Gas prices rising

If you’ve stopped to fill your tank with gas lately you’ve probably noticed a price increase.

Triple A “Daily Fuel Gauge” reported that the national average for regular gas rose .66 the past week to $2.17 a gallon.

Triple A reports that the prices will continually to climb this spring season into the summer.

As the weather turns warmer and days grow longer, people tend to drive more, which results in increased demand.

This increase in demand comes at the same time that many refineries conduct maintenance to prepare equipment for the busy summer driving season, which leads to a temporary decline in fuel production.

A local driver, Melissa Smith, said she may have to rethink her Cinco De Mayo travels.

“They are going up too high. No one wants to go anywhere. They were so low a couple weeks ago and I’ve noticed the increase,” Smith said.

During April, Idahoans saw a 25 cent increase and in neighboring state, Utahns saw a 36 cent increase.