By By Adrienne McKenzie
Just one week ago Atmore area residents could fill their cars up with gas for a little less than $3, but over the weekend those prices shot up and now regular, unleaded gas costs an average of $3.16 at Atmore stations.
Area residents filling up at local gas stations yesterday were not pleased with the jump in prices.
Roy White, vice president of Diamond Gasoline on Hwy. 21, said the jump in gas prices is because of a number of things.
Gas prices jump because of the basic supply and demand concept and White said it is hard to keep up with the demand.
The nation receives an abundance of oil supply from Nigeria.
According to a report Monday at CNN.com, gas prices rose almost 16 cents in just two weeks. The rise made the nation’s average $3.10. The report said that price is approximately 75 cents higher than February of last year.
Area residents are having to sacrifice fun in order to afford gasoline.
“Gas prices affect everything,” Rusty Slate said yesterday as he filled his car up at a Hwy. 21 BP station. “We travel less and my kids can’t go anywhere because I can’t afford to buy their gas.”
With the prices rising, individuals may have to decide what is more important, putting food on the table or making a spur of the moment trip to Mobile or Pensacola.