WEDNESDAY VOLUME XXX NUMBER 9 Section 1 8 pages
March 5, 2025 Home of the ‘Lone Star Flag’ and Randy & Karen Crum
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Montgomery County News
Montgomery, Texas 77356
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Texas Major Milestone: Young Texas MCTX Sheriff
Weekly Artists Presents 40th Finalists’ Arrests Gas Prices Concert & Awards March 8
Average gasoline prices in Texas have fallen 11.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.58/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 13,114 stations in Texas. Prices in Texas are 9.2 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 32.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 1.9 cents in the last week and stands at $3.629 per gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Texas was priced at $2.09/g yesterday while the most expensive was $3.62/g, a difference of $1.53/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.09/g while the highest was $3.62/g, a difference of $1.53/g. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.04/g today. The national average is down 4.7 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 29.9 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: March 3, 2024: $2.91/g (U.S. Average: $3.34/g) March 3, 2023: $2.93/g (U.S. Average: $3.37/g) March 3, 2022: $3.41/g (U.S. Average: $3.76/g) March 3, 2021: $2.46/g (U.S. Average: $2.74/g) March 3, 2020: $2.11/g (U.S. Average: $2.42/g) March 3, 2019: $2.18/g (U.S. Average: $2.43/g) March 3, 2018: $2.28/g (U.S. Average: $2.53/g) March 3, 2017: $2.11/g (U.S. Average: $2.32/g) March 3, 2016: $1.59/g (U.S. Average: $1.80/g) March 3, 2015: $2.23/g (U.S. Average: $2.44/g) Neighboring areas and their current gas prices: Midland Odessa- $2.62/g, down 15.5 cents per gallon from last week's $2.78/g. San Antonio- $2.56/g, down 17.6 cents per gallon from last week's $2.74/g. Austin- $2.59/g, down 13.9 cents per gallon from last week's $2.73/g. "Gasoline prices in the U.S. have edged slightly lower over the past week, even as geopolitical tensions intensify, with the Trump administration promising tariffs that could not only create economic uncertainty but also impact what some motorists pay at the pump in the weeks ahead," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "Given the volatility surrounding the tariff situation, forecasting fuel prices remains challenging, as uncertainty lingers over the timing and scope of these tariffs, which the Trump administration has suggested will soon take effect. This comes on top of ongoing concerns about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and discussions of a potential deal to end the war. While OPEC has signaled its intent to stabilize the market, policy decisions from the White House could introduce further uncertainty, making it difficult to predict where prices will head next. However, nearly every year sees a seasonal spring increase, which could eventually push prices higher ahead of summer." SOURCE GasBuddy
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Juvenile Texas music legend Ray Benson to emcee Burglary Suspect M O N T G O M E RY COUNTY, Texas – The classical musicians who take the stage on March 8 at the Young Texas Artists (YTA) Music Competition Finalists’ Concert & Awards will represent immense talent, dedication, and a vision for the future. But they’ll also be stepping into a longstanding Texas legacy. This year marks YTA’s 40th classical music competition — 40 years of championing rising stars in classical music and inspiring audiences. And the public is invited to see it all unfold. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Crighton Theatre, 234 N. Main St., in the Downtown Conroe Cultural District. Adding to the celebration, ten-time Grammy Award winner Ray Benson, founder and leader of the legendary We s t e r n s w i n g b a n d Asleep at the Wheel, will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies in honor of YTA’s milestone anniversary. “It’s thrilling to think about how far YTA has
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Daeun Han performs “Totentanz, S. 126” by Franz Liszt during the 2024 Young Texas Artists (YTA) Music Competition Finalists’ Concert & Awards. Han won YTA’s Grand Prize and Gold Medal in the Piano division. Photo by Dave Clements.
Soprano Krista Renée Pape, Young Texas Artists’ 2024 Gold Medalist in Voice. Later that year, Pape performed in Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s recording, “The Shining,” which was nominated for the 2025 Grammy for Best Opera Recording. Photo by Dave Clements.
remained steadfast in its mission to inspire excellence in young artists and captivate audiences through extraordinary performances. The music competition offers gold and silver medals in the Voice; Piano; Strings; and Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp and Guitar performance A l t h o u g h t h e divisions, along with competition has had a Grand Prize and Audience cancellation or two over the years, most recently See YTA , page 2 during the pandemic, it has
Chief Deputy Welch Graduates from Leadership Command College
MCTXSheriff Arrests Juvenile Burglary Suspect After Break-In in Conroe On March 1, 2025, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Deputies w i t h t h e We s t P a t r o l Division responded to a Burglary Alarm at the Family Dollar/Dollar Tree on HWY 105 East in Conroe, Texas. When they arrived, Deputies discovered a broken window and blood at the scene. Store management was able to provide video footage, which helped identify the suspect. A witness later reported seeing a Hispanic male matching the suspect’s description at a nearby gas station. The suspect had admitted to the break-in and was seen with a cut on his arm. Deputies quickly responded to the area, deploying a drone and locating the suspect who was hiding in nearby woods. After attempting to flee, the suspect was apprehended without further incident. It was later discovered that the suspect was a 15year-old runaway juvenile who had been missing since earlier that day. The juvenile was transported to the Montgomery County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of Burglary of a Building. The swift response and successful apprehension of this suspect highlights the dedication and professionalism of our Deputies. Thank you to all of the Deputies involved for a job well done.
Local League 'Inspires Generations' with a special program April 5
Source: LT. James Slack Montgomery County Constable, Pct. 4 Constable Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden
The Montgomery County Pct. 4 Constable’s Church Directory..............5 Office (@mocopct4) is Legals.................................6 proud to announce that Chief Deputy Welch has Commentary...............2, 3, 4, 5
come since 1983, when a young classical pianist took the stage at Crighton Theatre to perform in the very first Young Texas Artists Premier, a presentation of the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society,” said Susie Moore Pokorski, president/CEO of YTA. Since then, that inaugural concert has grown into a beloved Texas tradition, a prestigious competition where gifted emerging artists compete for more than $40,000 in cash prizes and performance opportunities every March. The competition begins with preliminary rounds in each of its four performance divisions and culminates in the Finalists’ Concert & Awards. “Our concert has been a true win-win over the years,” Pokorski said. “The contestants benefit from the opportunity to perform for an audience, and attendees, without fail, are deeply moved by the skill, heart, and passion these young artists bring to the stage.”
officially graduated from the Leadership Command College (LCC), a program offered through the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) at Sam Houston State University. T h e L C C i s recognized as one of the highest levels of
professional development f o r Te x a s l a w enforcement leaders. The intensive program is designed to enhance executive leadership skills through advanced instruction on topics such as leadership theory, critical thinking, ethics, and organizational
change. Participants complete several phases over many months, engaging with experts from various fields, including government, academia, and private industry. The graduation See Welch, page 2
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Women who inspire us and how we inspire others will be the focus of an afternoon program presented by the League of W o m e n Vo t e r s o f Montgomery County. “Together! Inspiring Generations” will be Saturday, April 5, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Sam Houston State University — The Woodlands Center, 3380 College Park Drive (Fourth Floor), The Woodlands. The event is free, but tickets are required. To reserve a seat, email lwvmontgomerycounty@ gmail.com. The keynote speaker is D r. A n n i e J o h n s o n See League, page 2