Steiner resident searching for niece’s body after Memorial weekend floods

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

For Steiner Ranch resident Julie Shields and her family, the Memorial weekend floods have been devastating. Shields lost her sister, a nephew and a niece in the Wimberley floods, and she continues to help in the search of Leighton’s body in the Wimberley area.

“We’re not giving up,” Shields said. “We still need to find Leighton. The outpouring of love and support is what’s keeping us going. We had 1,500 volunteers on Saturday.”

Shields’ sister, Corpus Christie resident Laura McComb, 34, had been spending the holiday weekend in Wimberley with her husband, Jonathan, their two children, Andrew, 6, and Leighton, 4, and another family in a cabin by the Blanco River. But when the torrential rains began and the river quickly rose to unprecedented levels on May 23, their cabin at 100 Deer Crossing was swept off its foundation, sending it and the nine people inside floating downstream.

Three members of the McComb family lost their lives in the Memorial Day weekend floods in Wimberley. Longtime Steiner Ranch resident Julie Shields continues to help search for her niece Leighton McComb’s body after the floods. Shields’ sister Laura McComb and her nephew Andrew also lost their lives. Her brother-in-law Jonathan was released from the hospital on Friday and is helping in the search efforts for his missing daughter.

Three members of the McComb family lost their lives in the Memorial Day weekend floods in Wimberley. Longtime Steiner Ranch resident Julie Shields continues to help search for her niece Leighton McComb’s body after the floods. Shields’ sister Laura McComb and her nephew Andrew also lost their lives. Her brother-in-law Jonathan was released from the hospital on Friday and is helping in the search efforts for his missing daughter.

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Cedar Park Football Coach Joe Willis Resigns

By SCOTT W. COLEMAN, Four Points News

After taking the Cedar Park Timberwolves to the state championship game two of the last three seasons, head football coach Joe Willis is leaving to accept a position in the suburban Dallas area’s Grapevine-Colleyville ISD.

Joe Willis coaching the Timberwolves football team.

Joe Willis coaching the Timberwolves football team.

The move was announced by CPHS principal John Sloan via email Thursday afternoon and also confirmed by Leander ISD spokesperson Veronica Sopher.

“(Willis’) dedication and the commitment to excellence have been evident in the success of all athletic programs at Cedar Park High School,” Sloan said in an email to parents and teachers. “We are grateful for all that Coach Willis contributed to Cedar Park High School and LISD and wish the best to the Willis family in their future endeavors.”

Willis spent five years as defensive coordinator at Cedar Park under then-coach Chris Ross. When Ross was elevated to Leander ISD’s director of athletics in 2012, Willis stepped into the head coaching job. The Timberwolves won the Class 4A state championship in Willis’ first season.

A third-round exit in 2013 was followed by a second title game appearance in 2014, where Cedar Park lost to Ennis, 38-35, in the Class 5A championship game on Dec. 19.

Willis leaves Cedar Park with a record of 37-8 as head coach, and will take over at Colleyville Heritage High School. The Heritage Panthers went 5-6 last season, but were bounced from the playoffs in the first round in each of the last three seasons.

Cedar Park’s spring football game is scheduled for Friday, May 29, at the school’s on-campus field.