By Julie Brinkley   Not only is this recipe full of flavor, it’s lean and green and made with simple ingredients.   If you’re watching your carbs, substitute white rice for cauliflower rice.   Click here to watch a video on how I make it.   WHAT YOU NEED   1 lb. ground beef, lean   White rice   3 green onions   2 tbsp soy sauce   1 tbsp rice wine vinegar   1 tsp ginger   2 cloves garlic   2 tsp sesame oil   1 tbsp Gochujang    1 tbsp brown sugar   English cucumber   Carrots

Victor Eichhorn and his wife recently opened Noblemen Wines in downtown Glen Rose. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The Husband and I are on a mission to learn all we can about wine.   We have toured Bourdeaux France, wineries in Portugal, and most recently, Paso Robles in sunny California.     And these are our big takeaways.   1. The most expensive wines aren’t necessarily the best.   2. Our favorite wines are attached to the memories and people we share them with.   3. Texas wines a

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Tarleton State University invites students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends to the Tarleton State Day at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo on Monday, Jan. 26. Wearing Tarleton State apparel provides free general admission to Stock Show grounds beginning at 8 a.m. on Tarleton State Day, Jan. 26, including entry to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and the National Cowgirl Museum

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   I have a secret.   For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been working with a web designer to give Beneath the Surface News a fresh, new look.   This is the website’s second redesign since it was launched almost six years ago. (Time flies!) With 60 local businesses trusting their advertising to Beneath the Surface News and more than one million social media/website views every month, we are committed to staying current with online trends while finding new

Photo/Jocelyn Etters Special to Beneath the Surface News The S tephenville High School  DECA chapter delivered an outstanding performance at the District 9 Career Development Conference held in Sweetwater, with an impressive majority of competitors earning advancement to the state level. Out of 52 students who represented the school, 45 qualified for the Texas DECA State C areer Development Conference , reflecting the chapter’s strong preparation and commitment to excellence.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   If you think you make the best chili in Erath County, make plans to enter an upcoming chili cookoff.   The Bluff Dale Garden Club is hosting the annual event at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Bluff Dale Community Center (fire hall).     Registration will be held from 4:30-5 p.m. and the cost to enter is $10 per pot.   Judging begins at 5 p.m. and there will be awards for 1 st , 2 nd  and 3 rd  place as well as a People’s Choice.     Any kind of chili

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Tarleton State University marked a major milestone Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expanded Dick Smith Library.  The event celebrated the first phase of completion of a transformative project designed to enhance student success, collaboration and study opportunities on campus. The expansion adds approximately 10,000 square feet of modern academic space across two levels of the l

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   If you’re one of the estimated 25% of Americans participating in Dry January, the weekends just got easier.   Newton’s Saddlerack has unveiled its new “mocktail” menu, which includes the Desert Rose Ranch Water, Ranch Breeze, Cactus Blossom Mockarita, Cinnamon Pecan Coupe, Coastal Cowgirl and Lavender Lemonade.   “In honor of Dry January, we’re excited to announce the addition of these fun and flavorful, alcohol-free mocktails to our menu,” Melanie New

Daylee Powe poses with her ribbon Tuesday after competing in the Chisolm Challenge. Photos/Kate Powe By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Young Stephenville resident Daylee Powe was finally able to take on something she’s been looking forward to – the Chisolm Challenge.   Daylee, an eight-year-old second grader at Chamberlin Elementary, took part in the Chisolm Challenge on Tuesday.     “The Chisolm Challenge is a competitive horse show for riders with disabilities that is a part of the Fo

Bull Nettle is hosting live music every Monday night. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   With Tarleton State University students returning from winter break, Bull Nettle is welcoming them back this weekend with two nights of great music.   Billy Hartman and Matt Hartman will perform a free show on Friday and the legendary Race Ricketts will take the stage on Saturday with a $5 cover.   Both shows start at 9:30 p.m. (and yes, you have to be at least 21 years old to be admitted). Bull Ne

Lucy and Purd are so bonded that they need to be adopted together. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Two of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society are Lucy and Purd, a sweet, bonded pair of nine to 10-year-old females looking for a forever home.   “These two came to us due to housing issues, but their loving, affectionate personalities have never changed,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “They adore attenti

By SARA VANDEN BERGE With no substantial rain in recent weeks (and nothing in the forecast), Erath County  officials decided on Monday to extend the burn ban for an additional 90 days. Under the ordinance, outdoor burning is a class C misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine. So don’t burn people.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The city of Stephenville is gearing up for a special night just for little girls. The annual daddy-daughter dance will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, and Friday, Feb. 13, at the Cross Timbers Legacy Center. This year’s theme is “Where Magic Meets the Big Top.” You will enter a world of bright lights, playful decorations and classic circus charm. Dance the night away to cheerful music, enjoy whimsical touches inspired by the big top and share

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News    As a new year unfolds, one constant holds true: Tarleton State University is the leader in Texas for enrollment growth.   According to data released by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board following the fall 2025 semester, Tarleton State leads all Texas public universities with a 48.58% increase in enrollment since fall 2022.     The state total for public institutions is 6.36% over

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   If you’re a homeowner looking to add some curb appeal to your abode, KSTV can help.   The Mighty 93 is hosting the Dowell Ace Hardware Home Improvement Vendor Expo from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at City Hall at City Limits in Stephenville – and they’re looking for vendors.   “We are looking for vendors to join us for an exciting event that brings homeowners, local businesses and industry professionals together under one roof,” KSTV’s Boots Elliott

By Sarah Weaver   New Year’s resolutions I hear most from people are the desire to lose weight and get healthy, save money and do more cooking at home.   This recipe for no knead bread is one of my favorite things to make because it’s simple and uses minimal ingredients.   Give it a try and let me know what you think.     WHAT YOU NEED   1 packet active dry yeast   1 ½ tbsp white sugar   1 ¼ cup warm water   3 cups all-purpose flour    2 tbsp salt   2 tbsp olive oil      HOW

By Julie Brinkley   This recipe is a new one for me.   It has all the delicious flavors of salmon and sushi without uncooked fish.   (And yes, you can get the seaweed paper at HEB.)   Click here to watch a video on how they are made.   WHAT YOU NEED   1 lb. salmon   1 tsp avocado oil   1 tbsp soy sauce   ½ tsp paprika     ½ tsp chili lime seasoning   ½ tsp garlic powder   Pinch of salt and pepper   Nori sheets   Prepared white rice or high protein rice alternative.     TOPPI

Say hi to Mistletoe. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Mistletoe, a three to four-year-old female domestic shorthair.   “She is wishing for one special thing - a calm, loving home to call her own,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “Mistletoe was found as a stray and never reclaimed. She is now ready to leave the past behind and start fresh with someone who is

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   The gallery at Tarleton State University ’s Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center will host “Greetings from the Regenerative Aesthetics Playground” by Waco artist Tina Linville beginning Friday, Jan. 9.   Working with materials including found fragments that carry visible histories and handcrafted textiles and objects shaped by prior use, Linville constructs a dynamic ecology of renewal where play g

Melty cheese stuffed inside this sweet potato is delish. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   I don’t know what it is about Courtney Cook, but I’m obsessed.   The TikTok sensation has gained a cult following with her quirky recipes and I have now made her cheese-stuffed sweet potato three times.   (Not counting the one I am eating for dinner tonight.)   I was never a big fan of sweet potatoes despite their serious health benefits.   These nutrient-dense potatoes offer high amounts of beta-