Author Archives: Lynette

Woman’s body found in submerged vehicle at end of Quinlan Park Rd.

 

After a woman’s body was discovered around 8 a.m., Police blocked off the scene Saturday, Feb. 2 at the end of Quinlan Park Road at Lake Austin at the boat ramp at Mary Quinlan Park. Photo by Pamela Campbell

Update 2:08 p.m. Feb. 4

Austin Police Department continues to investigate this case. APD cannot rule out suicide at this point or share more details of how or why this vehicle drove into Lake Austin.

“All of that is still under investigation since it just happened a few days ago. Right now, all we can say is that no foul play is suspected and that it is being investigated as an accidental death,” said Lisa Cortinas, APD public information officer. Continue reading →

Local youth in Lake Austin on “America’s Funniest Videos”

Seth Priebe (left), a River Ridge Elementary student, entertained family and friends by jumping into muddy Lake Austin in January 2017. His mom shared a video which ended up airing on “America’s Funniest Home Videos” this month. Neighbor Parker White-McArdle was with him on the diving board two years ago.

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Two years ago, Seth Priebe decided to go “mudding” in Lake Austin like he always does when the water is lowered. His mom, Shelly, took photos and videos as she always does.

A friend of the family said she couldn’t stop watching the entertaining video and submitted it to “America’s Funniest Home Videos”. It was selected and the video ran a few weeks ago on Sunday, Jan. 6.

“My kids have always celebrated when LCRA lowers the lake,” Shelly said. She and her husband, Chuck, have lived in the same home on Lake Austin since 1987. Their children Megan, 24, Maria, 21, Simone, 18, and Seth, 11 have all played in the Lake Austin mud over the years.

“Boys get muddier than girls,” said Shelly Priebe. This photo was taken at Lake Austin around 2005 shows the Priebe sisters and a playmate.

Continue reading →

2018 Four Points homes sales down, prices up

Central Texas had all-time sales volume high

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

The number of homes sold in the Four Points area — including Steiner Ranch, River Place, Grandview Hills and Comanche Trails — were down slightly in 2018 but the sales prices on average increased per square foot.

There were 395 homes sold in 2018 compared to 408 sold in 2017. The median sale price, however, increased from $525,250 or $165/square foot in 2017 to $555,000 or $166/square foot last year.

Continue reading →

Steiner evacuation road updates & SRNA helps improve Four Points

Steiner evacuation road updates

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

As Travis County officials wait for approval on conducting a traffic study, members of the community continue to share comments on a proposed evacuation road out of Steiner Ranch.

In early December, the county shared with a handful of Steiner residents that they were proposing more than an emergency-only route — that out of a dozen routes they had been studying for a year, they were focusing on the only route that was a permanent road, option F. But after much public push back, the county then added several other proposed routes back into consideration. For years prior to the latest developments, the county has referred to this project as an evacuation, emergency-only road.   

On Jan. 8, 2019, the Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association hosted a meeting with some 30 community members in attendance. The main topic of discussion was the evacuation route proposals from Travis County. LYNETTE HAALAND

This week Kathy Hardin, the engineer with Travis County Transportation & Natural Resources Capital Improvement Projects, said that comments from the community have eased up but they have been getting a lot of feedback. Continue reading →