Candidates celebrating...Fires burning...oil slipping

UNDATED (AP) Democrat Barack Obama celebrates the Fourth of July today in Butte, Montana. Republican John McCain is spending the weekend away from the campaign trail. He's back at his ranch in Arizona from a trip to Latin America.

White House (AP) President Bush will spend some time this July 4th at the Virginia home of Thomas Jefferson, the man who virtually wrote the Declaration of Independence. Bush choppers to Monticello (mahn-tuh-CHEL'-oh), where 76 people will take the oath of citizenship to become Americans.

BIG SUR, Calif. (AP) Residents of Big Sur, California, are powerless against a wildfire that's already destroyed at least 20 homes. Another wildfire has chased more people from their homes in the foothills north of Santa Barbara.

UNDATED (AP) Oil prices have fallen below $145 a barrel this morning, as the U.S. dollar strengthened slightly against the euro and the Japanese yen. That's slim relief for American motorists.

The price of gas has hit another record: $4.10 a gallon for regular.

ALBANY, Mo. (AP) People in Albany, Missouri, may have found a way around high Gas Prices. The town has legalized the use of Golf carts on the road. Drivers will need a cart with a seven-foot orange flag on it and will have to pay a $15 permit.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-04-08 0556CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list