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News for April 26

Gas Prices Up Four Cents, Says AAA
(posted by Public Affairs on April 26 @ 10:40 )
Gasoline prices in Massachusetts are up again this week, a four cent increase that leaves prices nine cents higher than a month ago and 18 cents higher than at the start of the year, according to AAA Southern New England.
AAA’s April 26 survey of prices in Massachusetts found self-serve, regular unleaded averaging $2.809 per gallon, four cents more than last week. The current price is five cents below the national average for self serve unleaded of $2.85. A year ago at this time the Massachusetts average price was $2.01, 79 cents lower than today’s average.
The range in prices in the latest AAA survey for unleaded regular is 34 cents, from a low of $2.639 to a high of $2.979. AAA advises motorists to shop around for the best prices in their area, and to make sure they and their passengers buckle up — every time.
Today’s local gas prices and their ranges are as follows:
Regular Unleaded - Self Serve/Full Serve
$2.809 ($2.639-$2.979)/$2.939 ($2.869-$2.979)
Midgrade Unleaded - Self Serve/Full Serve
$2.919 ($2.739-$3.099)/$3.069 ($3.069-$3.079)
Premium Unleaded - Self Serve/Full Serve
$3.029 ($2.839-$3.199)/$3.169 ($3.169-$3.179)
Diesel - Self Serve/Full Serve
$3.069 ($2.999-$3.299)/$3.139 ($3.099-$3.159)
AAA Fuel Saving Tip of the Week
Consolidate trips and errands to cut down on driving time and miles traveled. Find one location where you can take care of banking, grocery shopping, and other errands.
Find the most up-to-date local gas prices with the AAA Fuel Finder by logging onto AAA.com and clicking on Gas Saving Tips & Tools. AAA members can also obtain a copy of the Gas Watcher’s Guide at their local AAA Southern New England office.



Top Massachusetts High School Auto Technicians to Compete in State Finals of AAA/Ford Auto Skills
(posted by Public Affairs on April 26 @ 15:19 )
Ten teams of high school automotive technology students will compete for scholarships and prizes plus a trip to the national finals when the annual AAA/Ford Auto Skills state finals are held Tuesday, May 15 at 10:00 a.m. at Universal Technical Institute in Norwood.
The ten, two-member teams will try to correctly diagnose and repair deliberately “bugged”, identical Ford cars. The students earned their way to the state finals by being the top scorers on a written exam.
The winning teams will be able to choose from a number of scholarships, and all competing students will receive prizes for reaching the state finals. The winners and their instructor will represent Massachusetts in the national finals in June in Dearborn, Michigan.
“Today’s automotive technicians must rely on brainpower more than muscle power to keep today’s sophisticated vehicles on the road,” said John Paul, AAA Southern New England Manager of Traffic Safety. “ In many cases, the first tool a technician reaches for is an advanced diagnostic computer rather than a wrench or screwdriver.”
Estimates are that there is a nationwide shortage of 60,000 trained service and repair technicians, with annual salaries ranging from $35,000-$75,000.
AAA Southern New England is a not-for-profit auto club with 34 offices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, providing more than 2 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, finance, and auto-related services.


AAA/FORD AUTO SKILLS CONTEST
Massachusetts State Finalists

Bay Path Technical Vocational High School - Charlton
Daniel Gallagher, Dudley Christian Fuller, Rutland
Michael Vessella, Instructor

Minuteman Regional High School - Lexington
Ian Hurley, Ayer Jonathan Hatch, Stow
Bruce Flood, Instructor

Smith Vocational High School - Northampton
Jared Salvini, Chester
Evan Nelson, Leeds
Jonathan Yourga, Instructor

Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical - Palmer
Philip Simakauskas, West Brookfield
Kyle Brown, East Brookfield
James Lavalle, Instructor

South Shore Vocational Technical - Hanover
Daniel Svizzero, Rockland Nicholas Wood, Abington
David Haskins, Instructor

Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical - Fitchburg
Marc Carlson, Barre Jeffrey Miller, Jr., Phillipston
David Hobbs, Instructor

Nashoba Valley Technical High School - Westford
Sean Skuse, Westford Garett Sullivan, Westford
Rich Karamanian, Instructor

Worcester Vocational High School - Worcester
Jose Hernandez, Worcester Joshua Machado, Worcester
Clifford Worthley, Instructor

Blackstone Valley Technical - Upton
Mike Moran, Upton Jesse Thompson, Milford
Derek Stienstra, Instructor

Old Colony Regional Vocational High School - Rochester
James Richards, Acushnet Jason Gifford, Acushnet
Donald Mosher, Instructor


2001 AAA Southern New England