Page 21 - June 23, 2017

Groton Daily Independent
Friday, June 23, 2017 ~ Vol. 24 - No. 344 ~ 21 of 54
Lawsuit by student whose rape charge got dismissed approved
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that a student can move forward with a lawsuit against a Sioux Falls university that expelled him over a sexual assault allegation that was later dismissed. Koh Evan Tsuruta is seeking unspeci ed damages from Augustana University for loss of educational op- portunities, emotional injury and loss of future income. He alleges that the university employees handling
his case weren’t properly trained in investigating and adjudicating allegations of rape.
Tsuruta was expelled when he was criminally charged after a woman with whom he had been drinking
in July 2015 accused him of rape. The charges were dismissed in March 2016 without explanation. Augustana’s lawyers last fall asked that the lawsuit be dismissed, saying the school didn’t violate any of
Tsuruta’s rights and that he was trying to “seek vengeance” but had no case.
U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier recently denied the school’s request, the Argus Leader reported (http://
argusne.ws/2rVzv5P ).
“Tsuruta has pleaded suf cient facts to support his claims,” she wrote in her June 16 order.
Augustana of cials declined comment. Tsuruta rst sued the school in October 2015 to halt proceedings
to expel him until his criminal case was resolved. A federal judge denied his request and that lawsuit was dismissed.
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Information from: Argus Leader, http://www.argusleader.com
Storm causes damage to senior facility in Castlewood
CASTLEWOOD, S.D. (AP) — Storms caused extensive damage to a senior living facility in Castlewood.
KELO-TV (http://bit.ly/2sXLPlW ) reports the Castlewood Assisted Living facility was evacuated when hail and strong winds moved through the area Wednesday night.
Hamlin County sheriff’s of cials are advising against travel in the community because of so many downed trees and power lines. The storm temporarily knocked out power in the area.
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Information from: KELO-TV, http://www.keloland.com
Kyle man sentenced to time served in child death case
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A Kyle man who admitted failing to report that his wife had been physically abusing a child who later died will not see further jail time.
Forty-four-year-old Mitchell Wisecarver was sentenced Wednesday to time already served behind bars — about 1 1⁄2 years. He’ll be on supervised release for a year.
Forty-three-year-old Lori Wisecarver in February admitted killing the 2-year-old boy she was raising. She’ll be sentenced in September for second-degree murder.
Jayden Locke died from injuries in February 2015, a few months after the couple took custody of him.
Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether rules out a run for Congress
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether says he will not seek the U.S. House seat being vacated by Kristi Noem.
Huether’s second term as mayor ends next May, and there had been some speculation that he might make a run for Congress. He announced Wednesday that he will not do so, despite encouragement “from folks all across the great state of South Dakota.”
Huether did not say what his plans are after he leaves the mayor’s of ce.
The one-time Democrat announced earlier this year that he was changing his af liation to independent. Noem plans to run for governor next year.