Local resident and high school junior, Meghan O’Malley, stands with retired Sgt. Rick Yarosh and Jack Newman, Austin Tennis Academy head coach and chief executive officer. O’Malley, an Austin Tennis Academy member, invited Yarosh to Austin after a school project lead her to his website and inspired her to raise money for wounded warriors.

By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

A school project became a life lesson for Austin Tennis Academy junior, Meghan O’Malley, as she raised $5,200 and learned one person can make a difference.

Last fall, O’Malley, daughter of Mike and Rachel O’Malley of Steiner Ranch, began to research the War on Terror for an International Relations class. “I focused on Afghanistan because my dad was sent there,” she explained.

O’Malley was 8-years-old in 2006 when her father deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom as a naval reserve officer. He returned safe and sound a year later.

Now, with a greater understanding of military conflict, O’Malley said, “I’m so thankful. I didn’t realize how dangerous it was. Things he did everyday could have got him killed or injured.”

The Department of Defense, O’Malley said, reports that more than 50,000 men and women have been physically wounded in the War on Terror. Retired Sgt. Rick Yarosh, whom O’Malley also found in her research, was one of them. He suffered burns on 60 percent of his body and lost part of his right leg, multiple fingers and most of the function in both hands.

Appreciation for her father’s safety turned into compassion for others’ sacrifice, and O’Malley wanted to help. Continue reading →

By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

Bethany Becker, a 16-year-old Grandview Hills resident, has a Nashville-produced CD called “Maybe More,” and she was nominated for two country music awards and also she received the Young Artist Award at the 31st annual Mid-Atlantic Song Competition by the Songwriters’ Association of Washington.

Becker’s response to her rise in the competitive country music industry betrayed her deliberate efforts. She said, “…it’s out of my control”.

Her story has charm, but it also has sacrifice and commitment.

“It’s really exciting,” Becker said. “God has opened so many doors; it’s out of my control.”

She recalled first grade, “when everyone wants to be a rock star.” Most move on to find something they want more. But Becker did not. She held on to her childhood dream and made connections. Continue reading →

By LYNETTE HAALAND & CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Lower Colorado River Authority crews continue working on new utility lines in Four Points.

LCRA crews are working to rebuild a 14-mile transmission line that stretches from Braker Lane and North Lamar Boulevard to Mansfield Dam, according to LCRA project manager John Spencer.

The $17 million project began in August and should be complete by May 2015. Spencer said it is necessary to meet growing electricity demands in Austin.

The transmission line crosses RM 2222 and also RM 620 just east of Steiner Ranch Boulevard, then goes southwest, crossing over Steiner Ranch Boulevard and North Quinlan Park Road, and ends at Mansfield Dam at the Marshall Ford substation.

“The project is about 50 percent complete and is expected to be fully completed by May. Crews are currently working in and near Steiner Ranch installing the new wire and should be complete in this area by March,” said Clara Tuma, LCRA spokesperson.

The project will include 114 new structures, which are poles, but some structures include more than one pole. Continue reading →

By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

Travis County Commissioners recently approved a long-range plan called the Land, Water and Transportation Plan identifying transportation corridor improvements as the best way to provide future support to the Four Points area.

Travis County’s Transportation and Natural Resources Department set out to create a blueprint balancing development, including activity centers and transportation corridors, with land conservation, including conservation areas and river and creek corridors. Continue reading →

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Leander ISD is the 14th fastest-growing school district in the state of Texas and the growth isn’t expected to slow down anytime soon. With a current student population of 36,192, the district is only about halfway to its estimated maximum population of between 65,000 to 75,000 students, according to Bret Champion, superintendent of LISD.

“You can’t talk about Leander ISD without talking about growth,” Champion said at his State of the District presentation a few weeks ago at Hill Country Bible Church. “We’re a destination district. People are trying to come to Leander ISD. We celebrate that.”

Champion said between the years of 1999 to 2014, the district grew by 177 percent. Continue reading →