Sarah Elizabeth Pool
March 13, 2000 –
June 11, 2015

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

The mother of a 15-year-old who drown in Lake Travis while attending a church wakeboarding camp in Lake Travis in June has filed a lawsuit in Travis County District Court against the church and her daughter’s boat operator. The lawsuit, filed several weeks ago, is still pending.

Westlake High School freshman Sarah Pool, 15, was attending the “One Wakeboard Camp” organized by Austin Ridge Bible Church on June 11. According to court documents, Pool was hanging onto a platform on the back of the boat when she went underwater and did not resurface. Her body was found two days later and officials said they believed the teen had inhaled the boat’s exhaust fumes.

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By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

A Vandegrift High School football and basketball coach and teacher resigned last week after allegations surfaced of him having an improper relationship with a female student.

“He has resigned and is no longer employed by LISD,” said Veronica Sopher, Leander ISD spokesperson.

A coach/teacher resigned last week from Vandegrift High School after allegations surfaced of an inappropriate relationship with a student.

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By KIM ESTES, LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

The owners of District Kitchen + Cocktails in Austin’s Circle C neighborhood opened their latest restaurant concept, Oasthouse Gastropub, in the Trails at 620.

“My brother and I have been eager to start a new concept together,” said Amir Hajimaleki, executive chef/owner.  

He and his brother, Ali, began working in the restaurant industry 12 years ago. As a chef, Amir wanted to prepare thoughtful, seasonal menus in areas of Austin that he thought were underserved. Ali, with a background in restaurant operations, worked with Amir to create District Kitchen in 2013.

Oasthouse Gastropub is named for “oast house,” a building designed for drying hops as part of the brewing process. The structures can be seen in parts of Europe.
Photo by Lynette Haaland

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By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Vandegrift, Vista Ridge and Leander high schools will each move up to class 6A for the upcoming 2016-17 school year based on the recently-released and highly-anticipated reclassification and realignment numbers by the University Interscholastic League.

The UIL realigns every two years based on school enrollment numbers. Only the largest high schools in the state, with an enrollment of 2,150 and above, are ranked 6A. VHS’s enrollment is 2,255. A school’s class determines which teams it will compete against in both athletic and fine arts competitions. Continue reading →

courtesy photo

By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

With the help of recent rains, Lake Travis has risen from below 35 percent to 88 percent full so far this year, but officials are slow to say the drought it over.

“The forecast says El Niño will continue to have a rainy impact on our weather pattern this fall and winter, and we are hopeful we may be finally be seeing the end of this drought,” said Clara Tuma, LCRA spokesperson. Continue reading →