By KIM ESTES, LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

Award-winning pet food and supplies retailer, Natural Pawz, is scheduled to open its newest store in Steiner Ranch’s Quinlan Crossing shopping center at 10 a.m., Jan. 9.

The Steiner Ranch location is Natural Pawz’ 18th store and its second store outside of the greater Houston area, where it was founded in 2005. The first store opening in the Austin area was in Round Rock last September.

“We are meeting hundreds of enthusiastic pet owners in the Austin area as we scout for new locations,” said co-founder, Biff Picone.

Already the store is reaching out to help the Four Points community even before opening. Last week on Dec. 29, Natural Pawz donated five new animal oxygen mask kits to Lake Travis Fire Rescue at its station 604, which services River Place, Steiner Ranch, Comanche Trail and Marshall Ford.

Natural Pawz Steiner Ranch donated five pet oxygen mask kits to Lake Travis Fire Rescue, ensuring that all five stations of the Travis County Emergency Services ESD 6 have enough in-use and back-up equipment to help save pets rescued in house fires. Kelly Green, manager of the new local store which is to open on Saturday, shows how the masks work with her Labrador Buddy.

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By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

John Catalano planted two rows of grapevines in his Steiner Ranch backyard and reaped a dream.

John and his business partners, Audrey, Marilee and Debbie Bruce, his wife, sister and sister-in-law, respectively, have opened Bent Oak Winery at 2000 Windy Terrace, off RM 620 and Anderson Mill Road.

A software engineer who moved to Steiner Ranch in 2005, John said he planted the homegrown vineyard to learn about the growing process and how to communicate better with growers.

“One of the things you understand pretty quickly is that good wine starts in the vineyard. It’s an agriculture process, a farming endeavor. I started growing vines so I could be educated and talk to the growers,” John said.

After starting and selling a couple software companies, John and Audrey Catalano of Steiner Ranch opened Bent Oak Winery Bent Oak Winery at 2000 Windy Terrace, off RM 620 and Anderson Mill Road.

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Brian Yoes, 25, of Grandview Hills is treated at the hospital on Dec. 28 after his right leg was run over by the teens who stole his car.

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

A Grandview Hills delivery driver is lucky to be alive after a violent confrontation with three teens who attempted to steal his car while he delivered a pizza.

“Every time I really think about it, I can’t help but be amazed that I’m alive,” said Brian Yoes, 25. He is a 2010 graduate of Cedar Park High School.

“I’m very lucky not to have broken anything,” he said. “It all turned out well for me but it could’ve been a lot worse.”

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By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

Napa Flats Wood-Fired Kitchen, founded by Tom Kenney of Austin, announced the opening of its fourth restaurant in The Trails at 620. Kenney thought he’d open before the new year but now plans to open by mid January.

“The concept for the restaurant originated in College Station, with the opening of the first Napa Flats Wood-Fired Kitchen,” said Kenney. “Our goal was to open a neighborhood restaurant and share our love of chef-inspired food with our friends, family and community.” 

“The concept for the restaurant originated in College Station, with the opening of the first Napa Flats Wood-Fired Kitchen,” said owner Tom Kenney. This is that restaurant.

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By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

It has been the deadliest year in Austin’s history with regard to traffic fatalities, and, with many residents traveling over the holidays, local law enforcement agencies are working to keep that number from rising.

“This year is sadly proving to be one of the bloodiest in many, many years,” said Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo.

On Dec. 15, the city had its 85th traffic fatality when a pedestrian was hit and killed by a vehicle in the 12800 Block of Pearce Lane, near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. According to police reports, a male pedestrian was standing in the middle of the road after dark when he was struck by a traveling vehicle.

The previous record for most traffic fatalities in a single year in Austin was 81, set in 1986. In 2014, there were 37 traffic deaths. Continue reading →