COLUMBUS — Gasoline prices in Ohio have fallen 6 cents since last week, the first drop in five weeks.

The average price for regular gas is $3.79 a gallon in today’s survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express. Last Monday’s average was $3.85.

Ohio drivers were paying about $3.53 this time last year, 26 cents less than the current average.

In Medina, the most reasonable price for a gallon of regular-unleaded fuel was listed at $3.75 this morning at four city locations. They are the BP station at 1050 N. Court St.; GetGo at 302 S. Court St.; Sunoco, 3980 Pearl Road, and Marathon, 3809 Pearl Road, according to OhioGasPrices.com.

The website lists a Speedway station in Franklin as having the cheapest gas statewide at $3.53 per gallon, while the most expensive is $4.05 at a Shell in Solon.

Nationwide gasoline prices have jumped to an average of $3.83 per gallon, 31 cents more than a month ago.

Signs of an improving U.S. economy has bolstered investor confidence and contributed to a rise in crude oil prices. Higher gasoline prices could crimp the economy by shrinking the amount of money people have to spend.

COLUMBUS — Ohio gas prices are down a nickel after a week that saw oil prices dip to their lowest levels this year.

Monday’s survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express shows regular-grade gasoline is averaging $3.56 a gallon statewide, compared to $3.61 a week ago.

Gas was still a good deal cheaper in Ohio last year at this time, when the average for regular was $2.67.

The cost of crude oil fell below $76 last week amid concerns about a slowing U.S. economy and worsening European debt crisis. Last month oil was trading around $100 a barrel.

ELYRIA — The State Highway Patrol has identified the man whose body was found hanging near the turnpike and Gulf Road yesterday.

The body of Michael T. Edgell, 47, of Elyria, was found was found hanging by his belt from a fence by a motorcyclist who had stopped to get out of the rain.

According to Lt. Judy Neel of the State Highway Patrol, the patrol is “pretty sure it was suicide” but is awaiting an official decision from the coroner.

The body was found “partially decomposed” and “near a right away fence and an overpass,” according to the Highway Patrol.

Neel couldn’t say for sure how long Edgell’s body had been there, but said “it’s more than a few days and less than a few weeks.”

Neel said no missing persons report had been filed on Edgell.

COPLEY — An Ohio town where eight people died in a shooting rampage this month is thanking everyone who offered help and prayers.

Copley Township trustees said in an open letter to residents over the weekend that the community near Akron in northeast Ohio has been shaken in ways no one could ever imagine. The letter said that if everyone stands strong together, the township will continue to be one of Ohio’s “safest and nicest communities.”

Police said a resident shot seven people to death on Aug. 7 before dying in a gunfight. The victims included an 11-year-old boy.

WJW-TV of Cleveland reported makeshift memorials of notes, flowers and crosses have taken root outside houses where people were killed. Ribbons honoring the dead have been tied to trees in the center of town.

COLUMBUS — Ohio gas prices are down a nickel after a week that saw oil prices dip to their lowest levels this year.

Today’s survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express shows regular-grade gasoline is averaging $3.56 a gallon statewide, compared to $3.61 a week ago.

Gas remains a good deal cheaper in Ohio than it was last year at this time, when the average for regular was $2.67.

In Medina, the most reasonable price for a gallon of regular-unleaded fuel was listed at $3.48 this morning at several stations in the city, some of which include the Clark station, 427 N. Court St., Valero, 245 Lafayette Road, and Speedway, 900 N. Court St., according to OhioGasPrices.com.

The website lists a Sam’s Club station in west Columbus as having the cheapest gas statewide at $3.24 per gallon, while the most expensive is $3.85 at a Marathon station in Upper Arlington.

The cost of crude oil fell below $76 last week amid concerns about a slowing U.S. economy and worsening European debt crisis. Last month oil was trading around $100 a barrel.

CLEVELAND — The cameras are about to start rolling in Cleveland for the Marvel Studios superhero movie “The Avengers.”

The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reported movie crews have been turning a city street into what appeared to be a battleground, putting crushed cars and pieces of buildings in place ahead of the start of filming today. The newspaper says crews transformed nearby buildings to look like storefronts for a bagel shop, a bank and a car dealership.

The set has been drawing film and comic book fans who snapped photos as technicians prepared the scene.

Marvel Studios has been tight-lipped about the movie’s plot. It features the Marvel comics superheros, including Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow.