On Sept. 14, Tyler Handrick, a graduate of Vandegrift High School’s first graduating class of 2012, was skateboarding with a friend when he fell and hit his head.
Tyler remains on life support and his progress is slow. He is in ICU at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center.
Tyler Handrick, a 2012 graduate of Vandegrift High School.
By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News
Three to five students at Vandegrift High School were arrested or ticketed for varying illegal substances charges last week.
“It was a different combination of tickets versus citations versus arrests,” said Veronica Sopher, Leander ISD executive director of school/community relations.
Veronica Sopher, Leander ISD executive director of school/community relations.
As Four Points News reported last week, Tues., Sept. 10 around noontime a police investigation was underway at VHS.
Sources say the investigation involved multiple violations including some students with possession of marijuana, and a student having a large amount of prescription drugs.
“No students were in danger through the course of the investigation,” said VHS Principal Charlie Little.
Routine measures turned up a situation that caused authorities to be called in so the school can be kept safe, Little said.
“When something is uncovered that crosses over and laws are broken, we have to involve authorities,” Little said.
The school uses Travis County Constables to keep the campus safe.
LISD is working with police on the investigation.
The district is prohibited from discussing disciplinary action taken against those students.
By LIZ BARNARD, Four Points News
Cooper, a Jack Russell Terrier, was bitten by a rattlesnake earlier this month, and the Barnard family of Steiner Ranch is thankful he has made a full recovery through quick and expert medical attention.
“Immediate veterinary care is first and foremost,” said Dr. Dawn James of Four Paws at Four Points.
Cooper
By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News
Suburban Austin Energy customers will have a surcharge added to their electric bills starting next month to pay off the $1.5 million legal costs that were incurred to challenge rate fairness for out-of-city customers.
Last year Homeowners United For Rate Fairness — a group spearheaded two years ago by Executive Director Mark Farrar, a Steiner Ranch resident — challenged AE’s rate increases. The City initially refused to give outside customers a discount but HURF alleged it was discriminatory. HURF challenged the rates with the Texas Public Utility Commission.
The settlement was approved in March and will provide about $5.75 million in discounts to the approximately 50,000 suburban customers who live outside the city but must purchase electricity through Austin Energy.
As of last week, however, it seems as though HURF and suburban AE customers are being penalized for this win.
By RICH KEITH, Four Points News
The Four Points Traffic Committee sought the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Citizen Advisory Committee’s approval last week for the “Road to Vandegrift” but did not get it.
On September 10, the FPTC was seeking a recommendation from the panel to build a secondary access road from Vandegrift HS to the intersection of River Place Boulevard and Four Points Drive.
Michelle Beck testified last week at the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Citizen Advisory Committee meeting. Beck, on behalf of the Four Points Traffic Committee, gave multiple reasons why to build a secondary road from the intersection of River Place Boulevard and Four Points Drive to Vandegrift HS.
Composed of citizens who advise the BCCP Coordinating Committee, the Citizen Advisory Committee decided against recommending the road project.
The panel does not vote, it only recommends, and that gives FPTC some hope.
Alicia Harrison, FPTC member, urges people to come out and support the “Road to Vandegrift” this week at another BCCP meeting with the Coordinating Committee.
“Unless we have a strong showing at the BCCP Committee meeting on Wednesday morning at 10 and we let our elected officials know how important this is, we have little chance of getting this project approved,” Harrison said.