By RICH KEITH, Four Points News

The Vandegrift High School band participated in the Texas Music Educator’s Association or TMEA Region 26 Band audition on Saturday. Students advancing from the audition will play a series of concerts in January under the direction of a distinguished visiting conductor.

“This is the first step in the process to be named a TMEA All-State Musician, which is the highest honor a high school band student can receive,” said director of bands Jeremy Spicer.

In a school-record audition performance, band students secured 39 chairs in the Region Bands and another 10 students being named to the District Band. The auditions were held at Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock.

photo by Rich Keith

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By RICH KEITH, Four Points News

Texas Department of Transportation officials met recently with local officials and discussed the shortened dual-turn lanes at the congested RM-620 and RM-2222 intersection as well as a potential new bypass option.

TxDOT met with representatives from Texas Rep.Todd Workman’s office, Travis County Precinct 2 Commissioner Bruce Todd’s office, and the Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association’s founders including president Brian Thompto.

The meeting was a followup between officials and neighborhoods toward finding solutions to the ever-growing traffic volume and congestion experienced daily in Four Points and along the entire RM-620 corridor from TX 71 to Lakeline Mall.

A potential bypass is being discussed to help alleviate RM 620/RM 2222 intersection traffic. The path identified follows the power line corridor beginning at a point just south of BBQ Outfitters on RM 620 and would connect to RM-2222, emerging near the area around Cooke’s Automotive.
Photo by Rich Keith

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By RICH KEITH, Four Points News

In a public meeting held Monday night at Grandview Hills Elementary, Leander ISD Superintendent Bret Champion showed how the district’s continued growth is fueled by today’s demographics. He also explained some of the challenges in keeping high standards of education while dealing with current budget realities.

Champion said the district has had to learn to do more with less. Out of 4,219 staff, 2,270 are teachers, but this is an increase of only 64 since the previous high point in 2010 — before the budget cuts required a reduction in staff levels. Meanwhile, the district has added about 4,000 new students.

Leander ISD Superintendent Bret Champion showed how the district’s continued growth is fueled by today’s demographics.
Photo by Scott Coleman

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By VAL OLIVAS, Four Points News

Photo Texas Photography is officially moving headquarters to River Place this week as founder Cindy Gallien has her eye toward expanding into more Texas markets.

River Place resident Gallien will have a much shorter commute to work in the days ahead when Photo Texas offices move from Anderson Mill to 6500 River Place Blvd. on Dec. 11.

“We will have an (indoor) studio and have outdoor access to beautiful spots. Our building sits on the edge of the preserve so we have incredible views and scenery,” Gallien said.

Cindy Gallien, of River Place, has built Photo Texas Photography from the ground up since 1999. Today she has 35 employees, many shown in this photo.
Photo by Photo Texas Photography

With 35 employees—and additional contractors–Photo Texas covers the Austin, Houston, Beaumont, College Station and San Angelo areas. It offers photography services for school portraits, senior portraits, school sports and activities, and youth league action. Photo Texas also provides event photography and photo booth rental.

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