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(S.D.)-Grocery Store Still Closed, Employees Say They Need Their Paychecks

By: Roxie Graham-Marski Posted at: 05/18/2012 02:51 PM

PINE RIDGE, S.D. (AP) - The Oglala Sioux tribe's president

has filed a second injunction prohibiting the reopening of the

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation's sole grocery store because of

worries that some tribal members will protest and get hurt if it

were to reopen.

The store has been closed for a week after allegations that the

store was selling outdated meat.

President John Yellow Bird Steele's spokeswoman, Donna Salomon,

confirmed the ongoing closure after the Associated Press learned it

from a store employee.

Employee Ramona Vocu says she wants the issue resolved because she needs

her paycheck. She says many of the reservation's residents live paycheck to

paycheck. Residents have had to leave the vast reservation to buy food – a

difficult task for many who don't have cars and elderly tribe members who

can't afford rides off the reservation. Residents getting state aid for food also

are struggling because they can't use the vouchers in Nebraska.

A hearing is set for Tuesday.