Editor’s note: Tuesday’s Keystone newsletter failed to send due to a technical issue on our end. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Oil prices soared as high as nearly $120 a barrel late Sunday before falling closer to $85 by Wednesday after President Donald Trump suggested that the war in Iran would be a “short-term excursion.” But the fluctuating price of oil hasn’t stopped gas prices from surging in the commonwealth and across the country.

Pennsylvanians are paying an average of 10% more for a gallon of gas than they were a week ago, and about 16% more than before the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran Feb. 28.

As of Wednesday, the average price for a gallon in Pennsylvania is $3.66, up from $3.30 this time last week, and $3.12 two weeks ago, according to auto club AAA.

Nationally, the average price for a gallon is $3.57, up nearly 12% from $3.19 a week ago, according to AAA.

Pennsylvania’s highest gas prices are in Warren County, where the average price is $3.79 a gallon. Montour County has the lowest average cost, at $3.44 a gallon.

We’ve got more details below on the increase in gas prices across the state, and what some state lawmakers are trying to do to ease the pain at the pump.

With America’s Semiquincentennial being celebrated this year, items and artifacts are being curated for America’s Time Capsule, a national record chronicling our nation’s history, which will be ceremonially buried at Independence National Historical Park on July 4.

For our QOTW, we’d like to know: If you could pick one item to represent Pennsylvania in America’s Time Capsule, what would it be and why?

Here’s what you’re saying:

“An artifact from Flight 93 which crashed on 9/11 in Shanksville. The bravery of the passengers trying to fight the hijackers should never be forgotten. Lives were lost but lives were saved as the aircraft was likely headed to the US Capitol.”

— Matt Engel, Wilkes-Barre

“Pennsylvania has an important history in the fight against tyranny in all its forms. I suggest something to commemorate the Underground Railroad and the Quaker involvement, as well as recognition of the unique and still enduring Amish in Pa.”

— Mrs. Stephen, Oxford

“A chunk of anthracite coal. It’s the real reason that Pa. played such a large role in the steel industry in the first place.”

— Robert K., Emporium

“A vial of oil from Drake Well in Titusville, where the first commercial oil well was drilled in 1859—the birthplace of the modern oil industry!”

— Leah C., Titusville

“Mister Rogers’ sweater. Consider it a symbol of kindness and empathy from Pennsylvania.”

— Mary C., Denver

Let us know what item you’d select, and please let us know where you live.

Bethlehem-made PEEPS are celebrated at PEEPS in the Village at Lahaska’s Peddler’s Village. (The Associated Press)

You spoke. And we heard you.

We’ve heard from many of you requesting a weekly roundup of events in the state. So here it is, a new weekly feature highlighting five events across the state that we feel are road-trip worthy*.

(*By “road-trip worthy,” we imagine something in the one-to-two-hour range, but how far you want to travel is entirely up to you. If you want to make the 6.5-hour cross-state trek from Philly to Erie to do something fun, be our guest!)

Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show — Now through Sunday, Pittsburgh

This year’s Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden is entitled “Blooming with Love” and features gorgeous displays of beautiful orchids and classically trained bonsai inside the glasshouse.

PEEPS in the Village — Now through April 12, Lahaska (Bucks County)

Easter is coming, and you know what that means: PEEPS! This event at Lahaska’s Peddler’s Village is an exhibition of PEEP-inspired artwork, from marshmallow masterpieces to stunning wall art, dioramas, and intricate sculptures celebrating the Bethlehem-made marshmallow treat.

Celtic Classic Dog Show — Wednesday to Sunday, York

Best in Show is up for grabs again when the annual Celtic Classic Dog Show returns to the York Expo Center. This free dog show brings together a variety of breeds for some friendly canine competition. 

Beauty on a Budget Sale — Thursday to Sunday, Manheim (Lancaster County)

The BOB Sale at Manheim’s Junction Center features over 20,000 pieces of brand-name designer and vintage clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories, with some items marked down to 90% off retail.

The 13th Annual Polar Plunge — Saturday, Jim Thorpe

How cold has this winter been in Pennsylvania? Too cold for the Polar Plunge at Jim Thorpe’s Mauch Chunk Lake! Originally scheduled for Jan. 31, the plunge has been rescheduled for Saturday, when temps are expected to be around 50. Not quite polar, but that won’t keep plungers away.

· The FBI said Tuesday that it found explosive residue in a storage unit as part of an investigation into two Bucks County men charged with bringing homemade bombs to a protest outside the home of New York City’s mayor. Find out the latest here.

· A Gettysburg-based defense contractor was awarded a $113 million contract to renovate an ICE detention facility near Hagerstown, Maryland, according to government records. Get the story here.

· A family has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Lebanon School District of not doing anything about the repeated reports of their son getting bullied based on race and disability that led up to his suicide. We have the story here.

· Before the deadly natural gas explosion at the Bristol Health & Rehab Center, the nursing home had a series of protocols that staff were expected to follow in the event of such an emergency. But the hundreds of first responders who converged on the Bucks County property Dec. 23 knew nothing about it because Pennsylvania doesn’t require skilled nursing home administrators to share such plans with first responders. Get the details here.

Welcome to our weekly advice column, courtesy of Grace: She’s the big sister who shares her own mistakes so you can avoid making them, the coworker who builds you up to ask for the raise you deserve, and the friend who is always happy to listen.

We all need someone like Grace in our corner. Submit your own questions here.

Dear Grace,

My son is autistic and in middle school. He is my whole life and perfect the way he is. He struggled with bullying a little bit last year, but it’s gotten worse since the whole “Tylenol causes autism” thing. Not only are kids at school making fun of him, but adults are being rude to him, too.

When I hear adults and kids saying things that are meant to make autistic people feel bad, I go into Mama Bear mode and get mad and protective. But I don’t want to yell at people or make it worse. What should I do? How can I convince people that my son’s autism isn’t bad, it’s a wonderful part of who he is? What should I say when people repeat false things about autism?

– Angry Mama in Ardmore

Dear Angry Mama,

I get why you’re angry. As parents, we want to protect our children from being bullied or from people who think they need to be “cured.” You clearly love your son deeply, just as he is! I’m sorry that other people around him are having trouble seeing him the way that you do.

While I understand why you would want to yell at someone for saying something cruel to or about your son, you’re right that it might make things worse. Here are some of my ideas about what you could do.

A correction from last Friday’s newsletter. We erroneously referred to Erie’s Mercy Anchor Community Center as the Mercer Anchor Community Center. 

We apologize for any inconvenience.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from USA Today Network via Reuters Connect, and The Associated Press. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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