AAA: Gas Prices Lower in Pennsylvania; National Demand on the Rise
Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania are two cents cheaper this week at $2.993 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                  $2.993
Average price during the week of March 29, 2021                                     $3.010
Average price during the week of April 6, 2020                                         $2.183

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

$2.990      Altoona
$3.071      Beaver
$3.099      Bradford
$2.891      Brookville
$3.037      Butler
$2.897      Clarion
$2.945      DuBois
$3.063      Erie
$2.921      Greensburg
$3.074      Indiana
$3.070      Jeannette
$2.996      Kittanning
$3.003      Latrobe
$3.091      Meadville
$3.099      Mercer
$2.733      New Castle
$3.077      New Kensington
$3.099      Oil City
$3.029      Pittsburgh
$2.727      Sharon
$2.984      Uniontown
$3.099      Warren
$2.854      Washington

Trend Analysis:
Gasoline demand measured 8.9 million b/d in the Energy Administration’s (EIA) latest weekly report, up nearly 4% from the week prior. Because of the jump in demand, gasoline supplies tightened to 230.5 million barrels, the lowest level this year, and state gas prices averages saw major fluctuations. On the week, states saw pump price changes ranging from an increase of 15 cents to a decrease of 3 cents.

Today’s national average is $2.87, which is more expensive on the week (+1 cent), month (+12 cents) and year (+94 cents).

One factor that may help to keep the national gas price average below $3/gallon is the price of crude, which accounts for nearly 60% of the price at the pump. After hitting a 12-month high of $66/barrel last month, crude has been priced mostly at the $60/barrel mark recently. If it stays low, even with demand increasing, it will contribute to fewer pump price jumps.

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

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 73 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.

(Slippery Rock Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they responded to a report of a deceased male in a wooded area just off the roadway at 1090 Houk Road in Slippery Rock Twp. Lawrence County Saturday, March 3 at 11:00 am.

Troopers said via release that the PA State Police New Castle Criminal Investigation Unit was requested and responded for investigation. The scene was photographed and processed by the PSP Troop D Forensic Services Unit. The victim was identified as 58-year-old John Hogue of New Castle. An autopsy was performed on Easter Sunday and no traumatic injuries were discovered and toxicology results are pending.

Troopers are attempting to identify the owner and/or occupants of a vehicle that was observed in the victim’s driveway prior to his death. The vehicle is described as a dark green van believed to be a Ford Econoline Van. Police are not confirming if the vehicle was involved with the death but are asking anyone with information to call them at 724- 598-2211

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing a lane restriction on the southbound Route 65 ramp to northbound I-279 (Parkway North) in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will occur Tuesday, April 6 weather permitting.

(Harrisburg, Pa.) Are you tired of changing the clock twice a year? The Pa State House of Representatives passed a bill yesterday that would make Pennsylvania be on Daylight Saving Time year-round.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration The only way the bill could take effect if it passes the State Senate and the Gov. signs and Congress also allows for a change.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing a traffic shift on Route 68 (Third Street) in Vanport Township, Beaver County will occur Tuesday and Wednesday, April 6-7 weather permitting.

A traffic shift will occur on Route 68 between I-376 and Buffalo Street (Route 4051) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Bi-directional traffic will be maintained on Route 68.  Crews from Allison Park Contractors will conduct the drilling operations.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

PALMETTO, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says crews are working to prevent the collapse of a large wastewater pond to avoid a “catastrophic flood.” Manatee County officials say the latest models show that a breach at the old phosphate plant reservoir in the Tampa Bay area could gush out 340 million gallons of water in a matter of minutes, risking a 20-feet high wall of water. Authorities say 316 homes have been evacuated. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection says the water in the pond is mixed saltwater with processed water, but not expected to be toxic.

Lawmakers in several states are proposing legislation that would require more training for police in how to interact with someone in a mental crisis following some high-profile deaths. The proposals in places like California, New York and Utah lean heavily on additional training for officers or updating standards. But none of the laws appear to address the root question: whether police should be the ones responding when someone is mentally ill. A 2015 report says people with untreated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during a police encounter than others. A law enforcement expert say training in mental health response hasn’t changed for over 25 years and needs updating.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Corporations have given more than $50 million in recent years to state lawmakers who have seized on Donald Trump’s lies about a stolen 2020 election to push for new restrictions on the right to vote. That’s according to a new report by the government watchdog nonprofit Public Citizen. Telecom-giant AT&T was the most prolific giver, donating over $800,000 since 2015 to authors of proposed restrictions, cosponsors of such measures, or those who voted in favor of the bills. Other top givers during the same period include Comcast, Philip Morris USA, UnitedHealth Group, Walmart, Verizon, General Motors and Pfizer.