Average gas price in Ohio is $3.74

Average gas price in Ohio is $3.74

YOUNGSTOWN

Ohio gasoline prices continue their climb toward the $4 mark.

The average price for regular gas is $3.74 in Monday’s survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express. That’s up 8 cents from a week ago, when the average was $3.66.

In Youngstown, gas averaged $3.78 Monday, up from $3.70 a week ago.

At this time last year, drivers were paying about $3.47 as prices were soaring toward record highs. Some analysts expect new records will be set this year as prices continue to increase.

The dispute over Iran’s nuclear program has kept crude oil prices high recently amid fears that it could lead to a supply interruption. Signs of gradual improvement in the U.S. economy lately also have contributed to higher prices.

Beer-tasting event

Boardman

Vintage Estate Wine and Beer in Boardman will have a beer-tasting event from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Scott Larrick, export-sales manager of Nogne O for North and South America, will be on hand at Vintage Estate, 7317 South Ave., to offer beer samples. Nogne O brews a Norwegian beer.

Larrick has lived in Norway for the past three years but is returning to the Youngstown area to be closer to his daughter, who lives in Boardman. Larrick is a Columbus native.

According to Ratebeer.com, Nogne O is the 41st-best brewery in the world for 2012. Vintage Estate also was ranked by the site as one of the world’s best craft-beer retailers.

To register for the event, call Vintage Estate at 330-629-8080. Cost is $20 and includes the tasting of eight beers that are paired with cheese samples.

O’Reilly Auto Parts opens in Liberty

Liberty

O’Reilly Auto Parts will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The store is at 3489 Belmont Ave.

Store manager Jack Morgan and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber will host the event.

As well as auto parts, O’Reilly offers comprehensive coverage of fleet and heavy-duty parts, auto-body refinishing materials, tools and equipment and an extensive line of agricultural and marine parts and accessories.

O’Reilly Auto Parts started as a single-store, family-operated parts-supply house in 1957.

Today, the company has more than 3,700 stores in 39 states including Alaska and Hawaii.

New hair salon

Struthers

Salon Hapami, a new hair salon in Struthers, celebrates its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday.

The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. at the salon’s new location at 71 Terrace St. Mayor Terry Stocker is scheduled to attend.

The salon also will have an open house from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Refreshments will be provided, and there will be a raffle for a gift basket.

Vindicator staff/wire reports