North Platte, NE–Bridge work will force the closure of a section of State Farm Road for the next couple of months.

According to the Lincoln County Department of Roads, State Farm Road will be closed at the bridge approximately nine miles east of South Highway 83.

They say the bridge will be closed from Monday, January 12, until approximately April 1.

Officials say the bridge over the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation Canal will be replaced.

Traffic from North Platte to Maxwell will be detoured to Highway 30.

GERING, Neb. (AP) — Officials are narrowing down candidates for executive director at the Legacy of the Plains Museum in western Nebraska.

A committee of six members from the museum’s board will convene Monday to begin reviewing 13 applications.

Board President Jodi Ruzicka says there is no set number of applicants who will make it to an interview. The board wants to have someone in the position by March 1.

The new director will succeed Katie Bradshaw, who resigned last year. An interim director is currently in place.

The museum features a collection of pioneer artifacts, an 80-acre working farm and views of the Scotts Bluff National Monument.

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — The average price of regular gasoline nationwide has dropped 27 cents a gallon in the past three weeks, to $2.20.

Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg says it’s the lowest in more than five years and more drops are possible, although probably not as steep.

Lundberg said Sunday that lower crude oil prices are driving prices down, along with an abundant oil supply.

The highest-priced gas in the Lower 48 states was found in San Francisco, at $2.66 a gallon. The lowest was in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at $1.76 a gallon.

California’s lowest average was in Sacramento, at $2.42 a gallon.

The average price for midgrade gas in the U.S. is $2.44. For premium it’s $2.61.

In Nebraska, the average price for a gallon of regular is $2.03.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska officials say they are working on a plan to improve the education of children in state custody.

The state Department of Health and Human Services is working with the state Education Department on the plan.

Thomas Pristow, who leads the children and family services programs, says state wards are already experiencing a trauma in their families that disrupts their lives.

Pristow says it’s important for officials to try to minimize the amount of disruption in the education of state wards.

Across Nebraska, statistics show that 84 percent of all students graduate from high school while only 43.5 percent of state wards graduate.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are floating new ideas to reduce property taxes as the 2015 session gets underway.

Senators and Gov. Pete Ricketts say cutting property taxes is a top priority, along with overhauling the prison system and setting money aside for rural bridges.

Sen. Mike Gloor of Grand Island, chairman of the Revenue Committee, says options should be clearer as lawmakers write a new two-year budget.

Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus says it’s unlikely the state or local governments will dramatically cut spending, but he proposed two measures that could offset the property tax burden for ranchers, farmers and homeowners.

Sen. Al Davis of Hyannis says he’ll unveil a plan Tuesday that would lower the percentage of agricultural land school districts can tax, while providing additional state money for schools.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Nearly 700 high school vocal and instrumental music students from Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas have been selected to participate in the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Honor Band and Choral Clinic on Jan. 26.

The event will feature three choirs and two bands, which rehearse all day before presenting a 6 p.m. concert at the UNK Health and Sports Center.

The honor choir will be directed by David Bauer, professor of music and UNK director of choirs.

The honor and festival bands will be directed by Duane Bierman, assistant professor of music and UNK director of bands, and Brian Alber, assistant professor of music and UNK assistant director of bands.

The UNK Honor Band and Choral Clinic is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors who are selected after auditions.

2015 UNK Honor Choir

2015 UNK Honor Band