Church

Colorado Church Wins Court Approval to Continue Sheltering Homeless on Its Grounds Amid Zoning Dispute

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Castle Rock, CO – A Colorado church has won a preliminary legal victory allowing it to continue offering shelter to the homeless on its property, despite objections from local authorities over zoning regulations. The federal court issued an injunction in favor of the Rock Church, located in Castle Rock, which had been prohibited from hosting the homeless since December due to a zoning dispute. The church, led by Pastor Mike Polhemus, has used its facilities, including two RVs, to provide temporary housing for those in need. This service was halted when the town’s board of … Read more

Settlement Reached in 2020 Lawsuit Accusing Gateway Church of Failing to Report Minor’s Sexual Assault at Volunteer’s Home

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Southlake, Texas – A 2020 lawsuit alleging mishandling of a minor’s sexual assault claim at a church-affiliated sleepover resulted in an out-of-court settlement earlier this year, according to Tarrant County court records. Gateway Church was sued by a former member who claimed church leaders failed to report her daughter’s assault during the 2018 incident properly. The suit claimed the girl, then age 11, was assaulted by the minor son of the couple hosting the sleepover, who were volunteers at Gateway Church. Allegations suggested that church officials learned of the incident but struggled to handle it … Read more

Jury Deliberates as Man Self-Represents in Arizona Church Arson Trial, Citing Biblical Defense and Unfair Treatment

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TUCSON, Ariz. — The trial of Eric Ridenour, who stands accused of arson targeting two local churches, has reached a critical juncture as jurors commenced deliberations after days of dramatic courtroom testimonies and fervent closing arguments. Ridenour, representing himself in court, faced allegations of setting ablaze St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church in Douglas last year. Prosecutors aimed to cement his guilt with video evidence and eyewitness testimonials which suggested his presence at the crime scenes. Authorities recounted the sequence of events where surveillance footage purportedly captured a blue Pontiac Aztec, consistent with … Read more

Daytona Beach Church Fights Back After City Forces Closure of Vital Food Pantry, Lawsuit Filed

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Daytona Beach, Florida – A small congregation in Daytona Beach finds itself at odds with the city’s zoning regulations, leading to the shutdown of its food pantry. Led by Pastor Ben Figueroa, the Seventh Day Baptist Church of Daytona Beach had been operating the pantry every Wednesday, providing assistance to hundreds of community members. However, the city cited a violation of an ordinance and forced the pantry to close its doors. Feeling powerless, the church is now working with attorney Chobee Ebbets to challenge the city’s decision in court. Ebbets, representing the church pro bono, … Read more