Organizers of the “Rebuild Benefit for Woodland Plaza” announced Tuesday (April 19) that their efforts have raised over $13,000 that have been distributed to four businesses that sustained fire and smoke damage.
A fire in March completely gutted and destroyed Greg Green Photography, Most Awesome Cleaning Company and Reese’s Genes Boutique. Toliver’s warehouse area suffered some fire and smoke damage, as well.
Headed up by Katy Bess and Misti Garrett with Snap Fitness, TWMA and Tri-Star Fitness in Manchester, along with Holly Peterson with Thunder Radio, multiple fundraising events were held on April 9. There was a 5K run/walk, silent auction and multiple businesses willing to donate portions of their proceeds from a shopping day on April 9. Out of that, a total of $13,195.28 was raised – enough to donate $3,298.82 to each of the four businesses mentioned to aid in their expenses and cover insurance and payroll gaps.
Reese’s Genes Boutique has already announced plans for a grand re-opening on Monday, May 2 at a new location – 104 E. Main St. in Manchester.
Drugs, guns and money recovered by authorities after pipe bomb explodes
Sheriff’s Deputies in Grundy County – along with ATF, TBI, THP and Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Department – responded to a residence off of Highway 399 in Palmer after a man showed up at the emergency room in Dunlap for an injured arm and hand. His injuries were consistent with an explosion, authorities say.
When deputies arrived, they found what appeared to be a pipe bomb that had been detonated. Deputies found what they suspected to be three additional pipe bomb.
Those devices were cleared by authorities and during a search, authorities recovered approximately 70 pounds of marijuana, multiple weapons, ammunition and $7,700 in cash. Names have not been released – the investigation continues.
Tennessee gas prices fall 4 cents over past week
Tennessee gas prices are continuing their downward trend, falling four cents over the course of last week. This week marks five straight weeks of declines in Tennessee’s state gas price average . The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.85 which is nearly 22 cents less expensive than one month ago and $1.14 more than one year ago.
“Gas prices across Tennessee have been steadily declining for the last five weeks,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The oil market remains volatile and fluctuations in crude oil prices are expected this week. Concerns about increased global oil prices and the expected jump in gasoline demand leading into the summer travel season could cause pump price declines to slow this week.”
Gas price average in Coffee County is currently $3.80, according to AAA. That is 5 cents below the state average and 28 cents below the national average of $4.08. The highest gasoline prices in the nation remain out west – averaging $5.70 in California.
Quick Facts
· 89% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $4.00
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $3.56 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $4.18 for regular unleaded
National Gas Prices
The slide in gas prices slowed to a crawl over concerns about increased global oil prices and the return of seasonal domestic gas demands. The war in Ukraine and fear of less Russian oil entering the market caused the price of crude to creep back above $100 a barrel. Meanwhile, as more places in the U.S. see pump prices fall below $4 a gallon, demand is ticking back up. Domestically, the national average for a gallon of gas has fallen to $4.08.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 3.5 million bbl to 233.1 million bbl last week. Gasoline demand increased slightly from 8.5 million b/d to 8.73 million b/d. Although supply and demand factors would have typically supported elevated pump prices, the fluctuating oil price continues to be the main factor influencing prices at the pump. Pump prices will likely face downward pressure if oil prices remain near $100 per barrel.
Meanwhile, consumers will enjoy a tasty gas price–related treat courtesy of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. For the next three Wednesdays, Krispy Kreme will lower the price of a dozen Original Glazed donuts to the national average that AAA reports each Monday. The offer runs through Wednesday, May 4^th. A dozen glazed doughnuts typically cost around $12. This Wednesday’s dozen should cost $4.08, not including sales tax, only in shop, drive-thru, and online pickup.
Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $4.08, which is 19 cents less than a month ago, and $1.21 more than a year ago.
National Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Thursday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by $2.70 to settle at $106.95. According to EIA’s weekly report, U.S. commercial crude oil inventories increased by 9.4 million barrels from the previous week to reach 421.8 million barrels. Despite reports of increased inventory, crude oil prices jumped last week as the European Union announced they are drafting plans to ban Russian oil imports, a move that could tighten global supply as member countries look for new sources for crude oil in an already tight market. Additionally, the most recent Oil Market Report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that Russian oil output will shrink by about 1.5 million barrels per day this month as the result of financial and export sanctions. The crude oil market will likely remain volatile this week and could continue to fluctuate if concerns about supply persist.
NAS donates $1,000 to CHS STEM class
National Aerospace Solutions, LLC (NAS) provided a $1,000 donation to support STEM programs at Coffee County Central High School.
The funds will go towards purchasing new and replacement parts for 20 robotics kits, as well as competition super kits and software to build a robot for state competition. NAS is the Test Operations and Sustainment contractor at Arnold Engineering Development Complex at Arnold Air Force Base. NAS employs more than 1,600 highly skilled engineers, craft employees, and support personnel to provide test and evaluation for some of the world’s premier aerospace systems.
Lonnie Norman Coffee Early Head Start to hold grand opening April 27
The South Central Human Resource Agency has announced the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the new
Lonnie Norman Coffee Early Head Start facility.
This event will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 27, at the new building located at 1206 Oakdale Street in Manchester. Tours of the facility will be available, along with light refreshments. This center is named in honor of the late Lonnie Norman, who was instrumental in the acquisition of the property for this much-needed facility.
Norman was longtime mayor of Manchester who passed away in 2020 during what he said would be his final term.
Early Head Start and Head Start programs provide comprehensive care for families with young children who live at or below the poverty level or are considered “at risk.” In addition to classroom activities geared towards preparing children for success in school, Early Head Start programs provide services such as parenting education, nutrition education, family support services, and more. For further information, contact Program Director Laure Hopper at 931-433-7182 Ext. 1182.
Manchester Rec Center to partially re-open Monday after storm damage; weight room to remain closed
Manchester Recreation Center will reopen at 5 a.m. Monday, April 18 after storms damaged the facility last week.
However, there will be limitations inside the building.
The upstairs fitness center that houses the weights and cardio machines will continue to e closed until further notice. All land and water aerobics will be held at their normally scheduled time and the upstairs walking track will be open.
The complex received substantial roof damage during Wednesday night’s storms (April 13, 2022).
According to Parks and Recreation Director AJ Fox, the wind peeled back a portion of the roof and scattered insulation, metal flashing, gutters and other materials across the property. The complex was closed Thursday, April 14 through Sunday, April 17th to assess and begin repairing damage.
Fox added that there is water damage in the upstairs wellness room.
“The corner of the roof by the indoor pool on the backside of the building … it started there and peeled it back like a bedsheet,” explained Fox.
The Manchester Recreation Complex is located at 557 N. Woodland St.
National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Coffee County at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday (April 13). NWS also reported straight line wind speeds in Coffee County of 60 miles per hour. Multiple reports have come in of downed trees and limbs across the area.
Snap Fitness in Manchester has announced it is waving enrollment fees for members of the recreation center for this upcoming week – they are also offering month-to-month no contract rates for members who need somewhere to workout while damage is being repaired.
Tennessee unemployment hits record low in March
Tennessee marked a milestone in March when statewide unemployment dropped to its lowest rate in history. Data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) showed the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.2%, the lowest level ever recorded.
The decrease of 0.2 of a percentage point in March allowed the month to eclipse the previous all-time low rate of 3.3%, last recorded in August 2019. The latest rate is 1.7 percentage points lower than it was this time last year.
Tennessee reached this historic low just 23 months after it marked its all-time highest unemployment rate of 15.9% in April 2020, during the height of pandemic-related business closures across the state.
Total nonfarm employment increased by 8,100 jobs between February and March. The education and health services sector created the most jobs during the month. The professional and business services and the leisure and hospitality sectors were responsible for the next highest gains in employment.
Tennessee employers added 124,800 jobs over the last year. The largest increases occurred in the leisure and hospitality sector, followed by the trade, transportation, and utilities sector, and then the professional and business services sector.
Nationally, unemployment also dropped in March. The seasonally adjusted rate for the United States decreased by 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.6%. The rate is down 2.4 percentage points in a year-to-year comparison.
TDLWD has produced a complete analysis of the March 2022 seasonally adjusted unemployment data. That report is available here (https://www.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=166478db53c066a7d114ea462&id=30e2bf35bd&e=29851e7b63) .
While the state’s unemployment rate is at a historic low, there are still Tennesseans searching for meaningful employment. Employers have tens of thousands of jobs they need to find the right person to fill. TDLWD has the resources available to match job seekers with companies that are hiring. The journey to better employment starts at www.TNWorkReady.com.
One person killed in Thursday crash near Manchester
A Winchester man is dead after a two-vehicle crash at approximately 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Manchester.
According to Tennessee Highway Patrol, Christopher May, age 61, was traveling near 4160 Hillsboro Highway when his Chevrolet Silverado left its lane of travel and ran into the trailer of a 2000 Peterbilt tractor trailer.
According to the THP crash report, the operator of the Peterbilt tried to swerve around May’s truck when it entered his lane of travel, but May’s truck hit the trailer.
May, who has a Winchester address, was pronounced deceased. The driver of the 18-wheeler was not injured.
Manchester Rec Center roof ‘peeled back like a bedsheet’ by Wednesday storms
The Manchester Recreation Complex received substantial roof damage during Wednesday night’s storms (April 13, 2022).
According to Parks and Recreation Director AJ Fox, the wind peeled back a portion of the roof and scattered insulation, metal flashing, gutters and other materials across the property. The complex was closed Thursday, April 14 to assess damage. Fox said the center is closed “until at least Monday for repairs.”
Fox added that there is water damage in the upstairs wellness room. Crews were on site Thursday examining damage inside and outside to ensure the center can safely reopen.
“The corner of the roof by the indoor pool on the backside of the building … it started there and peeled it back like a bedsheet,” explained Fox.
The Manchester Recreation Complex is located at 557 N. Woodland St.
National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Coffee County at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. NWS also reported straight line wind speeds in Coffee County of 60 miles per hour. Multiple reports have come in of downed trees and limbs across the area.
Duck River Electric crews reported that about 9,500 members were without power across their entire service area overnight Wednesday.
Authorities searching for stolen side by side
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department officials are asking for the public’s help locating a side by side that was stolen earlier this week.
Authorities say a Kawasaki KRX 2020 was taken sometime between Sunday, April 10, and Wednesday, April 13. I t is green in color with a blue roll cage. You can see photo below.
Anyone with information should contact investigator Brandon Gullett at 931-728-3591.
