Author Archives: Lynette
78732 has highest median income in city
The chart uses U.S. Census Bureau data and shows median income and median age as well as percentage of households with children.
Census data shows 5-year estimates
By CASSIE MCKEE
Four Points News
The 78732 zip code, which includes Steiner Ranch, continues to have the highest median household income in Austin, according to updated U.S. Census Bureau data from the 2011 – 2015 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
From 2011-2015, the median income of households in 78732 was $132,980. An estimated 42 percent of households had income of $150,000 or more.
William Mellor, vice president of Angelou Economics, said while his firm has not done an analysis on individual zip codes in the city, there has been a trend of significant growth in west Austin.
“That area of the city has been growing significantly over the last couple of years,” Mellor said. “In terms of trends, we notice a lot of CEOs living in that area of town, so it’s not surprising to see the incomes growing so much.”
Local actor in Zilker’s “Wizard of Oz”
Laura Welch Bush Elementary student Cameron Redwine is performing at Zilker Theater Production’s “Wizard of Oz”.
By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News
Cameron Redwine, a Laura Welch Bush Elementary rising 5th grader, is performing in this year’s Zilker Theater Production of “Wizard of Oz” during the six-week run through Aug. 12.
“My favorite part of being in the production is meeting all the new people, learning all the songs and dances,” said Redwine, 11, who has performed in many local shows with his training at TexARTS. “I have always loved wizard of oz and was so excited to be cast in it.”
Redwine is a member of the Zilker youth ensemble as a Munchkin, flying monkey and an Ozzian this summer. The cast started practicing Memorial Day weekend and practiced five to seven nights a week for about six weeks before opening on July 7.
“(We) are confident that the rainbows, twisters, and yellow brick road will thrill and amaze 45,000 Hillside audience members of all ages,” said Kate Hix, executive director of Zilker Theater.
“Wizard of Oz” is the 59th Zilker summer musical and one of the most ambitious shows ever mounted on the Zilker Hillside. The musical is based on the book by L. Frank Baum published in 1900.
Rondinis file lawsuit against accused attacker, UA and sheriff’s department
This photo was taken by Megan Rondini’s close friend at University Park Mall in Dallas a week or two before died. A junior at Southern Methodist University, Megan had transferred colleges after her claims of rape — by an influential, Alabama 34-year-old man — were unresolved.
By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News
Mike and Cindy Rondini filed a lawsuit on behalf of their daughter Megan’s estate against the University of Alabama, the Tuscaloosa Sheriff’s department and T.J. Bunn Jr. for sexual assault damages and improperly handling their daughter’s case.
The lawsuit states: “This is an action for damages that arises from the sexual assault of Megan Rondini by Terry Jackson Bunn, Jr. and from the subsequent faulty practices and mishandling of investigation and treatment by the defendants, ultimately leading to the suicidal death of Megan Elizabeth Rondini.”
Megan grew up in Steiner Ranch and graduated from Vandegrift. In July 2015, Megan, then 20, was entering her junior year as a pre-med honors student at UA. She was majoring in biology with a 3.812 cumulative GPA. She killed herself in February 2016 without closure to her long, drawn-out rape case involving an influential Tuscaloosa, Ala. man.
The lawsuit was filed July 2 and as of this week, there have been no responses yet but Mike Rondini said the defendants have until the first part of September to respond. “All of the defendants issued press releases. Nothing surprising,” he said.
The Rondinis added co-counsel to help with the Title IX side of the suit and are amending their complaint this week.
“The more we uncover, the worse it gets,” Rondini said.
Westminster sidewalks, Bullick Hollow turn lane in $144M county bond package
By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News
The Travis County Citizens Bond Advisory Committee recommended to the Travis County Commissioners their ideas for a $144 million bond package last week on July 18.
“We have finished our work,” said Brian Thompto, the only Four Points resident on the 15-member CBAC.
The CBAC took months looking at which Travis County road and park projects should be next in line for funding. They were part of 18 committee meetings and six public outreach meetings. The CBAC recommended an allotment of $144 million over the next four years.
This week, it’s the public’s turn to give feedback to the commissioners on the proposed bond package.
“The public gets a chance to tell the commissioners what they think or ask questions,” Thompto said.