WEDNESDAY VOLUME XXIX NUMBER 49 Section 1 8 pages
December 11, 2024 Home of the ‘Lone Star Flag’ and Kylie Simmons
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 Scouts Decorate Montgomery Christmas in Historic Weekly History Museum, Celebrate Gas Prices 2024 Achievements
Average gasoline prices in Texas have risen 3.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.55/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 13,114 stations in Texas. Prices in Texas are 4.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 2.3 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has declined 2.3 cents in the last week and stands at $3.491 per gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Texas was priced at $1.71/g yesterday while the most expensive was $3.39/g, a difference of $1.68/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $1.71/g while the highest was $3.39/g, a difference of $1.68/g. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.97/g today. The national average is down 8.7 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 17.7 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: December 9, 2023: $2.57/g (U.S. Average: $3.15/g) December 9, 2022: $2.68/g (U.S. Average: $3.25/g) December 9, 2021: $2.88/g (U.S. Average: $3.34/g) December 9, 2020: $1.84/g (U.S. Average: $2.16/g) December 9, 2019: $2.21/g (U.S. Average: $2.58/g) December 9, 2018: $2.09/g (U.S. Average: $2.41/g) December 9, 2017: $2.23/g (U.S. Average: $2.46/g) December 9, 2016: $1.98/g (U.S. Average: $2.20/g) December 9, 2015: $1.81/g (U.S. Average: $2.01/g) December 9, 2014: $2.41/g (U.S. Average: $2.64/g) Neighboring areas and their current gas prices: Midland Odessa- $2.64/g, up 19.1 cents per gallon from last week's $2.45/g. San Antonio- $2.55/g, up 7.3 cents per gallon from last week's $2.48/g. Austin- $2.54/g, up 4.3 cents per gallon from last week's $2.50/g. “The national average has finally fallen below $3 per gallon, and it couldn't come at a better time for motorists with the holidays upon us. One would need to count over 1,300 days since we've seen the national average this low, with the affordability of gasoline at its lowest non-COVID level since 2015," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "With average gas prices in 35 states and nearly 110,000 stations below $3 per gallon, Americans are putting in just 5.44 minutes of work to buy a gallon, the fewest minutes of work needed (excluding the pandemic) since 2015, when Americans needed to do just 5.25 minutes of work to buy a gallon. The good news is that we'll likely continue to see additional downward pressure on gas prices, with the national average potentially falling another 10 to 15 cents by Christmas." SOURCE GasBuddy
Index Community............2, 3, 5, 8
Drowning on Lake Conroe just finished his project at the Davis Museum complex in November which involved repairing and painting fence pickets and the porch, as well as some landscaping projects including adding a rain barrel to prevent soil erosion. Wilson is one of 8 Montgomery area Scouts that completed projects this year. “Jude Wilson did an
excellent job on his Eagle Scout Project with the museum complex,” said Ruben Borjas, Nathaniel Hart Davis Pioneer Complex & Museum, Project Beneficiary Representative. “The pickets have never looked better, our erosion issue is under control, and the porch deck is an even shade of gray. We still have more projects with the museum,
and will be hunting for more Scouts in the near future.” Additional Eagle Scouts in Troop 351 this year include Nick Peacock, who completed his project in 2023. He led volunteers and scouts in building pullup bars for the Montgomery High School See Scouts, page 2
Montgomery Philanthropists Honored
Judge Echo Hutson, poses with World War II POW, George Waters, 103, and Sharon Camp Vrazel
by Ruben Borjas, Jr
When it comes to recognition for Church Directory..............5 philanthropy, Jack and Mary McClahan, a couple Legals.............................6, 7 so devoted to the cause of Business Directory.............8 honoring Veterans and Commentary...................2, 3, 4
The Holiday Market Place and Arts & Crafts 34th Annual Cookie Wa l k & 4 7 t h A n n u a l Candlelight Home Tour December 14 9am - 5pm
by Ruben Borjas, Jr With December rolling along, Scoutmaster Mat Wilson, from Troop 351 in Montgomery, and a small group of his Scouts, spent a little time decorating the Nathaniel Hart Davis Pioneer Complex & Museum in Historic Montgomery. In what would have taken the older folk of the Montgomery Historical Society 8 hours to complete, Scoutmaster Wilson and his Scouts finished in just over one hour. The Boys Scouts have been instrumental in helping out museum organizers, saving them from sore backs, arms and legs, and their gesture to help put up the decorations is much appreciated. “We are so appreciative to have the Scouts come out and decorate the m u s e u m , ” s a i d Montgomery Historical Society President Billy Ray Duncan. “Their service to the community is great, and they deserve a round of applause for all that they do.” The Scouts from Montgomery area Troops have been busy this year with Eagle Scout Projects. Eagle Scout Jude Wilson,
Montgomery December 14
their sacrifices, do a great job in avoiding accolades for all they do for the community. But they were finally cornered, in their own home, at an annual Christmas and Toys for Tots Party of their own
making, inviting many of the Veterans and friends that they support throughout the year. Jack and Mary met in a disagreement over buying World War II Veterans beer and ice cream nearly 16
years ago, and the rest is history. Jack McClanahan nevered served in the military. Not everyone is able or apt to, since we all have our parts to play in life. But Jack’s Service to Veterans is much more important than any service he would have been able to provide in uniform. It allowed him to dream, and become a self-made man, the type of man that after a long and successful career, allows him to give back to a cause. His cause, Ve t e r a n s . W h e n McClanahan heard of a group of WWII Veterans needing a space to gather well over a decade ago, he jumped into action and offered room at his 105 Storage business. At first, coffee and donuts were served. Then Jack got with Buster Bowers of Vernon’s Country Catfish, and he started providing breakfast on occasion. As word got out and groups numbers grew to include Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, and War on Terror Veterans. The gathering grew so large it was moved to the Poplar Business Park on See Veteran, page 2
On December 7, 2024, at approximately 9:16 PM, the Montgomery County Dispatch Center received a 911 call in reference to an overdue boater on Lake Conroe. Initial reports stated the male, who has been identified as Mr. Stephen Marriott, a 44 year old male from Willis, Texas, had gone fishing near FM 1375 and the Cagle Boat Ramp and had not returned. I m m e d i a t e l y, l a w enforcement and fire department officials responded to the area and located Mr. Marriott’s vehicle and boat trailer inside Walker County; however, Mr. Marriott was not inside, nor was his boat initial found. At approximately 11:10 PM, authorities located Mr. Marriott’s boat, in gear, and unoccupied near a small island close to FM 1375, inside the boat were Mr. Marriott’s life vest and cellphone. Deputies continued throughout Saturday night and throughout the day Sunday searching for Mr. Marriott. On Monday, December 9, 2024, at approximately 2:30 PM, Mr. Marriott’s body was located approximately 100 yards from where authorities located his boat near FM 1 3 7 5 . Wa l k e r C o u n t y Justice of the Peace Judge Cole has ordered an autopsy be conducted to determine what caused the incident. Constable Cash wishes to express his sincere c o n d o l e n c e s t o M r. Marriott’s friends and family for their loss. Constable Cash also wishes to thank the Walker County S h e r i ff ’s D e p a r t m e n t , Montgomery County S h e r i ff ’s D e p a r t m e n t , Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the North Montgomery Fire Department for all of the hard work and dedication to help bring closure to the family during this horrible tragedy. Constable Cash wishes to remind everyone, “Regardless if you are an avid boater, an experienced swimmer, or on a watercraft for the first time, properly fitting life jackets save lives.” This is an ongoing investigation and any additional information will be released when available.