Gas prices in Tennessee have increased the past 15 consecutive days for an average total of 15 cents per gallon. Tennessee drivers are now paying an average price of $2.20 per gallon for regular unleaded. It’s the highest daily average price so far this year. Sunday’s state average was 10 cents more than a week ago, and 13 cents more than this time last month. Regardless of the recent increase, Tennessee drivers are still paying less per gallon than this time last year. AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said the increase in prices was due to crude price gains and...

In a rare display of bipartisanship, the U.S. Senate last week passed a measure by a vote of 92-8 to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund indefinitely. Now, all eyes are on members of the House, who could vote on a public-lands package as early as next week. Congress allowed the fund to expire in 2018, but Tracy Stone-Manning, vice president for public lands at the National Wildlife Federation, said more than 75 percent of Americans support the program, which uses fees from offshore oil and gas drilling to protect public lands. “This one issue – the ability...

After closing the Coffee County Jail workhouse back in the Fall (2018) Coffee County Sheriff Chad Partin in a recent committee meeting brought up the idea of building a new workhouse or annex next to the main jail. The currently closed annex is next door to the Justice Center. When the closing took place Partin said this was a temporary closing. Partin said the sheriff’s department was down 15 corrections officers at the time of the closing and is currently down around 17. He added this issue is not urgent. He just wants leaders to think about the future....

In a press release from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, they say on Wednesday February 20, 2019 Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Kason Bolin and Deputy Patrick Stefanski initiated a traffic stop in the area of Rock Creek Road. An investigation began after the stop and it revealed that the passenger had an active warrant in Coffee County and was detained at the scene. Further investigation revealed the passenger to allegedly be in possession of 28.65 grams of a white crystallized substance believed to be methamphetamine. According to the release, at this point the suspect did attempt to assault...

In the wake of record-setting rains, power outages, road closures and water rescues throughout the region, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has created the Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund to support the affected communities and nonprofits helping victims address their ongoing needs. Grants from the Fund will be made to nonprofits providing vital services both immediate and long term. Their work helps free nonprofits up to concentrate on delivering vital services while we “connect generosity with need” and our community sets out to rebuild lives. Nashville already has surpassed its all-time rainfall record for the month of February...

  It was a busy Saturday for Coffee County deputies, city patrolmen and rescue personnel as rising water created many issues. A State of Emergency was declared in Tennessee after widespread flooding and severe weather occurred over the last several days. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency activated the Tennessee Emergency Management Plan at Level 3 out of 5. Governor Bill Lee asked residents of Tennessee to follow all instructions of emergency officials and stay alert as flood waters continued to rise. Around 40 roads were impacted in Coffee County, closing several for a long period of time. Most are...