By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

Greater Austin Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is now Sneeze Allergy & Cough Centers, and the local doctor-owners have expanded the practice beyond Austin to other Texas cities and to California.

Dr. Henry Legere III, of Long Canyon, founded the practice five years ago and recently changed its name because it has expanded beyond its Austin locations including River Place, Westlake, Oak Hill, and its newest office in Bee Cave at the Hill Country Galleria, to San Marcos and San Antonio and an office in Los Angeles.

There are now 14 Sneeze Centers served by 12 allergists, one nurse practitioner and two physician assistants. Patients of all ages are welcome. “The youngest patient I’ve seen was four-months-old and the oldest was 93,” said Dr. Eric Schultz.

Seasonal allergies are the most common complaint at the local clinic located in the Arise Medical Tower at 6611 River Place Blvd., Suite 305. Continue reading →

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

The Four Points Chamber of Commerce is hitting a milestone and celebrates its fifth anniversary. What started as a volunteer-run organization in 2010 with some 20 members now has three  part-time staffers and 130 members.

“Over the past five years, we’ve provided an invaluable amount of education to our members, community and businesses. We’ve covered topics from training to traffic, from social media to safety and socializing. We’ve provided businesses with dozens of ideas, hundreds of contacts, and thousands of leads,” said Ray Freer, FPCC chairman, founder of RF Insurance Masters and Steiner Ranch resident.

Continue reading →

By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

The Four Points area including Steiner Ranch, River Place and Grandview Hills — which fall into three zip codes of 78732, 78730 and 78726 respectively — has experienced growth in size and ethnic diversity over the past 15 years. Other demographic information points to a younger population that is, in general, well above the state average in terms of household income.

As of 2013, the City of Austin pegs the total population for the three zip codes of 78732, 78730 and 78726 that fall into the Four Points footprint at 37,194.

The 78726 zip code includes Canyon Creek and extends to Anderson Mill Road. 78730 includes Emma Long Metropolitan Park and extends to Hwy. 360. 78732 includes the Comanche Trail area.

Continue reading →

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Place 6 City Council member Don Zimmerman says he is developing a roadway concept that would provide an evacuation route for Vandegrift High School and Four Points Middle School, reduce the wildfire threat in the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and also help alleviate traffic congestion in Four Points.

Don Zimmerman
Place 6 City Council member

“We do have a conceptual plan to connect RM 2222 and US 183 via McNeil and Spicewood Springs,” Zimmerman said. “A primary purpose is fire safety and emergency evacuation – hence our nickname of ‘Fire Break Parkway.’”

Zimmerman said he has discussed the proposal with multiple groups including the Austin Fire Department and officials with Leander ISD and Travis County, with the hope of it becoming a joint project. He said decades of unmanaged growth and vegetation accumulation in the BCP poses a serious wildfire threat.

“It is a tinder box which, if started, would destroy all the wildlife in addition to destroying property and possibly costing human lives,” he said.

Continue reading →