WEDNESDAY VOLUME XXVIII NUMBER 47 Section 1 8 pages
November 22, 2023 Home of the ‘Lone Star Flag’ and Paul Allen
Montgomery County’s Only Locally Owned Newspaper
Established 1995
Montgomery County News
Montgomery, Texas 77356
50 Weekly PBOX Magnolia, TX 77353
Texas V.E.T. Pod 7 Honors Veterans Weekly Putting Their Best Foot Forward Gas Prices Average gasoline prices in Texas have risen 1.7 cents per gallon in the last week, a v e r a g i n g $ 2 . 7 7 / g t o d a y, according to GasBuddy's survey of 13,114 stations in Texas. Prices in Texas are 24.3 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 16.0 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 6.9 cents in the last week and stands at $4.28 per gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Texas was priced at $2.20/g yesterday while the most expensive was $4.11/g, a difference of $1.91/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.20/g while the highest was $4.11/g, a difference of $1.91/g. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 6.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.27/g today. The national average is down 25.9 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 36.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country. Historical gasoline prices in Texas and the national average going back ten years: November 20, 2022: $2.93/g (U.S. Average: $3.64/g) November 20, 2021: $3.00/g (U.S. Average: $3.41/g) November 20, 2020: $1.79/g (U.S. Average: $2.10/g) November 20, 2019: $2.24/g (U.S. Average: $2.60/g) November 20, 2018: $2.31/g (U.S. Average: $2.60/g) November 20, 2017: $2.28/g (U.S. Average: $2.53/g) November 20, 2016: $1.91/g (U.S. Average: $2.13/g) November 20, 2015: $1.88/g (U.S. Average: $2.09/g) November 20, 2014: $2.64/g (U.S. Average: $2.84/g) November 20, 2013: $2.98/g (U.S. Average: $3.20/g) Neighboring areas and their current gas prices: Midland Odessa- $2.81/g, down 10.6 cents per gallon from last week's $2.92/g. San Antonio- $2.77/g, up 10.9 cents per gallon from last week's $2.66/g. Austin- $2.81/g, up 9.6 cents per gallon from last week's $2.71/g. "As millions of Americans gear up to hit the road for Thanksgiving, the national average is seeing its longest streak of declines in over a year, reaching a ninth straight week as gas prices fall to their lowest since January," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum a n a l y s i s a t G a s B u d d y. "GasBuddy now counts over 65,000 stations with a price of $2.99 per gallon or lower, while 11 states are seeing average prices below $3. In addition, we could see five more states join the sub-$3 club by Thanksgiving. The fall in gas prices, largely seasonal due to weakening gasoline demand, could extend for another week or two, leading to potentially the lowest gas prices since 2021 by Christmas." SOURCE GasBuddy
Index
Judge Kathleen Hamilton, center, flanked by J-I Veteran Race Armstrong, left, in green; and VTC Graduate Amos Savell, (tall) right, with Sgt, Kimberly Anderson, far right by MCN contributing writer, Ruben Borjas Jr Of course we all know Montgomery County loves our Veterans. Even the Justice Involved ones. The V. E . T . S . ( Ve t e r a n s Embracing the Tools for Success) Program, located in Pod 7 of the County Jail in Conroe, held a celebration of Veterans on November 8th, in Honor of Veterans Day. It was a chance for justice involved Veterans of Montgomery County to put their best foot forward to show the progress of their stay in custody to Veteran Mentors and Court dignitaries that oversee their cases. The ceremony was hosted by the Montgomery
Veteran mentors in V.E.T. Pod 7. Savell went on to the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) program run by 359th District Court Judge Kathleen Hamilton, and recently graduated, having his record expunged. Judge Hamilton thoroughly enjoys seeing Ve t e r a n p a r t i c i p a n t s graduate her court, and hands them a challenge coin and a folded American flag as mementos of their time in her program. “It’s an honor to be back here, and be a part of something so meaningful and important as the Montgomery County Veterans Pod,” said Amos Savell, who was happy to
be wearing his own clothes this time in the Pod. He spoke sincerely to the Veterans living in the Pod. ”In here, it’s fairly certain that we all share the same hope. Things get better, and we become better.” “I think it’s important that we help our Veterans who are involved with the justice community and have been incarcerated,” said General Hummer. “I think it’s great that we have Ve t e r a n M e n t o r s a n d support teams that can help them get their heads on straight, set some goals for when they are released and again become contributing See V.E.T., page 3
Entergy Texas Partners With Montgomery County Food Bank To Provide Healthy Meals
The company awarded MCFB a $65,000 grant to Commentary...............2, 3, 4, 5 help support six mobile market food distributions Church Directory..............5 SPLENDORA, Texas Legals.............................6, 7 – No one should have to Business Directory.............8 question where their next Community............2, 3, 4, 8
County Sheriff’s Office, Jail Division - Inmate Programs Coordinator, Sgt. Kimberly Anderson. Foy Day, Veteran Mentor for V.E.T. Pod 7, conducted the proceedings leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, the raising of the Flag, and National Anthem in the outside portion of the program. Day introduced former Pod 7 Justice Involved Veteran and keynote speaker, Amos Savell, who now runs ‘ Ve t e r a n s & P a t r i o t s United’, a Veterans Charity in Huntsville. Savell spent time in the Pod four years ago, being mentored by retired Marine Corp Lieutenant General Steven H u m m e r, o n e o f t h e
meal will come from, but unfortunately, that’s the reality for many families in Texas. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas has the second-highest rate of
food insecurity in the nation, an issue that's certainly felt within the Entergy Texas service area. To help combat food insecurity, Entergy Texas
contributed $65,000 to the Montgomery County Food Bank (MCFB) to support six mobile market distributions in November. The mobile markets are drive-thru food distributions that allow MCFB to bring food assistance directly to areas of high need, serving up to 150-200 families at each distribution. “Montgomery County Food Bank is blessed by Entergy Texas’ generous donation that will bring joy and sustenance to our community this holiday season,” said Kristine Marlow, president and CEO of Montgomery County Food Bank. “ E n t e rg y Te x a s ’ commitment to making a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need is
See Meals, page 2
PRE-SRT POSTAGE PD #80 MONTG. TX
Montgomery Historical Society's Annual Thanksgiving Dinner On Saturday, November 11 , Ve t e r a n ' s D a y, t h e Montgomery Historical Society invited and honored Veterans in attendance, the new VFW Post 12223Montgomery, and our area First Responders, Montgomery's Mayor and Council members, the City's elected official. Mayor Byron and Mrs. Sanford were in attendance, as well as Councilwoman Cheryl Fox and Councilman Casey Olsen. Ted and Pat Spakey were greeted by everyone-- Pat is the great, great, great granddaughter of Dr. Charles B. Stewart, who designed the Texas flag while he lived barely outside Montgomery. He was prominent in helping the Texians gain independence from Mexico, He was the first to sign the Te x a s D e c l a r a t i o n o f Independence from Mexico, his contributions to Montgomery and Texas are immense, His design of the Lone Star Flag was recognized by the State Legislature as the original design, making Montgomery the Birthplace of the Texas flag. (Pat is well known for her wonderful photos from events -- a couple w ill accompany this article but the rest will be posted on the Society's web site in the near future. MHS-TX.org. The Society members and guests, including our honorees completely filled the Living Savior Lutheran Church's spacious Fellowship Hall. Montgomery area's Danellos Fine Catering prepared delicious turkey, ham, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes....with members assigned to bring a myriad of vegetables, salads or desserts, according to their alphabetical last names. Society President, Billy Ray Duncan, welcomed everyone, giving a brief history of the Montgomery Historical Society, which will be 70 years old in 2024. Billy Ray offered prayer of thanks for the food. MPD Officers Hennessy, Sgt. Voytko and Sgt. Bauer were on hand, and they delivered an update as to the measures the MPD routinely our officers do to maintain our safety, especially as others drive through our town. A good number of men, and at least one woman, Veterans stood as requested, to a huge round of applause. Ruben Barjas, the President of the new VFW Post 12223Montgomery advised us of their new group which meets at the Lone Star Community Center on Lone Star Parkway in Montgomery. This yearly dinner is when the Society thanks our first responders. City officials and volunteers. Members are reminded to renew their memberships and membership applications are on hand for guests who may be interested in joining. The new membership procedure is to give a free adult ticket ($15) to the December Candlelight Home Tour to new and renewing members. This December 9 will be the 46th home tour which began when Ms. Anna Weisinger opened her newly refurbished "Magnolia Home." The Magnolia's new
owner of this wonderful home built in 1854 is Frank
See Lucheon, page 2