WEDNESDAY VOLUME XXIX NUMBER 17 Section 1 12 pages
May 1, 2024 Home of the ‘Lone Star Flag’ and Earline & Bill Jones
Montgomery County’s Only Locally Owned Newspaper
Established 1995
Montgomery County News
Montgomery, Texas 77356
50 Weekly PBOX Magnolia, TX 77353
Texas Payton Riley: Just A Kid Weekly At Heart Gas Prices Average gasoline prices in Texas have fallen 5.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.19/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 13,114 stations in Texas. Prices in Texas are 7.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 5.8 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 2.9 cents in the last week and stands at $3.98 per gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Texas was priced at $2.31/g yesterday while the most expensive was $3.99/g, a difference of $1.68/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.31/g while the highest was $3.99/g, a difference of $1.68/g. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.63/g today. The national average is up 8.4 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 4.3 cents per gallon higher 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: April 29, 2023: $3.14/g (U.S. Average: $3.58/g) April 29, 2022: $3.84/g (U.S. Average: $4.16/g) April 29, 2021: $2.60/g (U.S. Average: $2.89/g) April 29, 2020: $1.52/g (U.S. Average: $1.75/g) April 29, 2019: $2.59/g (U.S. Average: $2.88/g) April 29, 2018: $2.56/g (U.S. Average: $2.81/g) April 29, 2017: $2.22/g (U.S. Average: $2.38/g) April 29, 2016: $1.95/g (U.S. Average: $2.20/g) April 29, 2015: $2.36/g (U.S. Average: $2.56/g) April 29, 2014: $3.47/g (U.S. Average: $3.70/g) Neighboring areas and their current gas prices: Midland Odessa- $3.21/g, down 7.3 cents per gallon from last week's $3.28/g. San Antonio- $3.19/g, down 11.0 cents per gallon from last week's $3.30/g. Austin- $3.17/g, down 13.6 cents per gallon from last week's $3.30/g. "With more confidence every day, it appears the spring top is in: average gas prices have started to cool off in many areas. For now, few Americans need to worry that gas prices are going to skyrocket; the risk appears to be behind us, with relief coming in the weeks ahead," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "While the latter half of the summer could potentially see hurricane-related issues, I do sense we've hit the top for now, and Americans should be optimistic that this summer will be very similar to last year, in line with our early 2024 expectations and likely not featuring record gasoline prices. I'm quite excited the seasonal rise in gas prices appears to be over." GasBuddy is the authoritative voice for gas prices and the only source for station-level data. GasBuddy's survey updates 288 times every day from the most diverse list of sources covering nearly 150,000 stations nationwide, the most comprehensive and up-to-date in the country. GasBuddy data is a c c e s s i b l e a t http://prices.GasBuddy.com. SOURCE GasBuddy
Index Community..........2, 3, 4, 12 Commentary...................3, 4, 5 Church Directory..............5 Legals..........6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Business Directory...........12
By Ruben Borjas Jr, statewide newspapers, M C N c o n t r i b u t i n g music trade publications, to different podcasters, so writer she doesn’t get to let her On the way to national hair down that much. stardom, Payton Riley, 15, Payton appreciates the who calls Montgomery dedicated school hours that h o m e , i s , w h e n n o t separates herself from her rehearsing or performing m u s i c l i f e . I n f a c t , … is just a kid at heart. athletics are still important Riley is a Freshman at a to Riley, and she still runs local private school, and is t r a c k a t h e r s c h o o l , generally not known for although when Payton was her music on campus. On younger, she participated top of that, at the recent in just about every sport the Montgomery Music & school offered. But as the Mudbugs Festival, Payton young singer started doing s a n g T h e N a t i o n a l shows she had to cut back A n t h e m , a n d w h e n on athletic commitments, walking around with her but even today she still best friend, festival goers excels in hurdles and in started recognizing Riley relay races, having made it from her American Idol to the regional meet this appearance, which amazed season.
Payton posing with Montgomery County Olympic Diving Champion Laura Wilkinson at the recent Woodlands Kiwanis Club Community Prayer Breakfast
her friend. “Oh yeah, I forgot you were famous,” she said. Riley gets interviewed a lot, from local television and radio stations,
Payton was active in the theater scene at the Crighton when she was younger, and performed in a starring role in Rockin’ Robin Hood, The
Nutcracker, and other short plays; but as she aged, her fondness for Miranda Lambert grew. Payton appreciated the established singers’ stage presence and songwriting, which gave her the confidence to start writing her own songs. Just recently, Riley was approached by Spring, Te x a s , a u t h o r a n d screenwriter, Bob Gunner, about a role in an upcoming film, ‘An Almost Perfect Day.’ The m o v i e i s a n action/romantic comedy currently in pre-production with scheduled filming locations in Houston, Spring, The Woodlands,
Houston and Montgomery C o u n t y. P a y t o n i s scheduled to play the lead character, Deana, with her opposite, Kasey Lansdale, being asked to portray her mother in the film. Lansdale is an author, musician and singer from East Texas. Payton’s songcraft is not limited to the music stage. She writes and sings songs like ‘Love Heals,’ for organizations such as Conroe’s ‘Love Heals Yo u t h , ’ b u t a l s o f o r ‘Coalition For Kids,’ a Johnson City, Tennessee charity that benefits See Riley, page 3
Montgomery County History Honored by RJOA Members Submitted by Elaine Collings, RJOA Public Relations Chairman ehcollings@gmail.com These “Rebel Red” ladies traveled to the little town of Montgomery to read about this Historic Town and all it sacrificed during the “War Between The States”, Civil War. Each lady lives in a different town in Montgomery County and organized this opportunity to visit Montgomery’s history. The Rebel Joan Of Arc 2721 Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, strives to learn and portray the History of our area, and the Great State Of TEXAS!
The RJOA Members are dressed appropriately in their Chapter Color, RED, as the Wind blew valiantly that day! Go visit your Town’s History, Your Small M u s e u m s , a n d Yo u r County and Town’s History Markers! Ta k e y o u r F a m i l y, GrandChildren, and Friends and make it an Educational fun excursion. There is always an eager Docent volunteering her time and waiting to show you the “treasurers” of their area that they house and protect for our citizens. I hear many visitors often come from other States, and some from even other Countries to hear about our Great TEXAS! Some don’t
PRE-SRT POSTAGE PD #80 MONTG. TX
Lake Conroe Temporary Closure Abundance of Caution Due to High Levels, Possible Submerged Objects, and Floating Debris The San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) and Montgomery County Constable Precinct 1 announce that Lake Conroe is temporarily closed at 8:00pm due to high lake levels, the possibility of submerged objects, floating debris, and other hazards that could pose safety risks. Basin-wide rainfall and resulting runoff has positioned the lake level at approximately two feet over the lake’s normal conservation pool of 201 feet above mean sea level (msl). At this level, many docks, bulkheads, small islands, and other structures are fully submerged and can create a dangerous situation for boaters. In addition, high winds and rapidly-flowing water from local streams can result in a large amount of floating debris on the reservoir. With bulkheads becoming submerged, lake area residents should also be cautious of electrical outlets and equipment coming into contact with water. SJRA is currently releasing water from the dam in accordance with its operating procedures for the reservoir to gradually lower the level back to conservation pool of 201 feet above msl. SJRA and Montgomery County Constable Precinct 1 will continue to monitor any additional rainfall events. For real-time information on Lake Conroe levels, releases, rainfall totals, or stream flows visit www.sjra.net.
Lone Star Street Dance Mark your calendars because the Lone Star Street Dance is back and better than ever with a Left to Rt: Elaine Collings, Charlotte Belin, and Karen Spring Fling on May 11th! DeBerry Dust off your dancing boots and get ready for an even speak English, but still COUNTY IS FULL OF evening filled with toeA N D tapping tunes and good ol' they come to learn! HOW G R E A T W O N D E R F U L I N T E R E S T I N G Texas fun! B E C A U S E O U R HISTORY! Date: May 11, 2024 M O N T G O M E RY Time: 7pm to 10pm Location: 14372 Liberty St From classic country jams to rockin' beats, we've got the music to keep you movin' all night long! And let's not forget about the delicious bites from local vendors to satisfy your hunger cravings! Bring your friends, family, and neighbors for an unforgettable night under the Lone Star sky. It's time to kick up your heels and enjoy the Spring Fling at the Lone Star Street Dance!