AAA: Gas Prices Soar in Western PA; Crude Prices Fluctuate Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Gas prices are 11 cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.739 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                $3.739
Average price during the week of February 16, 2022                              $3.629
Average price during the week of February 22, 2021                              $2.940

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

$3.755      Altoona
$3.685      Beaver
$3.755      Bradford
$3.727      Brookville
$3.694      Butler
$3.738      Clarion
$3.670      DuBois
$3.738      Erie
$3.606      Greensburg
$3.698      Indiana
$3.686      Jeannette
$3.609      Kittanning
$3.640      Latrobe
$3.754      Meadville
$3.769      Mercer
$3.563      New Castle
$3.681      New Kensington
$3.759      Oil City
$3.675      Pittsburgh
$3.664      Sharon
$3.698      Uniontown
$3.757      Warren
$3.635      Washington

Trend Analysis:

The potential invasion of Ukraine by Russia is having a rippling effect on the oil market, which in turn will impact the price of gasoline in the U.S. The national average for a gallon of gas has risen to $3.53, four cents more than a week ago, 21 cents more than a month ago and 90 cents more than a year ago.

A Russian attack would be met by severe financial sanctions led by the United States and its allies. Russia could retaliate by withholding oil from the world market, which is already dealing with tight supplies as countries loosen COVID restrictions. Russia is one of the leading oil producers globally, behind only the United States and Saudi Arabia.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 1.3 million barrels to 247.1 million barrels last week. On the other hand, gasoline demand fell from 9.13 million barrels per day to 8.57 million barrels per day. Typically, a decrease in gas demand during the winter would put downward pressure on pump prices, but elevated crude prices continue to push pump prices higher.

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

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 72 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.

(File Photo)

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) As Americans are paying the most expensive gasoline prices since 2014, AAA East Central is reminding motorists about ways to improve fuel efficiency. Adopting responsible driving practices can contribute to significant savings at the pump and ease the financial strain of higher gas prices.

“The easiest and most effective way to increase the fuel economy of any car is to modify driving habits,” says Jim Garrity, director of public affairs, AAA East Central. “One of the simplest ways to keep your fuel costs lower is to slow down, as speeding drastically decreases how efficiently your vehicle burns fuel.”

To improve vehicle gas mileage, AAA recommends the following tips.

The Daily Drive

• Slow down and drive the speed limit. On the highway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph.
• Reduce trips and lighten your load. Limit the amount of cargo in your vehicle when possible. Combine errands, and possibly aim to get all of your errands done on one day of the week. Also, consider using the more fuel efficient vehicle in your household more often.
• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard acceleration. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption. Accelerate smoothly with light to moderate throttle. This allows the automatic transmission to upshift into higher gears sooner, reducing engine rpm and saving fuel.
• Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine. Even in winter, idling, and warming up an engine are unnecessary and wastes fuel.
• Look ahead. When approaching a red light or stop sign, take your foot off the gas early and allow your car to coast down to a slower speed until it is time to brake.
• Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on wet roads because a loss of vehicle control could result.
• Take advantage of fuel savings programs. AAA members have access to savings when filling up at Shell gas stations. More information is available at AAA.com/Shell.

Ownership, Maintenance, and Repairs

• Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflation reduces fuel economy, but more importantly, tires low on air affect handling and braking, wear more rapidly and can overheat and blowout.
• Maintain the vehicle according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular maintenance will ensure optimum fuel economy, performance and longevity.
• Make all necessary repairs. Take the vehicle to a trusted repair facility as soon as possible if the “Check Engine” light comes on.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 72 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.

(File Photo of Center Twp. Municipal Complex sign)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Former Center Township tax collector Jeanne  Bowser was  sentenced  in Federal District Court  on  her conviction of wire fraud and filing false tax returns. She will spend 12 months and one day  in prison followed by 3 years  of supervised release  on the charges.  U.S. District judge Robert Colville imposed the sentence on Bowser. She was Center Township’s and the Central Valley School tax collector  from 12/2011 until 8/2019. She embezzled approximately $1,028,183.81 , writing checks to herself out of a bank account  used for  deposits and by stealing cash payments, in addition to embezzlement,  she filed false tax returns for a period of six years. U.S. Attorney Cindy Chung  prosecuted the case on behalf of the government , she commended the FBI and IRS  for the successful prosecution of Bowser.

(File Photo)
Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent 
(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) The Hopewell School Board met this week and heard residents’ complaints  on the masking plan. One student approached the board and wants bullying stopped at the high school. An unnamed resident addressing the board told them that the students aren’t their priority. Solicitor John Saloped was asked by the board to review the tape from last month’s meeting. A resident said the board violated the Sunshine Act on an unspecified issue.

(File Photo)

(Summit Twp., Butler County, Pa.) Pa State Police in Butler are reporting that they were called to Summit Academy in Summit Twp., Butler County for a report of a student assaulting a teacher on February 7, 2022 at 3:45 PM.
Upon investigating it was learned that 18-year-old Davion Morgan of Pittsburgh struck a teacher, 40-year-old Lauren Phelps of Vandergrift, with a closed fist.
Troopers charged Morgan with Assault of a teacher causing bodily injury.
Morgan was processed and is being housed in the Butler County Prison awaiting a hearing.

(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent
(Center Twp., Beaver County, Pa.)PA State Police are reporting  Wednesday morning that clean up and removal  of the truck that rolled over  Tuesday  is ongoing and I-376 the Beaver Valley Expressway remains closed as of 7:00 AM between the Center Twp and Aliquippa Exits . No time frame was reported as to when the road will reopen, and  the driver hasn’t been identified.

The recommended detour is:

• Take the Center exit (Exit 42)
• Turn left on Pleasant Drive
• Make a right on Brodhead Road
• Turn right on Mill Street
• Merge right onto the ramp to eastbound I-376
• End detour

Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio as we will let you know once the road has been re-opened.