By VAL OLIVAS, Four Points News

Five years ago, Heather Nielson thought that moms who complained about kids bringing peanut butter sandwiches to school were “overprotective worriers.” She thought that food allergies were not that big of a deal.

“Then, my daughter Hope was born, and my whole world was turned upside down,” Nielson said.

Heather Nielson joined the Laura W. Bush Elementary Food Allergy Awareness Committee because her daughter Hope (photoed), who has life-threatening allergies, will be starting kindergarten next fall.

She joined the Laura W. Bush Elementary Food Allergy Awareness Committee because Hope will be starting kindergarten next fall. Hope, 5, has life-threatening allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, sesame and eggs, and she has less serious allergies to many other foods. She also has asthma and eczema.

“I want to make sure that our school is safe for her and for everyone,” Nielson said. “The reality, as crazy as it seems, is that a kid could eat peanut butter at lunch and then touch my daughter at recess, and she could have a severe reaction and die.”

The new Laura W. Bush Elementary Food Allergy Awareness Committee has a purpose to promote awareness, support, education and understanding.
(L-R) Jennifer Mooney, Nicole Gray, Iris Perez, Heather Nielson and Gaby Stockdell. Elizabeth Barnard and Carrie Chavis not pictured. Photo by Veronica Ritter

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Viper Coach Drew Sanders and team.
Photo by Scott W. Coleman

By SCOTT W. COLEMAN, Four Points News

Any team that earns the right to play in the postseason does so with a great deal of emotion. For Vandegrift — reaching the state quarterfinals for the first time after two previous postseason campaigns cut short in the second round — coach Drew Sanders has said that playing with confidence and passion has been a key to the Viper defense’s success in recent weeks.

Now just two wins away from playing for a state title, the Vipers will face another Central Texas team riding high on emotion, as Vandegrift and Austin LBJ meet on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Gupton Stadium.

For Austin LBJ — a team that was bounced from the postseason in the first round by LISD schools each of the last four seasons — emotion is driving the team’s longest playoff run in more than a decade. The Jaguars are pulling out all the stops to honor fallen teammate Jermaine Dillard, who was hit by a car while trying to cross U.S. 183 near Ed Bluestein just a week before the 2014 playoffs began.

LBJ does have talent, but they are clearly the underdog this Saturday facing an explosive Vandegrift team that averages 50 points a game. But, the Jags — who average 42 points a game — have thrived on being the underdog, playing with emotion to honor a fallen teammate this postseason. The Vipers will have their hands full. A quick strike and early lead would go a long way toward giving Vandegrift a shot at playing in next week’s semifinal game against either Temple or George Ranch. Another outstanding defensive effort, though, could make all the difference.

By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

State wildlife authorities say that the recent animal attack in the Hills of West Ridge subdivision of Steiner Ranch was now more likely by a coyote and not a large cat, as previously reported.

Blake Hendon, a wildlife biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, says he and a member of Texas Wildlife Services investigated the incident, in which a Welsh corgi was killed at a private residence in the early morning hours of Nov. 13.

Ultimately, Hendon says, the initial evidence alone was inconclusive.

He adds that tracks at the home did not appear to be the shape or size of a cat and, furthermore, hairs found along the fence and property lines are consistent with a coyote. “Information at the site is that it was highly likely a coyote,” Hendon says.

By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

A second animal attack has been blamed for the death of yet another family pet in Steiner Ranch.  It is believed coyotes are responsible.

The two family pet attacks happened a few days apart a few weeks ago.

Lori McCollum, owner of the second slain pet, said, “We let our guard down one time.”

The McCollum’s family dog was a 7-year-old Boston terrier named Laila. She disappeared from the backyard of their Valley of East Ridge home.

“In this neighborhood,” McCollum said, “we all let our dogs out and they run between the houses or play in the yards.”

Laila had been out and when the family looked for her, she was just gone. “We thought someone picked her up,” McCollum said.

A couple days later, however, they found Laila’s remains.

Although the family did not have the cause of death officially confirmed, two coyotes showed-up in the backyard. “I think they were coming back for more,” McCollum said.

She cautions Steiner Ranch residents to be alert to their surroundings. “Don’t think that because you have a fence that your pet is safe. We let our guard down one time,” she repeats. Continue reading →