Drivers: Use care on muddy forest roads

Forest officials are advising that roads and adjacent areas are wet, muddy, slippery and easily damaged by motor vehicles.

"It's that time of year when vehicles make deep ruts on the land and on our forest roads," Craig Bobzien, Black Hills National Forest Supervisor, said.

"We're asking people not to travel on forest roads unless they have to and to stay on hard-surface roads, especially gravel or asphalt surfaces, until things dry out," he said.

Driving on wet or muddy roads causes erosion, reduces water quality and makes roads hazardous for the next user, Bobzien said. Roads and vehicles can be seriously damaged in these conditions.

The Ricco Fire order is still in effect the Northern Hills Ranger District, and no off-road traffic is allowed within the fire perimeter. The main arterial roads, Forest Service Roads 144 (Piedmont Fire Trail) and 546 (May Happy Flats), are open for the public to use.

Other roads are barricaded to protect them from rutting, including Forest Road 222 (Roughlock Falls Road). Closed roads will be monitored and will be opened when the road surface dries enough to promote safe passage to the public.

For more information on the Black Hills National Forest, visit the Web site at www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills.

Walk for autism today

The Autism Society of the Black Hills plans its annual Family 5k Fun Run/Walk for today at Old Storybook Island.

The 5K family walk begins at noon. The 5K for runners only begins at 1:15 p.m.

Registration is $10 per person with children 5 and younger free. All proceeds benefit Autism Society of the Black Hills. Entrants may register today at Old Storybook Island. The first 100 paid participants receive a free T-shirt, and there will be a prize for the person wearing the craziest hat. For more, call Sheri at 415-3739.

Utility work closes roads Monday

Effective Monday, April 7, Hemlock Street between East Fairmont Boulevard and Bluebird Court will be closed to through traffic for utility work. The project should be completed April 9.

If you have questions, call the contractor, Sprinkler Guys, at 718-7363.

Also effective Monday, northbound traffic will be restricted on Hillsview Drive between Canyon Lake Drive and West Saint Patrick Street for utility work.

The project should be completed in about two days.

If you have questions, call Askland Construction at 391-2383.

Mount Rushmore sets summer schedule

Superintendent Gerard Baker has announced the summer schedule for Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Beginning May 24, the Memorial's Lincoln Borglum Museum and the Information Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

The evening program and lighting ceremony will be at 9 p.m. from May 24 to Aug. 14, and then at 8 p.m. Aug. 15 through Sept. 30.

Daily ranger-led interpretive programs will begin May 24. The historic Sculptor's Studio will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from May 15-23 and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May 24 - Aug. 15.

All dates and times are subject to change.

Parking garage hours for May 1-8 will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

From May 9-23, parking will be open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and from May 24 - Aug. 14, the garage will be open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more, visit www.nps.gov/moru or call 605-574-2523.