Serving Queen Anne & Magnolia Since 1919 www.QueenAnneNews.com
OCTOBER 1, 2025
VOL. 106, NO. 40
Washington Gas Prices Among Highest in Nation By Adam Worcester contributing writer
O
n June 22, 2023, Washington state achieved a dubious distinction. That date marked the first time Washington led the nation in having the highest average gas price, according to AAA, briefly edging perennial leaders California and Hawaii. Since then state gas prices have topped the country several more times, including this month. For the week of Sept. 22, 2025, a gallon of unleaded gas in Washington averaged $4.57. The national average was $3.15. Prices were slightly higher in Seattle ($4.76) and King County ($4.83), and lower in Snohomish and other surrounding counties ($4.40 to $4.68). And though they are forecast to dip with the onset of winter, gas prices in the Evergreen State will likely remain among the highest in the U. S. for the foreseeable future. Part of the reason is geography. “The West Coast is a unique market in the United States in terms of supply, demand, and production of gasoline,” noted a recent quarterly report from the state Attorney General’s office.
Washington, Oregon and California have a paucity of refineries and pipelines, and “there are few prospects for increasing refinery capacity on the West Coast in the near future,” the report stated. Another contributing factor is increasing demand. During the past decade Washington, Oregon, and California have experienced higher-than-average population growth, spurring the hunger for gasoline. Politics also play a role. The state’s Climate Commitment Act, implemented in 2023, has
raised the retail price of gas by an estimated 25 to 50 cents per gallon, depending who you ask. And in July, the state legislature ratcheted up its unleaded gas sales tax by six cents to 55.4 cents a gallon, third highest in the nation. That legislation includes automatic annual increases pegged to inflation, ensuring further price increases in 2026 and beyond. Ten years ago, Washington’s state gas sales tax was 44.5 cents per gallon. But perhaps the biggest culprit in expensive gas, according to the Attorney General’s report, is a
practice called “zone pricing.” Under zone pricing, refiners sell gasoline to retailers at differing wholesale prices based on supply and demand. Refiners set their own price zones, which can vary substantially from one refiner to another. “Zone pricing is viewed by some as price gouging and by others as a natural outcome of competitive markets,” the Attorney General’s report reads. While some states have considered legislation to curb the practice, it is not illegal in Washington state. Though there isn’t much consumers can do to battle the rising costs of fuel additives and logistical problems with West Coast gas delivery, they are starting to push back on state policies. Last year a group called Let’s Go Washington gathered more than 400,000 signatures toward a ballot initiative to repeal the Climate Commitment Act but fell short. Short of eliminating legislated taxes, the best course for individual drivers to save money on gas is to reduce consumption, per the Attorney General’s report. “Because demand is higher in Washington state than many other areas of the country, it
is particularly important for Washington consumers to conserve gasoline by finding alternative modes of transportation,” the report concluded. “When consumers form carpools or begin using public transportation,” the report stated, “it creates huge differences in the demand and can go far to reduce prices.”
Fuel Prices By State California Washington Hawaii Oregon Nevada Alaska Arizona Idaho Illinois Utah Pennsylvania New York Vermont Indiana Connecticut Montana Maine Maryland Wyoming
New Jersey Massachusetts Colorado Rhode Island Delaware Michigan New Hampshire Florida Minnesota Virginia South Dakota Nebraska New Mexico Ohio North Dakota Georgia North Carolina Iowa Wisconsin Kansas South Carolina Missouri Kentucky Alabama Arkansas Tennessee Texas Louisiana Mississippi Oklahoma
4.65 4.57 4.48 4.21 3.90 3.89 3.57 3.50 3.39 3.39 3.29 3.21 3.18 3.17 3.16 3.15 3.11 3.11 3.10 3.10 3.09 3.08 3.08 3.08 3.06 3.05 2.99 2.98 2.95 2.95 2.92 2.92 2.91 2.91 2.89 2.88 2.88 2.86 2.85 2.85 2.84 2.80 2.78 2.75 2.74 2.73 2.72 2.68 2.65 Source: AAA, 09/26/2025
CroatiaFest Returns to Seattle Center with Culture, Cuisine, and Community
The free, family-oriented event returns to Seattle Center October 5
E
xperience the sights, sounds, and flavors of Croatia at CroatiaFest on Sunday, Oct. 5, from noon–6 p.m. as part of Seattle Center Festál at the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall and surrounding grounds. This free, family-friendly festival will immerse guests of all ages in the vibrant spirit of Croatia. Step into Croatia’s heritage with exhibits such as A Legacy in Costume featuring museum-quality folk garments, Through the Lens of Martin Koenig photography of rural Croatian communities, and Who Were They and Where Were They From? highlighting Croatian immigration history and accomplishments in Western Washington. Guests can also enjoy a special travel talk by adventurer Marko Pavela on exploring the Cetina River valley, and the film presentation Leaving=Arriving by Dalibor Martinis: a documentary exploring cyclical migration through personal stories from the Croatian island of Vis. Live entertainment will showcase traditional and contemporary Croatian culture, including performances by musicians playing Croatian instruments, folk dance groups, singers, and local artists. Award presentations will honor Ivana Prpić of Vancouver, B.C., as the 2025 Featured Young Croatian and Kenneth A. Malich of Gig Harbor, Wash., as the 2025 Outstanding Croatian,
with recognition by Croatian Ambassador to the U.S. Pjer Šimunović. The Croatian culinary experience will be in full force with authentic dishes such as kobasice (sausages), lamb roasted on the spit, ćevapčići (Croatian-style links), sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls), burek, palačinke (crepes), and baklava — prepared by local community groups including Anacortes Sister Cities, Balkan Store, Baked in Bosnia, and the Balkan Task Force. Guests can also enjoy cooking demonstrations of njoki (gnocchi) and London štangle fruit bar cookies. For guests 21 and over, the lively Konoba (Wine & Rakija Room) offers tastings of Croatian wines and spirits from regional producers, accompanied by live Croatian music throughout the afternoon. Visitors can also explore the bustling CroatiaFest marketplace inside the Armory, with treasures ranging from handmade wood products and ceramics to olive oil, jams/spreads, apparel, baked goods, and specialty imports. “With authentic food, music, exhibits, and family-friendly activities, CroatiaFest is a showcase of our community’s pride in Croatian culture,” said Joanne Abdo, CroatiaFest producer. “We welcome everyone to experience Croatia’s rich heritage and modern vitality at Seattle Center this fall.” “CroatiaFest brings the richness and
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SEATTLE, WA PERMIT 1271
vibrancy of Croatian culture to life,” said Heidi Jackson, Seattle Center’s managing artistic director of cultural programs. “We’re thrilled to once again host this celebration at Seattle Center and share it with the community.” This festival is part of the Festál series of 25 cultural festivals presented by community groups and hosted by Seattle Center throughout the year. ABOUT CROATIAFEST CroatiaFest promotes and preserves Croatian culture and educates future generations of Croatian Americans and the general public with the richness and beauty of Croatian culture. Croatiafest.org ABOUT SEATTLE CENTER FESTÁL Seattle Center Festál is a unique public
program series of 25 free cultural festivals, each offering its own celebration of heritage and identity. These events provide a range of engaging programs and activities to cultivate a deeper understanding of the diversity of our region. Seattle Center Festál is produced in partnership with community groups, presented on weekends from January to November and supported by City of Seattle, Seattle Center Foundation, and 4Culture. About Seattle Center — The Cultural Heart of the Pacific Northwest Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and cultural gathering place in the heart of the city. It is home to more than 30 partner organizations—including Climate Pledge Arena, KEXP, MOPOP, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Pacific Science Center, SIFF, and many others.