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LIFE IS INTERESTING. BEING INFORMED MATTERS.
A news site focusing on people, places and events happening in and around Stephenville and Erath County, Texas.
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Going Places: Take a road trip to Marfa, Texas to check out those world-famous flickering lights.
By MARILYN ROBITAILLE As everything starts blooming and spring fever arrives, this year, perhaps more than all others, you’ll feel the...
Apr 14, 20213 min read
Traveling with an airline voucher might not be as simple as it sounds, so expect the unexpected.
By MARILYN ROBITAILLE In spite of all the news of places experiencing another lockdown and more COVID turmoil, you might be ready to...
Apr 6, 20213 min read
Let's travel: Enjoy a beautiful vacation in the coastal city of St. Tropez.
By MARILYN ROBITAILLE Let me set the scene. The sky is a deep blue rivaled only by that pristine Texas blue that we’ve all come to take...
Mar 23, 20213 min read
Common sense and a dizzying display of outrage; it’s all in a day’s work.
By SARA VANDEN BERGE (aka Karen) Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Karen; one of those frumpy, judgmental, uptight types who think sex is...
Mar 21, 20213 min read
On the move with Betsy and Greg: Orcas Island, a slice of heaven in the Pacific Northwest.
By GREG BALL We just spent 6 ½ weeks on Orcas Island and it was an amazing experience. Orcas is part of a group called the San Juan...
Mar 21, 20213 min read
Shock and awe at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop. Now this young mother is taking a stand.
Publishing note: Stephenville resident Chelsea Taylor wrote to Beneath the Surface News about the following incident that happened at...
Mar 20, 20214 min read
Memoir: Feed Sack Dresses: Memories of a Texas Farm Girl recalls growing up in Bluff Dale
By CATHEY HARTMANN If the term “feed sack dresses” is familiar to you, you were more than likely born in the first half of the last...
Mar 11, 20212 min read
Jazz music, a rich history and spicy food: Enjoy it all in New Orleans.
By MARILYN ROBITAILLE If you’re looking for a destination that has something to appeal to all the senses, New Orleans, Louisiana, should...
Mar 9, 20213 min read
Today was a good day. Nana received her vaccination and our family is so thankful.
By SARA VANDEN BERGE Today was a good day. After nearly a year of being mostly home-bound, my mother received her first vaccine for...
Feb 26, 20211 min read
Land and residential properties rise as Erath County becomes attractive destination.
By KATIE BURR and SHAWN STONE Publishing note: The following information was submitted by local real estate agents Katie Burr and Shawn...
Feb 25, 20212 min read
It’s been 8 years since Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield were murdered. I haven’t forgotten.
By JON KOONSMAN When I began writing and speaking publicly about the murder of two great Americans - US Navy SEAL CPO Chris Kyle and...
Feb 2, 20215 min read
Going Places: If it’s time for a little self-care, book yourself into this premier destination spa.
By MARILYN ROBITAILLE As we continue to adjust to the changes in our lives brought about by COVID, the term “self-care” has taken on new...
Feb 2, 20213 min read
On the Move with Betsy and Greg: Vagabonding during a pandemic.
By GREG BALL Hello everybody, sorry it has been so long since I’ve checked in. It has been quite a year, hasn’t it? Like many of you our...
Jan 30, 20214 min read
Going Places: When you hear London calling, try the King’s Cross area.
By MARILYN ROBITAILLE I’ve noticed that often times people fall into two categories when it comes to travel: those who like to cover...
Jan 26, 20213 min read
A new travel column called ‘Going Places’ is coming to BTS News. And it’s going to be great!
By MARILYN ROBITAILLE Here we are in the midst of COVID on the scary rise and political chaos reaching a fever pitch. You can either...
Jan 18, 20212 min read
2020 showed me a number of things that gave me grave concern. And hope.
By JON KOONSMAN Adios, 2020. I won’t miss you when you’re gone. You’ve shown me a number of things that give me grave concern about the...
Jan 2, 20213 min read
Christmas with the Vanden Berges. (We’re not the Kranks, but close.)
By SARA VANDEN BERGE Christmas with the Kranks is one of my favorite holiday movies, and to our surprise, the Vanden Berges (that’s us)...
Dec 24, 20202 min read
Love, family and Christmases in Bluff Dale.
By CATHEY SIMS HARTMANN Many of you may have known my sister, Mary Anne Yarbrough Foreman. She was the communication specialist at...
Dec 23, 20202 min read
The Joel Osteen I knew (back in the day when I became the accidental barber.)
By LISA OWENS There are a lot of haters out there; trolls who are looking for the next person, place, thing, entity, organization,...
Dec 21, 20203 min read
‘The vaccine is my way back to holding our grandchildren again.’
By Dr. BILL HODGES Special to BTS NEWS I plan to take the Covid-19 vaccine as soon as it becomes available to us. There are a couple of...
Dec 14, 20202 min read
Misty had a sad start after she was treated poorly; now this sweet cat is ready for a new beginning.
Sara Vanden Berge
11 hours ago2 min read
Sara Vanden Berge
1 day ago2 min read
Sara Vanden Berge
3 days ago1 min read
Sara Vanden Berge
3 days ago1 min read
Sara Vanden Berge
3 days ago2 min read
Sara Vanden Berge
4 days ago1 min read
Misty had a sad start after she was treated poorly; now this sweet cat is ready for a new beginning.
Sara Vanden Berge
11 hours ago2 min read
Sara Vanden Berge
1 day ago2 min read
Sara Vanden Berge
3 days ago1 min read
Sara Vanden Berge
3 days ago1 min read
Sara Vanden Berge
3 days ago2 min read
Sara Vanden Berge
4 days ago1 min read
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