By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

Louie, a 25 pound, nearly six-year-old dog, was fatally injured by a coyote in Steiner Ranch on the trails near River Heights Overlook on June 22.

A member of the Friedman family, Louie was running with owner Hampton Friedman that day as they had over 400 times previously in the four years the family has lived in Steiner Ranch.

Friedman explained that he did not worry that Louie was not on a leash, because, “Louie can walk across Quinlan Park,” the large road that runs the length of Steiner Ranch. “Louie knows Walk and Don’t Walk signals. Louie has gone thousands and thousands of miles,” on trails in Texas and throughout the country. He was also snake trained.

“Louie’s never been on a leash. Ever… He was like the neighborhood dog and everybody knew him and would come by and see him,” said Friedman.

9-year-old Jake Friedman with the family dog, Louie. Jake was planning a surprise 6th birthday party for Louie at the time the dog was fatally injured by a coyote in broad daylight on the trails in Steiner Ranch.

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Kelly Simon
Texas Parks & Wildlife

By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

One dog was fatally bitten by a coyote last week and a day later, another dog came within two feet of a charging coyote both in the trails in Steiner Ranch.

Kelly Simon, Urban Wildlife Biologist for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, explained that in cases like this, the department may choose to kill a coyote.

“They evaluate risk. If the risk is high enough, they will determine what action needs to be taken. One option may be lethal control,” Simon said.

In her opinion, however, “That’s not the direction I would recommend.” Continue reading →

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Four vehicles were reported stolen last Wednesday in Steiner Ranch and since then, all four have been recovered.

“Three vehicles were recovered in southeast Austin and one in the neighborhood,” said Roger Wade, Travis County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.

The crimes began on the morning of June 24. At 7:24 a.m., the first vehicle was reported taken from the 12000 block of Montclair Bend, the second was reported at 7:54 a.m. from the 12300 block of Montclair Bend, the third was reported at 9:33 a.m. from the 12600 block of Rush Creek Lane and the fourth was reported at 9:49 a.m. from the 1000 block of Cavalry Ride Trail.

“The detective is following up on leads on the suspects. The detective said the suspects are juveniles,” Wade said. “We are hoping to make some arrests on the suspects soon.” Continue reading →

These boys get an up-close view of different snakes at a snake awareness lecture held recently at VIK Medical at River Place. Dr. Brad Lichtenhan talked about distinguishing the venomous snake from the nonvenomous, as well as snakebite treatment.

By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

A lecture on snake awareness recently drew a large crowd at VIK Medical at River Place, where family practice physician, Dr. Brad Lichtenhan, talked about differentiating snakes and snakebite treatments.

Snakes are a big concern in Four Points and there have been news reports of snakebites recently. Lichtenhan taught how to identify venomous and non-venomous snakes native to the area.

With exception of the coral snake, serpents with elliptical-shaped pupils, triangular heads and ‘pits’ on the sides of their heads may identify snakes as venomous.

The coral snake may be differentiated from its non-venomous counterpart, the milk snake, by the order of the banded stripes. In the coral snake, red bands touch yellow bands, whereas in the milk snake, red bands touch black bands, said Lichtenhan.

western hognose

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By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

The Travis County Water Control & Improvement District 17 board of directors opted not to call a bond election as proposed Thursday by the Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association for the purchase of 80 acres in Steiner Ranch.

WCID-17 board president, Jeff Roberts, reported directors were advised against the election by legal counsel. Also, board members were concerned about the election timeline, disagreement among residents about property use and WCID-17 liability for it.

The proposed bond, totaling  $7.5 – $8 million, was for property just off RM 620 and Quinlan Park Road known as MU-14, owned by MU-14 Investments. As it is now, MU-14 is slated for construction of 150 duplexes. SRNA wants to buy the property for development corresponding to community interests, such as a park or ball fields. SRNA has been actively seeking a change in the property’s intended development for the past two and a half years.

“We were quite disappointed,” said Brian Thompto, SRNA chairman, of the WCID-17 meeting results.  “One board member – David Steed – seemed supportive. Others were out-and-out against it.”

The Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association proposed a bond election on Thursday, June 18 to Travis County Water Control & Improvement District 17 for the purchase of this 80-acre site in Steiner Ranch, shown here across from RM 620. The land also runs along Quinlan Park Road. WCID denied the bond proposal.
Photo by Lynette Haaland

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