RIPLEY COUNTY MAY BE DISASTER AREA

Gov. Mel Carnahan on Thursday asked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman to include Ripley County in a federal disaster declaration for agricultural crop loss.

In July, Carnahan asked Glickman to consider seven Southeast Missouri counties for disaster assistance because of crop damages due to sever weather and flooding. The seven counties are Butler, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott and Stoddard.

Glickman has yet to rule on the requests.

A disaster declaration would allow farmers in those counties to apply for low-interest loans.