Bad news for loyal Kroger shoppers.

The supermarket chain is ending its quarterly rewards program as of Dec. 31.

The announcement came in the most recent mailing of rewards, which began arriving in the mailboxes of Triangle Kroger customers this week.

With gas prices in the Triangle hovering at about $3.75 per gallon, Kroger has got perfect timing on its gasoline rewards program.

Now through April 7, you can score yourself up to $1 off per gallon much more quickly with enhanced fuel rewards.

Here's how the promotion works:

The N.C. Solar Center in Raleigh is offering a 40-hour renewable energy management training course that the organization bills as the only non-degree program of its kind in North America.

And at $1,798 per student, the course is a bargain, according to the organizers.

The Solar Center's Certificate in Renewable Energy Management will require a group project to complete the course and graduate. The course will include online and on-site instruction in the technology, financing and policy of renewable energy.

The City of Raleigh collected 797 gallons of cooking oil and grease in its third annual holiday collection program.

Don't toss that holiday waste — recycle it with Wake County's Holiday Wrap-Up recycling program.

Residents can drop off Christmas trees (without lights, ornamentation, etc.), wrapping paper (excluding foil and bows), holiday greeting cards, corrugated cardboard, chipboard (i.e. cereal boxes, paper roll tubes, etc.), SBS Board (i.e. shirt and gift boxes), magazines and catalogs at the following convenience centers:

In preparation for North Carolina's July 1 landfill ban on TVs and computer equipment, Chatham County is expanding its existing electronics recycling program.

Special recycling containers, or E-Cycle Stations, will be set up by July 1 at all 12 county collection centers to accept electronics weighing less than 50 pounds from county residents with a current decal.