Gas dips below $3 in some areas of Ohio; Valley’s not one of them

STAFF/WIRE REPORT

COLUMBUS — Ohio motorists say it’s some positive economic news for a change: Gasoline prices are falling, in some places below $3 a gallon.

At least one station in the Dayton suburb of Huber Heights was charging $2.99 for regular Tuesday morning. Web sites where consumer spotters post prices show stations in several of the state’s metro areas charging $2.99 or less.

The statewide average for regular is $3.31, according to the daily survey from AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.

The AAA said the average price in the Youngstown-Warren area was $3.37 Tuesday, down 3 cents from Monday and 18 cents from a month ago. It was the second-highest average of any metropolitan area in the state.

As he paid $3.09 this morning in Columbus, motorist Joe Culwell estimated that his fill-up cost about $5 less than the last one did.

The cost of gas is coming down as oil prices tumble amid fears that global economic turmoil will curb demand for fuel.