By RICH KEITH, LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Somnio Solutions Inc. — one of the fastest growing companies in the nation — moved headquarters to Four Points several months ago.

The company creates digital sales and marketing tools, such as videos and corporate applications, for Fortune 500 companies.

“Our clients include IBM, HP, Dell, Intel, Fujitsu, Samsung, Cisco, Emerson among other leading brands,” said Harold Valderas, CEO and Steiner Ranch resident for 12 years.

For the second year in a row, Somnio made the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies in America list, and its 2013 ranking is 2,170. The Austin Business Journal ranked Somnio as the #10 Fastest Growing private company in central Texas in their revenue category. ABJ also ranks Somnio among top twelve largest advertising agencies.

Valderas worked in sales and marketing with high tech companies for many years at Apple Inc. Then in 2002, he set out to build a digital agency along with Somnio’s other senior executives, Garrett Goeters, Chief Operating Officer, and Scott Killingsworth, Chief Financial Officer. All three are long time Steiner residents.

Somnio Solutions’ top management in their new space at Four Points Centre. From left: Harold Valderas, Chief Executive Officer; Garrett Goeters, Chief Operating Officer; Scott Killingsworth, Chief Financial Officer. All three are longtime Steiner Ranch residents.

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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.

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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

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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.

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