Dropping oil prices are partly responsible for a drop of prices at the gas pump. Department of Agriculture fuels analyst, Harold Hommes, says a lot of the state is seeing gas for under three bucks a gallon. “Right now we’re finding things are fairly varied. We do have some in the low three’s yet, but most of the gasoline has crossed the three-dollar mark and has fallen into that two-70 to two-90 mark,” Hommes says. He expects prices to continue to drop.

“I do look for that trend to continue, there’s a lot of downward pressure right now on crude right now from the general economy, and recently, European recession woes,” Hommes says. He says one of the biggest factors is the substantial build up of crude oil stores. “We are producing a lot of it, and most storage hubs are sitting on ample supplies and inventories.” Switches in production to produce heating oil can make the price go up, but Hommes says that’s no long a factor.

“The heating fuel production, it’s really already occurred. And I think the industry is ready to move that and has been moving it through pipelines. It’s pretty much placed where it needs to be placed for this winter,” Hommes says. While the gas in your area may be under the three-dollar mark, others may still be paying much more. Hommes says there can be wide variations on price, and sale philosophy and location are a couple of keys for the differences.

“Some retailers have a bit wider margins. Some focus on narrower margins to attract customers in for other products,” Hommes explains. “But maybe the single biggest factor is location. When you’ve got to drive more than an hour to get your product from a terminal, those costs add up.” He says competition can also be a factor in gas pricing.

“And in most places in Iowa we do have that competition,” Hommes says. He says when there are a lot of stations in one area, it is hard to not match a station that drops its gas price, as customers can quickly move to the lowest priced station. Crude oil prices dropped nearly six dollars or more this week — leading to the drop in gasoline prices.

The Triple-A average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Iowa Tuesday was three-dollars, three cents. That is down nine cents from last week and down 25 cents from one year ago.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa National Guard says an airman who died nearly 70 years ago during the Battle of the Bulge will be laid to rest Monday. The Guard announced yesterday that through DNA testing, a team identified remains found near Allmuthen, Belgium as those of Staff Sergeant Maurice Fevold. The memorial service will be Monday at Bruce Funeral Home in Fort Dodge with burial at Blossom Hill Cemetery near Badger.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst and Democratic opponent Bruce Braley have again sparred over abortion rights in their final debate. The Iowa congressman and the state senator participated in a conversational debate yesterday as part of their neck-and-neck race to succeed retiring Senator Tom Harkin.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee will campaign for Iowa Republicans next week. A spokesman for congressional candidate Rod Blum says Paul will appear Wednesday at a Cedar Falls rally for Blum, who is seeking the open 1st district seat. An Ernst spokeswoman says Huckabee will hold Tuesday events for Ernst in Sioux City and Council Bluffs.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — Mason City officials are asking people not to smoke at public playgrounds in the city but have decided to make compliance voluntary. The Globe Gazette reports the Mason City Parks and Recreation Board on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution urging people not to smoke in playgrounds.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office cited a 13-year old female Wednesday, following a domestic disturbance at her home. Deputies responded to a home in the 2300 block of P Avenue at around 6-p.m., Wednesday. During their investigation, they learned 40-year old Wendy Miller had gotten into an argument. During the verbal dispute, the teen allegedly kicked Miller in the face and arm, causing injury. Miller told deputies she wanted to pursue charges against her daughter, who was cited into juvenile court and released to the custody of her father.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 20-year old Torri Grace Perry, of College Springs, was arrested at around 9-p.m. Wednesday, in Clarinda. Perry was taken into custody on a Fremont County warrant for Violation of Probation. She was unable to post a $10,000 bond, and was transported to the Fremont County Jail.

Torri Perry