Here is the latest South Dakota news from The Associated Press

CLAREMONT, S.D. (AP) Families in the Claremont area are dealing with the effects of huge amounts of rain this fall. The area has gotten at least 13 inches of rain since Labor Day. At least one home has been sandbAgged to ward off approaching water, and more than a few families are considering temporarily moving.

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) The Dakota Midland snowmobile trail system in the Aberdeen area will be closed this winter because there's too much standing water. Officials say there's a concern that snowmobilers or trail groomers could break through the ice into 2 to 6 feet of water.

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) A Feb. 1 sentencing date has been set for an Aberdeen man convicted of smuggling a leopard hide into the United States after killing the animal during a hunting trip to South Africa. A jury also convicted Wayne D. Breitag of filing false import permits for leopard hides for himself and another man.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and North Dakota State University will be among the presenters at a 13-state conference that will explore Agricultural solutions to climate and energy issues. The conference will be offered through distance-learning technology, with keynote sessions originating at different sites.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-29-09 1429CST | save this article / add to your favorites list