GAS PRICE IN CAPE FALLS TO BELOW $1

Stacy Eggimann joyously echoed the sentiments of many who visited Cape Girardeau gas pumps Friday.

"Look at that," the Springfield, Mo., woman said after the tank was filled. "Less than $20."

Earlier this year, oil industry analysts said gas prices would soar even higher than last summer, when they hovered well over $2 per gallon in some parts of the country. But Cape Girardeau is seeing prices dip below a dollar a gallon for the first time in two years.

Local retailers say they're merely adjusting to wholesale prices, which change daily and were expected to rise today.

Eggimann and Mark Harris of Minneapolis, Kan., who are visiting relatives in Advance, Mo., were in Cape Girardeau when they spotted 98 cents per gallon at Cash Only at William Street and Caruthers Avenue. It was down a cent from Thursday.

"I made a U-turn so fast when I saw this. I slammed on my brakes and nearly went into an intersection," said Harris, who says the prices in Kansas are around $1.18 per gallon.

Other Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Mo., gas stations were selling gas for 99 cents per gallon Friday afternoon, but the Cash Only station boasted the lowest price.

"When the cost goes down, we try to reflect that," said manager Cassandra Mills. "Low overhead helps keep our costs low."

Mills said the station takes cash to keep things as simple as possible for everyone.

Her station saw more customers Friday than usual, which doesn't surprise Anthony Preston, in town from St. Louis.

"They're doing really good here," he said. "Up in St. Louis, the prices are super high. They were averaging about $1.35 to $1.40 per gallon. This is the best price in town."

Motorists lined the pumps two and three cars deep at Kidd's on Kingshighway, which was selling gas at 99 cents Friday afternoon.

"I think it's really funny how two, three months ago everyone was saying that gas was going to be $3 a gallon this summer," said Randy Buerck. "And look at it now."

Debbie Keenan, in town from Sikeston, Mo., visiting her mother, said the low prices were a nice surprise. "Usually around the holidays the price goes up," she said.

Gaspricewatch.com reported Friday that the national gas price average was $1.46 per gallon. The gas stations on Route K by Interstate 55 had prices ranging from $1.14 to $1.16 per gallon. Other gas stations in the area ranged from $1.03 to $1.09 per gallon.