AAA: Pennsylvania Gas Prices Dip as Summer Driving Season Comes to an End
The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is two cents lower this week at $2.569 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                  $2.569
Average price during the week of August 31, 2020                                   $2.584
Average price during the week of September 9, 2019                               $2.747

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$2.583      Altoona
$2.569      Beaver
$2.597      Bradford
$2.574      Brookville
$2.580      Butler
$2.521      Clarion
$2.568      DuBois
$2.588      Erie
$2.538      Greensburg
$2.570      Indiana
$2.587      Jeannette
$2.584      Kittanning
$2.563      Latrobe
$2.590      Meadville
$2.599      Mercer
$2.517      New Castle
$2.572      New Kensington
$2.599      Oil City
$2.542      Pittsburgh
$2.594      Sharon
$2.531      Uniontown
$2.599      Warren
$2.529      Washington

Trend Analysis:
At $2.21, today’s national average is two cents less than last week, one penny more than last month and 35 cents cheaper than a year ago. On the week, most state averages are cheaper by a few cents.

Motorists saw plenty of savings at the pump this summer. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the national gas price average was $2.15 – the cheapest since 2004. Demand was decimated this summer, which ultimately meant increased supply and cheap gas prices. It appears that this trend is continuing, as the latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) report shows demand has dropped from 9.16 million b/d to 8.79 b/d. Moreover, total gasoline supply is 5.2 million barrels higher than this time last year.

Moving into fall, pump prices typically move lower as certain trends take hold. While 2020 is by no means an “ordinary” year, if distribution of winter-blend gasoline begins and demand drops even further, pump prices could possibly push even lower than we’ve already seen in this year.

At the end of Friday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate decreased by $1.60 to settle at $39.77 per barrel. The price of crude decreased in reaction to a decline in the stock market at the end of last week. The price decreased despite the EIA’s weekly report revealing that total domestic crude inventories dropped by 9.4 million bbl, lowering total domestic stocks to 498.4 million bbl. For this week, crude prices could decline further if crude demand concerns arise amid another stock market downturn.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 78 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

(Beaver County, Pa.) At approximately eleven o’clock this morning Beaver County will be testing the sirens in the 10 mile emergency planning zone for Beaver Valley Power Station.  This is only a test.  There is no emergency, you do not need to respond.

Beaver County is utilizing a mass notification system.  You may also receive these notifications on your mobile devices by going to the Beaver County website, www.beavercountypa.gov and clicking on the Swift911 icon to register.

In a year of social distancing, virus alters Sept. 11, too
By JENNIFER PELTZ Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic has reshaped how the U.S. is observing the anniversary of 9/11. The terror attacks’ 19th anniversary will be marked Friday by dueling ceremonies at the Sept. 11 memorial plaza and a corner nearby in New York. Vice President Mike Pence is expected at both remembrances. The two ceremonies reflect a divide over how to observe the anniversary in a time of social distancing. The double beams of light that evoke the fallen twin towers were nearly canceled because of virus concerns, until an uproar sparked a change of heart. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden plan to attend a truncated ceremony at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa School Board held its monthly work session and voted unanimously to furlough,  the para educators  alone with student and teacher’s aides  for the first nine weeks of school effective September 8, 2020.   Dr. Peter M. Carbone  said hopefully they will be able to return  after the first nine weeks of school. Due to the pandemic, classes are being taught virtually.

HARRISBURG―Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced that the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has shut down price gouging efforts at The Medicine Shoppe in Jeanette, Pennsylvania.

“Since March my office has been hard at work holding those who would take advantage of the pandemic to make a profit accountable. Our work has not slowed or stopped. We are still in a state of emergency, and for as long as that remains the case, Pennsylvanians have a right to purchase life-saving goods at reasonable prices. I want to encourage Pennsylvanians who see suspicious price increases on products like groceries and medicine to contact my office.”

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC) with The Medicine Shoppe after the Office received tips alleging that the store was selling masks and 2 oz. bottles of hand sanitizer for unlawful prices. The Office learned that The Medicine Shoppe engaged in at least 267 transactions in which it sold N95 Masks, KN95 Masks, and 2 oz. bottles of hand sanitizer in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the average price at which the same or similar products were obtainable in the affected area seven (7) days prior to March 6, 2020.

Under the Price Gouging Act, a price increase of more than 20 percent during a declared state of emergency is considered price gouging. The AVC requires The Medicine Shoppe to pay restitution to all consumers who purchased the N95 Masks, KN95 Masks, and/or 2 oz. bottles of hand sanitizer at excessive prices.  The Medicine Shoppe also agreed to fully comply with all provisions of the Pennsylvania Price Gouging Act moving forward.

Consumers who purchased N95 Masks, KN95 Masks, and/or 2 oz. bottles of hand sanitizer from The Medicine Shoppe in Jeanette may be eligible for restitution if they paid more than they should have.  In order to be considered for restitution, consumers should file a consumer complaint form and attach a copy of their receipt showing they purchased the masks and/or hand sanitizers between March 6, 2020 and September 9, 2020.  Complaints must be submitted by November 9, 2020 to be considered.

UPS says it plans to hire more than 100,000 holiday workers
By DAVID KOENIG AP Business Writer
UPS says it plans to hire more than 100,000 extra workers to help handle an increase in packages during the holiday season. UPS said Wednesday that it expects a record peak season. Volume of packages for delivery usually rises starting in October and runs through January. The company says it will have full-time and part-time seasonal jobs, mostly package handlers, drivers and driver helpers. The Atlanta-based company touts the seasonal jobs as ones that can lead to year-round employment.

Norwegian lawmaker nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
By JAN M. OLSEN Associated Press
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A far-right Norwegian lawmaker says he has nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in the Middle East. Norwegian parliament member Christian Tybring-Gjedde said Trump should be considered because of his work for a peace agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. The lawmaker told The Associated Press on Wednesday, “No matter how Trump acts at home and what he says at press conferences, he has absolutely a chance at getting the Nobel Peace Prize.” Tybring-Gjedde was one of two Norwegian lawmakers who nominated Trump for the peace prize in 2018 for his efforts to bring reconciliation between North and South Korea.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Rochester, Pa.) U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady  announced last week that a Rochester, PA woman, Rachel M. Novalesi, 37 was one of 27 indicted  in a drug trafficking investigation. She is charged with conspiring to to distribute and possession with intent to distribute  five kilos of cocaine or more  from October 2018 until around June 22020  The 27 were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh  for trafficking significant quantities of cocaine from Mexico to the United States. ‘OPERATION TRIPWIRE””, was a 2 year investigation  with international, federal, state and local partners.  It began  shortly after Allegheny County’s  designation as a HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA.