Gas prices in Tennessee continue to climb.
Prices are up again this week, according to AAA, marking the fifth consecutive week of increases. The average price per gallon regular unleaded gasoline in Tennessee as of Monday, Feb. 7 is $3.14. That is up four cents from last week and 10 cents from two weeks prior. That price is 15 cents higher than last month and 93 cents more expensive than one year ago.
Meanwhile, the average price of gasoline in Coffee County is currently at $3.10, which is 4 cents below the state average and a penny more expensive than last week.
The national average is $3.44
National Gas Prices
Blustery winter weather and geopolitical tensions are helping to drive the price of oil higher, which is in the low-$90s per barrel, nearly $30 more than in August. The recent cold weather in the U.S increased the demand for heating oil. Meanwhile, the concern that Russia will react to potential western sanctions by withholding crude oil from the already tight global market puts heavy upward pressure on prices. The national average for a gallon of gas has surged to $3.44, eight cents more than a week ago. Gas was last this expensive in 2014.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks grew by 2.1 million bbl to 250 million bbl last week. However, gasoline demand dropped from 8.51 million b/d to 8.23 million b/d. Usually, an increase in total stocks and a decrease in demand puts downward pressure on pump prices, but the rising cost of oil continues to push prices higher instead. If crude prices continue to climb, pump prices will likely follow suit.
Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $3.44, which is 14 cents more than a month ago and 98 cents more than a year ago.
TN Bill would increase liability protections for police during pursuits
Tennessee Republicans lawmakers filed legislation last week to increase liability protections for officers in pursuit of a fleeing suspect.
According to House Bill 2605, law enforcement personnel and their agency would not be liable for injuries to a third party caused by a suspect who flees from authorities “unless the law enforcement personnel were grossly negligent” and that gross negligence “was a proximate cause” of the injuries.
“This legislation only protects law enforcement officers who follow the proper policies and procedures while pursuing a fleeing suspect,” said State Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis. “It is important that officers and their departments still be held accountable for any third-party injuries caused by grossly negligent conduct.”
The bill was introduced and passed the Tennessee senate (SB2451) on first consideration on Feb. 3. It is now before the house. It would need to pass both chambers and receive the governor’s signature before becoming law.
TAX TIPS – If you pay child care, don’t miss the child care credit
By Rosalyn Partin, Manchester H&R Block
There is a significant and exciting change to the Child and Dependent Care credit for 2021 tax returns.
The Child and Dependent Care credit allows families to claim expenses related to the care of a child or someone who is physically or mentally unable to care for themselves.
Families who pay for care while the parents work or attend school may claim a refundable credit of up to 50% of qualifying expenses, meaning they could claim a maximum credit of:
- $4,000 for one qualifying child (based on $8,000 of expenses)
- $8,000 for two or more qualifying children (based on $16,000 of expenses)
In previous years the credit only helped by reducing the income tax on the return. However, as a refundable credit, this tax benefit not only lowers the tax you owe, it also can mean getting money back. Additionally, the amount of the credit has been increased for 2021.
In order to claim the Child and Dependent Care credit you must have the tax identification number or social security number, name, and address of the person or facility you pay. You (and your spouse) must have earned income or have been a student during the tax year.
Call now to schedule your appointment with one of our tax professionals at H&R Block. Open Monday through Friday 9am-7pm and Saturday 9am-5pm. As always, we also accept walk-in clients at your convenience.
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!
Gov. Lee unveils 2022 legislative vision in State of the State address
Gov. Bill Lee last week addressed a joint session of the General Assembly in the House Chamber in which he outlined his legislative priorities for 2022 and presented his budget proposal for the upcoming year. The governor’s fourth state of the state highlighted strategic investments in education, infrastructure, public safety, rural Tennessee and supporting families. He emphasized Tennessee’s embodiment of “America at its best” and his commitment to building on the state’s past successes.
“Tennessee stands as a beacon to the rest of the country for how we can change lives when we control the size of government, prioritize efficiency, and make smart and responsible investments. I am proud to propose a budget and America at Its Best policies that reinforce freedom, innovation, exceptionalism and optimism,” Lee said.
The governor doubled-down on his commitment to boost education in Tennessee. In addition to overhauling the current Basic Education Program (BEP), he proposed $1.03 billion in new money for K-12 education. Of which, $750 million would be a recurring increase for the new funding formula for fiscal year 2023-24. The governor noted his new formula will demand accountability and reward districts for performance. It will prioritize the needs of students above all else and will pay particular attention to students with disabilities, students in rural Tennessee and from low-income families. The governor’s plan includes $1.9 billion for higher education, including $90 million to keep state universities from raising tuition and $200 million for infrastructure investments.
Other key initiatives for K-12 and higher education include:
- New legislation that ensures parents know what materials are available to students in their libraries
- Legislation making computer science and coding available to every high school student in Tennessee
- $2.5 million to expand the Future Workforce Initiative
- $125 million investment in K-12 teacher salaries/4 percent salary pool increase for higher ed employees
- $25.5 million in recurring funding for K-12 summer learning camps
- $16 million recurring & $16 million nonrecurring to the Charter Schools Facility Fund to increase the number of charter schools
- $72 million to complete the Oak Ridge Innovation Institute
- $6 million to establish the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee
- $50 million to a Carnegie R1 research fund at the University of Memphis
- $250 million in infrastructure improvements at Tennessee State University
- $170 million to invest in a statewide Enterprise Resource System for the University of Tennessee and the Locally Governed Institutions
- $75 million to increase the 4-year HOPE Award to $5,100 per student, per year, and the 2-year HOPE Award to $3,200 per student, per year
Safer Communities: Governor Lee expressed his continued commitment for safer communities in Tennessee. He outlined a plan to advance the state’s standing as a national leader for public safety training and consumer protection. During his speech, he announced he would modernize Tennessee’s police and firefighter training academies, as well as cover the costs of training more police and fire recruits. He also announced he would increase oversight of consumer protection. The governor said he would direct the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to create a safety training plan for every house of worship in Tennessee. His budget adds 100 Tennessee State Troopers, 20 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) agents, and 25 TBI forensic science personnel.
Other safety initiatives include:
- $355.6 million for a multi-agency law enforcement training academy
- $28.4 million to fully fund the correctional officer salary changes
- $66 million for the TN Law Enforcement Hiring, Training, and Recruitment program
- $179 million to complete full construction of Tennessee Advanced Communications Network coverage, ensuring full mobile connectivity across all Tennessee for emergency communications and law enforcement
- $150 million to create the Violent Crime Intervention Grant Fund
During his speech, Gov. Lee put a strong emphasis on investing in rural communities, infrastructure, economic development and improving health care.
“You can’t be the best state for families unless you’re the best state for all families. I believe we have significant work to do in improving access to health care for Tennessee families,” Lee said. “Because of our prudent fiscal management, we’re making huge investments in rural healthcare in this budget. And that means actual care, not just keeping hospitals open.” He proposed to dedicate more than $18 million in attracting 150 new primary care physician residents to rural Tennessee communities.
Overall, the governor’s proposal invests $545.5 million in Health and Human Services.
Other investments in health include:
- $25.5 million in dental benefits for adult TennCare enrollees
- $21.8 million for the DIDD’s Tennessee Early Intervention System
- $6 million to expand substance abuse disorder services to uninsured Tennesseans
- $55 million to increase access to services across each Medicaid Pathways to Independence program
Infrastructure and economic development:
- $519 million in new road funding ($77 million for ECD projects included)
- $100 million to complete IMPROVE Act projects
- $82 million to reimburse public hospitals for uncompensated care, primarily in rural communities
- $26 million for Rural Opportunity Grants, helping to get communities ready for corporate investment
- $3.5 million to support the Transportation Equity Fund
- $103 million for the FastTrack program
Grundy County authorities need help finding stolen camper
Grundy County Sheriff’s Department Authorities are asking for help finding a camper that was stolen on Wednesday, Feb. 2 from the 20th Ave. South area in Gruetli Laager.
See photo below.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact 931-692-3466 ext. 5. Your tips will remain anonymous.
Tennessee Department of Health recognizes Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Everyone deserves a healthy relationship founded on trust, honesty, respect, equality, and compromise. Youth and young adults must be guided and taught to build healthy relationships and identify unhealthy ones. This February, the Tennessee Department of Health is taking part in Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month to help prevent and bring awareness to dating violence among Tennessee teens.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in 11 female and one in 14 male high school students reported having experienced physical dating violence in the past year. Twenty-six percent of women and 15 percent of men who report having experienced physical abuse, sexual abuse, or stalking by a dating partner first experienced dating violence by that partner before age 18. In addition, certain groups such as sexual minority groups and racial and ethnic minorities are often disproportionality affected by dating violence.
Teen dating violence occurs when partners engage in abusive behavior to control or manipulate others. It can take place in person, online, or through technology. Teen dating violence can include the following types of behavior:
• Physical violence, such as hitting, kicking, or any other form of physical force
• Sexual violence, such as unwanted kissing, touching, or forced sexual activity
• Stalking, which is repeated, unwanted attention and contact that causes fear or concern for
one’s safety
• Psychological aggression, which is the use of verbal and non-verbal communication (e.g., namecalling,
insults, or threats) with the intent to harm a partner mentally or emotionally and/or
exert control over a partner
For more information about recognizing signs of abuse, please visit https://ncadv.org/signs-ofabuse.
“Teen dating violence impacts teens’ overall well-being,” said Tennessee’s Rape Prevention and Education Program Director Renea Satterwhite. “The upstream approaches in preventing teen dating violence involve teaching youth about healthy relationships and creating safe and protective environments.”
During Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, individuals are encouraged to Wear Orange for Love on Tuesday, February 8. By wearing orange and sharing a picture on social media with the hashtag #Orange4Love, Tennesseans can send a message that they stand with survivors of teen dating violence. Additionally, the Tennessee State Capitol will be illuminated orange in honor of the day. For more information about this observance, please visit
https://www.centerffs.org/serv/events/wear-orange-4-love-day.
The TDH Rape Prevention and Education Program offers training and support for community agencies, schools, and sports teams to implement evidence-based prevention programs. Learn more at https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/rwh/rape-prevention-and-education.html.
If you are a survivor of sexual violence, you can find help and support in Tennessee at https://tncoalition.org/get-help/help-in-your-area/ or call the Statewide Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-866-811-7473.
H&R BLOCK STUDENT OF THE WEEK – John Dobson
Join us at Thunder Radio and Rosalyn Partin of the Manchester H&R Block and congratulate our student of the week – John Dobson
John is a senior at Coffee County Central High School. He was nominated by his teachers and administrators. John is the son of Jim and Erin Dobson. He plays for the Red Raider basketball team and enjoys hanging out with friends. He plans to enlist in the National Guard.
All students of the week are selected for their work ethic and excellent attitudes in and out of the classroom.
Rosalyn Partin, owner of the Manchester H&R Block, has been inspired to recognize great kids in our community all year long. H&R Block gives each Student of the Week a commemorative plaque, a special letter of recognition and two tickets to Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park.
Job well done, John!
6th Circuit Court reinstates Tennessee ban on abortions
On Wednesday, February 2, 2022, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated Tennessee’s ban on abortions for reasons such as race, gender, or genetic abnormality. Tennessee Right to Life supported this provision as it passed through the legislature, and it applauded the decision.
Stacy Dunn, president of Tennessee Right to Life stated, “We applaud the Sixth Circuit for, once again, affirming the voice of the people of Tennessee and upholding this ban on abortions of children based on race, gender or genetic abnormality.” “This provision, in particular, defends the most vulnerable among us and upholds the virtue that all lives matter regardless of condition or color and it’s time this state and all states take an interest in protecting those lives.”
A press release from Tennessee Right to Life reported, “Unborn children are the only group of people who can be discriminated against because of their race, gender or disability. This ban would end that. Tennessee Right to Life will continue to work with legislators to ensure that all unborn children are protected by law, but the Sixth Circuit has taken a huge step in allowing Tennesseans to end the violence to those who are targeted in our society.”
— Story from news partner WGNS radio
Child abusers may look, act like everyone else
By Joyce Prusak, Executive Director of Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center
Have you ever thought that people who abuse children would look weird and strange – that something about them would just be off? Think again. Perpetrators can often look and act just like everyone else. Neighbors, friends, and family members can be abusers. Abusers are people you trust, often charismatic and friendly. If something about a person doesn’t feel right, however, trust your “gut feeling.”
Child sexual abuse may start like this: Maggy, 5, sometimes spends the night with her friend, Sarah, also 5. Maggy’s parents know Sarah’s parents really well, and they trust Sarah’s parents. Teaching Maggy to have good manners, Maggy’s parents tell her she should do what Sarah’s parents ask her to do when she spends the night at their house. Sarah’s father often plays with Maggy and Sarah – he seems really cool to Maggy. Sarah’s father plays hide and seek and shows secret places to Maggy. While playing, he sometimes touches her. At first, he seems to touch her by accident. Maggy doesn’t realize he’s doing anything wrong and doesn’t tell anyone. And then those touches happen more often, until he has found a way to touch her private parts.
Preventing child abuse begins with learning the facts. As dry as statistics can sometimes be, having information about perpetrators’ behavior helps us stay knowledgeable and alert.
Only 10% of sexually abused children are abused by a stranger, and that means we need to limit the time our children spend one-on-one with other adults or older children, even if they are people we know and love. About 90% of children who are victims of abuse know and trust their abuser. About 30% of children who have experienced sexual abuse are abused by family members, according to Darkness to Light.
The younger the child experiences abuse, the more likely it is that the offender is a family member. According to data examined by Darkness to Light, of those abusing a child under 6 years old, half were family members.
Family members accounted for 23% of those abusing children ages 12 to 17.
About 60% of children who are sexually abused are abused by people the family trusts.
Often, offenders abuse multiple children. Seventy percent of child sexual offenders have between one and nine victims, while 20% have 10 to 40 victims.
It’s also important to remember that older, more powerful children can be perpetrators. Nearly 40% of children who are sexually abused are abused by more powerful children.
The younger the child victim, the more likely it is that the offender is a juvenile. Juveniles are the offenders in 43% of sexual abuse cases involving children under age 6. Of these offenders, 14% are under age 12.
Juveniles who commit sex offenses against other children are more likely than adult sex offenders to offend in groups. They are also more likely to offend at schools and to have more male victims and younger victims. Early adolescence is the peak age for youth offenses against younger children.
A small number of juvenile offenders – about 10% – are younger than age 12. Females represent 7% of juveniles who commit sex offenses.
Be alert and pay attention if an adult tries to create an opportunity to be alone with a child. And yes, if you get an odd feeling about someone, no matter what he or she looks like, trust your feelings. Often, perpetrators are good at disarming adults as well as children.
This information was compiled with data from Darkness to Light, “the only evidence-informed, adult-focused child sexual abuse prevention trainings proven to increase knowledge and change behavior,” according to www.d2l.org.
The Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center offers free child abuse prevention training based on Darkness to Light resources, thanks to a grant awarded to the center. For more information about the training and child abuse prevention, visit coffeecountycac.org and follow Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center on social media. To report suspicions of child abuse, call 1-877-237-0004.
Coffee County Central announces top 10 percent, valedictorian and salutatorian for Class of 2022
Luke Beachboard – CHS Class of 2022 Valedictorian 
Landon Meadows – CHS Class of 2022 Salutatorian (photo by Bailey Morgan Photography)
Coffee County Central High School has announced the Top 10 Percent, along with the valedictorian and salutatorian for the graduating class of 2022.
The Class of 2022 is scheduled to graduate on Friday, May 27, 2022 – just over 100 days away.
This year’s valedictorian, which goes to the graduating senior with the highest GPA., is Luke Beachboard. After graduation, Beachboard plans to attend UT-Chattanooga to major in Preprofessional Biology. After that he plans to attend veterinary school. He spends time working at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic in Manchester. Beachboard is also part of the student-broadcaster program with Thunder Radio and has broadcast multiple games over the past school year, including high school and middle school volleyball.
This year’s salutatorian, the student with the second highest GPA, is Landon Meadows.
Students finishing in the top 10% of the Central High School Class of 2022 are below:
| Luke Beachboard – Valedictorian |
| Landon G. Meadows – Salutatorian |
| Jason A. Abeyta |
| Caroline E. Ballard |
| Elizabeth C. Brown |
| Annmarie N. Calahan |
| Elliana A. Chumley |
| Anna E. Dawkins |
| Bethany A. Farrar |
| Kiya B. Ferrell |
| Connor J. Fox |
| Anna C. Godwin |
| Peyton H. Grosch Destiny Haley |
| Maddison L. Helms |
| Kasen X. Holt |
| Cybele M. Hoover-Horn |
| Olivia B. Howell |
| Olivia P. Kilpatrick Alyssa McClanahan |
| Logan G. Meadows |
| Harshita Y. Mistry |
| Jacqueline P. Mondragon |
| Marisol Moreno Rivera |
| Alexa J. Morse |
| Brady R. Nugent |
| Lauren I. Perry |
| Gavin W. Prater |
| Ashley K. Reynolds |
| Callie E. Roper |
| Haley K. Sherrill |
| Sarah E. Slade |
| Granite B. Todd |
| Riley J. Tucker |
| Jason P. Tundidor |
| Ethan J. Welch |
| Emily A. Whitten Lukas Workman |
