Arrests made in Steiner mailbox theft ring

After four mailbox break-ins in Steiner Ranch this summer, several members of a mail theft ring are now behind bars, according to Mike Sullivan, postal inspector, US Postal Inspection Service.

After multiple break-ins, mailbox
improvements to come

By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

Over the summer, there were four break-ins to community mailboxes in Steiner Ranch, affecting hundreds of residents. Mail thieves have been arrested and the homeowners association announced last week that it will spend more than $20,000 to update the mailboxes to deter it from happening again.

The most recent hit was at the end of July and arrests have been made, even though the investigation continues as financial losses continue to be reported when discovered by residents.

“The investigation is going on and arrests have been made. There are more than one person behind bars,” said Mike Sullivan, postal inspector at US Postal Inspection Service in the Austin area.

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Viper football preview

Vandegrift at Odessa Permian
Friday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m.
Ratliff Stadium
1862 E Yukon Rd, Odessa, TX 79765

Vandegrift will start the season with plenty of experience on both sides of the ball, but with a new quarterback and looking for new leaders in key roles.

On the other side of the field, the Permian Panthers return eight offensive and nine defensive starters from last year’s 6-4 campaign that ended with a pair of strong wins over rivals in District 2-6A play. However, those two wins were the only district wins the Panthers managed. None of the 2-6A playoff teams fared well in the postseason, with San Angelo Central as the lone team to reach the third round.

The Panthers’ dual-threat quarterback Steve Steen returns, along with a pair of running backs, Brother Miller and Ed Williams, who combined for 13 touchdowns last season despite Miller missing half the season with a torn ACL.

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LISD schools earn highest accountability marks


7 local schools receive distinctions

Staff Reports

Leander ISD schools continues to shine, earning 39 state distinctions with all eligible schools earning the state’s highest accountability standard, according to a release from the Texas Education Agency.

TEA announced the results from the 2016-17 state accountability system on Aug. 15 and all 39 eligible LISD schools earned the state’s Met Standard rating.

“We are proud of our students, teachers and families for all student success,” said Dan Troxell, superintendent of schools. “State accountability is a necessary component of our education system, but our focus as educators in Leander ISD will continue to be success for the whole child. We have room to keep growing, and I look forward to working with our talented team to improve for kids.”

State accountability measures schools are based on performance on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR), End-of-Course Exams, and graduation rates across four indices – student achievement, student progress, closing performance gaps and postsecondary readiness.

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Medical school roommates turn business partners

Four Points doctors Cameron King and Brent Cardwell met in college, ended up in Austin, and opened a practice together. Their families enjoy spending time together. Left side: King and his wife, Debbie, with their daughters Anwen, Isabelle and Emilia, on the raft. Right side: Cardwell and his wife, Jennifer, and their daughters Grace and McKenna, also on the raft.

Local doctors share the Cedar Park
Pediatric & Family Medicine story

By KIM ESTES
Four Points News

Brent Cardwell of Grandview Hills and Cameron King of Steiner Ranch were college roommates who turned into business partners. King and Cardwell first met at the University of Kansas, went their separate ways for a while but came together again in Austin to open Cedar Park Pediatric and Family Medicine in 2005.

“We have known each other for a long time, and we think the same way when it comes to the medical business,” said Cardwell about the pair opening a practice together.

King added, “We’re very like-minded. Having been roommates, we’ve seen each other from behind the scenes.”

Kansas is where the boyhood homes of both physicians are. Cardwell grew up in Topeka and attended Kansas State University as an undergraduate. King attended KU after growing up in Wichita.

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