Josh Peterson

Legislation creating lifetime orders of protection for victims of violent crimes passed both chambers unanimously and now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his signature. House Bill 434 creates a lifetime order of protection to strictly prohibit communication between an offender and their victim.

Republican Leaders partnered with Nikki Goeser, a victim of stalking, to create this legislation. She was present in the House chamber for the unanimous vote on Monday. Goeser’s stalker shot and killed her husband, Ben, in front of her in a crowded restaurant in 2009. Her stalker has been behind bars serving time for second-degree murder, but has continued to try to contact Goeser, sending her letters from prison.

Offenders that violate the order could receive up to a Class A misdemeanor, ensuring that these penalties will tack significant time onto ongoing sentences. The legislation is retroactive, so persons who have previously been victimized can receive lifelong orders of protection. This bill also permits service of ex parte orders of protection for up to one year from issuance.

After multiple weeks of significant increases at the pump, Tennessee gas prices, on average, only increased about a penny over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.69 which is 28 cents more than one month ago and nearly 78 cents more than one year ago.

The National Average is $2.88. In Coffee County, the average price is $2.59, which is 10 cents below the state average and 29 cents below the national average.

“A dip in demand along with a simultaneous increase in supply and refinery utilization has contributed to slower movement in gas price increases,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This week, motorists can expect fluctuation at the pump. However, large jumps are not likely for the majority of consumers.”

Quick Facts

· 76% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $2.75
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.48 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $2.94 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee ranks as the 12th least expensive market in the nation

National Gas Prices

After weeks of seeing almost daily increases, the national gas price average is showing signs of stability, holding steady at $2.88 for the last 5 days. Still, today’s average is the highest price since May 2019 and is more expensive on the week (+2 cents), month (+25 cents) and year (+74 cents).

In its latest weekly reports, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows demand decreased from 8.7 million b/d to 8.4 million b/d indicating that Americans are slowly returning to the road, likely due to more schools opening and spring break. Further, supply increased from 231.6 million bbl to 232 million bbl. While still one of the lowest levels of 2021, the increase in supply is promising especially alongside increasing refinery utilization rates, which jumped from 69% to 76%. That is just 7 percentage points away from utilization levels before February’s Texas winter storm.

Further aiding the more modest jumps at the pump in the last week is the lower price of crude oil. Crude averaged around $63/bbl, down $2/bbl from the previous week’s average of $65/bbl.

National Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by $1.42 cents to settle at $61.42. Although the price of crude increased (Friday) after Saudi Arabia reported a drone attack on an oil facility that caused a fire but no injuries or damage, crude prices declined on the week due to market concern that demand may stumble as some countries restart coronavirus restrictions to curb growing infection rates. The decrease in crude prices was also supported by EIA reporting that total crude inventories increased by 2.4 million bbl to 500.8 million bbl. For this week, crude prices may decline further if demand concerns persist.

The Agriculture Council of America will host National Agriculture Day on Tuesday, March 23.

This marks the 48th anniversary of National Ag Day, which is celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country.

The theme for this year’s National Ag Day is “Food Brings Everyone to the Table.”
On Tuesday, the ACA will host a virtual Ag Day event.

This event will honor National Agriculture Day and mark a nationwide effort to tell the true story of American Agriculture and remind citizens that agriculture is part of all of us.

The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:
*Understand how food and fiber products are produced
*Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products
*Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
*Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.

Learn more at www.agday.org.

Misti Garrett, owner of Transformation Wellness & Martial Arts and Snap Fitness in Manchester, has launched a platform for women to learn to defend themselves and there is no cost to participate.

Recognizing the need for women to be able to defend themselves in any situation, including against sexual assault and unwanted advances, Garrett launched a Women’s Self Defense Class last week and has committed to holding two sessions every Wednesday through at least the end of April. Sessions are free (donations to the Children’s Advocacy Center are welcome) and the class is for females age 14 and older. Before signing up a minor, parents should be aware that sexual situations will be discussed in these classes.

There will be a session from 4:30-5 p.m. and another session from 5-5:30 p.m. Garrett says anyone is welcome to attend one session or both. However, there is a cap of 30 participants per session.

Sessions are held at TWMA on S. Woodland St. in Manchester.

You need to reserve your space online by visiting www.mindbodyonline.com or by downloading the Mindbody App in the app store.

Create an account, choose the TWMA location, view the schedule and then book your times.

Constitutional Carry legislation is continuing to move through the House, passing the Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee last Wednesday.

House Bill 786 allows Tennesseans to exercise their constitutional right to defend themselves and their families while cracking down on criminals who steal guns or possess them illegally. The bill also includes sentencing enhancements and increases minimum sentences for gun-related crimes, and increases sentences on felons illegally carrying firearms or unlawfully providing a minor with a firearm.

House Bill 786 now moves to the full Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for consideration on Tuesday, March 23.

Legislation authorizing the use of deadly force for sexual assault victims was approved unanimously in the House chamber this week.

House Bill 50, known as the 2021 Defense Doctrine, allows victims that have a reasonable belief they are imminent danger of serious sexual abuse, sexual assault or rape to utilize deadly force as a method of self-defense to avoid serious bodily injury and escape dangerous threats to their personal safety.

Recent data from the Tennessee Department of Health reveals that sexual violence is a major public health crisis resulting in long-term societal and economic costs. Approximately 6,177 people were assaulted in Tennessee in 2017, according to the department. House Bill 50 now awaits final passage from the Senate Chamber.