By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The Stephenville Education Foundation is bringing back its Pits & Putts golf tournament on Friday, June 5, at Legends Country Club.   Registration for the four-person scramble will begin at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at 1.   A hamburger lunch will be served at 11:30.   “This is an opportunity for the community to come together and support the Stephenville Education Foundation and our SISD staff while enjoying good food and an afternoon of golf,” Shell

Chicken caprese smash tacos By Julie Brinkley   My family loves a good smash taco, so I have another recipe to share.   If you like caprese chicken, you will LOVE these tacos!   Click here to watch a video on how they are made.     WHAT YOU NEED   1 lb. ground chicken   4 flour tortillas   2 tsp Italian seasoning   1 tsp garlic powder   1 egg, beaten     1 cup Panko bread crumbs   Cherry tomatoes   Parmesan cheese   Fresh basil   One clove garlic   Olive oil   Salt and peppe

The Rocha family (Editorial note: The following letter was sent to Beneath the Surface News by Alfredo Rocha Jr. whose mother and brother died when a vehicle crashed into their Stephenville home on March 22.)   I have been trying to find the right words to explain what my family and I are feeling, and I still feel like I fall short.   Since the day my mother and little brother were taken from us, our lives have been changed in ways I never could have imagined. There is a kin

Hi Abernathy! By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Abernathy, an eight to nine-month-old mixed breed pup that arrived at the shelter as a stray.   “Abernathy is a sweet, energetic girl who lives for attention and being with her people,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “She loves to be in the middle of the action and will happily follow you around to see what's g

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The Erath County Master Gardeners organization is hosting its annual spring plant sale from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the Texas AgriLife Research Center, located at 1229 N, Hwy. 281 in Stephenville   “As always we’ll have many varieties of Texas natives and adapted plants as well as indoor and patio plants, shade plants and sun lovers, herbs and succulents,” event organizer Sheila Mangione told Beneath the Surface News .     “Our educational

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Early voting in city elections begins on Monday.   Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, April 20, through Friday, April 24, and Monday, April 27, and Tuesday, April 28, at the new Erath County Annex located at 222 E. College Street in Stephenville.     Polls will be closed on Tuesday, April 21.   There are two contested races on the Stephenville ballot – one for city council and one for Stephenville ISD board of trustees.   Incumbent Gerald

Matthew Thompson By SARA VANDEN BERGE   An Erath County grand jury on Thursday indicted the former IT director at Huckabay ISD for child grooming and sexual performance by a child. Matthew Thompson was arrested on Jan. 23 and immediately placed on administrative leave. According to the official complaint obtained by Beneath the Surface News , Thompson engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a 13-year-old student. The two exchanged sexually-charged text messages and seve

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   If you have a kiddo entering pre-k or kindergarten soon, this is for you.   Central Elementary in Stephenville is gearing up to host its annual pre-k and kindergarten round-up for the 2026–2027 school year. Attend this exciting event where families will receive all the information they’ll need to prepare for the upcoming school year.   The roundup will take place from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21.   They will be giving out FREE Future Yellow Jackets an

Sugar cookie bars make a special after-school treat! By Sarah-McNeal Weaver   Some days we just need something sweet and this recipe for sugar cookie bars makes a great after-school treat.   They are cute, easy to make and super tasty!     WHAT YOU NEED   1 cup softened butter    1 cup of white sugar    Cream together in mixer until smooth.   ADD:   2 tsp vanilla    1 egg    Then mix again.   In a separate bowl, combine:   2 1/4 cups flour    Dash of salt   1 1/2 tsp baking p

Special to Beneath the Surface News   Revitalize Dublin, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to beautification, community development and economic growth will host its 3rd annual fundraiser on Saturday, April 25, at The Majestic on Grafton (Shenanigans Irish Pub).     Guests will enjoy a high-energy performance by One Headlight Band, known for bringing the best of the ’90s to life, barbecue, silent auction and the Mr. legs contest – a crowd favorite.   Doors open at 5 p.m.,

Special to Beneath the Surface News   Work continues on the project to rehabilitate Business 67 (Patrick Street) in Dublin.   Sections from the railroad tracks to SH 6 and SH 6 to Pecan Street have reopened to traffic as construction progresses.     New signals, drainage facilities and pedestrian signals were installed at the intersection with SH 6.   Drainage facilities were also installed along Elm Street and Live Oak Street   Work began on the current phase from Pecan Stre

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association action returns to Stephenville with the 60th annual Tarleton Stampede this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Cowboy Capital Fairgrounds Arena, 9875 U.S. Hwy. 67.   Nightly performances get underway at 7 p.m., with slack scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday mornings.   In all, seven colleges and universities will compete in nine NIRA events, inc

By Julie Brinkley   These sheet pan barbecue crispy tacos are a favorite in our house!   They are simple to make and so tasty!     WHAT YOU NEED   1 ½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast   1 packet dry ranch seasoning mix   ⅔ cup barbecue sauce   3 tbsp avocado oil     12 corn tortillas   ¼ cup sour cream   2 tbsp mayo   Shredded lettuce   Cheddar Cheese, grated   Chopped dill pickles, plus 2 tbsp pickle juice     HOW TO MAKE IT   Place chicken in small baking dish.    Res

Cupid By SARA VANDEN BERGE One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Cupid, a five to six-year-old pit mix.   “He is one of our longest stay pups, and he's more than ready to find his forever home,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “Cupid is a wiggly, lovable goofball who lives for attention, belly rubs and playtime.   “He's a friendly, excitable boy who may get a little jumpy with greeting

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Stephenville officials are bringing the mayhem back to Stephenville in May.   The 3 rd  annual Mother-Son Mayhem will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, at Stephenville City Park.     It will be an action-packed night of laser tag, food, thrilling games and monster truck madness!   “We will also have a DJ and there will be a glow-in-the-dark robot,” Kaley Barnette, the city’s special events coordinator, told Beneath the Surface News .   “It’s

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Rain is on the way, but don’t let that dampen your weekend fun (pun intended).   While forecasters say Erath County is set up for a soaker, there are a few fun things happening in the area that will keep you dry and  entertained.     DUBLIN FFA PLANT SALE   The Dublin FFA plant sale is kicking off a day early so plant lovers can shop before the weather hits.   The three-day event will take place from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, April 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturda

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The Stephenville Association of Realtors is gearing up for its 4th annual fashion show and luncheon taking place at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 14, at The Big Red Barn event venue. “This special event is held each spring to benefit our ‘Shoes for Christmas’ program, which provides shoes to area children in need,” Vanessa Green, administrative assistant for SAOR, told Beneath the Surface News . “Thanks to the generosity of our attendees and supporters, we are

By Sarah McNeal-Weaver   Wondering what to do with all that leftover candy still piled into those Easter baskets?   Make a special treat the whole family will love; granola bars.     The first thing you’ll need to do is raid those baskets for the chocolate.   Here’s what else you need:   2 ½ cups rolled oats (not quick oats, I use old fashioned rolled or protein oats)    1 ½ cups rice crisp cereal (any kind)     ½ c all-purpose flour   dash of cinnamon   dash of salt   Place

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   A new event is coming to downtown Stephenville.   The Stephenville Arts Festival is happening from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at the Erath County courthouse square.     The family-friendly event will include a children’s area in the downtown plaza.   The event will also feature live artist paintings, unique art for sale, artisan vendors, food, drinks and live music. The children’s area will feature an interactive mural, sidewalk chalk and face pain

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   The Texans Student Lounge opened Tuesday at Tarleton State University following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, introducing a new campus space designed to support student connection, collaboration and community.   Located in the Barry B. Thompson Student Center, the Texans Student Lounge is designed to serve as a dynamic gathering space for students.   University leaders, students and campus partn