T "Where the Kid got his name" undance The favorite county newspaper of Donna Lamb Continuing the Crook Coun O' news since 1884 Issue No. 15 75 Cents Daycare proj,00ct underway / Bob Hadden photo Dirt work has begun on the new facility being built on 5 th Street for Sundance Kid's Daycare. A crew from Alrbright Construction out of Belle Fourche is preparing the site and, considering the day care's close proximity to Sundance Creek, building the foundation is one of the most important steps. Engineers incorporated a design for the facility that would meet the stringent federal and environmental requirements because part of the site was originally designated as a "flood fringe" area. Tornado drill next week A statewide tornado drill be conducted by the National Weather Service and emergency officials around 10:30 a_m. MDT on Wednesday, April 20 as part of Wyoming Severe Weather Awareness Week, April 18-22. The exercise is used to train emergency service organizations and educate people how to respond to a tornado warning. Communities may sound local warning sirens and many schools will conduct safety drills for their students. The drill will also include a test of the Emergency Alert System, which will interrupt local media broadcasts. The public should be aware that the scroll on broadcast television and cable TV channels will look like a real waming while the NOAA Weather Radio and broadcast radio audio will be identified as a test. ff an actual tornado warning was issued, it means a tornado has been sighted or indicated on radar and people should take shelter immediately. Tornado wamings are • disseminated through NOAA xeather radio, local television and radio stations, cable television systems, and outdoor xmming sirens. People do not need to take any action during this exercise. However, they are encouraged to become familiar with safety rules, anti make plans to protect themselves and their families when storms develop. Information about storm safety is available from county emergency management offices, the American Red Cross, and the Rapid City National Weather Service web site: www.weather. gov/RapidCity. Spirited city council meeting covers wide range of issues By Bob Hadden The April meeting of the Sundance City Council and Mayor Brooks proved to be one of the most interesting in some time. Nearly 20 Sundance citizens, and a few guest speakers, filled the council chambers and a number of different topics were addressed throughout the meeting. Perhaps most notable were discussions surrounding recycling, the proposed rare earth mine, and at least this evening, passionate differences of opinion . surrounding the upcoming fiscal budget. Joe Bumaell from Northern Hlls Recycling and Sundance Attorney Mark Hughes had worked up a three year contract between Bunnell's company and the city for the council and mayor's review. After a few simple clarifications were discussed, and after hearing some input from local business owners, the council voted to enter into the contract and recycling will be re-instated in Sundance. BunneU should have all the receptacles and information packets ready for city-wide distribution on Earth Day which is April 22. George Byers, Vice President Government Relations and Jim Clark, Vice President in charge of exploration for Rare Element Resources were on hand to address the council and citizens. Byers gave a short, but informative, presentation on the current status of the project and answered a few questions. Mr. Byers reiterated the fact that there is still quite an involved process in getting all of the permitting approved and he said that the pre-feasibility study, which should resume later this spring, should bring around 30 or so new faces to the area. Byers said that Rare Element Resources has been working closely with the Forest Service and other government agencies and that they have also produced from Last year's drilling close to 800 lbs. of materials for prospective customers to review. Byers said that he was.pleased with the response from locals thus far, and that he appreciates any and all comments. Nick Mart), with Bearlodge Engineering pinch-hit for Ken Rathbun this month, and updated some figures on the SCADA project. Final cost of installation for the remote morn'toting system at the Policky water tank site should be just over $24,000 which ended up over $3,000 less than initially estimated. The council voted to continue with the upgrade. Any action on the proposed Industrial Park improvements was tabled until Rathbun, who has been working with Hughes on this project, has had a chance to work out some more details and discuss them with the council. Discussion ensued concerning the alley project between Cleveland Street and Main Street. The improvements, which would include paving the alley and improving drainage behind higbee's Caf6, were postponed last year when PRECorp announced plans to bury their electric facilities. The allotted funds were then moved to the swimming pool upgrade account to show the city's ability to match grant funds for that project. Mayor Brooks reported that approximately $35 million in consensus block money would be available to Wyoming counties this year and that Crook County's share should be around $642,000. Any money then allotted to Sundance for improvements would require a 33% match by the city. Wishing to complete the alley project, the council agreed to move forward with it and instructed Bearlodge Engineering to design the job. First readingofOrdinance # 1, See Council page 3 Healthy poke Jeff Moberg photo Carla Edenf'ld draws a vial of blood from Terry Everard during Tuesday's Health Fair Blood draw at Powder River Energy. This year's Health Fair is set for May 14, draws continue over the next two weeks around the county. For a complete list, see the Newsbox on page 2. \\;\\\\\\\\\ 34/25 Rain mixed with snow.- His in the mid 30s and lows in the mid 20s. / ?, . 40126 Considerabl€ cloudiness, Highs in the low 40s and lows in the mid 20s. 46/30 A few clouds. Highs in the mid 40s andlows in the low 30s. 49/31 Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 40s and lows in the low 30s. 48134 Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 40s and lows in the mid 30s. Inside: C00ing Ea00r B®nyj00ke II00ranceRi jLw%00J (307) 283-3411 news@sundancetimes,com www.sundancetimes.com