LOS ANGELES – Southern California gas prices increased by about two cents a day in the last week, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $5.41, which is 21 cents higher than a week ago. The average national price is $3.63, which is six cents higher than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.36 per gallon, which is 13 cents more than last week, 42 cents higher than last month, and 42 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $5.34, which is 13 cents higher than last week, 42 cents higher than last month, and 41 cents higher than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.31, which is 12 cents higher than last week, 40 cents higher than last month, and 42 cents higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $5.27, which is 14 cents higher than last week, 46 cents higher than last month and 44 cents higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.24 average price is 17 cents more than last week, 43 cents more than last month, and 37 cents higher than a year ago today.

“Some additional refinery outages have further reduced fuel production and increased pump prices, and Oil Price Information Service reports that imported gasoline has been ordered and should arrive later this month or in early May,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe.

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on April 11, averages are:

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Environmental group Heal the Bay today announced its Earth Month events calendar for April, offering hands-on opportunities to participate in grassroots advocacy, education and community action. 

The Santa Monica-based nonprofit has created a special series of virtual and in-person volunteer events for individuals, families and households, schools, businesses and community organizations. Participants will gain knowledge and skills that will help them support the health of our ocean, beaches, inland waterways and neighborhoods year-round.

No special training or experience is required. All are welcome.

Become a Beach Captain

Heal the Bay’s famous beach cleanups rely on volunteers to help mobilize and educate participants. Volunteers will learn best practices for conducting cleanups safely and gain valuable public-speaking skills. Join us April 20 10 a.m.-noon (Santa Monica Beach)

Become a Community Scientist

Our Safe Clean Water Program returns with an Earth Month BioBlitz. Participants will engage in community science by helping identify marshland plants and animals. Heal the Bay staff will host two events with the 2024 LA City Nature Challenge, sponsored by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences. Join us April 27 at Bixby Marshland in Carson or Fern Dell in Griffith Park.

Become an Effective Advocate

Policy chiefs at Heal the Bay and partner nonprofit 5 Gyres are co-hosting a free virtual advocacy training about how to best combat plastic pollution throughout our region. Experts will provide an update on pending plastics legislation locally and nationally. Participants will learn insider tips on how to influence policy makers, make impactful calls to representatives and submit compelling written comments on proposed public policy. The Zoom session takes place April 16 from 6-7 p.m.

Become an Aquarist

Heal the Bay’s award-winning aquarium under the Santa Monica Pier relies on volunteers to educate visitors about all the marine animals that call the Bay home. Program leaders will be on hand at the aquarium’s Earth Month Celebration to discuss public engagement and training opportunities. Attendees are encouraged to bring kids along for face-painting, crafts and a scavenger hunt. Join us April 20 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Beyond these volunteer-training sessions, Heal the Bay is hosting dozens of other public events during April Month. Ocean lovers can join us for one of our biggest Nothin’ but Sand beach cleanups of the year at Santa Monica Beach on April 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. Register here.

To register or learn more about any of these events, please visit Heal the Bay’s Earth Month microsite.

If residents are not able to participate in these events, they can also support Heal the Bay’s advocacy and education through an Earth Month donation.

LOS ANGELES – Most Southern California metro areas saw the biggest one-week gas price increase of 2024 in the last week, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $5.20, which is 17 cents higher than a week ago. The average national price is $3.57, which is three cents higher than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.23 per gallon, which is 15 cents more than last week, 33 cents higher than last month, and 34 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $5.21, which is 15 cents higher than last week, 31 cents higher than last month, and 31 cents higher than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.19, which is 14 cents higher than last week, 33 cents higher than last month, and 33 cents higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $5.13, which is 17 cents higher than last week, 35 cents higher than last month and 34 cents higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.07 average price is 14 cents more than last week, 36 cents more than last month, and 16 cents higher than a year ago today.

“Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) reports that maintenance work continues at the Wilmington section of Phillip 66’s Los Angeles refinery, and the Chevron refinery in El Segundo reported an unplanned breakdown-related flaring on Monday,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “OPIS also stated that West Coast refinery production was down in the last week as well as gasoline inventories based on Energy Information Administration reports.”

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on April 4, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – To mark the start of April’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Automobile Club of Southern California joined State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, law enforcement and the parents of a young Corona man who was killed by an impaired and distracted driver, to remind the public about the deadly consequences of distractions behind the wheel.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2021 there were 3,522 people killed in traffic crashes involving a distracted driver. That’s an average of ten people killed each day. That same year, an estimated 362,415 people were injured in distracted driving crashes. Here in California alone, 828 people have died in distracted driving crashes since the start of 2021. Even with these high numbers, distraction-related crash fatalities and injuries are underreported because the behavior is difficult to detect during crash investigations, and police reports often understate the number of incidents.

“Distracted driving comes in many forms, but texting and cell phone use while driving has become the most common type of distracted driving,” said Auto Club President & CEO Greg Backley. “It is never safe to use a smartphone to text, check email, program GPS, post on social media or take photos and videos while your vehicle is in motion.”

When drivers travel at 55 miles per hour and take their eyes off the road for just five seconds that is the same as traveling the length of a football field blindfolded. Law enforcement officers nationwide are working together to enforce texting and distracted driving laws, including a high-visibility enforcement campaign during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

“We know that the problem is serious, and the problem is real,” said California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. “Our mobile phones have almost become an appendage for us, but we must not allow ourselves to be ruled by our mobile devices, and we ask all drivers to please not let your phone be the cause of a fatal crash on our roads.”

The Auto Club’s campaign “Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated.” is designed to increase the social stigma of using a smartphone while driving, like the stigma that exists with alcohol-impaired driving. Through public education and awareness, the Auto Club asks drivers to put their phone down and focus on what’s important, which is getting to their destination safely.

“There are too many victims and too many forever broken families and friends,” said Corona mother Kellie Montalvo, whose son was killed by a texting driver.

On June 11, 2020, an intoxicated driver, who was repeatedly texting her boyfriend, hit and killed Montalvo’s 21-year-old son Benjamin Montalvo as he and his friends rode bicycles to meet Benjamin’s brother. Benjamin, nicknamed “BeanDip” by his three older brothers, died at the scene of the crash.

“With the choices she made that night, she killed our future as well,” said Montalvo. “I would never wish this nightmare on anyone. No parent should bury their child, no brother should have to carry a casket, and no friend should have to watch their friend die.”

A jury convicted the driver who hit Benjamin of felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and felony hit-and-run causing injury or death and sentenced her to nine years in state prison. Benjamin’s parents now share his story with students and the public to prevent other people from making the same mistakes that took their son’s life.

“We are in a prison of our own, one that we will never be bonded or paroled from,” said Montalvo. “Dealing with trauma, anger, and the intense sadness of missing Bean every single day has changed our lives completely.”

To stay focused behind the wheel and prevent tragedies from driving “intexticated,” the Auto Club recommends:

• Use the Driving Focus features on your smartphone.
• Pull over if you must call or text someone.
• Speak up if the driver of your vehicle is distracted.
• Put it away. Place your mobile device out of sight to prevent temptation.
• Know where you are going. If using GPS, program the destination before driving.
• Ask passengers for help. If with someone, ask for help to navigate, make a call or text.
• Don’t be a distraction. Avoid calling or texting others when you know they are driving.

For more information about the Auto Club’s “Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated.” campaign, visit AAA.com/DontDriveDistracted to read real stories of lives impacted by distracted driving, watch PSAs, and watch a distracted driving documentary called “Sidetracked.”

LOS ANGELES – Most areas of Southern California are now experiencing average prices over $5 a gallon as prices moved up for the second week in a row and for eight weeks total in 2024 so far, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $5.03, which is eight cents higher than a week ago. The average national price is $3.54, which is one cent higher than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.08 per gallon, which is nine cents more than last week, 26 cents higher than last month, and 23 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $5.06, which is seven cents higher than last week, 22 cents higher than last month, and 19 cents higher than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.06, which is six cents higher than last week, 26 cents higher than last month, and 23 cents higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.96, which is nine cents higher than last week, 25 cents higher than last month and 18 cents higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.93 average price is eight cents more than last week, 33 cents more than last month, and five cents higher than a year ago today.

“According to Oil Price Information Service, the Wilmington section of Phillip 66’s Los Angeles refinery is undergoing planned maintenance, with no information available on when it will return to production,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “It’s important for drivers to keep in mind that even in areas with average prices over $5 a gallon, they can usually find much less expensive gasoline than $5 nearby by using a free tool such as the AAA Mobile app. As of today, there are still several Southern California gas stations with prices under $4.50 a gallon.”

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on March 28, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – Gas prices in many metropolitan Southern California areas are now near $5 gallon after moving up by about a penny a day in the last week, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.95, which is seven cents higher than a week ago. The average national price is $3.53, which is 12 cents higher than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.99 per gallon, which is six cents more than last week, 18 cents higher than last month, and 12 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is also $4.99, which is seven cents higher than last week, 13 cents higher than last month, and two cents lower than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $5, which is eight cents higher than last week, 13 cents higher than last month, and 16 cents higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.87, which is six cents higher than last week, 19 cents higher than last month and seven cents higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.85 average price is eight cents more than last week, 28 cents more than last month, and two cents lower than a year ago today.

“Gas prices are likely to continue trending upward this spring as in prior years,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “To save money on gas, drivers should shop around for the lowest prices using a tool such as the free AAA Mobile app, keep their vehicle and tires well-maintained, and adopt a gentle driving style that avoids speeding, hard braking and jackrabbit starts.”

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on March 21, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – In most areas of Southern California, gas prices took a break from their typical pattern of increases in late winter and early spring, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.88, which is one cent higher than a week ago. The average national price is $3.41, which is also one cent higher than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.93 per gallon, which is the same as last week, 15 cents higher than last month, and one cent lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.92, which is also the same as last week, 13 cents higher than last month, and two cents lower than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.92, which is two cents higher than last week, 17 cents higher than last month, and one cent higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.81, which is one cent higher than last week, 14 cents higher than last month and five cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.77 average price is three cents more than last week, 20 cents more than last month, and 12 cents lower than a year ago today.

“Indications are that this pause may be temporary, since Los Angeles wholesale gasoline prices have been on the rise this week,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Drivers should shop around for the best gas prices near them by using a free online tool such as the AAA Mobile app.”

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on March 14, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – Southern California gas prices are up for the second week in a row as local refinery maintenance continues to affect production, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.87, which is 13 cents higher than a week ago. The average national price is $3.40, which is eight cents higher than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.93 per gallon, which is eight cents more than last week, 22 cents higher than last month, and two cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.92, which is six cents more than last week, 20 cents higher than last month, and two cents lower than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.90, which is nine cents higher than last week, 21 cents higher than last month, and the same as last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.80, which is eight cents higher than last week, 22 cents higher than last month and five cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.74 average price is 12 cents more than last week, 18 cents more than last month, and 11 cents lower than a year ago today.

“According to Oil Price Information Service, one local refinery has announced it will be undergoing maintenance for a week starting today, while the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that West Coast refinery production rates and gasoline imports increased over the past week,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Gas prices may continue to experience upward pressure as demand grows in the next few months.”

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on March 7, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) Dean C. Logan announced that 525 additional Vote Centers will open for the Presidential Primary Election on Saturday, March 2.

Vote Centers will open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM and on Election Day, March 5, from 7 AM to 8 PM to vote in person or return a ballot.

A full list and map of Vote Center locations and wait times is available online here: (Link)

First-time voters who missed the registration deadline can visit any Vote Center, complete a Conditional Voter Registration, and cast a ballot in this election. Voters can also update their registration information, including their party affiliation, to receive their preferred party’s ballot or request a crossover ballot.

The quickest method to participate in this election is to return the Vote by Mail ballot by mail (no postage required) or in person at any Official Ballot Drop Box or Vote Center location.

Registered voters should have already received a ballot by mail. After submitting their ballot, California voters can track their ballot through a tool called “Where’s My Ballot?” It sends notifications via email, text or voice call.

Return ballot by mail

You can mail in your ballot as long as it is postmarked by Tuesday, March 5. You can also drop off your ballot at a secure box by 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can find a ballot drop-off location by visiting caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov.

Vote early in person

More than 100 voting centers opened on February 24 across Los Angeles County for residents to cast in-person ballots for the upcoming presidential primary election.

The centers will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can cast their ballots at any center, regardless of where they live in the county. A list of nearby locations can be found online at locator.lavote.gov.

On March 2, more than 600 vote center locations will open across the county.

Return ballot in person

You can drop off your ballot at any polling location or your local county elections office by 8 p.m. on March 5. To find your polling location visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place and enter your address.

Vote in person on Super Tuesday elections day

To vote on Election Day, you must go to your designated polling place. You can find where your polling place is located by putting in your home address in poll locators on websites including Vote.org, Google.com or on your local elections website.

Voter info by county

Los Angeles County

Orange County

Ventura County

Riverside County

San Bernardino County

Click here for your SoCal guide to Super Tuesday and the 2024 California primary election.

Metro offers free rides and ballot box drop-offs

The Los Angeles area regional transit agency Metro is again offering free public transit rides on Election Day to help voters reach the polls.

Metro issued a map of its route lines which includes nine locations that have dropoff boxes for ballots. The free rides include all Metro buses, trains, bike share and Micro rideshare.

On Election Day – Tuesday March 5 – polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. but the free rides continue until midnight.

The Super Tuesday ballot includes the presidential race, California’s U.S. Senate seat, multiple seats in Congress and many local races and measures.

Ride free election day Tuesday

Ballot drop off at 9 stations. Voters can safely and securely drop off their ballots at these Metro station Vote-by-Mail drop boxes:

• El Monte Bus Station
• Harbor Freeway Station
• Harbor Gateway Transit Center
• Hollywood/Western Station
• North Hollywood Station B
• Norwalk Station
• Westlake/MacArthur Park Station
• Wilshire/Vermont Station
• Union Station (East Portal)

Metro’s plan trip Google/Apple maps, http://metro.net

LA County polling locations etc http://lavote.gov

LOS ANGELES – Southern California gas prices began climbing again this week after a brief week-long pause in most areas, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.74, which is ten cents higher than a week ago. The average national price is $3.32, which is five cents higher than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.85 per gallon, which is five cents more than last week, 27 cents higher than last month, and one cent higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.86, which is five cents more than last week, 27 cents higher than last month, and one cent higher than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.81, which is four cents higher than last week, 25 cents higher than last month, and four cents more than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.72, which is four cents higher than last week, 32 cents higher than last month and two cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.62 average price is four cents more than last week, six cents more than last month, and 15 cents lower than a year ago today.

“According to Oil Price Information Service, the latest Energy Information Administration data is showing increased refinery production on the West Coast while gasoline inventories declined,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Gas prices are likely to increase further in the next few months as consumer fuel demand grows in the spring and summer months.”

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Feb. 29, averages are: