News for May 1
| Newport Career & Tech Center Wins Rhode Island AAA/Ford Auto Skills Title (posted by Public Affairs on May 1 @ 08:57 ) |
| A two-student team from Newport Career & Tech Center overcame the best in the state to win the Rhode Island finals of the 2009 AAA/Ford Student Auto Skills Contest, held April 30 at Warwick Mall. The annual competition is designed to find the most talented young auto technicians in the United States. Students Kevin Wilkie and Brian Medeiros successfully diagnosed and repaired a deliberately “bugged” Ford vehicle. They now advance to the national finals in June in Dearborn, Michigan. The students won several prizes and scholarships, including one to New England Institute of Technology. Their instructor is Daniel Pontes. A team from East Providence Career & Technical Center finished second, followed by Davies Career & Technical High School, Cranston High School East, Woonsocket Area Career Technical Center, and Warwick Area Career and Technical Center. Student Cole Predom from East Providence received a special award for highest individual written score. The team from Davies had team high written score. “Kevin and Brian exemplify the technician of tomorrow,” said John Nardolillo, AAA Southern New England Vice President of Automotive Services. “They have high tech skills and understand the importance of careful workmanship and attention to detail.” The Auto Skills Contest calls attention to the continuing need for more trained technicians in the automobile service industry. Certified, entry-level technicians can earn as much as $30,000-$35,000 annually in many areas. Master technicians can earn up to $100,000 in some areas of the country. The Rhode Island contest was one of 50 state competitions being held this spring. The contest will award more than $5 million in scholarships nationwide. 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. |
| Gas Prices Up By A Penny, Says AAA (posted by Public Affairs on May 1 @ 11:24 ) |
| Rhode Island’s surging gasoline prices have begun to level off, with the cost of a gallon of self serve unleaded increasing by one cent over the last week, according to AAA Southern New England. AAA’s May 1 survey of prices in Rhode Island found self serve, regular unleaded averaging $2.929 per gallon, up one cent from last week and 37 cents more than just a month ago. One year ago, the price was $2.229. The cost of a gallon of full serve, regular unleaded gasoline dropped by a cent to $2.969, the first decrease seen in any category of this survey since March 27, and the first decrease in non-diesel fuel since February 20. The range in prices in the latest AAA survey for regular unleaded is 14 cents, from a low of $2.859 to a high of $2.999. Motorists should continue to shop around for the best prices in their area. Today’s local gas prices and their ranges are as follows: Regular Unleaded - Self Serve/Full Serve $2.929 ($2.859-$2.999)/$2.969 ($2.959-$2.999) Midgrade Unleaded - Self Serve/Full Serve $3.039 ($2.979-$3.109)/$3.169 ($3.079-$3.249) Premium Unleaded - Self Serve/Full Serve $3.129 ($2.999-$3.249)/$3.259 ($3.179-$3.299) Diesel - Self Serve/Full Serve $3.029 ($2.919-$3.139)/$3.059 ($2.959-$3.159) 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 AAA Gas Watcher’s Guide at their local AAA Southern New England office. AAA Southern New England is a not-for-profit auto club with 32 offices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, providing more than 2 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, finance, and auto-related services. |