Gas was selling Monday evening for $2.14 a gallon at Quicki Kleen on East Yosemite Avenue at Washington Avenue in Manteca.

Overall, gas prices in Manteca have plummeted nearly a dollar a gallon in the last month as stay-at-home orders wedded with what was a growing global oil production glut prior to the pandemic.

The next lowest price was $2.19 at A&A Gas & Food Mart six blocks to the east next door to Jack-in-the-Box on East Yosemite Avenue.

Costco, normally the price leader was at $2.45 a gallon with four stations clustered at $2.49.

While average gas prices in some states have dropped below $2 a gallon with Oklahoma being the cheapest at $1.84, experts don’t believe average gas prices will drop quite that far in California where the average price of gas stood at $2.96 a gallon on Monday.

That’s because California is out of the Midwest fracking loop and depends on imports from the Middle East to supply state refineries that blend gas specifically to the more rigid standards of California’s air quality rules.

New home sales

still going strong

in Manteca, Lathrop

The pandemic is barely disrupting new home sales in Manteca-Lathrop.

Last Monday, Raymus Homes released four lots for sale. All had holds on them with a waiting list as well.

None of the buyers backed out. Three signed deals while the fourth as the weekend neared was wrapping up loose ends on documents.

Builders throughout Manteca and Lathrop continue to sell homes despite the hits the economy has taken with the stay-at-home order due to the pandemic.

Second generation Manteca home builder Toni Raymus reports people are taking virtual tours of models due to social distancing restrictions that prevents drop-in browsing at model homes.

Meanwhile the City of Manteca — which had only been processing housing permits tied to previously approved master home permits for various models — is now set up to process new building permits on line.

The importance of keeping home building and other construction going is underscored by the people that are employed building a new home.

Raymus, a self-described small builder, sells three to four homes a week that supports between 200 and 300 jobs through all phases of construction.

Raymus said all subcontractors on job sites are enforcing social distancing.

Hall of Fame cancelled

for 2020 due to pandemic

The Manteca Boys & Girls Club has cancelled the Manteca Hall of Fame for this year due to the pandemic.

It will resume in 2021.

Like most other non-profits, the organization that serves youth has been forced to shut down due to the pandemic.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com