MIDDLESBORO — Hurricane Ike may be just a recent memory for Southeastern Kentuckians and East Tennesseans; but the storm continues to do damage to our wallets. Ike’s aftermath reportedly depleted the oil inventory, causing gas prices to soar. As if the economy wasn’t close enough to a recession, Kentuckians and Tennesseans are left wondering if and how they will get their next tank of gas.

Despite efforts by Governor Steve Beshear’s office to prevent price gouging, nothing can be done to save us from additional transportation and freight costs. “We feel it is imperative to find out if gasoline prices are simply a function of the market or if something unlawful is taking place to manipulate prices. The Attorney General’s Office has issued subpoenas to refiners and retailers and our investigators will be looking for trends that may indicate whether any violations of the Consumer Protection Act or state or federal anti-trust laws may have been committed,” stated Todd E. Leatherman, Executive Director of Consumer Protection at the Kentucky Office of Attorney General.

While government officials work to investigate prices at the pump, locals are left to deal with the pocket-picking consequences. The Middlesboro Daily News wants to know what you think, so we hit the streets and asked some questions. Here are some of the responses:

“It’s ridiculous! I think gas companies are price gouging all of us.”

Tim Webb

Middlesboro

“High gas prices will forever effect the lives of many Americans.”

Thomasa Wilson

Middlesboro

“I think it’s bad that the people here are actually getting violent over high gas prices. I actually witnessed two girls get in a fist fight over who got to the pump first, Friday.”

Natasha Gordon

Middlesboro

Sarah Miracle is a staff writer for the Daily News. She can be reached via e-mail at smiracle@middlesborodailynews.com.