Category Archives: Volente

Former River Ridge teacher shot, killed by neighbor

Adam Ladner was a 5th grade teacher at River Ridge
Elementary from 2009 through 2015.

STAFF REPORTS

A former River Ridge Elementary teacher was killed last weekend when a dispute with a neighbor turned violent.

Adam Ladner, 41, a Leander ISD science teacher and girls soccer coach at Running Brushy Middle School in Cedar Park, was shot multiple times in what police say started as a noise complaint on Jan. 26. His neighbor, 64-year-old Larry Wayne Smith, was arrested and charged with murder.

It is the second shooting death in Cedar Park in less than a week.

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River Place to charge nature trails fees for nonresidents

By LESLEE BASSMAN, Four Points News

Beginning March 2, trail users who are not residents of River Place’s Limited District may want to start bringing a credit card to the neighborhood’s popular pathways.

With Board Member Art Jistal absent from the Jan. 8 special-called meeting, the Limited District unanimously approved a fee schedule for nonresidents to use the River Place nature trail. The district is responsible for solid waste disposal along with maintaining the community’s parks and trails.

“We’ve been trying for a little over a year to come up with a strategy to try and manage the traffic on the trail,” Limited District President Scott Crosby said. “We have several of those trails and they are just extremely crowded, especially on weekends.”

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Local youth in Lake Austin on “America’s Funniest Videos”

Seth Priebe (left), a River Ridge Elementary student, entertained family and friends by jumping into muddy Lake Austin in January 2017. His mom shared a video which ended up airing on “America’s Funniest Home Videos” this month. Neighbor Parker White-McArdle was with him on the diving board two years ago.

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Two years ago, Seth Priebe decided to go “mudding” in Lake Austin like he always does when the water is lowered. His mom, Shelly, took photos and videos as she always does.

A friend of the family said she couldn’t stop watching the entertaining video and submitted it to “America’s Funniest Home Videos”. It was selected and the video ran a few weeks ago on Sunday, Jan. 6.

“My kids have always celebrated when LCRA lowers the lake,” Shelly said. She and her husband, Chuck, have lived in the same home on Lake Austin since 1987. Their children Megan, 24, Maria, 21, Simone, 18, and Seth, 11 have all played in the Lake Austin mud over the years.

“Boys get muddier than girls,” said Shelly Priebe. This photo was taken at Lake Austin around 2005 shows the Priebe sisters and a playmate.

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2018 Four Points homes sales down, prices up

Central Texas had all-time sales volume high

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

The number of homes sold in the Four Points area — including Steiner Ranch, River Place, Grandview Hills and Comanche Trails — were down slightly in 2018 but the sales prices on average increased per square foot.

There were 395 homes sold in 2018 compared to 408 sold in 2017. The median sale price, however, increased from $525,250 or $165/square foot in 2017 to $555,000 or $166/square foot last year.

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