The Lake Austin Collective, a group of citizens who live near the tract owned by the Champion sisters on City Park Road, has notified the city that the City Council’s November 10, 2016, agenda posting for the zoning change vote on the tract, which the Champions propose to develop, was inadequate and missing certain essential information.

Possible lawsuit looming

By JO CLIFTON
Austin Monitor

City Council is facing yet another possible lawsuit over a vote it took that may not have complied with the Texas Open Meetings Act. City attorney Anne Morgan discussed the matter with council in executive session on April 18.

Attorney Bill Aleshire, representing the Lake Austin Collective, a group of citizens who live near the tract owned by the Champion sisters on City Park Road, has notified the city that the council’s November 10, 2016, agenda posting for the zoning change vote on the tract, which the Champions propose to develop, was inadequate and missing certain essential information.

For full story go to Austin Monitor:

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/category/austin/city-council/

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.

Continue reading →

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

By 

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →