Valley residents’ store wins honor

Valley residents’ store wins honor

AUSTIN, Texas

Second Sole of Pittsburgh, a specialty-shoe retailer owned and operated by Hubbard residents Jack and Jennifer Wohlgamuth, was recognized recently as one of The 50 Best Running Stores in America by two leading trade and consumer publications.

Second Sole won the honor after an extensive nomination and review process throughout 2010. The process culminated in the store’s recognition at an awards ceremony in Austin.

The local retailer was recognized by a panel of industry experts for its outstanding service, product knowledge and merchandising.

Skype software for UN aid workers

GENEVA

Internet phone company Skype announced a bare-bones version of its software today designed to work over very low bandwidth connections that often are the only links aid workers in far-flung places have to the outside world.

Skype S.A. chief executive Tony Bates said the company redesigned its application after being approached by the U.N. refugee agency to help staff working in remote locations communicate with loved ones back home.

Such calls previously have been a rare treat for aid workers, who in addition to enduring harsh climates and the threat of violence also struggle with loneliness when they are catapulted at short notice into emergency situations where regular cell- phone networks, let alone landlines, don’t reach.

Gas prices jump 3.9 cents in 2 weeks

CAMARILLO, Calif.

A new survey finds the average price of regular gasoline in the United States has jumped 3.92 cents in the last two weeks.

The Lundberg Survey of fuel prices released Sunday says the price of a gallon of regular is $2.91.

Analyst Trilby Lundberg says the average price for a gallon of midgrade was $3.05, and premium was at $3.16.

Denver had the lowest average price among cities surveyed at $2.61 a gallon for regular. Long Island, NY, was highest among surveyed areas at $3.21.

Associated Press