Cheaper gas won’t be enough to get many more Americans on the road this summer. They’re still too worried about their jobs and the economy. Economists and tourism experts are expecting only a small uptick in summer travelers. Gas prices are still high enough to keep some lower-income Americans at home. The job market is improving, but still shaky. And household debt remains high. For Memorial Day weekend, auto club AAA predicts that 34.8 million Americans will take trips of at least 50 miles. That’s up 1.2 percent from summer’s opening weekend in 2011. In Coffee County the average price is $3.50 per gallon. Prices are as low as $3.37 in Tullahoma and $3.44 in Manchester. The average in Tennessee is $3.46 per gallon.

The first redesigned Nissan Altima is rolling off the production line in Smyrna, where the best-selling mid-size sedan has been produced for the last 20 years. On Tuesday, Governor Bill Haslam and Nissan officials celebrated the production of the first of the fifth generation of the Altima and the launch of five all-new Nissan vehicles coming in the next 15 months. The plant in Smyrna will also be producing the LEAF electric vehicles and the batteries that power it, as well the next-generation Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Rogue. The plant employs approximately 5,600 employees and also produces the Frontier, Maxima and Xterra models and the 2013 Infiniti JX. The new Altima will be available at dealerships in June with a retail price of around $21,500. The Altima is also produced in Canton, Mississippi, and its engines are made in Decherd.

Tullahoma Police Dept. yesterday officially promoted two investigators. Jason Ferrell was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and Dale Stone was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Their official promotions coincide with the national police memorial day held nationwide to honor police officers killed in the line of duty. Chief Paul Blackwell noted that the officers have earned the coveted gold shields but with them comes more responsibility.