By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

When it comes to traffic fatalities, 2015 has been one of the deadliest in Austin history, and Four Points is contributing with its spike in accidents.

As of Aug. 21,  71 people have lost their lives as a result of traffic accidents this year, more than in all of last year. In 2014, there were 37 traffic deaths.

“Each and every one of those deaths was completely, absolutely preventable,” said Austin Police Department Chief Art Acevedo.

There has been a dramatic spike in the number of accidents, including some fatalities, in Four Points year.

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By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

It’s a busy time of year as students and parents get ready for the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 24.

While the district is not making any big policy changes for the upcoming school year, there will be a few technology enhancements throughout the district to help both students and parents.

GPS technology on buses

One enhancement that will help students who ride the bus is the implementation of GPS technology on school buses. If a child’s bus is running late due to traffic or other reasons, a parent can call the bus dispatch line and find out in real time where the bus is and its expected arrival time. Continue reading →

By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

Scholarships awarded to Vandegrift High School 2015 graduating seniors increased by 54.6 percent compared to 2014, reported Amy Rodriguez, VHS lead counselor.

“Last year, VHS seniors were offered $13.5 million in scholarships. This year, they were offered a little over $20.89 million. Our students are the ones who deserve the utmost credit. Their persistence and dedication to their academics and the programs to which they are committed is inspiring,” Rodriguez said. Continue reading →

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

The Texas Department of Transportation is trying to wrap up construction at RM 2222 and McNeil Drive before the start of Leander ISD classes on Monday. The project is being done to help facilitate the flow of traffic through this area, the primary access route for both Four Points Middle School and Vandegrift High School.

Once finished, there will be new, dual left-turn lanes from eastbound RM 2222 to McNeil Drive, and the right-turn lane from westbound RM 2222 will be lengthened.

Additionally, McNeil Drive to RM 2222 will be striped with a left-turn, a right-turn, and a center optional left- or right-turn, said Kelli Reyna, TxDOT spokesperson for the Austin District.

Sidewalk ramps and concrete curb and gutter work is being done at night at the RM 2222 and McNeil Drive intersection. This work started on Sunday night and is expected to go through Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night in hopes of getting the project done before Monday.

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