Ryan Schnitzler, Mansfield Dam supervisor, gave a media tour last week inside of the dam showing the floodgate repair project. He stands in front of one of the nearly 9-foot floodgates. This is the first time the gates have been seen since the dam’s construction  more than 75 years ago.

By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

Mansfield Dam is undergoing a decade-long, $10 million-plus maintenance project which includes taking out each of its 24 floodgates to repair — something that has never been done in the dam’s 75-year history.

Built between 1937 and 1942, Mansfield Dam is 278 feet tall and the tallest dam in Texas. The dam created Lake Travis and protects Austin from flooding.

Mansfield Dam’s 24 floodgates are showing signs of corrosion and deterioration.

“It’s time to take them out and completely refurbish them. There is corrosion due to humidity and water,”  said John Hofmann, executive vice president for water at Lower Colorado River Authority.

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The Lake Austin Collective, a group of citizens who live near the tract owned by the Champion sisters on City Park Road, has notified the city that the City Council’s November 10, 2016, agenda posting for the zoning change vote on the tract, which the Champions propose to develop, was inadequate and missing certain essential information.

Possible lawsuit looming

By JO CLIFTON
Austin Monitor

City Council is facing yet another possible lawsuit over a vote it took that may not have complied with the Texas Open Meetings Act. City attorney Anne Morgan discussed the matter with council in executive session on April 18.

Attorney Bill Aleshire, representing the Lake Austin Collective, a group of citizens who live near the tract owned by the Champion sisters on City Park Road, has notified the city that the council’s November 10, 2016, agenda posting for the zoning change vote on the tract, which the Champions propose to develop, was inadequate and missing certain essential information.

For full story go to Austin Monitor:

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/category/austin/city-council/

The Travis County Fire Marshal’s office said: “Apparently a bird caused something to arc on the powerline” which ultimately caused this grassfire off of Selma Hughes Park Road. Houses in Steiner Ranch are up the hill from this spot. “We definitely dodged a bullet” of much greater fire damage, said Steiner resident Penny R.

By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

On Sunday afternoon around 2:40 p.m. a grassfire was reported near 12021 Selma Hughes Park Road, not far off Quinlan Park Road on the outskirts of Steiner Ranch.

Emergency Services District 6: Lake Travis Fire and Rescue arrived on the scene as did the Austin Fire Department’s brush truck, Engine 39.

“Looks like one of the lines on the utility pole popped and caused a spark and sent some sparks to the ground and caught a little grass on fire,” said Chad Huff, LTFR lieutenant who was at the scene.

Upon further investigation, officials at the Travis County Fire Marshal’s office said: “Apparently a bird caused something to arc on the powerline.”

The fire burned roughly a 50-foot by 50-foot area in a pasture with cattle nearby.

A Steiner resident, Penny R., from Palisades Parkway called 911 and then took a video of the fire from her  balcony.

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The Vandegrift FFA vet team won 1st place at the area competition.

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By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Two Vandegrift FFA teams advance to state.

The VHS vet science team won the area contest with an impressive 1st place win and their state contest is April 29 at Texas A&M University.

“This contest is one of the most competitive in the state,” said Magan Escamilla, FFA advisor and agriscience teacher.

Team members are Tori Maher (senior), Megan Launius (senior), Julia Tate (senior), and Madeleine Rawlings (senior). Maher tied for 1st high individual, Launius received 6th high individual, and Rawlings received 10th high individual out of 220 individuals.

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