This is one of Mike and Cindy Rondini’s favorite photos of their daughter Megan, who grew up in Steiner Ranch, graduated from Vandegrift, and attended the University of Alabama on an honors scholarship. She killed herself in 2016 without closure to her long, drawn-out rape case.

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Mike and Cindy Rondini of Steiner Ranch never gave up on their daughter Megan’s long, drawn-out rape case, and two years after their daughter killed herself, they settled with the University of Alabama for sexual assault damages and improperly handling their daughter’s case.

“Our hope has always been to improve conditions for other sexual assault victims. We can’t comment specifically on the settlement with UA, but we believe it’s consistent with this goal,” said Mike.

“We’re continuing to pursue the alleged assailant civilly in federal court in Alabama,” he added.

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By CLAIRE LAWRENCE, Vandegrift Voice

Bright lights illuminate the theater. Sharp and contrasting shadows are casted on the faces and bodies of actors standing on stage. It’s the start of “Archipelago” — the one act play that Vandegrift Vipers performed twice for competition last week.  

On March 20, Vipers advanced to bi-district, and on March 23, they took the stage in Smithson Valley.

“It’s super exciting,” director Celeste Schneider said. “I’m really proud of them and truly honored and humbled. It shows what awesome kids we have here at Vandegrift.”

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Dan Troxell, superintendent of Leander ISD, gave his annual LISD State of the District presentation on March 21 highlighting district growth and student successes.

48,852 students expected by 2026

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Dan Troxell, superintendent of Leander ISD, gave his annual LISD State of the District presentation on Wednesday highlighting growth, the bond project update and student successes. This week’s report focuses on growth.

“Growth is a good thing for school districts. First of all it means people are choosing to come to our communities and that they value the quality of education,” Troxell told the 240 attendees on March 21 at Hill Country Bible Church. “And secondly, it’s great to see new kids come in and the things we can do with them and the programs we can offer as we continue to expand and grow.”

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Bypass update, raised median, speed limits

By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association hosted a presentation about RM 620 traffic safety last week on the heels of a recent fatality in Four Points.

A month after 54-year-old Franklin Daniels died in a two-vehicle crash on RM 620 near Mansfield Dam on Feb. 22. Daniels was driving a Ford Ranger northbound on RM 620 when he lost control and slid into oncoming traffic and slammed into a Hyundai Sonota, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported. Daniels died at the scene and a man in his 60s, who was driving the Hyundai, was taken to the hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.

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