Category Archives: River Place

Two local families share their stories of living with autism

By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

April is National Autism Awareness Month and two local families living with autism share what their lives look like, how their children might behave differently from other children, and how lack of awareness about autism affects them every day.

Mindy Minto lives in Steiner Ranch with her husband Sean and their two kids, 15-year-old Delia and 12-year-old Charlie. While Delia is a typically developing child, Charlie was diagnosed at age four with autism.

Mindy, Delia, Charlie and Sean Minto of Steiner Ranch in one of their favorite family photos from a few years ago. Now the children are 15 and 12. Mindy wants to help people understand more about autism. Charlie was diagnosed with autism at age 4. “I can’t stand when people stare at him,” she said. “When he starts flapping (his hands) or is loud… I wish those stares would stop. He sees it. He understands everything that is going on around him. I feel like eventually — maybe not now but eventually — it will hurt his feelings.” Lauren Lesley Photography

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Vandegrift has strong showing in playoff loss to Cy Ranch

The Vandegrift lines up against an indirect freekick inside the penalty box, but the Vipers lost to Mustangs 2-1 in the bi-district round of the playoffs on
Friday night.

By ZACH SMITH, Hill Country News Sports

Saying a team gave it everything they had but came up short is a cliché used far too much in sports. But, simply put, there is no other way to describe the Vandegrift boys’ soccer team on March 29.

The Vipers were presented a difficult task in the first round of the playoffs, state-ranked No. 11 and District 14-6A champions Cy Ranch. Vandegrift scored the opening goal in the first half but battled the wind and few other factors in the second half to fall 2-1 to the Mustangs.

“I think that was the best game we played all season,” Vandegrift head coach Cody Brown said. “We battled all the way through and had chances to win the game. It kind of got stolen from us in my opinion. I’m a coach and I want to win games, but to lose games like that, I can live with because these guys played with so much heart.”

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River Place residents unite to derail density of new Milky Way Dr. community

On April 2, Milky Way Drive resident Tracey Schalscha said she hopes the commission would act to preserve the nature of the community she chose to live in about 18 months ago. LESLEE BASSMAN

Commission fails to make a recommendation on Milestone’s zoning request

By LESLEE BASSMAN, Four Points News

With Four Points residents voicing their opposition, Austin’s Zoning and Platting Commission could not come to a consensus for a ruling after it heard a petition April 2 by Milestone Community Builders to rezone about 42 acres off Milky Way Drive in River Place, an action that would pave the way for a residential project for some 45 homes.

The sticking point for commissioners appeared to be the lot size, with staff recommending a minimum lot size of 21,000-square-feet, or half an acre, and residents — supported by the River Place Homeowners Association — clamoring for a minimum tract size of 30,000-square-feet, or three-fourths of an acre.

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Another Steiner board member resigns

Brad Stanton resigns from Steiner Ranch Master Association board.

Updated Editor’s note:

Brad Stanton, vice president to the Steiner Ranch Master Association board has resigned effective immediately. Stanton is the fourth elected SRMA board member to either resign or vacate their respective positions in the last 12 months. Another board member resigned early in September 2017. There are only seven board members that serve on this HOA board. Stanton takes time to share with Four Points News and the community his reasons for leaving the board after one year and before his term is complete.

It’s been a privilege and honor to serve the great citizens of Steiner Ranch and especially those that elected me in District 2. We accomplished two of the three goals to which we committed: the Steiner Stars swim team obtained one additional home swim meet, and the landscaping and parking safety was improved at Westridge Park.

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