• HURON, S.D. (AP) -- The U.S. Agriculture Department reports that its rural development program has provided about $459 million in grants and loans to rural South Dakota communities in the past year.
• The program support projects that involve housing, business and community development, water and wastewater systems, energy production, distance learning and telecommunications.
• Rural Development State Director Elsie Meeks says the funds help rural communities, businesses and people gain economic opportunities and a better quality of life.
• Water and wastewater funds are available to communities with populations of less than 10,000. Housing and community facility funding is available to towns of 20,000 or less. And businesses and industries in cities with populations of up to 50,000 can obtain funding.
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• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- A 29-year-old Mission woman is scheduled to be sentenced in February after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the May asphyxiation of a child.
• The U.S. Attorney's Office says Kristen Bear Heels asphyxiated the child under 7 by overlaying, which involves accidentally rolling over onto a child.
• Bear Heels appeared in court this past week and was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal.
• The charge carries a maximum sentence of 8 years.
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• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota School of Mines is planning to build a new 60,000-80,000-square-foot student recreation center and field house.
• The school says it has signed a contract with an architectural and engineering group to prepare designs to present to the South Dakota Board of Regents in April.
• The facility is expected to join an existing recreation center. The new facility will

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