Gas prices continue to surge

March 6, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A surge in gas prices has the price tag for regular fuel at almost $4 per gallon at gas stations across Smithville as of Sunday morning, March 6.

Most convenience stores in the Smithville area have unleaded gas prices at $3.99, up from $3.69 only a few days ago. No Ethanol gas is as high as $4.29 a gallon and diesel fuel is now $4.99 a gallon.

AAA reports the prices will likely worsen before they get better as sanctions and regulations have essentially removed Russia from the global oil market. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, gas prices in Tennessee have gone up more than 30 cents.

“The Russia-Ukraine conflict has intensified what was already a global oil market that was tight on supplies,” said AAA spokesperson Megan Cooper. “Sanctions and regulations have effectively removed Russian oil from the market. Prices accelerated Wednesday, when OPEC and its allies announced that they would not ramp up production beyond the modest increases previously planned.”

As of Friday, Tennessee’s average gas price was about 17 cents cheaper than the national average. California had the most expensive gas with an average price of $5.07 per gallon.

March 5, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A 69-year-old man has received a five-year prison sentence for aggravated assault stemming from a 2016 rape case.

Criminal Court Judge Wesley Bray sentenced Walter Kenneth Tubbs on Thursday, March 3 to a five year sentence in the Tennessee Department of Corrections to serve at least 30% of the term before parole eligibility. Tubbs’ petition for judicial diversion was denied.

Tubbs was originally charged with rape for an offense committed on July 26, 2016 but on November 4, 2021 he agreed to plea to the lesser charge of aggravated assault. He was accused of having sex with a woman against her will at the victim’s residence on Smith Road. After the incident Tubbs allegedly apologized and pleaded for the woman not to press charges. He also called family members and apologized to them for what he had done, according to the arrest warrant at the time.

March 5, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

40th District State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver may be challenged for the nomination in the Tennessee Republican Primary on August 4th.

Local businessman Michael Hale of Smithville has been issued a qualifying petition by the DeKalb County Election Commission to run for the Republican nomination. Weaver of Lancaster recently obtained her petition in Smith County to seek the GOP party nomination on August 4. Weaver is in her seventh term. She was first elected in 2008. The term is for two years.

Neither Hale or Weaver has yet filed their petitions.

With redistricting, the new makeup of the 40th District includes Jackson, Smith, and Cannon in addition to DeKalb and a small portion of Wilson.

State primary elections will be held on Thursday, August 4 for Governor, U.S. House of Representatives, State Senators, and Tennessee House of Representatives. General elections will also be held for state judicial offices and applicable county offices.

The qualifying deadline for state primary elections is Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 12:00 Noon including for Independent candidates and the withdrawal deadline is Thursday, April 14, 2022, at 12:00 Noon.