Morgan Hensley
Staff writer
Gas prices have been on a steady decline for the last couple of weeks. Prices have dropped as much as 70 cents a gallon at gas stations across Harlan County.
“It’s dropped about 10 cents every week,” said Evarts Marathon Mini Mart Manager Tim Brackett. “I think it’s a very good thing. Everyone in Harlan County works hard. This makes it to where people have more money to spend on their families instead of having to worry about buying gas.”
People are lined up at the pumps to take advantage of the low gas prices. One motorist is happier now with her regular fill-ups than before when prices neared $4 per gallon.
“I’m glad to see that the gas prices are finally coming down,” said Tammy Shackleford, of Evarts.
Many people around Harlan are welcoming the lower gas prices after recent coal mining layoffs throughout the county.
“Saving money on gas definitely helps things out since there have been so many people laid off,” said Dawn Wright, manager at Friendly Mart located on U.S. 421 just off of U.S. 119. “I think it helps everyone, Friendly Mart included.”
Some managers feel dropping prices are allowing people the chance to take more getaway vacations. They feel like it may be some time before anyone will reap benefits.
“It’s a positive direction,” said Cumberland Marathon owner Matilda Ison. “Things have been bad around here because of the coal situation. Since everyone seems to be on vacation right now, I haven’t noticed much of a change. Still my outlook on the lower gas prices is a positive one.”
According to AAA’s website, fuelgaugereport.aaa.com, the national average price for gas is $3.35 per gallon. The lowest gas prices can be found in most southern states excluding Florida and North Carolina while the highest gas prices remain with Alaska, California, Hawaii and New York. In bordering Bell county prices are also beginning to drop with some of the lowest gas prices reported at $2.87 per gallon at Kroger in Middlesboro. The lowest gas price in Harlan County has been reported at $3.19 per gallon.
Reach Morgan Hensley at 606-573-4510
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