NEW YORK - Oil prices kept falling Friday, heading for their biggest monthly drop since futures trading began 25 years ago on signs that a contracting U.S. economy will suppress energy demand well into 2009. Oil´s huge collapse - prices fell 32 percent for the month - has stunned oil-producing countries while giving cash-strapped U.S. consumers a rare dose of relief.

In the Temple and Belton areas, gas prices hovered just around the $2 range. At the Faststop in Belton it was $1.99. At Valero on 5510 S. General Bruce Drive, regular was $2.01. A cashier said it was the lowest price she had seen since working there this summer. The cashier said the station had refilled its tanks twice during the day on Friday. Walmart in Belton was also selling at $2.01.

BELTON - The final day of early voting in Bell County was also the busiest day, as local election officials had predicted. An additional 7,014 voters cast ballots on Friday bringing the 12-day total to 61,718.

The need for education, dealing with civic unrest, bombings and upcoming elections are all on the mind of Sue Albin of Belton. While those topics easily fit into American interests, she was talking about India after returning from a five-month trip there.

NEW YORK - What is it about October and stocks? The month that brought the 1929 crash, Black Monday in 1987 and other midautumn market crises delivered its worst monthly performance in 21 years.

Lache Seastrunk, who scored two touchdowns for the Wildcats, celebrates Temple High School´s 46-21 victory over Belton High School on Friday night. This was Temple´s third year in a row to best Belton. The win moves the Wildcats closer to one of District 12-5A´s four playoff berths. (Scott Gaulin/Telegram)

Electric Time Co. employee Walter Rodriguez cleans the face of an 84-inch Wegman clock at the plant in Medfield, Mass. Daylight saving time ends early Sunday morning with clocks turned back one hour. It´s also a good time to check your smoke detectors. Please see Page 1B for the story.

BELTON - When Anthony Huber ran for a 4-yard touchdown as first-half time expired to push Belton into a 21-21 tie with rival Temple, the host Tigers got pumped up with positive momentum and took some air out of the favored Wildcats. But former Temple star Kenneth Davis then got the Wildcats pumped up before they sprinted through their inflatable tunnel to begin the second half, and Temple proceeded to deflate Belton with two dominant quarters.

BELTON - Temple´s Wing-T offense could always keep the Wildcats competitive in the District 12-5A race. Three straight outstanding second-half defensive performances, though, have the Wildcats on the brink of a second consecutive Class 5A playoff berth.

ROGERS - The childhood dream of Robert Campos and the rest of the Rogers Eagles could soon become reality. “This is what we´ve always wanted since we were little kids,” Campos said. “The first thing we always thought about was winning a district championship.”

MARSHALL - This will be what is sometimes referred to as a “gut-check” game for both teams. Can Mary Hardin-Baylor buck up after a humbling performance last week dealt the Crusaders their first loss?

CAMERON - From the time Lee Fedora´s Navasota Rattlers reported for August workouts their goal was to figure out a way to win the District 24-3A championship. For Fedora, it´s almost with regret that his team had to get that done against Cameron Yoe.

BUCKHOLTS - Bubba Salinas scored four touchdowns to lead the Lometa Hornets to a 53-8 win Friday night over District 16 Six-Man rival Buckholts at Jim Hauk Field. With the win Lometa (5-3, 2-0) locks up a playoff spot while the Badgers (3-6, 0-2) fail to qualify for postseason play for the 11th consecutive season.

HICO - The Troy Trojans won more than just a game Friday. They won at least a share of their first district title in 10 years. Troy (7-2 overall, 6-0 District 16-2A), behind a rushing attack that generated almost 9 yards per carry, downed the Hico Tigers 28-7 at Tiger Stadium and clinched at least a share of the 16-2A crown.

ROUND ROCK - The Belton girls cross country team has been nearly unbeatable this season. The Lady Tigers proved why again at the District 12-5A meet Friday morning.

LUBBOCK - The eye patches will be out tonight in honor of Texas Tech coach Mike Leach. And yet, his No. 6 Red Raiders have a chance to turn their eccentric offensive wizard into something more than a conversation piece who has a penchant for pirates and a law degree.

WACO (AP) - Dreams of a national championship dashed by consecutive losses, the Missouri Tigers have narrowed their focus. While the Big 12 North title and a return to the league´s championship game remain a very distinct possibility for the 14th-ranked Tigers, even that is more broad than coach Gary Pinkel wants his team to consider.