New Life schedules news conference today in Cape Girardeau

Officials from New Life Evangelistic Center will hold a news conference this afternoon to discuss their next move now that a judge's ruling has effectively ended the organization's plan to convert the former federal courthouse on Broadway into a homeless shelter.

The group said it will talk about "future endeavors to acquire the property," as well as New Life's ongoing work in Cape Girardeau.

On Dec. 1, District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly denied New Life's challenge of the Department of Health and Human Services' 2009 decision not to give the building to the homeless assistance organization.

The judge's ruling clears the way for the Cape Girardeau County Commission to explore acquiring the property to replace the Common Pleas Courthouse, and the courthouse annex on Lorimier Street.