Jackson, homeless shelter reach lawsuit settlement

Jackson city officials will settle a lawsuit against the Revival Center on terms that change little about the way the center operates, said pastor Joyce Hungate.

In the settlement, approved by the Jackson Board of Aldermen at a meeting last week and released to the public Wednesday, the center doesn't admit the city's main allegation, that it has operated a halfway house in violation of city ordinances.

Instead, the center agreed to bar anyone with a history of violent crime from the shelter and to allow the Jackson Police Department to conduct background checks on anyone seeking a place to stay.The agreement must still be approved by Circuit Judge Ben Lewis. The case is scheduled for a routine court date Monday, but Ludwig said he hoped to have the paperwork ready to present to Lewis by that date.

Read more in Thursday's Southeast Missourian.