All posts by Debby Thompson

TCSO Meeting on Mail Theft
Thursday, January 23, 2020 | 6:30pm
WB Comm. Ctr. | 2106 Klattenhoff Drive

Mailbox break-ins this season seem too frequent to count.  Join us this coming Thursday as we meet with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office to find out what’s being done about the recent rash of mail thefts and what we, as a community, can do to help.

We realize it’s right after work, but we’ll have munchies on hand to tide you over until you make it home!

Happy Holidays from the WBNA!

The holidays are HERE!  We hope you’ll join us in celebrating these wonderful Wells Branch traditions.  Take time to reconnect with family, friends and neighbors.  We look forward to seeing each of you at the festivities!

Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner
Saturday, November 23 • 6:00-8:00pm
Sponsored by WB MUD Recreation Dept.

Wells Branch neighbors, you’re invited to bring a prepared covered dish or dessert to share and spend the evening among family and friends exchanging memories while creating new ones.  Our Thanksgiving Potluck is a long-standing tradition in Wells Branch you won’t want to miss.  Turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, and beverages will be provided by the WB MUD.

Youth Fowl Shot Contest
Tuesday, November 26 • 6:00-8:00pm
Sponsored by WB MUD Parks & Rec. Dept.

Hoop it up and put your basketball skills to the test!  Various games will be held for Wells Branch Youth to take their shot at taking home a grand prize!   The contest starts at 6:00pm in the WB MUD Rec. Center Gym.  Participants accumulate points by competing in a variety of basketball activities. Age groups will be split into three groups: 8-10, 11-13, and 14-17. Grand-prize winners from each age group will receive a turkey. Registration is free and you can register in-person at the Recreation Center.

WBNA Holiday Home Decorating Contest
Judging begins Sunday, December 8!

Break out the tinsel and holly!  Deck the halls, yard, trees, cars, dogs, cats… Let’s show some good ole WB spirit!  The WBNA is sponsoring the Holiday Home Decorating Contest again this year!  Judging will begin on Sunday, December 8 with winners announced on Saturday, December 21.  If you’d like to help judge or nominate a home, email lights@wbna.us.  Be sure and watch for the “Winners” as we post signs in their yards and feature the homes on Facebook and wbna.us!  Categories include:  Most Original, Most Traditional, Most Elaborate, Best Use of Lights, Most Energy Efficient, Visible from Space, and Most Patriotic.

Polar Express Pajamarama
Saturday, December 14 • 6:00 & 7:00pm

All aboard, for Wells Branch Community Library’s yearly Polar Express Pajamarama!  Enjoy holiday crafts, hot cocoa and cookies, a bedtime reading of The Polar Express and a special visit from Santa Saturday, December 14 at 6:00pm & 7:00pm!  Register at wblibrary.eventbrite.com.

Light Up the Night at Luminary Fest
Friday & Saturday, December 13 & 14 • 6:00-9:00pm
Sponsored by WB MUD Parks & Rec. Dept.

Experience the glow of the holidays as our trails light up with luminaries around Katherine Fleischer Park on December 13 & 14.  Santa will be visiting the Homestead Cabin both nights from 6-9pm with FREE photos provided by WB Community Church and digital copies available the next day on the WBNA Facebook page.

Warm up inside the Community Center with hot cocoa and cookies provided by the WB MUD Parks & Rec. Dept.  WBNA sponsored craft tables will be set up both nights and children will have the opportunity to create ornaments and keepsakes.  Volunteers will be on hand to assist with crafts and MUD staff will keep the refreshments flowing.

Join us outdoors for a caroling hayride or a trip around the trails on the Holiday Express Train to see the luminaries up close.  Jessica Shepherd will host the kids’ karaoke inside the Community Center on Saturday night with continued crafts and refreshments for all to enjoy.

Help to light the luminary candles on Friday and Saturday at 3:30pm.  The MUD will have lighters on hand but feel free to bring your own long lighter and meet in the courtyard at the Community Center.  Wagons are encouraged Saturday to help carry the replacement candles along the trail.

We hope to see you there!

TxDOT Meeting:
I-35/WB Pkwy Diverging Diamond

Thursday, November 21 • 7pm
WB Community Center • 2106 Klattenhoff

Engineers from TxDOT will give a short presentation on the continued improvements along I-35 and plans for renovation of the intersection at I-35 and Wells Branch Pkwy followed by a Q & A session.  They’ll have a representative on hand to record input from residents.

Along with the presentation, TxDOT will also have the complete map system for this project on display and be available to answer any questions you may have after the presentation.

In addition to North and Southbound HOV lanes from the 45 toll road down to 290/2222, this highway project includes a major overhaul of our Wells Branch Parkway & I-35 intersection, changing it to a ‘Diverging Diamond’ traffic pattern like they recently put in near IKEA at exit 257 on I-35.  The plan also includes creating bike and pedestrian routes so we can walk and bike across I-35 safely.

The link below has lots of information on what’s planned.  Please review and spread the word – this is our chance to ask questions or raise any concerns.

https://capexnorth.mobility35openhouse.com

Taryn Feigen from Rep. Israel’s office will be there to answer any legislative questions regarding this project.

For those of you who’ve expressed the desire for additional dedicated lanes at the Shoreline/Burnet Rd (1325) intersection, an engineer for that area will also be on hand to take input and answer questions.

Please make every effort to come!

Early Voting Begins!

by Christine Bloemsma

Hello, neighbors, and happy fall!  As one of our MANY neighborhood Volunteer Deputy Registrars of voters for Travis County, I wanted to bring together some important election information for you all in one place, and I’d like to ask you to add voting to your calendar for this busy season if you were registered to vote on or before Monday, October 7, 2019.

Generally, the attention and turnout will be on the national primaries and Presidential elections in March and November of 2020, but remember: odd years are worth your time as well!

Historically, odd-year elections get lost in the shuffle.  Texas voter turnout in 2017?  Less than six percent.  Travis County generally has a more-energized electorate, but still brought out only 13.4% of registered voters in 2017.

What’s on the ballot?

To be sure what you’ll see before you go, Travis County voters can use the “voter lookup” feature on this web-page:  https://www.votetravis.com/vexpress/display.do which will find the voter and display a sample ballot.

The League of Women Voters also has a very thorough, nonpartisan voter’s guide: https://lwvaustin.org/voter-guide/

Tuesday, November 5, 2019 – General Election (Constitutional)

Early Voting:
Monday, October 21, 2019 – Friday, November 1, 2019

Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked):
Friday, October 25, 2019

Travis early voting locations: https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/polling-locations.html

Williamson early voting locations: https://www.wilco.org/Departments/Elections/Voting-in-Person/Early-Voting

**NOTE:  the two-county site at McNeil High School’s Performing Arts Center will not be open this year.  Travis County voters may vote at Northwest YMCA across McNeil from the high school. Williamson ballots will not be available at that location.Your vote is your voice!  See you around the neighborhood!

Wells Branch Crime Initiative

by Craig Smith, Major
Law Enforcement Bureau
Travis County Sheriff’s Office

During the months of June and July of this year, TCSO noticed an increase in burglary and theft in the Wells Branch area.  This was determined by using data collected monthly and prepared by an analyst.  This type of analysis helps us pinpoint where crime is increasing, as well as help us pro-actively work to prevent crime.  Captain Poole, who oversees our East Area Command, worked with his staff to come up with a crime initiative targeting burglary and theft in the Wells Branch area.  The initiative was four weeks in length, using various units such as, Auto Theft, Criminal Investigations, Traffic, and the Special Response Team. In situations where individuals are accused of burglary or theft, seeking legal counsel from a criminal defense lawyer is paramount. These legal experts specialize in defending individuals facing criminal charges, ensuring that their rights are protected throughout the legal process. By enlisting the support of these lawyer, individuals can navigate the complexities of the legal system with confidence, knowing that they have dedicated legal representation advocating for their rights and best interests. The criminal defense attorney in Manassas appreciates the efforts made by this society to spread awareness and lends a helping hand for poor people to fight their legal battles. Teams of deputies and detectives conducted surveillance, utilized bait vehicles and packages, and increased traffic enforcement. The Naegle Law Firm, PLC is where one can get a good attorney. The public must be given awareness about various kinds of lawyers available to deal with different kinds of cases. Now a days, it has become so easy to find out the best lawyer fighting criminal defense charges not only with the number of cases that they have handled but also with the good credibility and client satisfaction. Your lawyer may also explain felony bond conditions in Texas if you are planning to post bail.

The four week initiative was very successful, resulting in the following:

  • 3 recovered stolen vehicles, valued at $48,913.00
  • 1228 traffic citations issued
  • 27 persons arrested
  • 14 Felony Charges
  • 14 Misdemeanor Charges
  • 4 Felony Arrest Warrants
  • 17 Misdemeanor Arrest Warrants
  • 8 DWI Arrests
  • Stolen property recovered, valued at $8,700.00
Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez, Flynn Lee and Nelson Linder address the residents of Wells Branch during the TCSO Townhall on September 7 at the WB Rec. Center.

I am very pleased with the work done by everyone involved.  I am confident this will impact the crime in Wells Branch and help make the community a safer place.  The holiday season has started and we will continue to monitor crime statistics so that we can immediately address areas of concern. The domestic violence attorneys helping clients in Dallas can help the victims come out of troubled households.

A video of the presentation by Captain Poole is available on the WBNA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WBNA.WellsBranchNeighborhoodAssociation/videos/2690101737688542/

Donations to ATXHAW

Once again, we’ll be collecting donations for those experiencing homelessness at Extreme Clean this Saturday, October 12, from 8am-2pm.  Please see below for a list from their website of items NEEDED as well as those accepted.

Austin Humanists at Work
Humans helping humans…no strings attached
http://www.austinhumanistsatwork.org/donate/what-do-we-need/

Welcome to our traffic light shopping guide! Below is a list of our staple items, which was last updated on October 1, 2019.  Your donation is tax-deductible!  We are a 501(c)(3) organization.

For a complete list of everything we do and don’t accept, please see our Donate page.

As of February 24th, 2019, we cannot accept clothing (t-shirts, jeans, shorts, etc.). We continue to accept accessories that can be placed on our giveaway line, such as socks, underwear, bras, shoes, belts, hats, etc. If you’re not sure whether to donate a certain item, please email donations@austinhumanistsatwork.org.

Green Light (we really need these items!):

*Sunscreen
*Nail clippers
*Condoms
*Women’s underwear
*Non-perishable grab and go foods
*Hair oil/ leave-in conditioners for coarse hair
*Grab and go fruit for the day of the Giveaway
*Shampoo
*Conditioner
*Toilet paper
*Combs/brushes/hair picks (brushes and combs for all hair types)
Lip balm
Hair elastics
Emergency blankets
Insect repellent
Notepads
Pens
Men’s underwear

*means that we are completely out of these items!

Yellow Light (we probably have enough of these items, but a few more wouldn’t hurt):

Women’s socks
Men’s socks
Tissues
Toothpaste
Hand-sanitizer
Mouthwash, dental floss

Red Light (we don’t need any more of these items right now):

Soap & body wash
Toothbrush covers
Lotion
Toothbrushes
Razors
First aid kits
Baby wipes
Cotton balls
Q-tips
Floss picks
All feminine hygiene
All plastic Ziploc style bags