Josh Peterson

Bedford County Sheriff’s Department investigators have arrested Dakota Bryson, age 19, a suspect in an aggravated burglary that occurred in Wartrace on March 19.

Last Wednesday, detectives Trey Green and Chris Brown were able to recover five stolen firearms from the aggravated burglary.

Bryson has been charged with aggravated burglary and theft of property over $10,000.

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Legislation that seeks to protect small business during a state of emergency passed the Tennessee Commerce Committee this week.

“The Covid-19 pandemic presented many challenges for small businesses across the state. Those that were not deemed essential suffered while their bigger competitors were allowed to remain open, ultimately giving government the authority to pick winners and losers in business,” it was stated in a newsletter sent out by state representative Rush Bricken. 

House Bill 855, also known as the “Business Fairness Act,” provides businesses with the assurance that they cannot be forced to close while larger competitors stay open, and also gives businesses the choice to follow any set of guidelines, state or local, that allows them to operate at the capacity that works best for the business to protect their customers and employees.

The bill will need to move to the full assembly and get a governor signature before becoming law. 

For the first time this year, the Tennessee Gas Price Average decreased week over week – falling 2 cents over the last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.67 which is nearly 17 cents more than one month ago and 89 cents more than one year ago.

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Coffee County is $2.56. This is 10 cents below the state average and 30 cents below the national average, which comes in at $2.86.

“Growing stock levels and cheaper crude oil prices are putting downward pressure on pump prices for the majority of motorists,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “These are positive signs that less expensive gas prices could be around the corner, but not enough to indicate a steady trend just yet.”

Quick Facts

· 80% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $2.75
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.44 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $2.95 for regular unleaded

National Gas Prices

At $2.86, the national average has decreased week-over-week for the first time since November of last year. Today’s average is two cents cheaper on the week. Since last Monday, 45 states also saw their averages decrease or no change at the pump.

Demand is one factor influencing gas prices. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported last week that demand was up by 174,000 b/d to 8.6 million b/d. That reading is just 222,000 b/d short of levels one year ago, when demand started to dip. If demand continues to increase, prices could follow. Gasoline stocks also saw a moderate increase with a build of 200,000 b/d. However, refinery utilization hit 82% indicating we could see a larger build in stocks this week, a factor that could help keep pump prices in check.

While a few cents cheaper on the week, the national gas price average is 15 cents more expensive on the month and 84 cents more expensive on the year. Those gaps, as well as stock levels and demand readings, are likely to widen in coming weeks as this time last year gas prices and related factors started to take a sharp turn due to the pandemic.

National Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI increased to settle at $60.97. Prices fluctuated throughout the week from a low of $57.76 to a high of $61.55 in reaction to world news, including concerns of new European Union lock downs and tight vaccination supplies throughout local economies. Also affecting the price of crude was news Thursday of a stranded container ship, which continued to block the Suez Canal, a major international oil-supply route. Reports out early today indicate that the ship has partially been refloated. While ships started to re-route last week, oil deliveries could be delayed. This is likely to have limited impact here as US oil production should be able to keep stateside supply balanced and in turn, prices stable until the canal clears.