VHS dealing with drug-resistant Staph infections, Assumed to be affecting varsity football team starters

By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

vandegrift logo_cutout_bw homelogoVandegrift High School recently contacted parents to inform them of the presence of community-associated Methicillan-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) on campus. Several student athletes have been affected and are being treated for skin infections.

Parents responded with concern. As a result, the district has provided detailed information to families about MRSA and the steps Leander ISD is taking to clean facilities and prevent the further spread of infection.

Staph infections are a somewhat frequent occurrence from middle school to professional locker rooms, but the infections — caused by the very common staphylococcus bacteria — are highly contagious and require treatment and aggressive prevention to curtail a widespread outbreak.

Varsity Viper football players have have been affected but the school did not release a list of those suspected of having the infection.

The presence of CA-MRSA on the VHS campus is not new or unique, according to Veronica Sopher, LISD spokesperson. Continue reading

Wyzykowski sentenced to 18 years for killing Howards while driving drunk, Other charges pending

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Nicholas Wyzykowski

Nicholas Wyzykowski

Nicholas Wyzykowski has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after he admitted that he was drunk on Dec. 27, 2013 when he caused the crash that killed Steiner Ranch Elementary kindergarten teacher Peggy Howard and her son Cale, a Vandegrift High School senior.

Wyzykowski, 22, pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of intoxication manslaughter and five counts of intoxication assault.

The accident on RM 620 N. in Four Points also sent five others to hospitals with injuries including broken backs, broken ribs, a broken neck, a broken femur and a punctured lung.

The former University of Alabama student was initially charged with 19 felonies following the incident. Other felonies in this case are pending and Wyzykowski’s next court date is Nov. 21, said Linda Estrada, Travis County court clerk.

According to court documents, Wyzykowski must serve half of his punishment before he is eligible for parole review. Once he is released, he will be placed on probation for 10 years. Continue reading

VHS earns gold medal from U.S. News and World Report

downloadBy CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Vandegrift High School was one of only four Central Texas high schools to receive a gold medal as one of the Best High Schools in Texas based on the 2014 U.S. News and World Report.

VHS was ranked the 41st best high school in the state and 347th best in the nation. Rankings are determined by a number of factors including reading and geometry proficiency, overall student performance, disadvantaged student performance, college readiness and Advanced Placement student performance.

Continue reading

Two stabbed at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse, suspect also injured

Updated 2pmstabbing affidavit Oct 31 2014
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By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News
The Travis County Sheriff’s office is investigating a double stabbing that happened this morning at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse.
Two people were stabbed at the restaurant at 5424 Steienr Ranch Blvd. just after 1 a.m. on October 31.
The victims were taken to St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center.
“One was stabbed in the abdomen and the other in the chest. One was in surgery this morning and is expected to live. The other is in stable condition,” said Lisa Block, spokesperson with TCSO.
The suspect was also injured and was taken to Lakeway Regional Medical Center. “The wounds were not extremely serious,” Block said.
As of 9:30 this morning, charges have yet to be filed but charges will most likely be two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Names have not been released yet. A Facebook post mentioned that these were not employees of the steakhouse.
TCSO Major Crimes is investigating the case.