WEDNESDAY VOLUME XXIX NUMBER 51 Section 1 8 pages
December 25, 2024 Home of the ‘Lone Star Flag’ and Suzie Mock & Merri West
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 Payton Riley Continues Christmas And Weekly Riding The Wave in 2024 New Year’s Drivers Gas Prices Average gasoline prices in Texas have risen 12.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.62/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 13,114 stations in Texas. Prices in Texas are 2.5 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 3.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 0.6 cents in the last week and stands at $3.478 per gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Texas was priced at $2.14/g yesterday while the most expensive was $3.29/g, a difference of $1.15/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.14/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of $1.15/g. The national average price of gasoline has risen 3.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.01/g today. The national average is down 2.6 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 9.2 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 23, 2023: $2.66/g (U.S. Average: $3.10/g) December 23, 2022: $2.60/g (U.S. Average: $3.09/g) December 23, 2021: $2.83/g (U.S. Average: $3.28/g) December 23, 2020: $1.92/g (U.S. Average: $2.26/g) December 23, 2019: $2.21/g (U.S. Average: $2.55/g) December 23, 2018: $1.99/g (U.S. Average: $2.31/g) December 23, 2017: $2.19/g (U.S. Average: $2.44/g) December 23, 2016: $2.06/g (U.S. Average: $2.28/g) December 23, 2015: $1.78/g (U.S. Average: $2.01/g) December 23, 2014: $2.13/g (U.S. Average: $2.36/g) Neighboring areas and their current gas prices: Midland Odessa- $2.68/g, up 16.9 cents per gallon from last week's $2.51/g. San Antonio- $2.67/g, up 25.2 cents per gallon from last week's $2.42/g. Austin- $2.65/g, up 21.9 cents per gallon from last week's $2.43/g. “ We ' v e s e e n a s e c o n d consecutive weekly rise in the national average, driven by price cycling that led stations in the Great Lakes region to restore their margins to normal levels ahead of millions of motorists traveling for Christmas," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "With oil prices continuing to move sideways, gas prices may hold near recent levels in the coming week. Meanwhile, in the Great Lakes, last week's price hikes will likely be rolled back as stations resume undercutting each other. As families travel for the holidays, this volatility at the pump serves as a great reminder to check prices before filling up to save as much as 25 to 50 cents per gallon—a trend that will likely persist into 2025. As we close out the year, motorists can look forward to some good news at the pump in 2025, as GasBuddy prepares to release our 2025 Fuel Price Outlook." SOURCE GasBuddy
Index Community............2, 3, 5, 8 Commentary...................2, 3, 4 Church Directory..............5 Legals.............................6, 7 Business Directory.............8
by Ruben Borjas, Jr
The Montgomery County singing sensation that is making waves across the nation and beyond, Payton Riley, 16, continues to rack up achievements. She is experimenting with new music; and in the new year will be adding stamps to her passport, as she is scheduled to travel to the UK and beyond on a short, north European Road Trip with singers from the UK, Scotland, Ireland, along with a cadre of American country singers, including Willis product Payton Howie. The young singer did get her drivers license, but with being on the road with her career, she doesn’t get much time to actually get behind the wheel of a c a r. S i n c e R i l e y ’s appearance on national television early in the year, Payton has gone on to win a national award and repeat as the best young singer in Texas. The sky is truly the limit with Payton, and with her attitude, there is no stopping her. Riley has long been a local singing fixture at many establishments in Montgomery and surrounding counties with some performances in
Urged To Move Over Christmas and New Year’s drivers urged to move over or slow down for tow trucks and other emergency vehicles
Payton with Santa promoting her new Christmas Song ‘Jingle Jangle Jolly’ other parts of Texas, and Nashville; but plans for next year include widening her footprint with more shows outside the Southeast region of Texas, which is the next logical step in her young career. Some might call it baby steps, but truly with her
accomplishments already, many with a multi-decades career in music would be more than thrilled with the equivalent deeds she has achieved. And before you know it, Payton’s three year call-back to American Idol will be waiting in the wings.
“I’ve started my band, and we’ve played a lot of shows this year,” said Payton. “I’ve lost count, but we’d done over onehundred three hour shows in 2024 from last count.” See Riley, page 2
Local Chapter Members' Attend Wreaths Across America Event by Eva Raines On Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 11 AM, about 150 people met at the Oakwood Cemetery in Conroe, Texas. They were all their to lay a wreath at the gravesite of a veteran. Jessica Rizk, a member of the Thomas Jefferson Stubbs 2523, Conroe Chapter, Texas Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy serves as the chapter chairman of the Patriotic activities, she and her husband Fadi serve as the local coordinators for Wreaths Across America. The rain hold off long enough for everyone who attended, to be able to place 253 balsam fir wreaths, with a simply red bow attached, at each gravesite. The wreath was placed in the center of the headstone, the name of the veteran was said out loud and he or she were thanked for their service. Jessica Rizk welcomed everyone for coming, the colors were
presented, the pledges were led and Mrs. Rizk then gave some history about Wreaths Across America. The featured speaker was US Navy Veteran & MCVMC Board m e m b e r, P a t r i c k Lopez. He gave a very moving talk titled "Live with Purpose". Then everyone was ask to take a wreath out to a gravesite and without any hesitation, wreaths begin being placed on...Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, Prisoners of Wa r / M i s s i n g i n Action and Space Force. After the wreaths were place, TAPS was sounded by West Conroe Baptist seated on the left...Nashelle Taylor, on the right Schelle C h u r c h m e m b e r , Taylor, standing on the left...Eva Rains & on the right, Jennifer Kirk. The Jessica Rizk colors were retired serve and TEACH our help with the removal of and the program children the value of these wreaths. ended. Article and picture by The mission with freedom. The cleanup Wreaths Across America date has been chosed for Eva Rains, Publicity i s . . . R E M E M B E R t h e January 12, 2025 at 2 P M, Chairman for the Stubbs fallen, HONOR those who if anyone would like to Chapter
AUSTIN – If you see tow trucks and other emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road with their emergency lights activated, do you know what to do? Texas law requires drivers to slow down at least 20 miles per hour under the posted speed limit or, if able, to change lanes when they’re passing a first responder stopped on the roadside. Large numbers of travelers are expected on Texas roads during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays and chances are, they may break down, get involved in crashes or be stopped by law enforcement. Pay attention to what’s happening around you and be prepared to react quickly. TDLR regulates tow truck companies and tow truck drivers, driver education and driving safety courses, and motorcycle safety courses, and as always, the agency asks all drivers to please slow down or move over when you see emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road. Tow truck drivers work hard every day to help people who are stranded on the side of the road. And, like everyone else, they are anxious to return home safely each night. Holiday memories are made when family gathers. Please do your part to make that happen for all. Safety tips for driving this holiday season: Slow down and pay attention to what you’re doing. If you get tired, pull over in a safe spot and walk around to re-energize. Don’t drink and drive, even a little bit. Designate a (sober) driver. Stay off the mobile phone – this includes texting. Designate a “copilot” to oversee the phone while you’re driving so you can concentrate on the task at hand. Buckle up – all occupants of the vehicle, every trip – no matter how short. Most traffic crashes happen close to home. Traveling by m o t o r c y c l e ? We a r a helmet. Stay weather-aware. If it’s snowy or icy, you’ll need to slow down significantly so you don’t slide on unexpected icy spots. If it’s raining heavily, turn around and don’t drown if water is running across the road. Only two feet of rushing water can sweep away a vehicle. Leave plenty of time to get to your destination. Roadways are likely to be crowded. Drive friendly – the Texas way!