(AP) — After nine weeks of falling gas prices, the average U.S. price of a gallon of gasoline is up 3 cents over the past two weeks.

The Lundberg Survey of fuel prices released Sunday says the price of a gallon of regular is $3.25. Midgrade costs an average of $3.44 a gallon, and premium is $3.59.

Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg said it’s the first price hike since Sept. 6.

Of the cities surveyed in the Lower 48 states, the highest average, $3.58 a gallon, was found in San Diego. The lowest, $2.93, was in Tulsa, Okla.

NebraskaLand National Bank received notification that they once again were awarded an “excellent financial strength” rating from Weiss Rating, the nation’s leading independent provider of research and analysis for the banking industry.

This rating recognizes NebraskaLand National Bank as a “Weiss Recommended” bank offering outstanding financial stability for its customers, vendors and employees.  Achieving this Weiss Financial Strength Rating is a true distinction.

Every quarter Weiss Ratings evaluates the financial strength of more than 19,000 institutions.  Weiss Ratings’ proprietary model uses more rigorous standards than other rating agencies, placing greater emphasis on a company’s future financial solvency and its ability to withstand severe economic adversity.  For this reason, a company receiving this financial strength rating demonstrates itself to be among the industry’s elite.

NebraskaLand National Bank is proud to receive this recognition and is committed to maintaining the high standards identified in the Weiss analysis.  “Our customers can continue to count on us to provide a safe place to invest their hard earned savings while also enjoying above market returns,” says President and CEO Mike Jacobson.

Further information about Weiss Ratings can be found at weissratings.com.

(AP) — Hunters and landowners are invited to meetings throughout Nebraska to discuss deer-related issues.

Biologists from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will take questions about deer management, deer damage and depredation permits, antlerless harvest, trophy management and diseases. Antelope and elk issues may also be discussed at the public information sessions.

The meetings will take place at Calamus Fish Hatchery in Burwell on Dec. 3; the Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area on Dec. 4; Ole’s Cafe in Niobrara on Dec. 5; Chadron State College on Dec. 10; the Game and Parks headquarters in Lincoln on Dec. 11; Prairie Winds Community Center in Bridgeport on Dec. 11; Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte on Dec. 16; and Central Community College in Hastings on Dec. 18.

 

(AP) — A Gering woman accused of writing racially-charged graffiti on a fellow student’s car has pleaded not guilty to an enhanced misdemeanor in the case.

Police say that on Oct. 17 at a volleyball game, 18-year-old Alysha Schwartzkopf, of Gering, scrawled a racial epithet on the windows of a Gering High School senior who is biracial.

Schwartzkopf pleaded not guilty Friday on an enhanced charge of unauthorized application of graffiti during her first court appearance on the charge.

If found guilty of the enhanced charge, Schwartzkopf faces up to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Change is in the air for KNOP-TV in North Platte.

The parent company of 10/11 North Platte, Gray Television Inc., announced this week that they are purchasing North Platte’s first television station.

The company along with Excalibur Broadcasting says they plan to purchase 15 stations from Hoak Media Corporation, the current owner of KNOP, and Parker Broadcasting, pending the approval of the Federal Communications Commission.  The transaction will cost $335 million.

Hoak media purchased the station from long-time owner, Ulysses Carlini, in 2005 following the death of majority shareholder, Richard Shively.

KNOP is the Fox and NBC affiliate in the area, while 10/11 is affiliated with CBS.

 

• Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. West wind 5 to 8 mph.
• Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 11. Wind chill values as low as zero. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 9 mph in the evening.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31. Wind chill values as low as -1. North wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm in the morning.
• Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 14. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the evening.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. South wind 8 to 13 mph.
• Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.

(AP) — Owners of construction vehicles with older diesel engines in six Nebraska counties may apply for a federal rebate to help replace the vehicles or retrofit older vehicles with new cleaner burning engines.

The Environmental Protection Agency is making $2 million available for public and private owners of construction vehicles. Those in Cass, Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy, Saunders and Washington counties may apply for the money.

The EPA says the rebates target counties facing air quality challenges.

Since diesel engines in construction equipment can last for decades, the EPA program is geared toward replacing older less efficient engines that emit more pollutants with newer less polluting engines.

EPA will accept applications until Jan. 15 and anticipates awarding the rebates in February.