DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT MOVES FORWARD Thanks to a $400,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation, the Minot Domestic Violence Crisis Center began work this past week on a new office and four-plex in east Minot. Officials are planning for the offices to be occupied by?December, and are already working on funding for Phase 2 of the project, which would include a women's shelter, another four-plex transitional living apartment building and a playground. The new facility is located just east of the Jefferson Early Childhood Center, which also houses Head Start classrooms. We're certainly glad this project is under way, and we'll be even happier when funding for the second phase is secured so the women's shelter can be built. The center plays a vital role in the city, and once completed, the new facility will allow the crisis center to continue and expand its commitment to the community.
COLORADO TRAGEDY The shooting spree in a Colorado movie theater this past Friday was another jarring reminder that senseless violence can happen anywhere, anytime. The suspect, 24-year-old James Holmes, was taken into custody after the shooting, which killed 12 people and injured at least 50 others, according to officials on Friday. Witnesses said Holmes was dressed like a SWAT team member, and some originally thought his appearance was part of the festivities surrounding the premiere of the latest Batman movie. But then he tossed a gas canister into the theater and started shooting. We're deeply saddened by the loss of lives and the injuries suffered by others, and we wait to hear word of Holmes' possible motives, although there is no rational explanation for walking into a movie theater and shooting randomly at anyone and everyone. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims' families.