By SCOTT W. COLEMAN, Four Points News

Things are about to get a lot tougher for a pair of Leander ISD teams that have seen tremendous success in recent years.

Vandegrift and Vista Ridge will join Leander High School in rising to Class 6A competition in the coming two seasons, according to the University Interscholastic League’s reclassification and realignment announcement on Monday. That puts all three schools competing in a completely revamped District 25-6A, along with Lake Travis, Westlake, Buda Hays and Kyle Lehman.

Four of the teams in the newly adjusted 25-6A reached the football state quarterfinals and both Westlake and Lake Travis played in Class 6A state title games just six weeks ago.

The UIL realignment of District 25-6A will pit Vandegrift against Lake Travis and Westlake starting next school year. “Adjusting to tougher districts isn’t a new thing, but two state finalists make this hard,” said Drew Sanders, VHS athletic director and head football coach.
Photo by Scott W. Coleman

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By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Single-family home sales and prices in greater Austin — including Four Points —  set all-time records in 2015, as well as records for the month of December.

“Four-Points is doing very well,” said Tom Radack, owner Bartlett Real Estate Group Keller Williams Realty.

Four Points experienced solid sales growth and price appreciation, he added.

“Stronger growth was limited as a result of less available inventory, but the median price rose by $33,525 to $493,525, 6.8 percent over 2014. Days on market increased from 25 to 37,” Radack said.

This chart, compiled by Bartlett Real Estate, compares annual home sales statistics from the Multiple Listing Service in the area since 2010. The Four Points subdivisions in this report are Comanche Trail, Grandview Hills/Parke, River Place, Steiner Ranch and Westminster Glen.

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Four Points Family Vision owner and optometrist Sherry Salkhordeh of Steiner Ranch is still in shock from the announcement on Friday, when she found out that her practice would close with the Walmart store closing.

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced Friday its plans to close 269 stores including the Four Points Walmart Supercenter, which affects more than 260 employees and businesses including Four Points Family Vision.

Business owner and optometrist Sherry Salkhordeh — a Steiner Ranch resident, wife and mother of three — is still in shock from the announcement on Friday, when she found out about an hour before it was released to the public.

The Walmart district manager called Salkhordeh, owner of Four Points Family Vision, on Thursday night and set an 8 a.m. meeting with her. She asked if there was anything bad but the manager said, “you’re not in trouble, you’re one of the best doctors (we have in Austin.) I wouldn’t call if it wasn’t really important,” the Walmart manager told her.

The next morning at that meeting, the Walmart manager told Salkhordeh about the closing of 154 stores in the U.S. including the local Four Points store.  

She was blindsided.

“It’s just not right, they should’ve given me notice,” she said. “Why they would do that… because I’ve built my practice and am working really hard.” Continue reading →