Those traveling to and from Rutherford County on Interstate 24 the past couple of days have probably noticed some random lane closures and slower travel. This is scheduled to continue through Wednesday evening, March 2.
Tennessee Department of Transportation has announced that I-24 in both directions between mile markers 89 and 96 (Buchanan Rd. and Beech Grove exit) will continue to have temporary lane closures between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. through March 2 for “maintenance work.”
Anyone making that trip is encouraged to allow for extra time or take US Highway 41 as an alternate route.
TN lawmakers introduce bill to ‘ensure students are taught virtues of capitalism’
Republican legislation intended to ensure that students are taught about the benefits of America’s founding principles as part of their social studies curriculum advanced out of the Tennessee House Education Instruction Subcommittee last week.
House Bill 2742 would require that high school students in Tennessee be taught about the virtues of capitalism and the constitutional republic form of government as compared to other political and economic systems such as communism and socialism.
“We understand that the job of educators is to teach accurate, unbiased material to students,” State Rep. Dennis Powers, R-Jacksboro, told members of the subcommittee. “The objective of this bill is not to force a specific ideology on students, but to teach them our founding principles.”
The legislation now moves to the full House Education Instruction Committee for additional discussion and debate. More information about House Bill 2742 can be found here.
Franklin County police warn of another scam
Another day, another scam alert to tell you about.
This alert comes out of Franklin County.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department is warning people that a scammer is contacting people about a rental home opportunity in which you have to complete an application and an $80 application fee.
Authorities say to disregard this and do not send in any payments. This call comes from a 423 area code number. If you have received such an officer, call Franklin County Sheriff’s Department investigator Chuck Stines.
Truck stolen from Hillsboro area over the weekend
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department authorities are asking for your help finding a pickup truck that was allegedly stolen over the weekend from the Hillsboro area.
The truck in question is a Morgan Excavation service truck. It is white in color, extended cab Chevrolet with a noticeable dent in the lower part of the rear passenger door.
If you have information regarding this theft, please call Sgt. James Sherrill 931-570-4404.
Tennessee gas prices skyrocket 15 cents
Tennessee gas prices continue to increase across the state, jumping 15 cents, on average, since last Monday. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.44 which is 35 cents more expensive than one month ago and 94 cents than one year ago.
The average in Coffee County is $3.48, which is 4 cents higher than the state average and just 13 cents below the national average.
“Russia’s invasion and the responding escalating series of financial sanctions by the U.S. and its allies have given the global oil market the jitters,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Like the U.S. stock market, the oil market responds poorly to volatility. This serves as a reminder that events on the far side of the globe can have a ripple effect for American consumers.”
Quick Facts
· 85% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $3.50
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $3.19 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.69 for regular unleaded
·Tennessee ranks 7th in the nation’s top 10 largest weekly increases
The most expensive gasoline in the country can be found at $4.82 per gallon in California.
National Gas Prices
Russia’s violent invasion of Ukraine has roiled the oil market, with crude spiking briefly to over $100/bbl before settling back into the mid-$90s. The increase in the global price of oil has led to higher pump prices in the U.S. The national average for a gallon of gas has risen to $3.61, eight cents more than a week ago.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 600,000 bbl to 246.5 million bbl last week. Meanwhile, gasoline demand rose slightly from 8.57 million b/d to 8.66 million b/d. The increase in gas demand and a reduction in total supply contribute to rising pump prices. But increasing oil prices play the lead role in pushing gas prices higher. Pump prices will likely continue to rise as crude prices continue to climb.
Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $3.61, which is 26 cents more than a month ago and 90 cents more than a year ago.
National Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI decreased by $1.22 cents to settle at $91.59. Although crude prices saw some fluctuations on Friday, they surged after Russia launched its military invasion of Ukraine earlier in the week. As the conflict continues, the oil markets will likely respond by continuing to increase the price of crude oil to reflect more risk of disruption to tight global oil supplies this week. Additionally, EIA reported that total domestic crude stocks increased by 4.5 million bbl to 416 million bbl. The current stock level is approximately 10 percent lower than mid-February 2021, contributing to pressure on domestic crude prices.
Manchester police say phone scam is using actual officer names
Residents in the Coffee County area are receiving phone calls from scammers who are using names of actual Manchester Police Department officers.
This is a new spin on a scam that has been making the rounds for a while now.
According to Manchester Police Department Assistant Chief Adam Floied, MPD has received complaints that someone is calling and identifying themselves as “Sergeant Devin Deford.” While Devin Deford does work for MPD, he is actually a captain.
Floied said that the scammer tells his intended victim that they have a warrant for their arrest and they must pay a fine to avoid jail. They then give a number for the intended victim to call and pay. Floied said when that number is called someone answers it as a police department but it is “clearly a scam.”
“There is really no way to tell where this originates from,” added Floied.
MPD officials say they will never solicit payments over the phone in lieu of an arrest warrant. If you have questions or receive one of these calls, you can contact police at 931-728-2099.
Manchester City Schools applying for afterschool program grant renewal
The Manchester City School District is presently completing a grant renewal for the 21st Century Community Learning Center.
The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program provides federal funding to establish or expand community learning centers. These centers provide students with opportunities for academic enrichment, youth development, and family support during non-school hours or during periods when school is not in session. Originally funded by direct grants from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), responsibility for the administration of this program was transferred to state education agencies under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (formerly No Child Left Behind Act of 2001). Current guidelines for the administration of the 21st CCLC grant can be found under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)[20 U.S. Code § 6301].
The overarching goal of the 21st CCLC program is to provide students—particularly students who attend schools in need of improvement—with academic enrichment opportunities and support services to help them meet state and local standards in the core content areas.
The 21st CCLC program goals are in alignment with the department’s Best for All strategic plan specifically by providing academic and non-academic supports so that all students can have a high-quality education.
Manchester City Schools has been a recipient of this grant for the past 10 years. This after school program operates at Westwood Middle School, Monday through Friday from 7:00-7:45 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. when school is in session.
Students receive a healthy snack, physical activity, academic and homework assistance, additional help for students with a deficiency in skills and standards, and many enrichment activities. The electives range from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) arts and crafts, additional physical education activities, and drama. The program has continually grown over the past 2 years. The Manchester City Schools district plans to expand the new grant by increasing the number of students served.
The grant is due by April 14, 2022. Awards will be announced in late July. For more information about this program or review the grant application, please contact the Manchester City School’s office or Jimmy St. John, Afterschool Journey Program Director at 931-728-3412 extension 2434.
TAX TIPS: Educator expense tax deduction
By Rosalyn Partin, H&R Block
Classroom decorations, books, supplemental learning materials, party supplies and occasional sweet treats are common classroom expenses for K-12 instructors. Do you have to front the costs of these expenses? A lot of times, yes.
But there’s also a teacher tax deduction available to help offset these expenses. Eligible instructors can qualify for an educator expense tax deduction of up to $250. It extends up to $500 if an educator is married to another eligible educator and filing under the status married filing jointly (up to $250 per person combined).
Common teacher classroom supplies that fit the tax deduction include: books and educational textbooks, instructional supplies (like pens, paper, craft goods, etc.), professional development courses related to curriculum or students, supplementary materials used in the classroom. Protective items paid for by the educator are also deductible such as: air purifiers, surface disinfectant, disposable gloves, face masks, and hand soap and sanitizer.
To qualify as an educator for this deduction, you must spend at least 900 hours within an academic year providing elementary or secondary education. Unfortunately, the educator expense deduction doesn’t apply to homeschooling instructors, or any college professor or instructor in post-secondary learning environments.
Don’t miss important tax deductions such as the Educator Expense deduction. See an H&R Block tax professional for help with your tax return this year!
If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, please call H&R Block in Manchester TN at 931-728-9462. H&R Block Has Your Back!
Mother’s Day diaper & wipes drive happening in Tullahoma
The United Way of Highway 55 has teamed up with The Salvation Army and First Baptist Church of Tullahoma to spearhead a Mother’s Day Diaper and Wipes Drive.
The drive is set up to benefit families in need in the Tullahoma area.
You can drop off diapers and wipes through May 8 at the First Baptist church of Tullahoma – 108 E. Grundy Street. Drop off hours are 9am to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Bedford County warns of elaborate scam in the area
Bedford County Sheriff’s Department is alerting the public of a scam in the area that involves a caller telling the intended victim that a family member is in jail.
The caller goes on to say that there is a fine involved and that a fine must be paid in order for their family member to be released from jail.
This scam goes a step further than previous ones we have reported. This scam attempt also involves the scammer actually coming to the intended victims’ residence after the initial call to then request money.
If someone attempts this on you, contact local authorities and do not give out money or personal information.
