What's up with the Shoals having higher gas prices than surrounding areas?

The Shoals Area's gas prices are consistantly higher than all of our neighboring communities. According to gasbuddy.com, we are paying up to 40 cents more than everyone else. Today, Karl Owens, one of our investigative reporters attempted to contact some of the owners of our local gas stations. He was met with hostility and hung-up on more than once. We are beginning to wonder what it is these people are hiding. His story will appear on the Shoals Insider this week.