REGION

REGION

National Fuel Gas increases its prices

ERIE, Pa. —National Fuel Gas Distribution Co. has increased prices for buying gas by 5 percent, effective May 1. The company covers 14 counties in Pennsylvania, including Mercer County. The typical residential customer who uses 100,000 cubic feet of gas a year would pay $129.83 a month under the new rates, up from $123.25.

The company said natural gas prices are rising and it is required by law to pass along any increase or decrease to customers. It gas supply charge is updated quarterly.

OHIO

Kroger offers bonus for shoppers to spend rebate

CINCINNATI — The Kroger Co. is casting its net wider in the battle among retailers to lure extra dollars from shoppers during the U.S. economic stimulus effort.

The nation’s largest traditional grocery chain was one of the first retailers to announce plans to give shoppers a bonus — 10 percent in its case — if they exchanged tax stimulus checks for store gift cards for matching amounts. Grocery competitors and other retailers are making similar offers.

A Kroger spokeswoman said Monday that anyone can get the bonus, even if they haven’t received a rebate yet and even if they don’t qualify for one.

From Vindicator staff and wire reports