San Diego County Gas Prices 96.5 Cents Higher Than a Year Ago

1. The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County rose three-tenths of a cent Monday to $3.975, the highest since June 5. The 19th increase in 20 days pushed the average price 1.9 cents higher than one week ago, 21.5 cents greater than one month ago and 96.5 cents above what it was at this time last year, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. The increases are the result of refineries selling more of their product overseas, reducing the supply domestically, according to Jeffrey Spring of the Automobile Club of Southern California.

2. A man visiting his three children in Chula Vista may have illegally taken them to Mexico, a police lieutenant said Sunday. Francisco Ramirez, who may be driving a silver-colored GMC Yukon, fled a
home in the 1000 block of Fourth Avenue about 12:45 p.m. Saturday with the children—a toddler nearly 2, and a 9- and an 11-year-old, Chula Vista police Lt. Don Redmond said.

3. The "Cardiff Kook'' pranksters are at it again, but on this day—Sept. 11—the often-mocked surfer is performing a more-somber role. The giant statute of a teen on a surfboard was discovered this weekend dressed as a New York City firefighter, wearing oxygen tanks, an NYFD fire helmet and carrying an American flag. A placard says "never forget.'' Check out the full story on .