By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Travis County and the Texas Department of Transportation are ready to “fast track” plans for a new full-purpose traffic signal at the intersection of Steiner Ranch Boulevard and RM 620, according to a May 6 email sent by TxDOT project manager Bruce Byron to Brian Thompto, chairman of the Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association.

“Due to heavy traffic on RM 620 during peak hours, Travis County contacted TxDOT to see how we could improve operations at this location,” said Kelli Reyna, public information officer for TxDOT. “After looking at a myriad of different options, it was determined that a traffic signal was the best solution.”

In his email, Byron said the redesigned, full-purpose traffic signal would cost approximately $250,000; however, Reyna said that number could not be confirmed until a funding agreement is put into place. Continue reading →

By KRISTEN HILL, Contributor

The Vandegrift choir program is wrapping up this spring with University Interscholastic League accolades, a trip to the capitol and its annual Spring Show, which is next week.

The Chamber and Chorale Women choirs enjoyed great success at the recent UIL contest. Both choirs earned a Sweepstakes trophy meaning that all six judges in concert and sight reading gave superior ratings. Continue reading →

James Rinn, Steiner Ranch resident, shares encouraging words to the community and prays during the National Day of Prayer event May 5.

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Photos by Duane Duncum, Nancy Norvell

The 2nd annual Steiner Ranch National Day of Prayer was last week on May 5 at 7:15 a.m., and many attended from the community.

“It went really well… we had about 150 plus,” said Nicole Duncum, a volunteer of the event.

Olivia Helmund, 8th grader at CRMS and daughter of Alison and Mike Helmund, sang the national anthem in the beginning and “Amazing Grace” at the end of the National Day of Prayer event.

Olivia Helmund, 8th grader at Canyon Ridge Middle School, sang the national anthem in the beginning and “Amazing Grace” at the end of the National Day of Prayer event.

Josh Howard, youth pastor at Hill Country Bible Steiner Ranch, and his wife, Christy, and their three daughters were part of the event. Their middle daughter shared a prayer.

“It was neat seeing the intergenerational prayers,” Duncum said.

Melissa Workman and sons, Trent, Ty and Webb, were part of the National Day of Prayer event last week in Steiner.

Melissa Workman and sons, Trent, Ty and Webb, and Kevin Whitehurst and his daughter Lily, CRMS 8th grader, all participated in last week’s event.

Cooper Dossey, Vandegrift senior, prayed for the local community, families and schools. Additionally, CRMS sixth graders Callye Self, Jenna Levine and Athena Galantis were part of the event.

Scott Etkin, retired sheriff and chaplain for Travis County Sheriff’s Office, prayed for the local community at the Steiner event.

Scott Etkin, retired sheriff and chaplain for Travis County Sheriff’s Office, and James Rinn, Steiner resident, both shared encouraging words to the community and prayed for the community.

Josh and Christy Howard with their three girls were part of the National Day of Prayer event last week in Steiner. Josh is the youth pastor at Hill Country Bible Steiner Ranch.

Kevin Whitehurst and his daughter Lily, 8th grader at Canyon Ridge Middle School, participated in National Day of Prayer.

ViperBot team 6299 QuadX captured the first place PTC Design Award for the second year in a row at FIRST Tech Challenge World Championships in St. Louis recently.

By SUZANNE GALLIGHER, Contributor

Two Vandegrift ViperBot robotics teams — 6299 QuadX and 6209 Venom — competed at FIRST Tech Challenge World Championships in St. Louis recently, adding to the area’s growing reputation for excellence in STEM education.

A total of 128 teams from 16 countries — the top 2.5 percent of over 5,158 FTC robotics teams worldwide — took part in the four-day tournament that started Apr. 27. 

At the worlds opening ceremony, Donald Bossi, president of FIRST, stated that every one was a champion just by making it to worlds. Continue reading →