Rising gas prices put people in a pinch

ROELAND PARK, Kan. — It’s happened again. Gas prices have gone up, and it’s proving to be difficult for those already on a thinly-stretched budget. In Roeland Park, Kan., gas is $3.77 a gallon. AAA says gas prices have risen every day for the past 32 days straight.

• Metro average: $3.67
• Last week: $3.47
• Last month: $3.04

Prices are rising because of maintenance issues at refineries and increasing oil prices.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline hit $3.73 over the weekend.

Analysts say that, on Sunday, gas prices increased for the 32nd consecutive day.

In the last month, the average price of a gallon of gasoline has increased nearly 13 percent, according to AAA.

AAA says that drivers in Southern California are paying an average of $4.29 per gallon in Los Angeles.

A gallon of regular gasoline costs $4.28 in Orange County, and in the Inland Empire, it’s $4.25.

Prices are expected to rise even further in March and April.

“It’s way too much,” said one motorist filling up his tank at a Miracle Mile gas station charging $5.09 for a gallon of regular gas. “It’s unbelievable.”