WEDNESDAY VOLUME XXIX NUMBER 20 Section 1 10 pages
May 22, 2024 Home of the ‘Lone Star Flag’ and Judy Corley
Montgomery County’s Only Locally Owned Newspaper
Established 1995
Montgomery County News
Montgomery, Texas 77356
50 Weekly
PRE-SRT POSTAGE PD #80 MONTG. TX
PBOX Magnolia, TX 77353
Texas SJRA Clarifies Actions on Gratitude For Those Weekly May 2nd Flooding; Whose Gas Prices Average gasoline prices in Texas have fallen 5.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.09/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 13,114 stations in Texas. Prices in Texas are 16.6 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 5.5 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 3.3 cents in the last week and stands at $3.86 per gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Texas was priced at $2.49/g yesterday while the most expensive was $4.33/g, a difference of $1.84/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.49/g while the highest was $4.33/g, a difference of $1.84/g. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.55/g today. The national average is down 12.0 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 2.2 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: May 20, 2023: $3.03/g (U.S. Average: $3.53/g) May 20, 2022: $4.28/g (U.S. Average: $4.60/g) May 20, 2021: $2.76/g (U.S. Average: $3.04/g) May 20, 2020: $1.60/g (U.S. Average: $1.92/g) May 20, 2019: $2.55/g (U.S. Average: $2.84/g) May 20, 2018: $2.70/g (U.S. Average: $2.92/g) May 20, 2017: $2.16/g (U.S. Average: $2.35/g) May 20, 2016: $2.06/g (U.S. Average: $2.28/g) May 20, 2015: $2.51/g (U.S. Average: $2.73/g) May 20, 2014: $3.44/g (U.S. Average: $3.64/g) Neighboring areas and their current gas prices: Midland Odessa- $3.03/g, down 4.4 cents per gallon from last week's $3.07/g. San Antonio- $3.17/g, up 5.5 cents per gallon from last week's $3.12/g. Austin- $3.18/g, up 5.3 cents per gallon from last week's $3.13/g. “The news continues to be good for motorists ahead of Memorial Day, with gasoline prices again falling, making it four straight weeks of declines for the national average as we get closer to the start of the summer driving season," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "The good news doesn't necessarily end there, either. GasBuddy's Summer Travel Forecast, coming out t o m o r r o w, w i l l a l s o g i v e motorists mostly good news for the rest of the summer, predicting that gas prices over the next few months will stay far under record levels and should continue trending lower as we get closer to July 4. While the Middle East, hurricane season, refinery maintenance and any other unexpected disruptions or weather remain wildcards, this summer is shaping up to be mostly favorable for drivers hitting the road." SOURCE GasBuddy
Index Community......2, 3, 4, 9, 10 Commentary...................3, 4, 5 Church Directory..............5 Legals.........................6, 7, 8 Business Directory...........10
Valor Vernon's to Re-Open This Week Defends Lake Conroe is permitted as a constant Our Ideals
Lake Conroe Dam by Ruben Borjas Jr., the release of water from MCN contributing writer the Lake Conroe Dam, but the San Jacinto River The heavy rains of late Authority has a set of April and early May, which procedures they must c o m b i n e d c a u s e d follow in order for water devastating low-lying releases to take place, and flooding along the banks of the unfortunate events that the West Fork of the San c a u s e d t h e f l o o d i n g Jacinto River below the overwhelmed both the dam, caused millions of SJRA and the Coastal d o l l a r s i n d a m a g e t o Water Authority, which homes, personal property, governs Lake Houston. commercial properties, While Lake Conroe was 4 and government facilities. ft. above its normal level, Many people questioned Lake Houston was 6 ft.
The 140 billion gallons of water in Lake Conroe is a resource of The State of Texas, but a certain portion of the lake is permitted; about 100, 000 acre feet (or roughly 1/4 of the lake), with the City of Houston having a 2/3rd portion, while the SJRA has 1/3rd cut. Most of the drinkable water from Montgomery County comes from underground sources, with the rest coming from our lake.
level lake, maintained at a conservation pool of 201 ft. above mean sea level, or full pool, and is mainly used as water supply reservoir for the City of Houston. Anytime the lake is above 201, the SJRA is authorized to release water. If the lake is below 201, then it infringes on either SJRA o r t h e C WA’s w a t e r allotment. The City of Houston, when there is a need, is able to call for water, like during droughts, to lower the lake below full pool, but the SJRA is not permitted to lower the lake below 201 by their own accord. “We were releasing 12,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) on April 29th,” said Heather R a m s e y, D i r e c t o r o f Communications for the San Jacinto River Authority, speaking in reference to the heavy rain event of April 28th. “Then we started to gradually lower the amount of water released on and after April See Flood , page 2
On this solemn Memorial Day, the Texas Ve t e r a n s C o m m i s s i o n extends heartfelt gratitude to our brave veterans across the Lone Star State. Join us in honoring the courageous spirit and unwavering commitment of those who have selflessly defended our freedom. Let us pay tribute to the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women. Their valor defines our great nation. To the families who bear the weight of loss, we stand with you, recognizing the enduring impact of your loved ones' heroism. May this day serve as a poignant reminder of the unbreakable bond that unites us as a grateful nation. Let’s all join in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m.to reflect on the lives of those gave everything for the ideals we hold. Their legacy lives on in the fabric of our nation, inspiring us to strive for a better and more united tomorrow. Sincerely, Laura Koerner Te x a s Ve t e r a n s Commission Chairwoman and U.S. Navy Veteran
Abbott Children’s Safe Harbors’ Gov. Proclaims and 1st Annual Sporting Clay Travel Tourism In Tournament Was A Success Week Texas Children’s Safe Harbor recently hosted its first annual Sporting Clay Tournament at Blackwood Sporting Company in Conroe on April 25, and what a success it was! With 14 teams and 11 generous sponsors, the fundraising event netted close to $25,000 which will go toward the operating costs of the children’s advocacy center. Members of the Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) 7 Coves Chapter were on hand to volunteer, as were several board members including board president Matt Rodrigue, board vice president Rey Saludares, Robert Austria, Yesenia Herrera, Dwight J o h n s o n , J i l l P a r k e r, Shanna Redwine, Cynthia Schlanger, and Kate Sloan. Generous sponsors included Air Loom Heating & Cooling, BACA Bikers Against Child
First Place – Keough Team, Second Place – Wa t e r w a y We a l t h Management, and Third Place Woodforest National
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today invited all Texans to celebrate the invaluable contributions of the state's travel and tourism industry and the passionate Texans working in this field by –proclaiming –proclaiming May 1925 as Travel and Tourism Week in Texas. "Texas is the premier travel destination in the entire United States, offering more than 250,000 square miles of u n f o r g e t t a b l e experiences," said Governor Abbott. "Texas truly has something for everyone. Not only does the travel and tourism industry share the beauty of Texas with people from around the world, but the industry is paramount to the Texas economy. It is a key part of what makes
See Clay, page 3
See Travel, page 2
1st place Keough team: Commissioner Robert Walker, Susan Bingham, Judge Mark Keough, Jason Smith Abuse, Billy Mills Git-AGuide Guide Service, Gauge Real Estate Partners, Gallery Furniture, Lasker Catering, Judge Wayne L. Mack, Montgomery County
Constable Precinct 3 Ryan Gable, Waterway Wealth Management, Woodforest National Bank, and XXL Construction. Taking their best shot, the winning teams were: