The Travis County Fire Marshal’s office said: “Apparently a bird caused something to arc on the powerline” which ultimately caused this grassfire off of Selma Hughes Park Road. Houses in Steiner Ranch are up the hill from this spot. “We definitely dodged a bullet” of much greater fire damage, said Steiner resident Penny R.

By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

On Sunday afternoon around 2:40 p.m. a grassfire was reported near 12021 Selma Hughes Park Road, not far off Quinlan Park Road on the outskirts of Steiner Ranch.

Emergency Services District 6: Lake Travis Fire and Rescue arrived on the scene as did the Austin Fire Department’s brush truck, Engine 39.

“Looks like one of the lines on the utility pole popped and caused a spark and sent some sparks to the ground and caught a little grass on fire,” said Chad Huff, LTFR lieutenant who was at the scene.

Upon further investigation, officials at the Travis County Fire Marshal’s office said: “Apparently a bird caused something to arc on the powerline.”

The fire burned roughly a 50-foot by 50-foot area in a pasture with cattle nearby.

A Steiner resident, Penny R., from Palisades Parkway called 911 and then took a video of the fire from her  balcony.

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The Vandegrift FFA vet team won 1st place at the area competition.

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By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Two Vandegrift FFA teams advance to state.

The VHS vet science team won the area contest with an impressive 1st place win and their state contest is April 29 at Texas A&M University.

“This contest is one of the most competitive in the state,” said Magan Escamilla, FFA advisor and agriscience teacher.

Team members are Tori Maher (senior), Megan Launius (senior), Julia Tate (senior), and Madeleine Rawlings (senior). Maher tied for 1st high individual, Launius received 6th high individual, and Rawlings received 10th high individual out of 220 individuals.

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In 2008, Dr. James and Kim Waters opened Steiner Ranch Orthodontics and it’s been a family affair ever since. From dental school to today, children Luke and Ava (in front) and Hope and Cole (in back) have been on the scene. And for Dr. Waters, a day at the office is his idea of a good time. “It’s fun! Everything you’re doing is a challenge. It’s like a puzzle all day.”

By SARAH DOOLITTLE
Four Points News

Steiner Ranch Orthodontics founder Dr. James Waters and his wife and office manager Kim have a passion for where they live and what they do.

“It is our livelihood, it is our business,” explained Kim. “James has always wanted to be the orthodontist. That’s all James wants to do is straighten teeth… We work well together. It gives him peace of mind knowing that I’m running things behind the scenes.”

Founded in 2008, their Steiner Ranch location serves the Four Points community, in addition to their original office on 35th Street in downtown Austin, which Dr. Waters took over from another orthodontist after moving to Austin in 2001.

The Waters were lucky to be able to buy the land on which their office is located on Quinlan Park Road when Steiner was still under development. “We wanted to be invested in the neighborhood. We didn’t want to just rent something here,” said Kim.

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Price per square foot up

By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

In the Four Points area, home sales and prices in the first quarter of 2017 declined compared to the same three months a year ago.

“For January through March of 2017, unit sales declined from 78 to 71 year-over-year, a drop of 9 percent,” said Tom Radack, owner Bartlett Real Estate, Keller Williams Realty. “The median price declined from $497,500 to $470,000, although the price per square foot increased from $159 to $169.”

Multiple Listing Service data compiled from the Four Points communities of Grandview Hills/Parke, River Place, Steiner Ranch, Westminster Glen and the Comanche Trail area  also shows that in the first three months of the year, the number of days a home was listed for sale was down from 45 to 32.

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