Lauren Hoffman, Hayden Lowstetter, Christina Yuhasz, and James Wade
JRNM 151

 Amherst resident Celeste Glick drives less nowadays because of high gas prices. 
“I don’t know why it’s so high,” Glick said. “I don’t know if it’s because of the oil spills, or the holidays coming up.”  
Gas prices range from $3.09 to $3.25 in Amherst and from $3.02 to $3.09 in Lorain as of Oct. 26, according to GasBuddy.Com.
Nationwide, the gas price at the pump has gone up to $3.38 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. During the same period last year, gas cost only $2.14 per gallon, which is $1.24 less, according to the EIA.
Many motorists such as Glick are not happy with the price increase.
Kayla Marta, a nursing major at Lorain County Community College, said the high gas prices had hit her pocket. “It really affects my income to have to pay more money for gas,” Marta said. “I don’t go out much besides to school and appointments.” 
Paige Kay, another student, used to drive home in between class breaks. “Now I stay (on the main campus) between classes, so I don’t waste gas,” Kay said.
Elyria resident Michael Benetto finds the rising gas prices “pretty bad.” Benetto, who delivers pizzas, said, “It is more than a hassle to spend up to $30 on gas two times a week.” When your job involves driving frequently, it can be frustrating as a large portion of your hard-working pay goes right back into paying for the gas, according to Benetto. 
Tammy Singleton, who drives from Medina to LCCC’s main campus in Elyria for work every day, is also not pleased. To cut down her gas consumption, Singleton said she runs all her errands in one trip.
Gas prices across the country haven’t been this high since back in 2014, according to American Automobile Association. It is due to the rise in crude oil prices. It has “increased to the highest price point ($80 per barrel) in 2 1/2 years, according to AAA. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced it might increase crude production. If OPEC executes its plan an “this could lead to a decrease in crude oil prices.”

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