Gas falls below $3.00 a gallon in Campbell County

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Posted: 11:35 PM Oct 5, 2008
Last Updated: 7:50 AM Oct 6, 2008
Reporter: Mike McCarthy
Email Address: Mike.McCarthy@wvlt-tv.com

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CAMPBELL COUNTY (WVLT) – On Sunday, you could finally fill your car up for less than $3.00 a gallon in East Tennessee. A gas war between a Shell Station and Murphy Express has pushed the price of regular unleaded to $2.98.

Lines formed at the stations following Sunday morning services and some drivers waited up to 15 minutes to fill up.

"Being able to buy more affordable gasoline is a blessing," said Kenneth Cooper, who filled up his 44 gallon Ford Excursion at the lowest price in East Tennessee in more than 10 months. "Yesterday it was 3-18 a gallon. Then it was 3-15 a gallon. Then this morning it was 2-99 a gallon."

While WVLT was at the Murphy Express in Lafollette, the price first dipped before three dollars, putting it two cents cheaper than the Shell just down the street. The Murphy Express opened about two weeks before the gas war. Its managers have said they’ve been cutting their prices consistently to cut out their competitors on Jacksboro Pike.

"I love it,” said Tilbert McCrary, who also filled up. “It's time Campbell County got something positive."

“I'm glad there are people here in town so that the rest of them will come down on their gas prices a little bit,” said Robert Byrge

AAA of East Tennessee said the Murphy Express is selling fuel at 50 cents less than the current Knoxville average, and more than 60 cents under the state average. A gallon of regular unleaded still costs about 80 cents more a few miles away at the I-75 exit for Lafollette

"I think everyone in this country is getting ripped off,” said Dorothy Tate, who waited 15 minutes to fill up, “not just here locally, but everybody in my opinion. I'm tired of it."

Drivers didn’t mind waiting, and once they pulled up to the pump, filled up with every bit of gas they could.

Murphy Express’s management said their pumps are not in any danger of running out of gas. Managers from the nearby Shell and Exxon Mobil have said they are going to keep their prices competitive with the newer station.

“Everyday you drive by and you're curious what the price is going to be," said Cooper.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: margaret Location: antioch on Oct 8, 2008 at 04:39 AM
horray no more high gas bills in usa. my cousin franklin roberts may own this. thanks franklin

Posted by: lisa Location: tazewell on Oct 8, 2008 at 01:23 AM
I wish gas would go down here in Tazewell, our stations always keep the gas at least 20 to 40 cents higher than knoxville and Middlesboro, we just went down to 339 today. sorry gas station owners, I hope somebody goughes them someday!

Posted by: Mary Location: Campbell County on Oct 6, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Just goes to show you the Exxon and Shell station was ripping Campbell County off until someone from out of town came in. If this new station hadn't came in, we'd still be getting ripped just like everyone else is. It's time someone done something positive and Hoskins and Woodson had to stop doing what they were doing. Those 2 own almost every station here in this county. That's why the price stayed so high. Hope Murphy's puts them completely OUT!!

Posted by: hopkins Location: morristown on Oct 6, 2008 at 02:15 PM
I think gasoline prices should keep coming down or just drop to the $1.00 a gallon level. gas doesn't have to be out of reach for the consumer. If the middle class worker is going to have to be the strong foot hold to pay the rich man taxes, then let them make enough money to live comfortably. quit $10.00 dollaring him to death so they can a few luxeries to enjoy in his lifetime and enjoy having a little fun with his family, instead of causing him to work 2 and 3 jobs killing himself and not being able to be with his family. same thing goes for high prices on health insurance, I pay more than my share on insurance too. i can see paying $50 per family member and then have a lower out of pocket cost than $400.00 dollars per member before insurance companies start paying for services. between my company i work for and my portion i pay is well over $1000.00 a month i think this is rediculous, especially when the company still causes exemptions on what they cover, this price should cover al.

Posted by: Thomas Location: New Tazewell on Oct 6, 2008 at 02:11 PM
If these gas stations can drop the price per gallon, why cant others? Could others be price gouging?

Posted by: Allen Location: Roane Co Tn on Oct 6, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Thats good they've lowered the price in Campbell Co, when can we expect to see those prices in Roane Co? I'm forwarding this story to all my friends and family members across the United States to show them how much they are being screwed at the pumps.

Posted by: Lenny Location: 38571 on Oct 6, 2008 at 08:40 AM
If murphy in campbell county can sell it for 2.99, then so can every other rip off station in this state..the goverenor should get on these stations screwing people!!!!.

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