Josh Peterson

The Tennessee gas price average has increased nearly three cents this week after strong declines earlier this month.  The Tennessee Gas Price average  is now  $2.23 which is nearly three cents more than last week, 7 cents less than one month ago, and 4 cents more than one year ago. Tennessee is the 10th least expensive market in the nation.

Average prices for a gallon of regular unleaded in Coffee County are actually below the state average, with Coffee County prices at $2.19 a gallon as of Tuesday afternoon. The National average is $2.47.

“Gasoline prices are likely to fluctuate in the coming weeks, but not drastically, as the winter driving season nears its end and refineries undergo maintenance,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This is the typical trend this time of year.”

Contributing to the increase in pump prices was the decrease in gasoline stocks and maintenance at regional refineries. Stocks drew by 277,000 bbl down to 92.9 million bbl. That is the second lowest measured stock level for the region this year. However, the good news is the latest EIA regional refinery utilization report shows a 2% bump to 92%. This could help to increase stock levels in the week ahead and help minimize any further price fluctuation.

Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III announced that Tennessee has joined a bipartisan, multistate investigation of electronic cigarette manufacturer JUUL Labs. The 39-state coalition is investigating JUUL’s marketing and sales practices, including targeting of youth, claims regarding nicotine content, and statements regarding risks, safety and effectiveness as a smoking cessation device.

“Youth e-cigarette usage is a serious public health concern for Tennessee,” said General Slatery. “Public health research shows that nicotine dependence and e-cigarette usage among youth are associated with increased likelihood of youth smoking, even among youth who are otherwise not likely to smoke.”

While traditional cigarette use has decreased among youth, vaping has risen sharply. In Tennessee, high school smoking rates have dropped to 9.4%, while vaping among the same group has risen to 11.5%. The National Youth Tobacco Survey conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control found 20.8% of high school students were vaping in 2018.

The Murfreesboro Police Department has announced the arrest of a man they are calling the “Mule Kick Burglar.” They say he is allegedly responsible for at least 59 burglaries and break-ins in several Middle Tennessee communities, including Coffee County.

Robert Shegog, age 35, of Murfreesboro, was stopped during a routine traffic stop in Rutherford County on Jan. 27 and charged with possession of drugs. This stop led to Shegog being identified as a suspect in a rash of business burglaries dating back to September of 2019. Shegog was interviewed and arrested Friday, Feb. 21 for multiple counts of burglary, theft and vandalism.

He is accused of stealing more than $100,000 in cash from businesses in 11 cities throughout Middle Tennessee.

According to Murfreesboro police, Shegog is responsible for 16 burglaries on file with the Shelbyville Police Department, 14 burglaries with Murfreesboro Police Department, 7 burglaries with Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, eight with Smyrna, three with Chapel Hill, two with Tullahoma, two with Manchester, two with Woodbury, two with Bedford County, one with Nolensville and one with Wilson County.

Tuesday, Feb. 25 is your final day to vote early for the upcoming March 3 primary.

Early voting began on February 12 and ends on Tuesday, Feb. 25. If you do not vote early, you will be able to vote on election day, which is March 3.

Those wishing to vote early can do so in Manchester at the Coffee County Election Commission office, located at 1329 McArthur St. Suite 6 from 8 to 4:30 p.m. Voters in Tullahoma can vote from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the CD Stamps Building.

If you wait until election day, you will need to vote at your assigned precinct. Hours for voting on March 3 are 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.

In this election, locally, candidates for general sessions judge are placed on the Republican primary (there were no Democratic candidates). Voters will need to choose whether they will be voting in the Republican or Democratic primary, a ballot that will also include presidential candidates.

For additional information, contact the Coffee County Election Office at 931-723-5103.

If you see a large contingent of emergency personnel on Tuesday at the old Southern Family Market building, do not be alarmed. Coffee County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting training Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the abandoned Southern Family Market building and parking lot, which is located at 2050 Hillsboro Blvd. The public will continue to have access to the adjacent Coffee County Bank and Family Video store.

Tullahoma Police Department officials are asking for the public’s assistance to identify a male and a female subject, both are persons of interest regarding an incident back in August. The suspects were allegedly observed taking several items from a local business. If you have information about these subjects, contact detective Johnny Gore at 931-455-0530 ext. 131 or email jgore@tullahomatn.gov. 

Kelsey Ketron, daughter of Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron, entered a plea agreement Monday that keeps her from serving jail time.

Ketron, 29, pleaded no contest to 15 total counts that related to facilitation of fraudulent insurance acts, theft of property, forgery and impersonating a licensed professional.

She has been placed on eight years of state-supervised probation and was fined $10,000 and will need to complete 300 hours of community service.

Ketron owns 49 percent of the Universal Insurance agency, while Bill Ketron owns the remaining percent.