The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Local News

August 17, 2012

Gas hike takes toll at pump

Staff Writer Calvin Adkins

TARBORO — Gas prices have been yo-yoing up and down this year and now for the first time this summer, North Carolina drivers are paying more for a gallon of gas than on the same date last year, according to AAA Carolinas.

"The outlook for the next few weeks is grim," said David E. Parsons. "In prior years this was a time when prices started downward, but speculation in oil futures is driving the price up every day. The outlook for a fall price decline is bleak at this time." Since falling to the year-low $3.18 on July 4, the average cost of a gallon of gas in North Carolina has climbed 45 cents to $3.63, higher than the year-ago price of $3.61.

In March, the average price for regular gas peaked to $3.74 per gallons in Tarboro. On Tuesday, the average price for regular gas in Tarboro was $3.58  per gallon. Raceway's $3.65 per gallon of regular was the highest price in town while Hadi's and Handy Mart prices were the lowest at $3.55 per gallon.

Since spring, North Carolina motorists have paid up to 37 cents a gallon less than on the same date in 2011. Earlier this year, prices peaked at $3.91 on April 6 and fell steadily until July 5, when prices started trending upward. Last year, gas prices fell 13 cents during the month of August, from $3.70 to $3.57.

So far this August, the price of gas has jumped 21 cents from $3.42 Aug. 1 to $3.63 today. The price for a barrel of crude oil has increased from $78 at the end of June to $93 today.

According to AAA Carolinas, factors pressuring the price upward and encouraging oil price speculation include:

• Saber-rattling in the Middle East, with Iran's threats to interfere with oil distribution through the Strait of Hormuz - where more than a third of seaborne crude oil passes through - causing concern over disruption in supply.

•  The NOAA's prediction of a higher-than-average number of hurricanes for the remainder of the hurricane season, which peaks from mid-August to the end of October.

•  The potential for an economic recovery, both in the U.S. and abroad, which would increase demand.

•  The Midwest drought, which has caused ethanol prices to spike. Ethanol composes about 10% of regular gasoline.

Currently, North Carolina's gas price is the 27th most expensive in the contiguous United States. The national average for a gallon of gas is $3.71. One year ago, it was $3.59.

 

Text Only
Local News
  • ACT_award_5-21-13.jpg Edgecombe Community College receives national award

    Edgecombe Community College (ECC) received a national award Tuesday night for its efforts to prepare students to be successful in careers and the workplace.
    Edgecombe was among four honorees that received national awards in Washington, D.C., during a gala that concluded ACT’s inaugural College and Career Readiness Campaign.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • image.jpg County gospel choir to celebrate 20th anniversary

    The Edgecombe County High School Gospel Choir, under the direction of founder Kristian Herring, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a live concert Sunday.
    “You will hear some traditional choral music, energetic spirituals, traditional and contemporary gospel,” said Antonio Suggs, choir advisor.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • Gas-Graphic.jpg Gas prices in Tarboro lower than state average

    With Memorial Day Weekend around the corner, travelers on U.S. 64 exiting  into Tarboro could discover some of the cheapest gas in North Carolina.
    On Wednesday, Murphy Express reported the cheapest gas at $3.35 while Hadi's, Raceway and Hess prices were one cent higher.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • UnitedWay.jpg Tar River United Way recognizes ‘community champions’

    “Be the change” was the theme of a United Way Tar River Region luncheon Wednesday at The Gateway Convention Center in Rocky Mount. United Way TRR recognized “community champions,” celebrated the success of its 2012 fundraising campaign and encouraged volunteers and partner agencies to “be the change” they want to see in the community.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • AIB.jpg America in Bloom judges’ visit Tarboro next month

    Tarboro’s America in Bloom (AIB) steering committee is gearing up for the AIB judges’ visit to town next month. AIB is a national non-profit organization that promotes “beautification through education and community involvement.”
    “Please join us as Tarboro prepares for the visit of national AIB judges on June 17 and 18,” said AIB co-chair Connie Sherrill in a competition planning update. “Help us bring out the beauty of our exceptional town.”

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Brown.jpg Local Principal Completes Leadership Program

    Donnell Brown, principal of Phillips Middle School, recently completed the Distinguished Leadership Program (DLP), a yearlong leadership development program for practicing school principals designed and provided by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principal’s Association (NCPAPA) in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and UNC-LearnNC.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Woman faces 32 charges

    A Tarboro woman's scam has led authorities to arrest her on 28 charges.
    According to a Tarboro Police Department report, Jennifer Ann Carr, 29, 1609 Barlow Rd. Apt. 9, took out loans in the names of 16 customers of a local business from January through April. Carr was employed through a temp agency with a local business, said Tarboro Police Sgt. Al Braxton. Braxton said the total loan amount netted $4,300.  
    Carr was charged with 16 counts of identity theft and 16 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses. She was place in Edgecombe County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.
     

    May 22, 2013

  • CRIME.jpg Two suspects arrested on 36 charges; third issued citation

    After executing a search warrant Thursday on a residence at 500 W. Johnston St. in Tarboro, police officers arrested two suspects for possessing a small amount of marijuana and issued a third suspect a citation for possessing a glass pipe to smoke the drugs.
    After the marijuana was found, officers notified two of the three suspects that they also had additional warrants on them from the department's "Spring Fling" drug campaign where they had sold marijuana to undercover officers.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • S.Herring.jpg Introductory Latin class beginning Tuesday

    Want a leg up in a medical terminology course? Anatomy? Physical science? Take a look at Latin, perhaps the best grounding for all education.
    Not convinced? Just ask Stephen Herring, instructor of religion, geography, and developmental studies at Edgecombe Community College (ECC). He will teach an Introductory Latin class beginning Tuesday. The class will meet at Fleming 218 on the Tarboro campus.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • DWI-Tests.jpg NTSB wants to lower DWI blood alcohol levels

    The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a bold set of targeted interventions to put the United States on course to eliminate alcohol-impaired related crashes. They have given recommendations that call for stronger laws, swifter enforcement and expanded use of technology.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo