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Nation Shopping Center and that no tribal members will lose their jobs because of the change.
• The tribal council unanimously voted in May to stop leasing the building and the land to Hi-Way 20, the owner of Sioux Nation, effective Aug. 4. Brewer said the decision was necessary because of health violations.
• "The Tribe made this decision after conducting an extensive investigation, which revealed that Hi-Way 20 has committed serious and repeated violations of the lease and operated the grocery store in a manner that is contrary to the public health and welfare of the Tribe, its members, and other residents of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation," Brewer wrote in the letter.
• He said the new store would be clean, safe and sanitary and offer fresh, reasonably priced items. In addition, he said no tribal members will lose their jobs and current employees will be given the opportunity to work full-time with benefits and have opportunities for advancement.
• A tribal spokeswoman did not immediately return a phone call and email seeking additional details on the store and its creation for residents of the reservation, which spans much of southwestern South Dakota.
• Terry Pechota, a Rapid City-based lawyer for Hi-Way 20, denied any health violations at Sioux Nation.
• "We're still hopeful we can meet with the tribe and come to some resolution," he said, adding that legal action may be necessary otherwise.
• This is not the first time the tribe has butted heads with the owners. Sioux Nation was closed down for about a week a year ago over complaints about outdated meat.
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Much of South Dakota sees ease in drought
CHET BROKAW,Associated Press
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- Recent thunderstorms have eased the drought in much of South Dakota, but some western areas of the state remain dry, state Climatologist Dennis Todey said Tuesday.
• "While we get this perception it's wet everywhere, it's not. But we're moving in the right direction," Todey told members of the Governor's Drought Task Force.
• He said Sioux Falls and parts of southeastern South Dakota received 7 inches of rain or more in the past week, and a long stretch of the central part of the state got 2 to 3 inches. Western South Dakota is improving, but the northwestern and southwestern parts of the state in particular are still dry, Todey said.
• Conditions have improved substantially from last year's drought that hurt crop yields and forced some farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and other states to (Continued on page 17)
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