WEDNESDAY VOLUME XXX NUMBER 10 Section 1 8 pages
March 11, 2026 Home of the ‘Lone Star Flag’ and Ryszard Powchowicz
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 Interfaith Of The Woodlands MCSO
Catches Celebration Of Excellence Weekly Gas Prices “Love Your Neighbor” Gala Navasota Burglars Raises Nearly $950,000
Average gasoline prices in Texas have risen 57.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.13/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 13,114 stations in Texas. Prices in Texas are 65.7 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 47.0 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 85.9 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $4.599 per gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Texas was priced at $2.19/g yesterday while the most expensive was $4.19/g, a difference of $2.00/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.19/g while the highest was $4.19/g, a difference of $2.00/g. The national average price of gasoline has risen 51.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.45/g today. The national average is up 54.1 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 41.6 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 five years: March 9, 2025: $2.66/g (U.S. Average: $3.03/g) March 9, 2024: $2.89/g (U.S. Average: $3.40/g) March 9, 2023: $3.04/g (U.S. Average: $3.45/g) March 9, 2022: $4.01/g (U.S. Average: $4.32/g) March 9, 2021: $2.54/g (U.S. Average: $2.81/g) Neighboring areas and their current gas prices: Midland Odessa- $3.18/g, up 57.5 cents per gallon from last week's $2.61/g. San Antonio- $3.16/g, up 55.0 cents per gallon from last week's $2.61/g. Austin- $3.16/g, up 53.0 cents per gallon from last week's $2.63/g. “In just a week, consumers have seen gasoline prices surge at one of the fastest rates in years after oil prices spiked following U.S. strikes on Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “With additional attacks across the Middle East over the weekend pushing oil above $100 per barrel for the first time in years, fuel markets are now rapidly recalibrating to the risk of prolonged disruption to global supply flows. As a result, gasoline prices in many states could climb another 20 to 50 cents per gallon this week, with price-cycling markets potentially seeing increases as early as today. Diesel may rise e v e n m o r e s h a r p l y, w i t h increases of 35 to 75 cents per gallon possible as global distillate markets react. While the situation remains highly fluid, consumers are already beginning to feel the impact as energy markets adjust to this sudden escalation.” SOURCE GasBuddy
Index Community................2, 5, 8 Commentary...................3, 4, 5 Church Directory..............5 Legals.............................6, 7 Business Directory.............8
THE WOODLANDS, TX – Nearly 700 guests gathered for a night of monumental evening of giving at the 2026 Celebration of Excellence Gala, presented by Huntsman and Woodforest National Bank. The event raised an impressive $950,000 to support basic needs programs for Families and Seniors in crisis. The evening was chaired by Linsey Bibler, with Nicole Murphy serving as advisor. Under their leadership, the Love Your Neighbor–themed gala raised life changing funds for neighbors in need. The prestigious Hometown Hero Awards were presented during the evening, recognizing six outstanding individuals, one corporation, and one nonprofit organization for their selfless service and unwavering commitment to helping others. These
Hometown Heroes honorees exemplify dedication to others and continue to strengthen the community while fostering a spirit of generosity, unity, and love throughout The Woodlands. Interfaith of The Wo o d l a n d s p r o u d l y congratulates this year's
Hometown Heroes: Jim Carman, Laran Cone, Michelle Little, John Powers, Elvira Graham and Lonny Soza, along with corporate honoree Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital and nonprofit honoree In The Pink of Health.
Wi t h t h e c r e a t i v e vision of Johanna Terry Events, the ballroom was transformed into an elegant and intimate dining experience, illuminated by candlelight, sparkling chandeliers, and See Gala, page 2
SRT & FOFF Representatives Give Texas History Presentations During “High Holy Days Of Texas” by Elaine Collings The Lone Star Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and the Friends of The Flag Foundation B o a r d M e m b e r Representatives traveled to Cornell County to give a Te x a s H i s t o r y F l a g s presentation to the Wo m a n ’s F o r u m i n Gatesville. Why G a t e s v i l l e ? S RT Officer/FOFF Board Member: MARSHALL BROWN is from there and also a member of the Cornell County Historical Commission, which is why he was invited to give this historical educational presentation. Renowned
important to know and remember the Texas Flags of our Republic of Texas! They had over 21 eager listener's in attendance for that Presentation. A s B o a r d Representatives of the FRIENDS OF THE FLAG FOUNDATION, of the Texas Historical Flags Park on the hill next to the Conroe Main Library, they also gave out over 30 TX Flag Books from the FOFF and information on the Texas Historical Flags Park Pictured Left to Rt: Marshall Brown, and at that same presentation. Ron McAnear Additionally during the Historian on Texas Flags Since we are now in the Texas Historical Flags Park History: RON McANEAR middle of the TEXAS See FOFF , page 2 traveled with him as part of HIGH HOLY DAYS of the “Team Presentation”. TEXAS HISTORY it is
Early Sunday morning on March 8, 2026, a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy patrolling Highway 105 near the city of Montgomery observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Upon attempting to stop the vehicle, the Jeep Cherokee failed to yield and continued speeding away for nearly 6 miles. Once the vehicle stopped, both occupants were detained. During the investigation, a large q u a n t i t y o f D e Wa l t branded tools were found inside the vehicle—many of which still had the security devices intact on the boxes. It was soon learned that the 24 boxes of power tools had been stolen from a Tractor Supply in Navasota, Texas, which had been burglarized earlier in the night. The driver of the vehicle, 31 year old Angel Ponce, was arrested for Evading Arrest/Detention with a Vehicle and Felony Theft and placed in the Montgomery County Jail with No Bond. The passenger, 37 year old Wa r r i c k M a s o n , w a s charged with Felony Theft with a $25,000 bond. Both suspects have an extensive criminal history. We want to thank our Law Enforcement partners, including the Conroe Police Department who assisted during the pursuit and Navasota Police Department which came to the scene of the traffic stop and recovered the $7760 worth of stolen property to be returned to the rightful owner as part of their investigation. Navasota Police D e p a r t m e n t i s investigating the Burglary, and additional charges are likely to be filed in Grimes C o u n t y, o n c e t h e investigation is complete.
2026 Spring Plant Sale Save the date