UPPER PENINSULA -- With all the news going on, from an alleged murder in Wausaukee, Wisconsin to the Republican National Convention in Florida and Hurricane Isaac, nothing comes close to getting the attention of those in Upper Michigan more than what happened Tuesday afternoon.

The price of gas shot up 30 cents a gallon.  In Marquette people were paying $4.29 for regular unleaded.  Motorists across the U.P. were paying similar prices.  The price in Sagola, $4.26.  Stations in Escanaba were charging $4.19 as of midday Tuesday.

Later Tuesday evening the Escanaba stations prices went back down to as low as $3.88 according to reports received.  Prices in Marquette area were still in the $4.29 range.

The rise in price comes as Hurricane Isaac has halted 80 percent of oil production in the Gulf of Mexico.
    
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette used the jump in price to warn gas station owners that price gouging is illegal.

"Higher prices are likely, but circumstances are not a free pass for price gouging," warned Schuette.