Gas prices drop

The latest survey of gasoline stations across Iowa contains an early Christmas gift for the state’s motorists, according to Triple-A Motor Club spokeswoman Dawn Duffy. The national average for gas is a dollar-47, while in Iowa, it’s a dollar-42. Duffy says the price of that precious petrol has been falling each of the past three months. She says some gas station owners in Iowa reacted to the weekend’s events in Iraq by raising prices, but those were exceptions. She says many world events effect gas prices, but she calls price increases following the capture of Saddam Hussein “a ripple in a very big pond.” She says gas prices are expected to stay where they are for the near future — in Iowa, in the low dollar-40-a-gallon range. With Christmas Day next Thursday, many more people will be on the road traveling, which will ratchet up demand. Still, Duffy doesn’t expect any major price spikes.She says inventories are at a good level so prices shouldn’t rise. She also recommends keeping your tank at least a quarter-to-a-half full.