish come here for the opportunities, despite the fact many work at a great tax disadvantage because they don't qualify for breaks based on their cash receipts; this is because they and their livestock eat what they grow.

Percy Francis--74--Cornwall Island, Akwesasne. Services 2pm Thursday at St. Regis Catholic Church. Calling hours at Tri-District Elders from 6pm today until 12:30pm Thursday.