WEDNESDAY VOLUME XXVII NUMBER 1 Section 1 8 pages
January 4, 2023 Home of the ‘Lone Star Flag’ and
Dale Simoneaux
Montgomery County’s Only Locally Owned Newspaper
Established 1995
Montgomery County News
Montgomery, Texas 77356
50
PBOX Magnolia, TX 77353
Texas Spent Fireworks Can Ruin Weekly Your New Year’s Celebration Gas Prices Average gasoline prices in Texas have risen 21.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.82/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 13,114 stations in Texas. Prices in Texas are 8.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 5.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 1.4 cents in the last week and stands at $4.67 per gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Texas was priced at $2.27/g yesterday while the most expensive was $4.17/g, a difference of $1.90/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.27/g while the highest was $4.17/g, a difference of $1.90/g. The national average price of gasoline has risen 12.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.17/g today. The national average is down 22.5 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 9.5 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: January 2, 2022: $2.88/g (U.S. Average: $3.26/g) January 2, 2021: $1.93/g (U.S. Average: $2.25/g) January 2, 2020: $2.27/g (U.S. Average: $2.59/g) January 2, 2019: $1.94/g (U.S. Average: $2.25/g) January 2, 2018: $2.25/g (U.S. Average: $2.49/g) January 2, 2017: $2.13/g (U.S. Average: $2.34/g) January 2, 2016: $1.74/g (U.S. Average: $1.99/g) January 2, 2015: $1.99/g (U.S. Average: $2.21/g) January 2, 2014: $3.13/g (U.S. Average: $3.32/g) January 2, 2013: $3.11/g (U.S. Average: $3.28/g) Neighboring areas and their current gas prices: Midland Odessa- $2.99/g, up 30.2 cents per gallon from last week's $2.69/g. San Antonio- $2.77/g, up 26.8 cents per gallon from last week's $2.50/g. Austin- $2.79/g, up 26.5 cents per gallon from last week's $2.53/g. "For the first time in two months, the nation's average price of gasoline rose sharply last week, as extremely cold weather led to many refinery issues, shutting down over a million barrels of refining capacity, pushing wholesale prices up," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "In addition, China's reopening plans gave markets inspiration that global oil demand will start to recover, as China's nearly three year Covid-zero policies appear to be coming to an end. While the jump at the pump will likely be temporary as most refiners get back online after cold-weather related issues, some regions like the Rockies may see more price increases than others as coldweather shutdowns hit the region fairly hard, with one refinery likely remaining down through the first quarter of 2023. Most areas have seen the bulk of the rise already hit, but should oil continue to rally, more increases could be on the way." SOURCE GasBuddy
Five Montgomery County homes were damaged last New Year’s Eve due to improperly discarded fireworks. The use of fireworks on New Year’s Eve is believed to have originated in ancient times, when noise and fire were thought to dispel evil spirits and bring good luck. While many look forward to discharging fireworks to ring in the New Year, there is an often-overlooked danger that proves unlucky for hundreds of families annually across the nation. During last year’s New
are live, and you should never return to a firework immediately after it has fired. Once cooled, you should inspect the firework to make sure that it has
fired as intended, being mindful not to lean over the fireworks tubes. This is particularly important with multi-shot barrages which can, in rare cases, fail to launch all of their shots. The safest practice is to postpone clearing of fireworks debris overnight to give it time to completely cool. If that is not practical, and presuming all fireworks have fired as intended, then we recommend dousing or submerging the fireworks in water then sealing them in a garbage bag to keep them wet overnight. The bag of wet fireworks can then be placed in a garbage can, keeping in mind that the bag or can should be placed at least 10 feet away from anything that will burn.
Interfaith of The Woodlands Serves Nearly 10,000 Neighbors Through Holiday GIVING Programs
The Woodlands, TX –Interfaith of The Woodlands remained busy throughout the 2022 holiday season as they served 9,929 local neighbors, including children and Seniors, between November and December. Interfaith’s Holiday GIVING Programs provide families, children and seniors with gifts and food. These programs help to ease some of the burdens being faced by families Community................2, 3, 4 who are experiencing Commentary.......................3, 4 f i n a n c i a l h a r d s h i p , especially during the Devotional..........................5 season. During this holiday Legals.............................6, 7 season, many individuals,
Index
Year’s Eve celebrations, Montgomery County Firefighters responded to five different home fires due to improper disposal of spent fireworks. In each case, leftover fireworks debris was gathered up and placed in garbage bags or cans that were then left inside garages or next to homes. While the debris appeared to be harmless, enough heat remained to smolder and ignite, leading to a dangerous fire, often after the family had gone to sleep. Spent fireworks should always be treated as if they
families, congregations, organizations and other groups generously donated time, funds, and gifts to aid in serving individuals across South Montgomery County. A very special thank you to corporate partner, Waste Connections for their donation of 280 Bikes through their annual Bike Build. “Each year, thousands of neighbors call on Interfaith of The Woodlands to support them through the holidays. Thanks to the generosity of our amazing, giving community; Interfaith is able to answer that call.
Every person deserves to feel the holiday spirit and we are grateful we live in a place where our community supports one another,” shared Missy Herndon, President & CEO of Interfaith of The Woodlands. Individuals and Families were served through the 2022 Holiday GIVING programs, including: Adopt – A – Family Families were adopted by residents of the community and receive donated gifts, food from the Interfaith Food Pantry, and clothing vouchers to the Hand Me Up Shop.
To y D r i v e a n d Distribution Community members hosted toy drives and all toys were organized at the South County Community Center. Families in need were able to “shop” for gifts for their children at no cost. Additionally, Waste Connections donated over 200 bikes! Gift For Seniors Through the Gifts for Seniors program, the community adopted nearly 700 Senior neighbors and the Interfaith Senior Services team provided special gifts to local seniors through festive parties and events including a Senior Luncheon which hosted nearly 300 Senior neighbors. Interfaith is thankful for the community of support, through in-kind and monetary donations, making these programs possible. Interfaith of The Woodlands is a nonprofit social service agency providing programs and services to meet the needs of The Woodlands and surrounding area. Interfaith provides basic
GIVING, page 2
Business Directory.............8
This Ad Space Available 4 column x 1.5 inch 936-449-NEWS
Weekly
PRE-SRT POSTAGE PD #80 MONTG. TX
GEORGE AND CYNTHIA WOODS MITCHELL LIBRARY ANNOUNCES EVENTS FOR JANUARY 2023 THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS: The following events are planned for adults, children, young adults, and their families in January 2023 at George a n d C y n t h i a Wo o d s Mitchell Library, 8125 A s h l a n e Wa y, T h e Woodlands, Texas. All events take place at the George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library: Featured Events at the Library Wednesday, January 18th from 1:00 pm-3:00 pm – Genealogy @Mitchell: Let’s Get Started – All Ages Come by the Mitchell Library to Meet and Greet the new Genealogy Librarian of the Conroe Central branch’s Genealogy & History Room. Discover the treasures you can find there to further your family & local histories. Start your family tree and discover why so many people love this hobby, which is perfect for adults, teens, and families. Tuesday, January 24th at 6:00 pm – Song Solutions: Motions, Potions and Emotions – Ages 0-12 Come join the Mitchell Library for fun, zany, silly, musical, and danncing mayhem with Mr. Mark! There will be science demos, live music, and more. Monthly Events at the Library F i r s t We d n e s d a y, January 4th from 10:00 am-11:30 am – Adult Needlecrafts: Knit & Stitch C a l l i n g a l l Needlecrafters! Come by the Mitchell Library Large Meeting Room to socialize while you work on your craft projects. Open to anyone who knits, crochets, embroiders, or does any other needlecraft. Bring your own work-inprogress and supplies. First Thursday, January 5th at 1:00 pm – Adult Fiction Book Club Join us in Large Meeting Room 102 for an interesting discussion on this month’s selection, My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. A modern masterpiece from one of Italy’s most acclaimed authors, My Brilliant Friend, is a rich, intense, and generous-hearted story about friendship. Space is limited and registration is required. Monday, January 9th from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm– Teen Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament– Teens 13-17 Join us at the Mitchell Library where we’re throwin’ it back to Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament on Wii. Prizes will be awarded, and snacks will be provided. Registration appreciated. S e c o n d Tu e s d a y, January 10th at 1:30 pm –
See Library, page 2