Local News
Motorists evaluate driving habits
The price at the pump held over the weekend in Morehead at $3.75. With such a sharp pocket pinch, many Americans are evaluating their driving habits to keep costs at a minimum. Although there are some drastic changes to consider when budgeting for fuel, locals have already discovered some handy tricks to conserve.
“I really want to buy a hybrid car,” Illene Powell, a local secretary, said. “They cost about $7,000 more, but in the long run it will even out with gas prices being so high.”
A salesman with a local car dealership, who asked not to be named, said it is nearly impossible to find a hybrid in Morehead. The cars are new to the market, and many hybrids, like the Tahoe, are built to order, and never see a showroom floor.
Others in the area are looking at their habits rather than their vehicles. “We don’t run around as much as we used to,” Nancy Hicks, a local schoolteacher, said. “Now we walk to the park instead of driving over there.”
It seems as if many local people are worrying more about where and how often they go. As gas goes up and everything inflates accordingly, prioritizing time in the car is a common trend. “We have had patients cancel appointment because they just don’t have the gas to get here,” Debbie Neff, a physical therapist for Saint Claire’s Outpatient Center said. “Some are scheduling appointments on the days that they go to the grocery or combining other errands.”
Habits that drivers have behind the wheel can affect how much gas a vehicle burns. Gadgets like the ScanGauge can be installed in a vehicle to help drivers learn to decrease speeds or eliminate costly aggressive driving tactics. The monitor, which is installed into the dash, shows drivers how many miles per gallon their car gets while they drive. Just by changing the way the car was driven, one online review of the product touts an additional five miles per gallon.
“I get optimum fuel performance going 55 miles an hour,” said David Carr, who commutes to Morehead daily from Mount Sterling. “I anticipate red lights and I don’t accelerate up hills and I have seen a big change.”
Making changes to the car is sometimes just as important as changes made by the driver. “Changing your air filter can help you get better gas mileage,” Mark Flannery with Advanced Auto Parts said. “The engine is basically an air pump, and incoming air is mixed with fuel. The more air you can get in the engine, the better fuel mileage you can get.
Cutting costs in other areas, by conserving home energy and riding bicycles or walking are popular for people who live close to grocery stores or work. For commuters and those who live outside the city limits, however, even small suggestions are welcomed.
Motorists can find some additional tips for driving more efficiently, keeping cars in shape, planning and combining trips, as well as choosing more fuel-efficient vehicles at www.fueleconomy.gov.
- Local News
-
-
School property tax rate will not change
Rowan County property owners will pay the same school property tax rate this year as they did last year, as the result of action taken Tuesday night by the Rowan County Board of Education.
-
Tater Knob fire: Woman pleads guilty to arson
The co-defendant in the Tater Knob Fire Tower arson has pled guilty. Samantha J. Sanders, 21, of Owingsville, withdrew her not guilty plea and pled guilty to third-degree arson and third-degree criminal mischief on April 13.
-
Morehead Habitat receives $248,000 grant
Morehead Area Habitat for Humanity received a grant last week to build five houses in the area. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati in partnership with the Whitaker Bank of Morehead presented the check for $248,000 last week at a Habitat worksite with members of the community, chamber of commerce and representatives from U.S representative Hal Rogers’ office in attendance.
-
Flea market burglarized
The Morehead Police Department is investigating after someone broke into the Flea Market sometime Monday night into Tuesday morning.
-
Employment office reopens
The Morehead One Stop Career Center building was severely damaged by the May 5 flood. After several weeks of renovation, staff members moved back into the 126 Bradley Avenue location Wednesday.
-
Musician's CD tells the story of his life
He writes and sings songs about life, love and heartbreak. George Molton, owner of Molton’s, located at the Heck’s Plaza, will be celebrating the debut of his CD Friday, Sept. 11.
-
Hero comes home
A U.S. Navy honor guard carried the remains of SOC Collin T. Thomas from a chartered aircraft that landed Friday at the Clyde A. Thomas Regional Airport.
-
CHER dedication attracts overflow crowd
The new $30 million Center for Health, Education and Research at St. Claire Regional Medical Center was dedicated Friday in a joyful celebration that attracted more than 400 persons, including two governors.
-
Nineteen indicted by grand jury
A Morehead man was indicted by a Rowan County grand jury Aug. 20 for the alleged sodomy of a juvenile under age 12 more than two decades ago.
-
Pharmacy burglar pleads guilty
A Clearfield man pled guilty last month in Rowan Circuit Court to the 2007 break-in of Holbrook Drug store. Kenneth Eldridge, 20, of Clearfield was sentenced to six years in prison probated for five years.
- More Local News Headlines
-
School property tax rate will not change
