REGION

REGION

Costly holiday drive

COLUMBUS — Ohioans will pay quite a bit more for this year’s drive to Thanksgiving dinner.

The latest numbers from AAA and the Oil Price Information Service show the statewide average price for a gallon of regular grade gas is $3.07. That’s unchanged from two weeks ago, but it’s up 27 percent from last year at this time, when the average was about $2.24 per gallon. Midgrade and premium gas have seen similar increases.

AAA Ohio Auto Club President Mark Shaw says this year, travelers are really feeling the pinch. But he says higher gas prices won’t keep Americans away from Thanksgiving’s traditional family gatherings. The auto club expects more people will make holiday driving trips this year than last.

Ohio backs Ill. power plant

COLUMBUS — Ohio has joined a growing list of Midwest states throwing their support behind Illinois’ quest to beat out Texas for a coveted next-generation power plant.

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland says Illinois has the right mix of geology, expertise and transportation for the cutting-edge, coal-powered plant known as FutureGen.

Developers are to announce next month whether the $1.75 billion project will go to Mattoon or Tuscola in Illinois, or to either of two Texas sites. Developers say the plant will minimize air pollution by storing emissions underground. Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Kentucky already are backing Illinois’ bid.

Retailer lowers outlook

NEW ALBANY, Ohio — Girls’ specialty retailer Tween Brands Inc. on Monday lowered its earnings outlook for the current quarter because of dimmer expectations for the holiday season. The company’s stock fell 9 percent.

The operator of Limited Too and Justice stores that target so-called “tween” girls 7 to 14 said it now anticipates earnings for the fourth quarter ending Feb. 2 to be 98 cents to $1.08 per share, a nickel below its previous outlook of $1.03 to $1.13.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had forecast earnings of $1.08 for the quarter.

Associated Press