WEDNESDAY VOLUME XXVIII NUMBER 10 Section 1 8 pages
March 8, 2023 Home of the ‘Lone Star Flag’ and Lori Coronado
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Texas State Historical Site Hosts “Descendants MCHD Earns Weekly of the Signers of the Texas Declaration Gas Prices of Independence”
Average gasoline prices in Texas have risen 7.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.93/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 13,114 stations in Texas. Prices in Texas are 10.3 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 77.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 4.6 cents in the last week and stands at $4.34 per gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Texas was priced at $2.29/g yesterday while the most expensive was $4.17/g, a difference of $1.88/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.29/g while the highest was $4.17/g, a difference of $1.88/g. The national average price of gasoline has risen 3.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.36/g today. The national average is down 6.5 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 69.3 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: March 6, 2022: $3.71/g (U.S. Average: $4.06/g) March 6, 2021: $2.49/g (U.S. Average: $2.77/g) March 6, 2020: $2.09/g (U.S. Average: $2.39/g) March 6, 2019: $2.20/g (U.S. Average: $2.45/g) March 6, 2018: $2.28/g (U.S. Average: $2.53/g) March 6, 2017: $2.10/g (U.S. Average: $2.31/g) March 6, 2016: $1.59/g (U.S. Average: $1.81/g) March 6, 2015: $2.24/g (U.S. Average: $2.46/g) March 6, 2014: $3.22/g (U.S. Average: $3.47/g) March 6, 2013: $3.57/g (U.S. Average: $3.72/g) Neighboring areas and their current gas prices: Midland Odessa- $2.98/g, unchanged from last week's $2.98/g. San Antonio- $2.96/g, up 12.1 cents per gallon from last week's $2.84/g. Austin- $2.97/g, up 7.1 cents per gallon from last week's $2.90/g. "The national average rose last week as the transition to summer gasoline has now started across the entire country. The higher cost of these various blends is being passed along to motorists, as we see every year ahead of the summer driving season," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "Some regions are moving to the required summer gasoline in different steps then others, and the fragmentation of required blends absolutely plays a role in these price increases. Logistical challenges in making the transition during a time when refiners are also doing maintenance work can create hotspots and lead to noticeable jumps in prices during the spring. While we may not see weekly increases, the overall trend will remain upward through much of the spring. By Memorial Day, most of the nation will be transitioned to their respective required blend of fuel, and gas prices could ease, but a $4 per gallon national average remains possible by then." SOURCE GasBuddy
Index
L to R: Sally Anders; Joyce Dixon; Pat Spackey; Amber Folk; The Honorable Lois Kolkhorst (Texas State Senator); Dianne Taylor-Kebodeaux,(Also a Board Member of the Washington-on-the-Brazos Historical Foundation) Henry Mayo, (President of the Washington-on-the-Brazos Historical Foundation Board); Donna Summers; and Kameron Searle (also a member of the Washington-on-the-Brazos Historical Foundation Advisory Board). PHOTO: A few of the Founding members of the “ Descendants of the S i g n e r s o f Te x a s Declaration of Independence" are pictured in a photo with the Honorable Lois Kolkhorst, Texas State Senate, District 13 and Henry Mayo, President of the Washington-on-theBrazos Historical Foundation. The first celebration of the
Business Directory.............8
Independence, during the 2023 celebration, sharing the great plans for the future growth of the park w h e r e “ Te x a s B e c a m e Texas” on March 2, 1836. The 31 million dollar renovation to completely expand the Star of the Republic Museum, Visitors Center, and Conference Center. The funds that have been raised are from State and Private sources and will
also be used to rebuild sections of the Town of Washington as it appeared in 1836, during the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence has changed the "History of Texas” f o r e v e r a n d the “Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence” are truly TEXAS PROUD!
New Spring Community Events Announced for Sam Houston Museum
N e w S p r i n g Community Events Announced for Sam Commentary.......................3, 4 Houston Museum Devotional..........................5 The Sam Houston Legals.................................6 M e m o r i a l M u s e u m & Community........2, 3, 4, 7, 8
Descendants of the Signers was in 2011 during the 175th Birthday of Texas Independence and has grown dramatically in the past 12 years as members of the Descendants have shared their heritage with others. The Washington-onthe-Brazos Historical Foundation Board members spoke to the Descendants of the Signers of the Texas Declaration of
R e p u b l i c o f Te x a s P r e s i d e n t i a l Library announces new, free community events on the museum grounds this spring—the Sundown at
Sam’s music series and General Sam Houston Day. “Our new events allow the museum team to focus o n w h a t w e d o best—connect with our community and interpret the life of Sam Houston, one of the most interesting and enigmatic figures in Texas and U.S. history,” said Derrick Birdsall, museum director. “As the pandemic gets further into the rearview mirror, we are eager to return to our traditional programming and community engagement. These events are great opportunities for the museum to engage with new audiences as well as those who’ve been fans for years.” Sundown at Sam’s is a free live music series featuring local artists that will take place on April 20, May 4 and May 18 on the quaint stage located on the
museum grounds, next to the museum store. SHSU economics professor Darren Grant helped get this series started with Birdsall and serves as musical director. “I’ve listened to a lot of live music in the area, and I can tell you there is a deep, deep vein of talent here. I’m ready to showcase that talent so everyone can enjoy it,” Grant said. “I’m particularly excited about closing night of May 18, when we feature a bluegrass band. East Texas is a hotbed of bluegrass, but it may be the first time we’ve ever had it presented in Huntsville.” S u n d o w n a t S a m ’s artist line-up will include Logan McCune followed b y J e s s e Wo r t h a m (Country/Americana and Blues/Gospel) on April 20,
See Museum, page 2
Award for Continued Dispatch Excellence M O N T G O M E RY COUNTY, TX — Montgomery County Hospital District has been recognized by The International Academies of Emergency Medical Dispatch (IAEDTM) as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) for emergency dispatching. MCHD remains the World’s 111th Medical ACE (reaccredited in 2022 for the 6th time) and has just been reaccredited as the World’s 28th Fire ACE for the 4th time. IAED is the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch services worldwide. Accreditation (and subsequent re-accreditation) from the IAED is the highest distinction given to emergency communication centers, certifying that the center is performing at or above the established standards for the industry. Centers who earn ACE status are the embodiment of dispatch done right, and have demonstrated strong local oversight, rigorous quality processes, and a commitment to data-driven continuous improvement. “I am so proud of this team of call takers and dispatchers,” said MCHD Chief Thomas Darst. “The 911 call volume handled by our center keeps growing from year to year, and this team continues to excel.” “Accreditation is truly a pinnacle achievement,” said Christof Chwojka, Accreditation Board Chair at IAED. “We applaud the dedicated call takers, dispatchers, and leadership team at MCHD for their commitment to quality, and for meeting that high standard that few achieve. We know their community can count on these first, first responders to do an outstanding job.” IAED will present MCHD with an Accreditation plaque that commemorates their achievement. IAED Accreditation is the culmination of a lengthy, arduous process that includes the completion of the 20 Points of Accreditation, a detailed evaluation of performance by industry experts, and a final review and ruling by IAED. "This process is undertaken by communications centers who desire to be the best of the best," explains Kim Rigden, Associate Director of Accreditation, IAED. "Achieving ACE confirms it. MCHD should be very proud of this achievement and the wonderful service they provide to the community and their emergency responders". Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, during which all standards must be upheld. Emergency communication centers can earn multiple accreditations, one for each emergency discipline they service (medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage). MCHD’s 911 dispatch center is accredited in both medical and fire. Over 3,500 emergency communication centers worldwide use the medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage protocols developed and maintained by the IAED. The protocol-based system—known as the Priority Dispatch SystemTM—is recognized as the standard of care and practice for emergency dispatch and is used in 46 countries.