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

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