By SARA VANDEN BERGE Voters in the Republican and Democrat Primary will get the chance to cast a ballot when early voting gets underway this week. Early voting will be held from Feb. 17-27 at the new Erath County Annex, located at 222 East College Street, and Dublin Annex, located at 219 S. Grafton Street. Paid political advertisement ERATH COUNTY ANNEX EARLY VOTING TIMES Tuesday, Feb. 17, through Friday, Feb. 20: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22:

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Restoration Advocates is hosting a high-energy event to raise money for Restoration Place, which provides emergency housing for women and children escaping domestic abuse.   Keys for a Cause; Dueling Pianos will take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, at Rancho El Burro in Stephenville.   "It's going to be a lot of fun," board president James Gresham told Beneath the Surface News . "They play what the crowd requests with a high-energy, ve

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Erath County officials continue to hold details surrounding the Feb. 5 incident in Lingleville that left one man dead unusually close.   Sgt. Garrett Koonsman with the Erath County Sheriff’s Office oversees investigations and told Beneath the Surface News that the people involved will not be publicly named at this time.   He said that deputies with the ECSO were dispatched to an area off FM 8, near the Lingleville Store on Feb. 5.   (The Lingleville St

Strawberry chocolate chip scones By Sarah McNeal-Weaver   If you’re looking to make a sweet treat to start your Valentine’s Day celebration, this recipe for strawberry chocolate chip scones is perfect.   (And they pair nicely with a hot cup of coffee.)   WHAT YOU NEED   2 cups flour   1/3 cup granulated sugar    1/4 tsp salt    1 tablespoon baking powder      1/2 cup salted butter (cold)   1/2 cup heavy cream    1 egg   2 tsp vanilla    About five chopped strawberries    Hand

Say hi to Harry. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Harry, a three to four-month-old male mixed-breed pup with a big heart and lots of energy.   “Harry was born under a local business and brought safely into our care,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “He didn't have much early human interaction, but you'd never know it now. This sweet boy loves attention and s

Photo/Rough Creek Lodge Special to Beneath the Surface News This Valentine’s Day, Rough Creek Lodg e invites couples to celebrate love with an elevated, multi-course dining experience crafted by Executive Chef Gerard Thompson, alongside Chef de Cuisine Raul Mujica and Sous Chef James Sowders.   Set within the resort’s refined yet rustic dining room, the prix-fixe Valentine’s menu highlights luxury ingredients, Texas-inspired flavors, and indulgent pairings designed for an unf

Special to Beneath the Surface News The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame has named Stephenville High School as the national winner of the 2025-26 NFF Hatchell Cup, following a comprehensive nationwide evaluation of the country's top state-recognized academic high school football teams. In addition to earning the distinction as the premier academic high school team in the nation, Stephenville's football program will be awarded $10,000 from Bob's Steak

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Erath County Master Gardeners is gearing up to host its first “Adventures in Gardening” class of the year.   “When we talk to gardeners in the community, one topic that comes up repeatedly is tackling grassburs,” club member Sheila Mangione told Beneath the Surface News .     “Dr. Hennen Cummings will provide expert advice on minimizing grassburs and other weeds that invade turfgrass.”   Dr. Cummings will also share tips for effective lawn management, w

These easy, delicious brownies will satisfy that sweet tooth you've been fighting with. By Sarah McNeal-Weaver   If you are looking for a sweet treat to bring to Sunday’s Super Bowl bash, these crowd pleasing brownies are perfect! They are super easy to make and equally delicious!     WHAT YOU NEED   1 cup salted butter, melted and cooled   2 cups white sugar    4 eggs    2/3 cup cocoa powder      1 cup flour    1 tsp vanilla    Handful of chocolate chips    Optional: nuts, c

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   “Maybe our girlfriends are our soul mates and guys are just people to have fun with.” - Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City Valentine’s Day is not just a time to celebrate romantic love; it’s also a day to celebrate those amazing female friendships, and Lucky Vines Vineyard and Winery  is the perfect place to do it. Grab your girl gang and head to Lucky Vines for a Galentine’s Day brunch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7. The delicious menu includes

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Bull Nettle , Stephenville’s No. 1 sports bar, is gearing up for the biggest night in football with a Super Bowl watch party on Sunday. The big game kicks off at 5:30 p.m. when the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, CA. You can watch the game on Bull Nettle’s 12 TVs and large video screen with surround sound. Owner Court Cole told Beneath the Surface News  that the watch party is an annual event. “We do this every year as

Bert Kreischer will perform at the EECU Center in May. Photo/TSU Media Relations   Special to Beneath the Surface News   Due to popular demand, renowned comedian Bert Kreischer has added additional dates to his Permission to Party World Tour, including a stop at Tarleton State University’s EECU Center .   Kreischer will take the stage in Stephenville on Saturday, May 16.   Tickets to the show are available here.     ABOUT KREISCHER   Kreischer’s career has evolved from Rolli

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The Erath County Humane Society  is gearing up for a special Valentine’s event next weekend. ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath Surface News  the organization will host a bake sale from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Walmart in Stephenville. “We will have lots of delicious baked goods for sale as well as merch; come out and see us,” she said. Proceeds, of course, will benefit the shelter’s new facility, which is currently being b

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   I wanted to pick a romance; I really did.   But even with Valentine’s Day looming, I couldn’t resist these latest releases.   And I know how much you all like a good thriller…   Check them out and vote for your favorite.   I’ll announce the winner on Sunday, Feb. 1.     1.  Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden   4.47 on Goodreads   WHAT GOODREADS SAYS : “A brand new twisted thriller that will have you cheering "good for her!" from the #1  New York Times  best

The Husband's drive home was an icy one Tuesday.  By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The ice left over from last weekend’s winter storm is sticking around, making travel on city and county roads difficult and prompting school officials to cancel classes for the third day this week. So far, these area school districts have canceled classes for Wednesday, Jan. 28: Newton's Saddlerack is open Tuesday night for dinner. Bluff Dale ISD Comanche ISD DeLeon ISD Dublin ISD Eastland ISD Glen Rose

By Julie Brinkley   There’s nothing like a piping hot bowl of soup to warm you up on a cold winter’s night.   We are taking this potato soup recipe up a notch by adding Boursin cheese and protein.   Click here to watch a video on how it’s made. WHAT YOU NEED   3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed   Two packages Boursin cheese   One package turkey smoked sausage, sliced in bite-size pieces   1 teaspoon garlic powder   1 teaspoon onion powder    One carton chicken stock

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Voters will get the chance to hear from candidates running for county commissioner and justice of the peace when the Erath County Republican Party hosts a forum at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Legacy Center in Stephenville. Carla Trussell, one of the event organizers, said all local candidates running in the March 3 Primary have agreed to participate. Paid political advertisement The event is free and open to the public. Featured races include: Just

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Erath County and all of North Texas didn’t escape the winter weather gripping much of the nation. North Texas is dealing with a rare winter event that includes icy roads, dangerously cold temperatures and power outages. On Monday, temperatures had still not rebounded enough to melt icy roads, prompting some area schools to announce Tuesday closures. Those schools so far include: Huston Academy Bluff Dale ISD Comanche ISD DeLeon ISD Dublin ISD Eastland ISD

Matthew Thompson Special to Beneath the Surface News   The following is a press release from the Erath County Sheriff’s Office.   Investigators from the Erath County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children, task force executed a search warrant inside the city limits of Stephenville on Friday.   Evidence gathered from the search warrant in conjunction with information previously gathered during the investigation led to the issuanc

Remember when the Erath County Courthouse looked like this? Will the weekend storm bring a repeat? By SARA VANDEN BERGE Stock up on firewood and break out the crockpot. Erath County is expecting its first blast of real winter weather this weekend and I couldn’t be happier. My favorite weather guy, WFAA’s Pete Delkus , says freezing rain will move into the area on Friday morning before transitioning into sleet and snow Friday night through Sunday. Pete said the latest European