“We’re gonna party like it’s $1.99” is the theme Monday for AAA as the national average price of a gallon of gas dips below the $2 mark for the first time since 2009.

The National Average for a gallon of regular unleaded gas came in at $1.99 Monday morning according to AAA, the lowest it’s been since March 25, 2009.

AAA estimates that cheaper gas prices have saved Americans more than $115 billion on gasoline so far this year, which works out to more than $550 per licensed driver. More than 91 million Americans plan to take advantage of cheaper gas prices to drive 50 miles or more during the upcoming holiday period.

“Drivers across the country are celebrating the historic return of cheaper gas prices,” said Marshall Doney, AAA’s President and CEO. “The lowest gas prices in nearly seven years are a holiday gift that few consumers could have imagined when gasoline was $4 a gallon.”

More than two-thirds of U.S. stations already are selling gas under $2 per gallon, and drivers can find at least one station selling gas for less than that price in 47 states. The most common price nationwide is $1.899 per gallon. The national average price of gas is about 41 cents less than a year ago.

Gas prices have dropped because there is more than enough oil and gasoline supplies around the world to meet current demand. In addition, gas prices generally fall through early winter because people drive and use less fuel this time of year.

“We have witnessed a dramatic shift in gas prices that has saved families hundreds of dollars so far this year,” continued Doney. “The best news of all is that there is room for prices to drop even more in the coming weeks.”

Gas prices already are much cheaper than $2 per gallon in most parts of the country. The lowest one percent of U.S. stations are selling gas for an average of $1.59 per gallon, and more than 13,000 stations are selling gas for less than $1.75 per gallon. The states with the cheapest averages include: Missouri ($1.77), Oklahoma ($1.78), South Carolina ($1.78), Tennessee ($1.79) and Kansas ($1.79). Kansas City, Missouri has the cheapest metro average in the country at $1.68 per gallon.

St. Joseph’s average came in at $1.73.

A St. Joseph man has been charged for a Walmart robbery involving a knife the day before Thanksgiving.

Jerry D. Grippando, 32 was charged  Monday with a felony for 2nd degree Robbery stemming from an incident that took place Nov. 25th at the South Belt Walmart.

“The defendant entered Walmart and concealed chainsaw bars and blades in his jacket,” Det. Jason Norton with the St. Joseph Police Department said in court documents. “The defendant was confronted by Walmart Asset Protection Associates.  The defendant used his right hand to pull a folding knife from his pocket.  He used his thumb to open the knife exposing the blade.  The Asset Protection Associates stepped back upon seeing the knife and they were prevented from apprehending the defendant or retrieving all of the stolen items.”

Court documents said Grippando made off with items valued at around $139.84.

Norton said Grippando was on probation for dist/del/manuf of a controlled substance and stealing at the time and has convictions for forgery, domestic assault, assault on a law enforcement officer, non support and stealing.

Bond has been set at $7,500 for Grippando with the condition he not be allowed to enter any Wal-Mart.  Arraignment is set for Jan. 5.

 

ST JOSEPH, Mo. – The following is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the Northwest Missouri region planned for the week of Dec. 21 – 28 from the Missouri Department of Transportation. MoDOT will halt temporary lane closures throughout the state to accommodate an increase in traffic due to the Christmas holiday. Most temporary lane closures will stop at noon on Thursday, Dec. 24, and resume again Monday morning, Dec. 28. Some long-term closures and head-to-head traffic will remain in place.

In addition to the work listed below, there may be pothole patching, mowing, spraying, brush cutting, guardrail repairs and other road work conducted throughout the region. Many of these will be moving operations and could include lane closures with delays. MoDOT reminds the public to stay alert, watch for road work, buckle up, slow down, and drive with extreme caution through work zones.

Buchanan County

Route V – One-half mile south of Route 116; shoulder work, Dec. 21 – 23

Caldwell County

Route 116 – From Route A to Route D; shoulder work, Dec. 21 – 23

Carroll County

Route 41 – CLOSED at the Wakenda Chute Bridge; bridge maintenance, Dec. 21 – 23, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.

Chariton County

Route 130 – From Route 139 to Route YY; drainage work, Dec. 21 – 23

Daviess County

Interstate 35 – From Route T to Route AA/H; shoulder work, Dec. 21 – 24

DeKalb County

U.S. Route 36 – At the I-35 Overpass; bridge maintenance, Dec. 21 – 22. The work zone will be left up overnight with 14-foot width restriction.

Gentry County

U.S. Route 169 – CLOSED at the Linn Creek Bridge; bridge deck replacement. Closed through mid-January.

Harrison County

Route 46 – CLOSED from Route HH to West 130^th Road; culvert replacement,Dec. 21, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I-35 – From Route H to mile marker 112; pavement repair, Dec. 21 – 23

Route 46 – CLOSED from Route HH to West 140^th Road; culvert replacement,Dec. 22, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Route 46 – CLOSED from Route NN to West 140^th Road; culvert replacement,Dec. 23, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Linn County

U.S. Route 36 – From Route 139 to the Macon County line; pothole patching, Dec. 21 – 23

Route B – From Route 139 to U.S. Route 36 (Livingston County); pothole patching,Dec. 21 – 23

Livingston County

Route B – From U.S. Route 36 to Route 139 (Linn County); pothole patching, Dec. 21 – 23

Sullivan County

Route BB – CLOSED from Jericho Road to Jester Road; culvert replacement, Dec. 23, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Route BB – CLOSED from Joiner Road to Kite Road; culvert replacement, Dec. 23, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

180 pounds of high grade marijuana were seized during a traffic stop according to the Platte County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 6 p.m. Thursday a patrol deputy stopped a vehicle eastbound on I-435 near northwest Cookingham Drive for a traffic violation. The office said during the stop the Deputy noticed the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and the driver. A k-9 was used to check the vehicle resulting in the seizure.

Tamaras, O’Shea Abrans, 47 of California has been charged with distribution/manufacturing/produce or attempt of a controlled substance.

$50,000 cash only bond has been set.

KCI is filtering thousands of passengers through its airport over the annual winter holiday travel season.

The Kansas City Aviation Department expects to serve more than 509,000 passengers at KCI Airport during the 2015/2016 winter holiday period on 4,780 arrivals and departures. Peak days will see approximately 37,000 travelers in and out of KCI.

Planes are projected to be 80 percent to 90 percent full over the winter holiday period, with the busiest travel days expected to be Sunday, January 3; Friday, December 18; Sunday, December 27, and Wednesday, December 23, respectively. Consistent with historical patterns, the lightest travel days are expected to be Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The total number of revenue passengers boarding aircraft in scheduled service volumes are expected to range from 1.9 million to 2.4 million during the 17-day period, with the busiest days seeing more than 10 percent more passengers than the average day in 2015.

Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, projects that 38.1 million passengers will fly on U.S. airlines during the 17-day period from Friday, December 18 through Sunday, January 3. That is an increase of more than three percent or approximately 73,000 more travelers nationwide each of those days from the comparable period a year ago. Last year, 36.9 million customers were estimated to have traveled by air. A4A projects that 12 percent of those traveling will be on international flights.