Learning to live with Texas snakes in Four Points

BY SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

Sharing the Four Points community with snakes is easier for some than others, but regardless of how you feel about snakes, learning how to live with them is important.

Local snake enthusiasts say there are things you can do to prevent snakes from coming around your house. They also say most snake bite incidents are avoidable.

Bob Woche, a Steiner resident who does snake removal, stands up for snakes because, “Nobody’s really defending snakes. They are so important to our ecosystem and that’s the main thing.”

Bob Woche with Hognose  snake photo by Jack Woche

Bob Woche with Hognose snake.  photo by Jack Woche

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Vandegrift Band & Vision Dance celebrate their state win with a medal ceremony

By RICH KEITH, Four Points News

The Vandegrift Viper Band and Vision Dance Company is the new class AAAA state champion marching band in Texas.

On Nov. 12 the band students held a medal ceremony at Austin Baptist Church and each each student received a medal provided by the state of Texas.

Each VHS Band and Vision Dance student received a gold medal from the State of Texas on Tuesday night at Austin Baptist Church.

Each VHS Band and Vision Dance student received a gold medal from the State of Texas on Tuesday night at Austin Baptist Church.

 

 

Showing their state champion gold medals, Vandegrift drum majors Rhea Adhikary, Graham Scott, Lienne Ng and Olivia Schmitz pose with Director of Bands Jeremy Spicer (center) at the formal UIL medal ceremony held on Nov. 12.  Photo  Ann Scott

Showing their state champion gold medals, Vandegrift drum majors Rhea Adhikary, Graham Scott, Lienne Ng and Olivia Schmitz pose with Director of Bands Jeremy Spicer (center) at the formal UIL medal ceremony held on Nov. 12.
Photo
Ann Scott

 

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LWBE, RRE zones to change, Some 400 local students likely affected next school year

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

The Leander ISD Attendance Zone Advisory Committee finalized its recommendations for elementary attendance zones late Monday. If voted on in December, it will affect nearly 400 projected students next school year from neighborhoods that go to Laura W. Bush Elementary and River Ridge Elementary in Steiner Ranch.

“Fast growing districts that bring in more families and more homes need to accommodate growth. Sometimes that means new schools, other times it means moving people around to accommodate growth where there is density,” said Veronica Sopher, LISD spokesperson.

Veronica Sopher, Leander ISD executive director of school/community relations.

Veronica Sopher, Leander ISD executive director of school/community relations.

At its Nov 4 meeting, the Attendance Zone Advisory Committee reviewed the comments from the two public meetings conducted in late Oct. All emailed communication and alternate scenarios were shared with the committee. Based on its review of this input and additional discussion, the committee came up with its final recommendations.

LWBE and RRE are the two schools affected in Four Points.

A projected 263 students would move from  River Ridge to Bush from these neighborhoods:

Canyon Gate, Woodland Hills, The Legends, Hunters Green, Eagles Glen, Lakecliff Hills, Granite Bay, The Reserve, Hawk’s Canyon, Red Oak Valley, Shadestone Terrace and Shoreview Estates.

A projected 134 students would move from Bush Elementary to River Ridge Elementary from Summer Vista. Continue reading

Three Chambers talk 620 corridor improvements; CAMPO public meeting today Nov. 13 @ 6 p.m.

 By RICH KEITH, Four Points News

Local Four Points and Lake Travis civic leaders met recently to discuss long-term goals and realistic strategies for improving transportation in the area between Lakeline Mall and TX 71. Involved were the Four Points Chamber of Commerce president Ray Freer, the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce president Laura Mitchell and Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce president Tony Moline.

“We met to discuss common interests surrounding putting together a vision for and seeing plans for development along the 620 corridor,” said Brian Thompto, community relations chair with the Four Points Chamber of Commerce.

Brian Thompto, community relations chair with the Four Points Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association.

Brian Thompto, community relations chair with the Four Points Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association.

Both short term and long term goals were discussed. “Ultimately we want to create a vision for the area,” Thompto said. “We want to build a coalition to influence regional transportation issues including Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization or CAMPO priorities,” he said.

Thompto urges Four Points residents to come out for the CAMPO Mobile Meeting on Wednesday at Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek Drive at  6 p.m. This planning meeting invites residents to share concerns, experiences and solutions for traffic planning.

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