Friday,  Feb. 21, 2014 • Vol. 16--No. 220 • 14 of 34

News from the

Sioux Falls residents oppose homeless shelter plan

• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Residents of a Sioux Falls neighborhood say a homeless shelter proposed by the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls is not welcome.
• They packed a church gym Thursday to voice their opposition to diocese plans to buy an empty warehouse located near several buildings with programs for the needy and convert it into the Bishop Dudley Hospitality Center. It would offer meals, showers, laundry facilities, telephones and other services, and possibly overnight shelter.
• Diocese Chancellor Matt Althoff says existing homeless shelters in Sioux Falls don't meet the need. But residents say there already are facilities for the needy in their area, and they don't want more. They also say the proposed center would be near a school.
• The proposed project is to go before city planners in a couple of weeks.

Sioux Falls flooding lawsuit in hands of judge

• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Testimony has concluded in a case involving flooded homes in Sioux Falls four years ago, and a judge will now decide whether to send the case to a jury to determine damages.
• Judge Patricia Riepel is expected to rule within a few weeks.
• Five couples sued the state of South Dakota and the city of Sioux Falls, saying officials failed to protect their homes from Spring Creek floodwaters in southeast Sioux Falls in summer 2010 after heavy rain.
• The homeowners settled with the city last November in an undisclosed deal but went to court to seek damages from the state, which maintains it isn't responsible for the freak flooding.
• Testimony began Tuesday and wrapped up Thursday.

Farm Rescue nonprofit adding haying assistance

• BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- A North Dakota-based nonprofit organization that helps farm families in need plant and harvest their crops is branching out into haying assistance.
• Farm Rescue is accepting applications from farmers in North Dakota, South Da

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