Category Archives: Neighborhood News

Upcoming Events!

Wells Branch Eco Fair
Saturday, April 28 • 2-5pm

WB Rec. Center • 3000 Shoreline Drive

On April 28, Wells Branch MUD Recreation Dept., together with local volunteers, will be hosting this free event.  We’ll have booths with vendor demos, hands-on activities for both children and adults, and give-aways.  Check the WB MUD website or WBNA.us for a schedule of speakers and topics as we get closer to the event.

Children are encouraged to participate by coloring and submitting a coloring page.  Copies are available online and at the Rec. Center.  Bring your coloring page the day of the fair and receive a prize.

Find more information and download your coloring sheet at wellsbranchmud.com.

We’d love to have your help!  If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact one of the Team Leads:

Healthy Food and Home:  Vicky Linsalata, vickylin@austin.rr.com

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:  Debby Thompson, deborah_thompson@earthlink.net

The Great Outdoors:  Shelley Palmer, spifala@gmail.com

Alternative Power/Fuel:  Stephen Hochstetler, srh2pjh@gmail.com

Water Conservation/Waste Water/Storm Water:  Christine Taylor, ctaylor@wellsbranchmud.com

Get involved, make plans to attend, and stay tuned for updates!

WB MUD Spring Youth Fishing Tournament
Saturday, May 5 • 9am-Noon
Mills Pond • 15108 Wells Port Drive
Wells Branch MUD hosts its spring youth fishing tournament for ages 17 and under May 5 from 9am to noon at Mills Pond.  Enrollment into the tournament is free for all youth, with trophies and prizes being awarded at the end.  A rod and reel will be provided for those anglers who would like to borrow one.  All state fishing regulations apply.

WBNA Community Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, March 31, 10:30am
Homestead at KF Park • 2106 Klattenhoff

Join your friends, neighbors and The Easter Bunny, himself, as Wells Branch welcomes Spring with the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Homestead.  “Hunts” will be by age group and begin at 10:30am.  Come early and visit with the Easter Bunny or have fun at our craft table.  If you plan on attending, please take a moment to read this article in its entirety.

Last year, a web source picked up our event and shared it with 133,000 followers.  As many of you observed first hand, the results were overwhelming.  This event is, and always has been, for the Wells Branch Community.  ALL Wells Branch residents and their invited guests are welcome.  We just can’t accommodate the entire City of Austin again.  We know the problems weren’t with our neighbors, but more likely, those who just aren’t used to how we do things in Wells Branch.  Still, we ask that everyone be on their best behavior, volunteers included.  No yelling, stealing eggs, reaching under the tape and filling baskets before we start, or busting down the tape and charging ahead before your age group is called.  We need parents to set the example.  We’ve added a second group for the little guys as that was an issue last year.  ONE parent will be allowed in to help with the two youngest age groups (0-18mos & 18mos-3yrs).  We ask that you respect this restriction.  All other age groups must hunt on their own.  Feel free to coach ahead of time.  There will be 7 minutes between “hunts” to allow parents of multiple children to navigate the crowds.  Please, only allow your children to hunt with their respective age group.  Last, but not least, please remember that this event is put on by volunteers.  We spend weeks getting ready and usually stuff 8,000-10,000 eggs.  It’s no small feat.  So, if a volunteer asks something of you, please be respectful of their requests.  If for some reason, your child ends up without many eggs, any of our volunteers in bunny ears will have extra goodies.  Just let one of us know.

Please don’t misinterpret this as being accusatory or negative.  We love our neighbors and our community.  We’re asking for everyone’s help in advance in creating a joyful experience for all involved.

Easter Egg Hunt RULES:

Those of you who’ve attended our hunts in the past know we have very few rules, but we do ask parents to follow those rules and be courteous  and respectful of your neighbors so that all of our children may enjoy the hunt.

Age Groups:

0-18mos & 18mos-3yrs
*Only ONE (1) parent per child in egg hunting area
*Watch out for potential choking hazards

4-6yrs • 7-9yrs • 10-12yrs
* No parents allowed in egg hunting area

BE ON TIME (early is better) AS THE “HUNTS” GO QUICKLY. 

Check all eggs for prizes. • Let a volunteer know if there’s an issue. • Recycle your eggs with the WBNA. • Have FUN!

We need volunteers to help things run more smoothly. 

Anyone whose kids have aged out of the hunt, or older teens who need service hours, we would be so appreciative of your time!  Please contact us for more information at info@wbna.us or call 512-656-0654.

Statistical Analysis of Wells Branch Initiative

Provided by Kristen Dark, Sr. Public Information Officer, Travis County Sheriff’s Office

Throughout October and November of 2017, TCSO conducted an initiative focused on reducing crime in the Wells Branch community. The six-week initiative which took place from October 8 – November 15, 2017 consisted of both undercover and overt operations. On November 28, 2017, TCSO hosted a Town Hall meeting to share details of the completed operation with residents. At that meeting TCSO Captain Craig Smith promised attendees and media representatives that our agency would release statistical analysis of crime in the area once December data had been collected and analyzed, to present a picture of where things stood the month after the initiative ended.

JULY 15 – AUGUST 15, 2017 (Pre-initiative Reports)

  • Violent Crimes
    • Robbery: 4
    • Assault: 6
    • Aggravated Assault: 2
    • Narcotics: 24
  • Property Crimes
    • Burglary of Residence: 8
    • Auto Theft: 11
    • Burglary of Vehicle: 27
    • Theft: 21
  • Traffic Offenses
    • DWI: 8
    • Collisions: 27

NOVEMBER 15 – DECEMBER 15, 2017 (Post-initiative Reports)

  • Violent Crimes
    • Robbery: 1  75% Decrease
    • Assault: 4  33% Decrease
    • Aggravated Assault: 1  50% Decrease
    • Narcotics: 17  29% Decrease
  • Property Crimes
    • Burglary of Residence: 4  50% Decrease
    • Auto Theft: 5  55% Decrease
    • Burglary of Vehicle: 11  59% Decrease
    • Theft: 11  48% Decrease
  • Traffic Offenses
    • DWI: 3  63% Decrease
    • Collisions: 25  7% Decrease

It’s important to note that this initiative is not an indication that Wells Branch is an unsafe neighborhood. It’s a densely populated area where crime rates had begun to show an increase. The goal was to reduce crime through a concentrated effort. These results were accomplished through community engagement, education and collaboration. During this initiative TCSO worked closely with the Austin Police Department, Pflugerville Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety. We will continue to engage the community and work together to keep crime rates low.

TCSO started these initiatives in 2017. The first concentrated on the Del Valle area. These operations will be an ongoing practice in the months and years to come and will target areas where statistical analysis shows an uptick in criminal activity.