Category: News

Tennessee gas prices have continued their decline for a consecutive 37 days, dropping 21 cents since January 5 when the Tennessee gas price average was $2.39. The Tennessee Gas Price average  is $2.18 which is five cents cheaper than last week, 21 cents less than one month ago, and 14 cents more than one year ago.

In Coffee County, prices are average $2.13 per gallon of regular unleaded. In nearby Rutherford County, gas is close to nudging below the $2 mark – with average prices at $2.05 per gallon of regular unleaded.

“Tennessee motorists are experiencing the cheapest prices at the pump that we’ve seen in 2020,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Cheaper crude and healthy stock levels are helping to push gas price averages across the state lower.”

National Gas Prices

Monday’s national gas price average is $2.44. That is four cents cheaper than last week and 16 cents cheaper than last month. Motorists across the country can find gas for less than $2.25 at 1 in 3 (38%) of all gas stations.

Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, WTI dropped by 63 cents to settle at $50.32. Crude prices have dropped for the third consecutive week as market concerns continue to increase due to the growing impact of the coronavirus on global travel. If international travel decreases, global crude demand would likely follow suit and result in lower crude consumption worldwide. Prices could decrease again this week if concerns about the virus continue to weigh on the crude oil market.

Tennessee Regional Prices

• Most expensive metro markets –  Morristown ($2.28), Memphis ($2.25), Jackson  ($2.24)
• Least expensive metro markets – Cleveland ($1.99), Chattanooga ($2.08), Clarksville ($2.12)

The Winchester Police Department is requesting assistance in identifying individuals of interest. If you recognize the subjects in these photos, please contact Sergeant Detective Ronnie Durm with the Winchester Police Department at 931-967-3840. Anonymous tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers 931-962-INFO(4636).

Most everyone is sick of the rain, but get ready because National Weather Service is predicting another week of heavy rainfall for southern Middle Tennessee, including Coffee County.

National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the area, calling for multiple rounds of heavy rainfall between Monday (Feb. 10) and Wednesday night (Feb. 12) with a predicted rainfall amount between 4-6 inches.

This could present dangerous flooding following last week when Manchester received 5.31 inches of rain in a span of four days, according to TVA rain gauges. Last week’s rains forced the closure of multiple roads, schools and parks. The Duck River at Manchester had a crest of 11.76 feet last week on Thursday, the highest since a 12.35 foot crest in 2009, according to TVA data. In case you are curious, the highest crest ever recorded at The Duck River in Manchester was 20.95 feet, back in May of 1973.

Manchester Police were dispatched to the Manchester Walmart Saturday morning to investigate a woman who was behaving strangely – that woman got into an altercation with officers, collapsed and died later Saturday night.

According to Coffee County District Attorney General Craig Northcott, police were dispatched because the subject in question was acting strangely. She was escorted outside of the store by officers on the scene at which point, the situation escalated. When officers attempted to restrain the woman, she collapsed. The suspect was taken to Unity Medical Center in Manchester and then transferred to St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. She passed away Saturday night, according to Northcott.

Northcott told Thunder Radio News that a significant amount of methamphetamine was found in the woman’s possession. Northcott has asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to conduct an independent review of the incident.

 District 16 State Senator Janice Bowling[/caption] District 16 State Senator Janice Bowling[/caption]Representative Rush Bricken and Senator Janice Bowling, both representatives of Coffee County in the Tennessee legislature, introduced legislation that, if passed, would open the door for college students to carry concealed handguns on public university campuses.

These bills – introduced as HB2102 and SB2288 – would allow these students to carry if they possess a legal permit. The legal age to obtain a concealed carry permit in Tennessee is 21, meaning many students would still not be eligible.

You can see more information on these bills here

Heavy rains that trained over the area Wednesday, Feb. 5, officially dropped 3.64 inches of rain through midnight Wednesday, according to TVA rain gauges. 

The heavy rains caused flooding in multiple areas and closed multiple roads in Coffee County and forced Coffee County and Manchester City Schools to close Thursday. Both systems chose to remain closed Friday due to widespread illness.

Multiple roads were closed, including Sherrill Rd., Keasling Rd., and Skinner Flat Rd., just to name a few. The Manchester Parks and Recreation Department closed Fred Deadman, Dave King and Manchester Sports Park due to dangerous high waters from the Little Duck River.