Brandon Merriman served in the U.S. Air Force for 18 years before he was medically retired after suffering multiple injuries while on deployments. By SARA VANDEN BERGE Plans for a benefit to help an American soldier injured during January’s ice storm is underway in Erath County. A fundraiser for Erath County resident Brandon Merriman will be held on Saturday, June 20, at Melody Mountain Ranch. Dewayne Terry, known for his Toby Keith tribute, will headline the event,

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Tarleton State University has received approval for $100 million in Permanent University Fund (PUF) support to construct a new Agricultural Sciences Building, marking the largest PUF project in the institution’s history. The investment reflects continued support from Chancellor Glenn Hegar and the Texas A&M System Board of Regents and reinforces Tarleton State’s leadership in agricultural ed

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The following report is from Erath County District Attorney Alan Nash’s office and includes a full list of May’s indictments. On Thursday, the Erath County grand jury indicted 14 people on a variety of charges: • Brandon Nathaniel Arndt for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon (enhanced) and possession of a substance in penalty group 1 (4-200G) (enhanced). • Crystal Lee Bates for possession of a substance in penalty group 1 (1-4G). • Cindy Fl

CTFAC Executive Director Christine Newton and Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee Special to Beneath the Surface News The Texas Commission on the Arts in Austin has selected the Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council to receive an America250 grant, awarded through TCA’s Commission Initiative program. CTFAC was chosen to represent Texas’ U.S. 25th Congressional District in this statewide celebration of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. The America250 grant supports ar

Special to Beneath the Surface News The following narrative was released by the Stephenville Police Department on Monday, May 20. At approximately 2:34 p.m. on Monday, the Stephenville Police Department received reports about a male subject entering multiple businesses within the city and making threats. “Stephenville Police Officers immediately responded to the area and began actively searching for the suspect. "Officers located the subject driving a pickup truck sho

The W.K. Gordon Museum and Research Center in Thurber. Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Tarleton State University’s W.K. Gordon Museum and Research Center in Thurber is hosting a watch party for an episode of the PBS series “The Daytripper” featuring the recently opened Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. The free event, set for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23, highlights the nearby park, North Texas’ first new state park in a quarte

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Stephenville ISD is making sure that no child goes hungry this summer. The district is kicking off its annual summer feeding program from June 1-25. All kids ages 18 and under can receive a free breakfast and lunch at Hook Elementary when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Breakfast will be served from 7:15-8 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The city of Stephenville is gearing up for another exciting event! Wings & Wonders will take place from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, June 6, at Stephenville Clark Regional Airport. There will be various aircrafts on display, food, entertainment, shopping, art and a unique experience the whole family will love! The event will take place on the final day of Moo-La Fest at City Park, so there will be double the fun that weekend!

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The dog days of summer are upon us and Beneath the Surface News’ 2nd annual Guide to Summer Fun will keep your kiddos happy and busy! Keep scrolling for a (long) list of summer camps and Vacation Bible Schools happening across Erath County. Stephenville Dance Center is hosting several dance camps this summer. Click the ad to learn more. Tarleton State University is hosting a slew of great camps from ag, choir, theatre and cheer to drumline and every

Manuel Remy competes in MotoTrials on a Montesa Repsol. Photo/Tandi Remy By SARA VANDEN BERGE Manuel Remy just might be the most interesting man in Erath County. Not only does he race motorcycles competitively, he’s a professional tree climber. Here’s another fun fact: His birthday is on May 16. Manuel and his wife Tandi own and operate Remy Tree Service, and she’s the one who let the cat out of the bag about his birthday. “As you watch him trim trees, you can feel

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Big Brothers Big Sisters Erath County is bringing back its annual golf tournament on Friday, June 12, at Legends Country Club. Tee time will begin at 9 a.m. and hamburgers will be served for lunch. Teams of four can register for $500 by clicking here. Hole sponsorships are available for $150. “This is the perfect opportunity to highlight your business, be silly or memorialize someone special – we will print anything on the signs,” BBBS executive director

Lazy lasagna = big yum! By Julie Brinkley Everyone loves a good lasagna. It’s pure comfort in a pan, but making it can sometimes be a little tedious. This recipe for “lazy lasagna” takes out all the work, but not the taste. Click here to watch a video on how it’s made. WHAT YOU NEED 1 lb. Italian sausage 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce 8 lasagna noodles ½ cup ricotta cheese 2 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese, or more to taste 2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese, or m

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Widespread damage to homes and property was reported following powerful thunderstorms that blew through Erath County Sunday night. High winds and large hail damaged homes and roofs, shattered windows and left behind strewn debris. Now, Leslie Walker, a local insurance agent with Farmers Insurance is issuing an important list of things to do if your property suffered damage. • Do not sign any contracts immediately after the storm. • Choose loca

Gracie Yates was taken back into custody on Monday, May 11. She is being held at the Erath County Jail. By SARA VANDEN BERGE Gracie Yates, the woman accused of crashing a pickup into a home in Stephenville and killing a mother and her young son, is back in the Erath County Jail and facing more serious charges. She was re-arrested on Monday, May 11, and charged with intoxication manslaughter (death of two people), a first degree felony, and injury to a child, a state jail fe

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Spread the word about your garage sale with a story on beneaththesurfacenews.com. Lots of people love spending their weekends browsing through pre-loved goods, clothing and antiques, and with spring underway, garage sales are popping up across Erath County. Garage sale advertising is easy and affordable. Here’s what you will get for $50: • Short promotional story about the sale one week prior to the event. • Social media post on day the sale begins. Secu

Morgan Mill volunteers pause to smile while they stock shelves at the food pantry. Photo/Brian Gordon By Brian Gordon Special to Beneath the Surface News My mother told me, “To be happy in life, you need to put others first.” If that’s true, the citizens of Morgan Mill, Texas must be really happy people. The Morgan Mill community manages to support many diverse service and charitable causes in a way that larger towns would envy. The organizations all have one thing in

Clayton Iley By SARA VANDEN BERGE The federal government has filed new charges against Clayton Iley, a Stephenville man accused of theft and money laundering. On Thursday, the FBI filed two federal charges against Iley for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, according to jail records. Beneath the Surface News has not been able to obtain the new arrest warrant since it’s a pending federal case. Iley, owner of Texas Legacy Insurance Group, was taken into custody i

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Moo-ve It is back and it’s time to get registered for this year’s 5K and fun run happening at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, at Stephenville City Park. The event will kickstart Moo-La Fest’s three days of fun. Registration for the 5K is $30 and $25 for the fun run. Click here to register. You don’t have to be a seasoned runner to participate. Grab your friends, bring the family and enjoy something fun and active. Moo-ve It is part of the kickoff to the

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The night is calling… Enjoy Stephenville’s downtown plaza in an entirely different light (as in none) when the first Fae-Root and Fossil Oddity Market makes its atmospheric debut on Saturday, May 9. The event will be held from 5-10 p.m. and include a chance to do some unique shopping. Kandas Newby, owner of Kitty's Kottagecore, is co-hosting the event. “I want to celebrate the interest and cultures of other oddballs like me,” she told Beneath

By Sarah McNeal-Weaver With summer upon us and the July 4th holiday just around the corner, nothing says Americana more than a delicious homemade apple pie. Last week we made the crust (recipe here) and now it’s time to make the filling. WHAT YOU NEED 4 apples (medium to large, crisp) 1/3 cup sugar 2 tbs butter 3 tbs water (more if needed) Dash of cinnamon Squeeze of lemon 2 tbs cornstarch (separated) Prepared pie crust HOW TO MAKE IT Peel, core and slice apples.