By SARA VANDEN BERGE If you like to cast an early ballot, it’s time. Polls in Erath County will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 19-23 at the Erath County Annex III and Dublin Annex. Hours will be extended from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, and from noon-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Erath County Annex (closed in Dublin). Early voting will continue with polls open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct. 30, at the Erath County Annex III and from 8 a.

Barney Ross Billue Sr. By SARA VANDEN BERGE The following report contains graphic language connected to an alleged sexual assault in Erath County. An Erath County grand jury on Thursday indicted a man accused of sexually assaulting a female in August 2026. Sixty-six-year-old Barney Ross Billue Sr. was indicted for sexual assault (enhanced), a first degree felony. He is being held at the Erath County Jail on a $100,000 bond. The following narrative is from the offici

By Sarah McNeal-Weaver Flour Riot The first seasonal fall-like blast of air is expected this weekend making it the perfect time to get into the kitchen and make this delicious cinnamon roll bread. HERE'S HOW YOU DO IT 1 cup granulated sugar 2 tbs cinnamon Combine and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees; grease and line two loaf pans. In large bowl, whisk together… 4 cups flour 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar In s

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Students, alumni and community members are invited to celebrate tradition and Texan spirit at the annual Tarleton State University homecoming parade starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, and proceeding along Washington and McIlhaney streets. Vibrant floats, exciting performances and Tarleton State pride will be on full display, uniting the university and community ahead of the evening’s h

By Alexis Rochester This is part four in the science-backed fall reset series with Chemistry Cachet. Fall in Texas is a little unpredictable. We can have an 85-degree afternoon followed by a cool, dry morning, and those changes can start showing up on our skin. As a chemist and busy mom approaching 40, I’m always testing new skincare products, but I’m not interested in using something simply because it is trending online. I look at the active ingredients, what they

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Someone apparently thinks it's a good idea to knock down Flock cameras in Erath County. In the past several weeks, at least four cameras have been knocked down or damaged, including two on US Hwy. 281 that might have caught the person who snatched Ruffles, Henderson Junior High School’s emotional support dog. (Read the story here.) Erath County Sheriff Matt Coates told Beneath the Surface News that all of the damaged cameras belong to DPS and th

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News The annual L.V. Risinger memorial bonfire will blaze once again this Friday, Oct. 16. The bonfire event, part of Tarleton State’s ongoing Homecoming Week itinerary, will be held at the Tarleton State University Agriculture Center at 8 p.m. A long-standing Tarleton State tradition, the bonfire goes as far back as the 1920s. The celebration has since been renamed for alumna L.V. Risinger

Say hi to Dude. By SARA VANDEN BERGE One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Dude, an energetic pup who stays true to his breed mix and will thrive in an active home that can help him burn energy through play, exercise and adventure. “He absolutely loves toys, especially a good game of tug-of-war and is always ready for fun,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News. “He enjoys meeting new peopl

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Take a step back in time and “meet” the pioneers of Erath County during the Spirits of Erath Cemetery Walk. The 16th annual event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the West End Cemetery in Stephenville. The first performance will take place at 2 p.m., followed by a second at 3:30. The cost to attend is a $10 donation benefiting The Friends of the Dick Smith Library and Stephenville Historical House Museum. For more information, contact Glend

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The Stephenville Chamber of Commerce and city of Stephenville are partnering for an evening of fun with the annual Safe Trick ‘R Treat happening from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, at Stephenville City Park. The festive Halloween event will feature candy (and lots of it!), a costume contest, fun zone and plenty of entertainment. If you decide to enter th

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Excitement is building as Texans far and wide prepare for another Tarleton State University Homecoming Week Sunday, Oct. 11, through Saturday, Oct. 17. This year’s celebration will bring together students, alumni, families and friends for a week centered on traditions, community and the shared spirit of Tarleton State. “Welcoming our alumni, family and friends ‘home’ is a wonderful way t

Special to Beneath the Surface News Things are about to get spooky ‘round here when Revitalize Dublin hosts “Doublin’ Your Nightmares,” a community haunted house bringing scares, screams and Halloween fun to Dublin this October. The haunted house will be open at 8 p.m. every Saturday night leading up to Halloween - on Oct. 10, 17, 24 and 31 - at the barn on the Harris Ranch, located at 1029 County Road 304 in Dublin. There will also be a special Friday night opening o

By Alexis Rochester This is part 3 in Chemistry Cachet’s fall series. Let’s talk scents. You don’t need a chemical plug-in running in every room to make your home smell like a beautiful autumn day. As a chemist and mom, I start with a simple rule: remove the source of odor before adding a fragrance. A cinnamon scent won’t fix a rug, a dirty trash can or buildup in the garbage disposal. Once those are clean, a few small healthier touches can make the house feel coz

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Bull Nettle, Stephenville’s No. 1 sports bar, is hosting its annual day of music and good vibes on Saturday, Oct. 24. The Bull Nettle Bash will include a fantastic lineup of 14 performances throughout the day and into the night. Landry Layne and Beau Garza - two of Stephenville’s finest young talents – along with Race Ricketts who just finished touring with country legend Robert Earl Keen will all take the stage. The event will also include a performance

Chocolate chip banana bread By Sarah McNeal-Weaver Flour Riot Nothing says fall like a warm slice of banana bread dripping with butter. This recipe is extra special because it includes chocolate chips. Let’s make it! Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a loaf pan with parchment paper, spritz with olive oil. In small bowl, mix: 2 cups flour 1tsp baking soda Dash of cinnamon Dash of salt Set aside. In a larger bowl, mix: 1 stick butter, room tem

A look inside the Erath County Humane Society's new 14,000 square-foot shelter. Photo/Serena Wright By SARA VANDEN BERGE The Erath County Humane Society’s new 14,000 square-foot facility is nearing completion and now shelter officials are asking the public for help getting it stocked. “We pretty much need everything,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News. “We don’t even have office furniture.” Serena said they hope to move into the ne

By SARA VANDEN BERGE If schnitzel, sausage and a side of sauerkraut sound good to you, make plans to attend Faith Lutheran Church’s annual FaithFest happening from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10. The event will include music, dancing and displays from Germany, Norway, Sweden and other European countries. And, of course, there will be all that food including chicken, potato salad, red cabbage, rolls and desserts. Carryout and a children’s menu will also be available. Tickets a

Croque Monsieur By SARA VANDEN BERGE If you’re a fan of the movie “It’s Complicated,” you’ll enjoy trying this Croque Monsieur – or fancy grilled cheese sandwich – which you should enjoy with your favorite fall soup or stew. Click here to watch how it’s made. WHAT YOU NEED 4 slices sourdough dread Dijon mustard Black forest ham Grated Gruyere Cheese Bechamel Sauce 2 tbsp butter 2 tbsp flour 1 cup warm milk Dash of nutmeg Salt and pepper LET’S

Trey Phillips By SARA VANDEN BERGE A Stephenville man pleaded guilty Monday to fleeing the scene of a deadly motorcycle accident that left a young woman dead last year. Trey Austin Phillips pleaded guilty to accident involving death in the July 2025 incident and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. According to the arrest warrant obtained by Beneath the Surface News, DPS Trooper Troy Bridier was dispatched to a motorcycle crash on County Road 490 in Erath County on July 12,

Hi Kit! By SARA VANDEN BERGE One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Kit, a three to four-year-old cat who arrived at the shelter as a stray and was never reclaimed. Now he's ready to find a family of his own. Kit loves head scratches, attention and chatting with anyone who will listen. “When he's not busy having a conversation, he enjoys relaxing by the window and watching the world go by,” ECHS executive director Serena