Oil companies or highway bandits? You tell me

That's it. I'm buying a bike.

Gas is now $3.55 a gallon. Is that not crazy? Gas prices jumped at least 18 cents a gallon from Monday morning to midnight.

Don't tell me it's the price of oil, the market, the supplies, the reserves, whatever the official line of hooey is today.

It's robbery. Pure and simple, highway robbery.

They've got us over a barrel, don't they? Isn't it just amazing that almost every gas station in the northern Fox Valley raised its prices in the same 12-hour time period?

Even weirder, the Des Plaines Oasis gas station in Cook County -- normally 20 cents higher -- was the exact same rate for most of Tuesday. Some Cook County stations were near $3.70.

How does this happen and no one leading this country does anything?

You'd think they owned oil companies or something.

On the roads

I recently told you that Mary Wawak of Algonquin called to plead for better striping on local roads after the veteran driver noticed lots of fading or nonexistent white and yellow lines marking some of our area roads. She worries it will lead to more accidents, a concern several of you have expressed as well.

She said a transportation guru told her it's because they now use water-based paint. State transportation folks tell me they do use water-based paint to protect the environment but have found it doesn't wear off any faster. The problem, they think, is winter.

If you're seeing trouble spots, let me know and I'll relay to them.

As Mary notes, money is tight so we understand not repairing some of those roads -- but can't you do enough to let us know which lane is ours?

Pothole contest

Several of you have mentioned the same concern as you've submitted your worst pothole -- ever -- contest entries. Get those to me by Friday, OK? Send them to amack@dailyherald.com or call me at (847) 931-5725.

In the can, man

Now that winter has finally eased its way out, it seems lots of us are anxious to be outdoors and some of us aren't liking what we're finding. You'll recall the dog waste concerns at Raceway Woods has sparked a promise of more trash cans from Raceway folks.

It seems we need more trash cans in a lot of places. Algonquin resident James Paskiewicz loves to walk at Woods Creek bike path, which runs just west of the main Algonquin Area Public Library and Jacobs High School.

Trouble is, he says he's ending up on litter patrol, picking up cans, bottles, fast-food bags and other crud. He wonders if everyone would consider a trash can instead?

And he asked me to see if the village would consider putting more cans out there -- and that they'll do, Jim. Assistant Village Manager Jeff Mihelich said they'll soon discuss the best solutions.

He also asked me to remind everyone to not be a litterbug. "It's important to all of us to protect this beautiful community asset," Jeff said. That's for sure.

Cleaning delay

Also on cleanup patrol -- just call me "Mrs. Clean" today -- Tim Boivin of Cary asked me to let you know they've postponed Cary Pride Day to May 10 after learning they will conflict with some other local plans this weekend.

What was that I've been saying about the need for a regional calendar?

Tough call

Here's one that makes a lot of us uncomfortable but is becoming increasingly necessary:

Do you know what your loved ones want when it comes to end of life decisions? Do they know your wishes? What if you can't talk when the time comes?

Learn about how to make sure they do what you wish at a National Healthcare Decisions Day forum from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at McHenry County College. They'll tell us about advance directive forms and other ways to make sure your wishes are met.