AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, posted at www.fuelgaugereport.com, features a color coded United States map showing the ten states with the highest fuel price averages in bright red. For the past few weeks, Nebraska’s fuel prices were among the highest in the nation due to regional refinery issues that compromised Midwest supply levels. As of today, Nebraska is out of the top ten category with prices down 14 cents from a week ago when unleaded fuel across the state averaged $4.02 a gallon. The downward slide is expected to continue as supply concerns diminish. Currently, Nebraska’s fuel price average is $3.88 a gallon, 27 cents higher than the national average of $3.61 a gallon for unleaded fuel. Ethanol blends are typically 10-12 cents less per gallon. In the days leading up to Memorial Day, motorists in nine states, including Nebraska, paid an average of more than $4 per gallon. The price of gasoline continues to vary dramatically across the country with the lowest gasoline prices found in the Southeast region of the U.S. The highest fuel averages in the continental U.S. are reported primarily in the upper Midwest region and Pacific Coast states.

U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson says the number of prosecutors on South Dakota's two largest Indian reservations is up while the number of cases that have been declined for prosecution is down.   Johnson says that over the past four years, prosecutions are up 131 percent on the Rosebud Indian Reservation and 82 percent on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.   Also, the number of Indian Country cases declined for prosecution dropped from 164 in 2011 to 114 in 2012.   The statistics are part of a new Department of Justice report to Congress looking at investigations and prosecutions in Indian Country.   Johnson says he attributes the statistics to a new relationship with the tribes in South Dakota. He says there is still work to be done, however.

According to the Cherry County Road Department, the Fish Hatchery road will be closed to traffic starting Monday, June 3, 2013.  Traffic can use the park route as a detour; there is no timeline as to the length of time the bridge will be out of service.

The American Cancer Societies Relay For Life of Cherry County is just around the corner (June 22). Luminarias are available for purchase through any team member. Contact Michelle Richards, Team Recruiter to get a list of team captains you can contact, at 402-389-0244

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a unique community event that celebrates survivorship and raises money for cancer-fighting programs. Teams will gather at Valentine High School and take turns walking around a track. The event begins at 5:00 pm with a Hamburger Feed by the Lion’s Club. Opening ceremony is at 6:00 followed by a survivor and other “special” laps, which cancer survivors take a victory lap around the track. Golf carts will be available for survivors who are not able to walk a full lap. New this year is a “Live” auction, by Connot Brothers Auction Service following the “laps”, with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. At dusk, a luminaria ceremony will take place to honor cancer survivors and remember those who lost the battle to cancer. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Cherry County is on Saturday June 22, 2013. To learn how to participate call Kim Epke at 402-376-1593 or Vicki Green at 402-376-3678.