Celebrate Independence Day
the Wells Branch Way at 4thFest!

4th Fest is brought to you by the WB MUD Recreation Department—Thank you!

Roll out the Red, White & Blue!
Let’s show our Wells Branch Spirit. 

Meet in front of the community center at 9:30am.  The parade takes off at 10am.  If you’ve never been to one of our parades before, then get ready to see lots of decorated bikes, wagons, trailers, DOGS, KIDS, hats, motorcycles and floats.  It’s a grand event!  If you wish to include a float in this year’s parade, please contact the WB MUD Program & Events Coordinator at 512-251-9814.

2026 Parade Route (Departs at 10am)

Facing west on Klattenhoff Dr. => Right on Alpha Collier
=> Right on Fronia Woodward => Right on Cervin Blvd.
=> Right on Wells Port Dr. => Right on Crystal Shore
=> Right on Klattenhoff Dr. => Return to KF Park

When the parade returns to the Community Center, we kick off a day of fun events.  WB MUD will feature children’s activities throughout the park until 2:00pm and free admission to KF Pool with games there from 1:00-4:00pm.  There’ll be balloon clowns and face painting in the courtyard, and a bubble station, dunk tank, and inflatables in the park until 2:00pm.  Be sure and capture a moment in the 4thFest photo booth.  Live entertainment starts at 10:30am under the Big Tent behind the Community Center with the band, Texas Bad Cats (txbadcats.com). Stop by the WB MUD info booth for free Cupcakes!  Cool off inside the CC, visit the WBNA Silent Auction or stop by the Friends of the Library table for a tattoo and enter their raffle. The WB Library will be there as well with all kinds of goodies. ALL FOR FREE! 

Concessions will be available from local restaurants and community service groups offering a variety of items to enjoy. Finish up the day with fireworks at 9:00pm at the Rec Center on Shoreline.

     A 4thFest Request from St. Andrew’s –

Our food bank supplies are running low and our Pantry Program is busier than ever. As you head out to watch the parade, go to the WB MUD outdoor activities or head for the WBNA Silent Auction, please consider bringing a canned good or dry pantry item. We will have a collection table set up in the Community Center lobby. Thank you for your support.

WBNA 4thFest Silent Auction

Saturday, July 4 | 9:00am – 2:00pm
WB Community Center | 2106 Klattenhoff Drive

The 2026 WBNA “live” silent auction is set to dazzle at the WB 4thFest! All proceeds benefit our amazing community. Monies raised help to fund the Easter Egg Hunt, National Night Out and Pumpkin Patch/Painting along with our participation in the WB MUD Halloween Trunk or Treat and Luminary Fest, WBNA educational and safety seminars and the “Neighborhood News” newsletter throughout the year.

Check out the outstanding selection of gift baskets and certificates, goods, and services donated by WB friends, neighbors and businesses! Online bidding began June 19 and will end on July 2 at Noon. Check out all the spectacular auction items here: https://www.32auctions.com/WBNA4thFest2026

Bidding at the live auction will take place July 4th from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Here are some auction tips to help ensure your success.

  • You MUST have a bidder number to place a bid. Check in at the registration desk; it only takes a minute.
  • NOTE: The auction closes in stages, starting 1:15pm. There will be signage on each table and the walls indicating “closing time”. Event staff will be ready to help with the “Buy Now” option for any item.
  • If you bid online, but don’t “Buy Now”, the last bids registered “freeze” and all final online bids transition to the live event.
  • Don’t forget to grab a raffle ticket for the door prize drawings.

Contact Margaret Sufke at 208-869-5224 or SilentAuction@wbna.us if you have an item or service you’d like to donate or if you’d like to volunteer.

Need to REGISTER to VOTE or change your address?  We’ll have VDRs on hand in the Community Center lobby to help and a collection point for St. A’s Food Bank as well.

Fireworks Location Reminder

Brought to you by the WB MUD Parks & Rec. Dept.

WB MUD will launch the July 4th fireworks display from the soccer field/detention pond on Shoreline Drive between the Rec. Center and Fire Station.

Please refer to the map to the right for designated seating areas.  We suggest being in your seats by 9pm, as the fireworks begin at dark (around 9:30pm).

Although parking is available along the street and in the Willow Bend Pool parking lot, the number of spaces are limited, so we encourage all that can, to walk or ride bikes.

Please come early, bring your blankets, chairs, coolers and bug spray.

Don’t forget to clear your area and pick up your trash when you leave. Thank you!

Questions? Call the MUD Rec Center at 512-251-9814.

Mosquito Season Is Here—What Actually Helps?

by Jill Douglass

With summer in full swing—and all the rain we’ve been getting—mosquitoes are definitely making themselves at home in our neighborhood. While their bites are mostly just irritating, in some cases mosquitoes can carry diseases, so it’s worth taking a few steps to limit their presence.

It’s tempting to think that spraying your yard with pesticides will solve the problem, but unfortunately it’s not that simple. Mosquito populations are very resilient, and even after treatment, they tend to bounce back quickly.

More importantly, those sprays don’t just affect mosquitoes—they also harm beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, fireflies, ladybugs, and caterpillars. These insects play important roles in pollinating plants, breaking down organic material, and supporting the food chain for birds, frogs, and lizards. In addition, many pesticides can pose risks to people and can wash into our waterways, where aquatic life is especially sensitive.

The good news is that there are safer, more targeted ways to reduce mosquito populations:

Eliminate standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water, so dumping out containers, unclogging drains, and keeping items like buckets and flowerpots dry can make a big difference.

Set simple mosquito traps using dunks. For water that can’t be removed, you can turn it into part of the solution. Place a bucket of water in a shaded area and add a mosquito dunk containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). The water attracts female mosquitoes looking for a place to lay eggs—but the Bti kills the larvae before they mature. In effect, you’re creating a trap that helps reduce the next generation of mosquitoes. Best of all, Bti is safe for people, pets, birds, and fish.  For more info, visit: Mosquito Bucket of Death Video

These steps can significantly reduce mosquito numbers, though they won’t eliminate them entirely.

To protect yourself while outdoors:

Use mosquito repellent (products without DEET are great for everyday use, though DEET can provide stronger protection when needed).

Sit near a fan—mosquitoes are weak fliers and have trouble navigating moving air.

Wear long sleeves and pants when practical (though that’s admittedly not always easy in a Texas summer!).

In short: While there’s no perfect solution, focusing on prevention and personal protection works better—and is far more environmentally friendly—than relying on chemical sprays.

Stay cool and bite-free this summer! 

How to Make Your Own Mosquito Bucket of Doom

  1. Fill a 2–5 gal bucket 2/3 with water and add a handful of dry leaves and fresh grass. Add more grass each time you add dunks.
  2. Add a Mosquito Dunk: Use 1/4—1/2 of a mosquito dunk (wildlife-friendly and kid-safe). Replace dunk monthly.
  3. Add wire mesh on top of the bucket to keep small animals from falling in or a place a “Rescue Stick” inside so they can climb out.
  4. Set buckets in shady spots around your yard & share your magic with your neighbors!

 

Heat Stroke:  Know the Signs

Pflugerville Fire / Travis Co ESD No.2

During hot and humid weather, your body has a harder time cooling.  When the body heats up too quickly to properly cool itself – or when too much fluid/salt is lost through sweating or dehydration – the victim may suffer heat exhaustion or heat stroke which is very serious.  Below are tips on preventing heat stroke, recognizing its symptoms, and first aid. And remember: never leave kids, pets, or disabled adults alone in parked cars … not even for a few minutes!  Have a safe and enjoyable summer everybody.

PREVENTING HEAT STROKE

  • Slow down! Reduce, cancel or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day
  • Even if you don’t feel thirsty, proactively bring and drink plenty of water (not very cold) or other non-alcoholic, decaffeinated fluids
  • Prevent sunburn through sunscreen, sunhats, and minimizing direct exposure to the sun; a sunburn reduces your body’s ability to cool down
  • Dress in lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight
  • Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salad
  • Take a cool bath or shower
  • Spend time in air-conditioned locations
  • When the room temperature is hotter than 90°, don’t direct the flow of portable electric fans toward you because the dry, blowing air may further dehydrate you

 HEAT STROKE SYMPTOMS

  • Altered mental state or confusion
  • Hot, red, dry, or moist skin
  • One or more of these symptoms: dizziness, throbbing headache, nausea, shallow breathing
  • Rapid and strong pulse
  • Fainting or loss of consciousness
  • Body temperature 103°F or greater

FIRST AID FOR HEAT STROKE

  • Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or get the victim to a hospital immediately
  • Get to a cooler setting, preferably air-conditioned
  • Do not give fluids
  • Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or a bath •  Use a fan only IF the heat index is BELOW the high-90s

Hey! How Come It Seems Like the Police Never Respond?

Did you know that many current incidents or crimes are either NOT reported at all or are reported incorrectly? Failing to report an issue correctly often means that law enforcement officers are either unaware or unable to respond.

Travis County Sheriffs Office (East Command Office) is the responsible agency for the Wells Branch community.

TCSO East Command | Jim Collier Building
7811 Burleson Manor Rd. Manor, TX 78653 | 512-854-9721

Important Contact Points:

Emergencies: Call 911 – ask for Travis County Sheriff 911

NOTE: The TCSO strongly encourages the use of 911, if an issue seems urgent

· Non-emergency crime | 512-974-0845, Option 3

· Major Crimes Tip Line | 512-854-1444 | majorcrimestips@traviscountytx.gov

· Victim Services | 512-854-9709 | tcsovs@traviscountytx.gov

· File an Online Report:  tcsheriff.org/records-reports/reports/file-online-report

NOTE: Use the online tool to report non-life threatening crimes and report every occurrence of that crime. The data and number of reported nuisance crimes matter and impact response times and actions

· Capital Area Crime Stoppers (Austin area): austincrimestoppers.org

· Travis County Animal Control Services: (unincorporated area)  (512) 974-2000

Best Practices to Report a Crime to TCSO:

· ALWAYS report ANY suspicious activity or nuisance crime

· IF calling 911, request TCSO 911 when connected, TCSO has a DEDICATED 911 system and this will generate a faster response

· Use the 911 for any suspected emergency or active crime, TCSO strongly advocates using the dedicated 911 system for any possible threat

Report ANY repeated nuisance crime each time it occurs and use the online system to record each incident

The Wells Branch community has multiple social media sites and folks post and respond to on-going threads on serious issues, often complaining there is limited or no response from law enforcement. While it’s good thing to share concerns within the community, nothing will happen if no one actually takes the action to REPORT the possible crime. “When in doubt, Shout it out!” Sage advice from TCSO Deputy Robert Phillips.