Tennessee gas prices are still falling as 2.5 million Tennesseans prepare to set out on a holiday road trip. Click here to view AAA’s Year-End Holiday Travel Forecast.
Tennessee Gas Price average declined three cents last week. Drivers are now paying an average price of $3.00 a gallon for gasoline, which is 17 cents less than the 2021 high – set back in October.
Meanwhile, the Coffee County price is six cents higher than the state average at $3.06, according to AAA. That is also 20 cents higher than neighboring Rutherford County and 32 cents higher than neighboring Bedford County. The national average is $3.30.
The most expensive gasoline can be found in California, where the average is $4.66.
“Holiday travelers are getting the gift of falling prices at the pump, though these prices surely aren’t falling as fast as many would like,” said Stephanie Milani, Tennessee Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Travelers are poised to pay about a dollar per gallon more than they did last year. Even still, after many decided to stay home and play it safe in 2020, it appears that higher gas prices will not be a big deterrent. AAA forecasts a strong 28% rebound in road trips compared to last year.”
Quick Facts
- 62% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $3.00
- The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.73 for regular unleaded
- The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.35 for regular unleaded
National Gas Prices
Pump prices fell again last week as crude oil prices wobbled—neither rising steadily nor falling rapidly. The national average for a gallon of gas dipped three cents to $3.30.
Today’s national average of $3.30 is 11 cents less than a month ago and $1.09 more than a year ago.
Tennessee sees 14th largest home price increase in 2021
Between October 2020 and October 2021, the year-over-year percent change in Tennessee home prices was +21.1%. Out of all U.S. states, Tennessee experienced the 14th largest increase in home prices
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to the economy, and one of the most profound impacts has been on the residential real estate market in the U.S.
For more than a year and a half, an unusual combination of factors has left would-be homebuyers navigating a highly competitive market with prices growing at an extremely rapid pace. One of the major challenges has been supply. Late in 2020, the inventory of homes for sale fell to all-time low levels, while supply chain challenges and a tight labor market have made it difficult for builders to complete new homes. On the demand side, more homebuyers—many of them first- or second-time buyers of the Millennial generation—have been enticed to enter the market thanks to low mortgage rates and high savings and investment returns during the pandemic. And while recent months have shown signs that the market may be cooling off, elevated prices may be the new normal in the residential market.
The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index is one of the leading tools for tracking changes in U.S. home prices over time, and the growth in the index shows just how sharply home prices have risen. In August 2019, the percent change in home prices year-over-year dropped to 3.2%, the lowest rate of growth since the end of the Great Recession. By August 2020, six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of growth had accelerated to 5.9%. And in August 2021, home prices were nearly 20% more expensive than they were the year before.
Rising home prices have been a nationwide phenomenon, but some markets have seen sharper increases than others. At the state level, many of the locations where prices have risen most rapidly are areas that had already been experiencing significant population growth, including Idaho, Arizona, and Utah. These states were also popular destinations for people who moved during the pandemic, many of whom left expensive coastal states in search of more space and more affordable cost of living.
Housing markets at the local level show similar trends. Many of the counties with the highest increases in home prices were high-growth locales like Travis County, TX (Austin) and Maricopa County, AZ (Phoenix), which have emerged as more affordable alternatives to more expensive cities on the coasts. The list of counties with the biggest home price increases also includes many suburban counties of major metro areas, like San Joaquin County, CA (east of the Bay Area), Snohomish County, WA (Seattle), and Gwinnett County, GA (Atlanta).
The data used in this analysis is from Zillow Group’s Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. To identify the states with the largest home price increases in 2021, researchers at Inspection Support Network calculated the percentage change in the ZHVI between October 2020 and October 2021. In the event of a tie, the state with the larger absolute price increase was ranked higher.
Tennessee
The analysis found that between October 2020 and October 2021, the year-over-year percent change in Tennessee home prices was +21.1%. Out of all U.S. states, Tennessee experienced the 14th largest increase in home prices.
Here is a summary of the data for Tennessee:
– Previous 1-year change in price (%): +21.1%
– Previous 1-year change in price (absolute): +$44,074
– Median home price (October 2021): $253,263
– Median home price (October 2020): $209,189
Candidates begin picking up petition papers for May 3 primary
Candidates for the upcoming May 3, 2022 State and Coffee County Primary Elections began picking up petition papers on Monday, Dec. 20 at the Coffee County Election Commission. It was the first day candidates were eligible to pick up petitions.
The deadline to have petitions returned is Thursday, Feb. 17 at noon with a withdrawal deadline of Feb. 24.
Anyone wishing to vote in the May 3 primary must be registered by Monday, April 4. You can register by visiting the Coffee County Election Commission on McArthur St. Early voting will be April 13 through April 28. You can also register to vote from your computer – just click here.
There are multiple races up for grabs this election cycle. Just to name a few: Coffee County Sheriff, Coffee County Mayor, Manchester Mayor, Circuit Court Clerk, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Coffee County Trustee, Road Superintendent, General Sessions Judge, District Attorney General, along with various county commissioners, city aldermen and school board seats.
TAX TIPS: H&R Block studying new tax laws
By Rosalyn Partin, Manchester H&R Block
The tax professionals at H&R Block, Manchester wish you a very Merry Christmas. We hope you and your family have a healthy and blessed holiday season.
As we prepare for the New Year and the new tax filing season, we are diligently studying the new tax laws effective for the 2021 tax year. We promise to provide you with friendly, professional service when preparing your tax return. We will uncover all tax deductions, credits, and other benefits available to you to minimize your tax and get you the largest refund legally possible.
In the coming weeks during the tax filing season, we will continue these Tax Tips to help you stay informed of tax changes affecting your 2021 return, processing and refund timeframes, any IRS issues that may arise, and other important topics. We hope you will consider us your friend and look to H&R Block when you need professional help and tax information.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Fire destroys Tullahoma home; donations sought for mom, children
A Tullahoma woman and her two children need your help after a fire Saturday night destroyed their home.
The fire took place on East Lincoln St. An arrest has been made in the case. Timothy Aaron Vines, 38, is charged with arson. He was taken to the Coffee County Jail.
Items are being collected to help:
11 year old Kenzie
Size 8 women’s shoe.
women’s large shirts.
women’s medium pants
Pre teen Christmas items
3-year old Jax
Size 10 boys shoe
Size 5t shirts.
Size 4t pants
Diaper size 5.
Sensory toys.
You may drop off items at 210 Whiteoak St. or 214 Heritage Dr.
You can also make monetary donations through gofundme by clicking here.
Interstate crash kills Manchester man
A single-vehicle crash on Interstate-24 in Murfreesboro Friday afternoon took the life of a Manchester man, according to a news report from our news partner WGNS Radio.
According to the Preliminary Report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Erik Elgouhary of Manchester was traveling alone in his 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 at approximately 4:16 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17.
Sgt. Alex Campbell said that the Highway Patrol’s investigation indicates that Elgouhary lost control of the vehicle, and veered off the right side of the interstate at mile marker 84.2 and slammed into a tree.
While he was being extricated from the truck, first-responders pronounced the 46-year old Elgouhary deceased at the scene.
TDOT to halt highway construction for Christmas holiday
Road construction won’t delay travelers during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is once again halting all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state. No temporary lane closures will be allowed for construction on Tennessee roadways beginning at midnight on Thursday, December 23, 2021, through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, January 3, 2022.
“With motorists expected to travel Tennessee roadways during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, keeping traffic moving and getting motorists to their destinations safely is our top priority,” said TDOT Commissioner Joe Galbato. “As always, please wear your seatbelt, reduce your speed, avoid distractions, and never drink and drive.”
Except for a few long-term closures that must remain for safety, all construction-related closures will be suspended during the holiday period. Workers may still be on-site in some construction zones. Drivers should obey all posted speed limits, particularly in construction areas. Slower speeds are necessary in work zones due to the temporary layout of the roadway and will be enforced. Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.
AAA Travel expects more than 109 million Americans to travel this holiday season, with a majority of them driving. More than 2.6 million Tennesseans are forecast to travel between December 23 and January 2.
Get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras from your desktop or mobile device at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any landline or cellular phone for travel information or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel. As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
Support available for Tennesseans mental health and suicide prevention during the holidays
For some people, stress increases during the holiday season, leading to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. If you or a loved one experience a mental health crisis, live with substance misuse or exhibit suicidal behavior during the winter holidays, there are resources and services available through the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) to help navigate those challenges and strengthen community connections.
“Saving a life, your own or someone else’s, should never be a solo effort,” said Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “Support is available to help Tennesseans who are living with mental health challenges, and we urge you to learn what to look for, when to act, and who to contact if faced with a mental health emergency or suicidal crisis.”
“The holiday season can be a tremendously stressful time for many individuals who are living with mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams, LCSW. “No matter what you’re going through, please know this: there is hope, and help is available.”
Some of the mental health and suicide prevention resources include:
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Services Resource Directory
The Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Services Directory provides a comprehensive list of suicide prevention resources available across the state to support efforts to reduce deaths by suicide. The directory includes all suicide prevention, intervention and postvention resources throughout the state, such as training, resources and services for help, support groups, fact sheets, and infographics and data. Developed through a partnership of the Tennessee Department of
Health and the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, the directory can be downloaded at https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/program-areas/vipp/TDH-Suicide-Prevention-Resource-Guide-Final-Draft-9-24-2021.pdf.
Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line
The Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line, available 24 hours a day/365 days a year is a free resource for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. All calls are routed to a trained crisis counselor in your area, who will provide you support and guidance and work to connect you with appropriate community supports. Call 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471) or text “TN” to 741-741.
ResilienTN
ResilienTN is an initiative that works to prevent the loss of life to overdose and suicide by empowering Tennesseans with the tools and knowledge to overcome their personal challenges and watch out for and help those around them. The campaign includes training in overdose reversal and suicide prevention; events focused on addiction recovery efforts on college campuses, and suicide prevention among people living with substance use. A calendar of events and other resources are available at https://tntogether.com/shareables/.
Tennessee REDLINE
The Tennessee REDLINE offers a convenient and confidential 24/7/365 resource for substance misuse treatment referrals. The service is provided by the Tennessee Association for Alcohol, Drug and other Addiction Services (TAADAS) through a contract with the TDMHSAS. Referrals are available by phone call or text at 800-889-9789. https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/substance-abuse-services/prevention/tennessee-redline.html
About the Tennessee Department of Health
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.
About the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Our Mission: Creating collaborative pathways to resiliency, recovery, and independence for Tennesseans living with mental illness and substance use disorders.
Our Vision: A state of resiliency, recovery, and independence in which Tennesseans living with mental illness and substance use disorders thrive.
https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health.html
About ReslienTN
ResilienTN is a collaboration of the Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Tennessee Together to address the risk of drug overdose and suicide. https://tntogether.com/shareables/
Local VFW announces teacher, student awards
Veterans of Foreign Wars All-American Post 10904 proudly announces the
selection – and advancement – of the 2021 VFW Teachers of the Year. This is
the second year in a row that all three teachers selected at the Post level
were advanced to the District level and, having been selected again, have
now advanced to the State level.
Trudy Nash of Temple Baptist School was selected in the high school
category; Will Pannell of Westwood Middle School was selected in the middle
school category; and Kelli Cunningham of Cowan Elementary School was
selected in the elementary school category.
These incredible teachers were not only selected from all area teachers at
the local Post level, but were then selected at the District level as the
best among Teachers of the Year from 9 other VFW Posts. They will now be
considered among the best teachers from 11 Districts, encompassing 91 VFW
Posts in Tennessee. State winners will be announced January 15, 2022 and
will advance to the National level. Emily Ezell of Cowan Elementary School
was awarded VFW’s National Teacher of the Year in 2018.
In addition to the outstanding teachers in our area, several local students
won the annual VFW essay competitions.
There were 64 submissions in the Patriots Pen essay competition at the
middle school level. This year’s subject was “How to be a good American”.
The winners are:
First Place: Katherine Clark of Temple Baptist School
Second Place: Carmen Barrett of Westwood Middle School
Third Place: Anza Reynolds of Westwood Middle School
Fourth Place: Sarah Shedd of Westwood Middle School
There were 16 entries in the Voice of Democracy essay competition at the
high school level. The subject was “America: Where do we go from here?” The
winners are:
First place: Andrew Hetrick of Coffee County Central High School
Second place: Rylee Bachyrycz of Temple Baptist School
Third place: Blake Albright of Temple Baptist School
Andrew Hetrick was also selected at the District level as the best of 54
submissions. He now advances to the State level.
TWRA stocks cutthroat trout in Tennessee waterways
For the first time since the 1960s, Cutthroat Trout are being stocked into Tennessee’s waterways to provide anglers with the opportunity to catch a different trout species at a few locations.
On Wednesday afternoon, 2,550 Cutthroat Trout were released into the upper portion of Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River below Boone Dam. Last week, 3,000 cutthroats were also stocked into the Hiwassee River, and there are plans to release 2,250 more into the Tims Ford tailwater on the Elk River in the coming months.
These cutthroats are of the Snake River fine-spotted Cutthroat Trout strain and were provided through a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The fish were hatched and raised at the Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery and were recently transferred to the TWRA Flintville Hatchery. Hatchery trucks delivered the fish to the TWRA Smith Shoals Access Area where they were released into the Holston River by wildlife technicians and fisheries biologists. On the Hiwassee River, they were stocked at multiple locations in the delayed harvest section of the river.
Cutthroat Trout regulations at Boone and Tims Ford fall under statewide regulations of 7 trout daily creel limit in combination with other trout species and with no minimum length limit. Currently, the cutthroats on the Hiwassee River from the Apalachia Powerhouse downstream to the L&N Railroad Bridge fall under the delayed harvest regulation and must be released. However, from March 1st through September 30th, there will be a daily creel limit of 7 trout in combination with other trout species and no minimum length limit.
For more information on trout fishing in Tennessee, visit: https://www.tn.gov/twra/fishing/trout-information-stockings.html
