Carl Schuler and his dog become separated for twenty minutes due to a rattlesnake they encountered on their hike.

By LYNETTE HAALAND, MADISON PHARIS , Four Points News

With the warm weather this spring, snake sightings are frequent in the Four Points area including venomous types such as the rattlesnake and non-venomous ones, like the rat snake.

Steiner Ranch resident Carl Schuler and his dog encountered a rattlesnake recently, the first time in their two years of hiking on the Serrulata trail. Despite becoming separated by the snake, both him and his dog were able to reunite unharmed.

Another local hiker, Kirsten Saharek, states that she also encountered one during a dog walk recently.

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L-R Pierce Lao, Bo Deng, Varun Gorti (not pictured Nicholas Rose)

Vandegrift students on the UIL Academics team competed in a variety of academic contests, and performed well among many district, region and state competitions. State was held May 4 – 5 at the University of Texas in Austin and 10 Vipers competed after preparing all school year.

“Whenever you see anyone with a ‘VHS Smarties’ shirt, give them a high five! These are our UIL Academic students for the 2017-2018 school year… and they’ve worked hard all year,” said Madeline Fulton, English teacher and the UIL Academics team coordinator.

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Photo credit: Phyllis Boddorf
Travis County Sheriff’s Office Erica Peters, senior deputy, and Steven Coleman, senior deputy, are the School Resource Officers at Vandegrift HS. Leander ISD partners with law enforcement agencies to cover all high schools.

By NICK BROTHERS, Hill Country News

In the aftermath of recent deadly high school shootings, — Santa Fe, Tex. on Friday leaving 10 dead, Parkland, Fla. on Feb. 14 that left 17 dead, and others across the country this year — Leander ISD officials are addressing the district’s current safety and security systems with parents and students.

“We’re having some tough conversations right now about doing anything additional to our security upgrades,” said district spokesperson Corey Ryan. “We are working to implement programs that help build relationships between students with our faculty and staff.”

As for the notion of arming teachers in an effort to protect students, Ryan said the school district prohibits firearms on campuses and does not plan on changing its rules.

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Shelley Klieforth shared these images.

Updates about RM 620 safety

By LESLEE BASSMAN, Four Points News

On May 16, around 1:45 p.m., a Lake Travis Fire Rescue engine carrying four firefighters left its lane and crossed over the center of RM 620, hitting four vehicles before stopping on the roadside, LTFR Battalion Chief Michael Prather said. LTFR also serves the communities of River Place, Steiner Ranch, Comanche Trail and Marshall Ford as Emergency Services District 6.

The engine was returning to its home, Fire Station 604 at 5939 Comanche Trail, Austin, when the incident occurred, sending 10 out of the 12 persons involved in the accident to area hospitals including Round Rock Medical Center and Baylor Scott & White-Lakeway, he said.

As of Saturday, May 19, all four firefighters were released from the hospital, with three released on the day of the accident and the fourth released just after 10:45 a.m. on May 19, said Braden Frame, vice president of the Lake Travis Fire Fighters Association.

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