Judge rules Deep Springs Ranch for Kids must be licensed

Libby Montana News Archive

LibbyMt.com > News > February 2013 > Judge rules Deep Springs Ranch for Kids must be licensed

Judge rules Deep Springs Ranch for Kids must be licensed
by Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio
February 8, 2013
Libby District Judge Jim Wheelis has agreed with a State Department of Labor and Industry argument the Eureka Deep Springs Ranch for Kids boarding school is not an exempt church ministry and must be licensed by the State Private Alternative Adolescent Residential or Outdoor Programs board, unless they are a legitimate church ministry.

Owner, Joyce Sterkel had argued that the Eureka Deep Springs Ranch for troubled children adopted abroad should be free from state oversight because of an exemption in the law for adjunct ministries of local churches.

Wheelis agreed with the State's argument the church association was in name only.

The ranch has been operating without a license for 2-1/2 years. Many of the code violations to bring it into compliance are reportedly minor.
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By Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio, e-mail: klcb@frontiernet.net, www.klcb-ktny.com.

LibbyMt.com > News > February 2013 > Judge rules Deep Springs Ranch for Kids must be licensed

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