Gasoline prices shot up 7 cents last week. The current national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.25. Motorists are now paying 19 cents more than they did at the beginning of the month.
AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said gasoline prices almost always rise in February. He said the rate of increase slowed over the weekend, but motorists should expect more volatility at the pump for the next couple of months.
Tennessee’s average price for a gallon of regular is $2.11, a jump of 9 cents from last week.
As of Tuesday afternoon the low price in Manchester was $2.12 and in Tullahoma the low price per gallon was $1.95.
Category: News
Weekly Gas Price Update
Tullahoma Business Goes Solar
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Tullahoma Thinking Green
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Recycling Message on All Garbage Cans
Public Works is working to energize and educate the public about recycling.
The first awareness campaign residents will soon see is an eye-catching new recycling sticker appearing on the lid of garbage cans.
Clean up litter
Another project the Mayor is focusing on is the Clean up! Tullahoma. The next quarterly clean-up day is scheduled for February 21. Volunteers can join in at 942 Maplewood Drive 8:00 am on Saturday.
ICE Storm 2015
Interstate 24 Westbound was closed Monday morning following a pileup involving several vehicles.
Sgt. Bill Miller with the Tennessee Highway Patrol said that 12 to 13 vehicles were involved in a crash on westbound Interstate 24 at mile marker 97 near Beechgrove in Coffee County.
Local law enforcement and Coffee County Emergency Management reports that multiple accidents occurred throughout Coffee County.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation says travel throughout the state continues to be treacherous.
Forecasters expect temperatures to not get above freezing for most of the state until Saturday.
Power lines around Coffee County began sparking around 2pm Monday and trees fell on the lines started to fall causing power outages. Both the Duck River Electric Membership Corporation and the Tullahoma Utility Board report that they are restoring power as quickly as possible.
Click on link for the power outage grid from DREMC http://outagemap.dremc.com:8182/
Legal Marijuana In Tennessee? Maybe
Two Tennessee lawmakers have introduced companion bills that would legalize the possession and casual exchange of up to half an ounce of marijuana.
The bills were proposed in the state House by Rep. Harold Love and in the Senate by Sen. Jeff Yarbro. They would amend the Tennessee Code to allow possession and casual, non-monetary exchange of small amounts of marijuana.
Possession, casual exchange or distribution of one ounce or more would then become a misdemeanor with a $100 fine.
If passed, the amendment would take effect on July 1st.
Tax Collections Up In Tennessee
Tennessee’s total tax collections exceeded budgeted expectations in January, driven by strong holiday consumer spending and unexpected one-time collections in corporate taxes. Finance and Administration Commissioner Larry Martin announced that overall January revenues were $1.3 billion, which is $219.5 million more than the state budgeted.
January is the sixth month in the 2014-2015 fiscal year.
The general fund was over collected by $214.1 million and the four other funds were over collected by $5.4 million.
Year-to-date collections for six months were $343.9 million more than the budgeted estimate. The general fund was over collected by $323.4 million and the four other funds were over collected by $20.5 million.
Tax Time: Protecting Your Identity
Tax season is under way, with 1099s and W-2s already in mailboxes – and the Internal Revenue Service has also issued its annual list of the most common scams, called the dirty dozen. At the top of the list is identity theft, followed by potential tax swindles pitched by phone and email. Mike Dobzinski, a media relations specialist with the IRS, warns taxpayers to beware of IRS imposters making threats. “You owe X amount of dollars,’” he cites as an example. “’If you don’t pay up, we’re going to arrest you, take you to jail, deport you, revoke your license,’ and a whole bunch of threatening tactics. And the IRS just doesn’t make these kinds of calls.” Other tax deceptions on the dirty dozen list include offshore money-hiding schemes, and false promises of free money for inflated refunds. Dobzinski says with personal information on W-2 forms and others in your mailbox this time of year, it’s not hard for scammers to steal your information, and even attempt to file taxes in your name to benefit from your refund. “I recommend contacting Internal Revenue Service if you get a letter that’s addressed incorrectly to you to contact us,” he advises. “It’s possible that a return has been filed in your name, you may not know that, but that may be the first tip off.” Dobzinski says the IRS also has made a special effort to alert businesses with large databases to take extra steps to protect client data.
Five Loaves for Kids Fundraiser Going On Now
Local organization Five Loaves for Kids is holding its annual “Count Me In” fundraiser throughout this month. The volunteers for the organization are encouraging individuals, businesses, and churches to consider sponsoring a child for one year. The estimated cost to feed a child in the program is just $13 per month. Five Loaves for Kids has packed over 55,000 bags of food since 2007. These are children whose only meals for the day may be the ones they receive at school. This program will make it possible for each of these children to take home individually packaged, single serving food for the weekend. The packages of food will consist of items such as applesauce, crackers, fruit cups, beanie weenies, beef stew, cereal, raisins, and juice boxes.
For more information, visit www.5loaves4kidscharity.com.
Big Bridal Show Is Sunday
Every little girl dreams of her wedding day, but before she can get there, she must wait for that time in her life when she will become engaged. Statistics have proven that the majority of engagements occur during the Engagement Season which begins at Thanksgiving and runs through Valentine’s Day. If you find yourself engaged, be sure to mark your calendar for The FREE Bridal Show on Sunday, February 22nd from 1-4pm at Northgate Mall in Tullahoma. At The Free Bridal Show, Brides-to-Be as well as friends, family, and even the groom can gain wedding ideas, win prizes, and have fun! Brides who pre-register will be eligible to win extra prizes!
The event is brought to you by Thunder Radio.
Two Men Arrested For Auto Burglaries
Two men were arrested recently for auto burglaries by Coffee County Sheriff’s deputies.
Christopher Anthony Adams, 22, of Courtnea Lane, Manchester and Bryant Edward Frederick 23, of Indiana were charged with three counts of burglary. According to Sgt. Danny Ferrell of the Sheriff’s Department the two men broke into vehicles and took a GPS, police scanners, guns and a wallet.
Adams was also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon.
