Repairs have been made to the Bella Mar lap pool in Steiner Ranch and to the area around it after minors were caught on video vandalizing it.

By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

Minors — who vandalized the lap pool in Steiner Ranch at the Bella Mar Community Center over the weekend of April 22 – 23 — have been identified.

Several individuals were recorded vandalizing the Bella Mar lap pool which was drained in late April for seasonal maintenance and repairs.

High resolution footage showed multiple individuals throwing large rocks into the empty pool and other individuals shattering pool lights with smaller rocks.

Footage captured from security cameras was shared with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office and the investigation continues.

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Rae, a 20-year-old journalism student, was hit by a car on May 3 on RM 2222, and she is recovering slowly and will have to learn to walk again.

By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

A 20-year-old journalism student who was hit by a car on May 3 at 10301 RM 2222 near River Place is recovering slowly. She’ll have to learn to walk again with her pelvis fractured in multiple areas but she has been moved from ICU and sat in a chair in her hospital room on May 14.
“(Rae) still has a long way to go but she’s fighting hard and showing improvement,” Valeta Jones stated on Monday on the GoFundMe page entitled “Compassion Counts”.

Jones is taking Rae under her wing. Rae doesn’t have insurance or family support at this time.

“When I found out that (Rae) had nowhere to go and no family support, without a second thought I took her in,” stated Jones.

“(Sunday) was a great day for her and one of the best Mother’s Day gifts ever. (Rae) spent several hours sitting in a chair! Her speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy all went well,” added Jones.

Chantal Locke, an Austin Police Department motorcycle officer and a first responder to the May 3 accident, helped create the GoFundMe page to help with medical expenses.

“I have been approached by many who witnessed the crash and felt compelled to help this hopeful young, journalism student, who works part-time,” Locke said.

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Many families gathered at the National Day of Prayer last week in Steiner Ranch.

Many from the community gathered at the 3rd annual Steiner Ranch National Day of Prayer on Thursday at Towne Square.

“It went great, had 60 – 70 adults and children. It was a wonderful morning,” said Sabryna Taggart, who helped organize the event with her husband Dan.

Many participated in National Day of Prayer including Shawn Dilbeck, worship pastor at the Church at Canyon Creek, who sang the opening and closing songs;  Don Dumbacher, Steiner pastor of Hill Country Bible Church; Darril Holden Jr., teaching pastor at Austin Christian Fellowship; Josh Howard, youth pastor at HCBC; Burton Hackney, elder at ACF; and Chris Turnley.

Local leaders from the Moms in Prayer International group shared words, scripture readings and prayed with the group including Debbie King, Amy Kerr and Amy Mintner.

Students participated too including Abby and Kate, seniors at Vandegrift, Ashley, Bronson and Cole, Canyon Ridge Middle School, 7th and 8th graders, who read Bible verses, and Emilia King and Eden McSpadden representing elementary schools in Steiner.

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L-R Charlie Little, VHS principal, Andrew Peterson, Adrian Sherwood, and LISD Superintendent Dan Troxell at the LEEF STAR Banquet on April 27.

The LEEF STAR Banquet on April 27 at Austin Baptist Church featured students recognizing teachers who made an impact. L-R Charlie Little, Elijah Kabigting, Carol Morris, Sarah Beatty, Mee-A Pavey, Andrew Peterson, Adrian Sherwood, Renee Robinson, Shelby Kohn, Preston Mayo and Jonathan Jones.

L-R Shelby Kohn and Renee Robinson at the LEEF STAR Banquet.

By KIMBERLY STRENK
LEEF Board Member

The Leander ISD Educational Excellence Foundation held its annual Student  & Teacher Academic Recognition banquet on April 27 at Austin Baptist Church. Six LISD high schools selected outstanding high school seniors who in turn recognized the one educator who had the biggest impact on their educational journey during their time in Leander ISD.
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