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.

Photo/Caitlin Moyer Photography By SARA VANDEN BERGE A festival that began as a way to spotlight the local dairy industry has evolved into the biggest event in Erath County. Moo-La Fest is set to make its return on Thursday, June 4, through Saturday, June 6, at Stephenville City Park. A crowd favorite - Carnival Americana – will also be back with those famous games, rides and fun houses the whole family will love. The midway will be open Thursday through Saturday. Ashley Thom

Barefoot Buddies volleyball camp for children and teens with special needs will be held in June inside the gym at Faith Lutheran Church in Stephenville. Photo/Debbie Knutz Special to Beneath the Surface News (The following was written by Chiraz Mansouri, a mother of two children who attend Barefoot Buddies annual summer volleyball camp for children and teens with special needs.) “I’m a parent of two athletes who participate in Barefoot Buddies Adaptive Volleyball Camp here in

Wilbur By SARA VANDEN BERGE One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Wilbur, a four to five-year-old Boxer mix with a heart as big as his adorable face. “Once found scavenging through trash just trying to survive, this sweet boy is now ready to trade the streets for a cozy home full of love,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News. “He absolutely adores people and will happily soak up all the

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Tarleton State University will celebrate spring 2026 graduates with commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9, at the EECU Center on the Stephenville campus. Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley will preside over four ceremonies, which will include graduate and undergraduate students. Commencement Schedule: Friday, May 8 10 a.m. — Dr. Sam Pack College of Business

The Bellamy Brothers will kick off this year’s summer concert series at Stephenville City Park. Photo/Derrek Kupish By SARA VANDEN BERGE Summer officially gets rolling in Stephenville every year with the kickoff of the wildly-popular concerts in the park. The concerts will begin during the city’s annual Moo-La Fest from June 4-6 at Stephenville City Park. Organizer Doug Montgomery has been the man behind the concerts for the past 27 years. “I’m excited for this year’s series,

Clayton Iley on Facebook. By SARA VANDEN BERGE Clayton Iley, a Stephenville man accused of theft, money laundering and pretending to work in the shadows of the military, has reportedly hired Warren St. John, a high-profile attorney from Fort Worth to represent him. Iley was taken into custody on Friday, April 24, and remains behind bars at the Erath County Jail, held on a $500,000 bond. St. John was the lead defense attorney who represented Eddie Ray Routh, the man co

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Beach reading season has officially arrived and it’s time to soak up some sunshine and dive into a juicy read. These three books were released in April and I can hardly wait to see which one the group selects. 1. Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke 4.22 on Goodreads WHAT GOODREADS SAYS: "Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle. Her charming farmhouse is rustic, her husband a handsome cowboy, her six children each more delightful than the last. “So w

By JULIE BRINKLEY This is the best recipe for a quick and easy, well-balanced (and very affordable) meal your family will love. Click here to watch how it’s made. WHAT YOU NEED One bag small Yukon gold or cubed potatoes of your choice One bag fresh green beans 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs Jar parmesan garlic wing sauce. (Other sauce flavors will work as well.) HOW TO MAKE IT Layer potatoes and green beans in 9x130-inch baking dish. Wash and sna

By SARA VANDEN BERGE If you’re looking for a great spot to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, look no further. The city of Stephenville is hosting a super fun celebration from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, in the downtown plaza. El Corral will have specials on shots and margaritas on Cinco de Mayo. The free event will include food trucks, live music, vendors, face painting and pinatas at 9:45 a.m., 10:45, 11:45 and 12:45 p.m., Ashley Thomas, the city’s main street manager, t

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Early voting is over, but if you failed to cast a ballot in the city's election, you have another chance. There are two contested races on the Stephenville ballot – one for city council and one for Stephenville ISD board of trustees. Councilman Gerald Cook is facing a challenge from Jorge Moreno for place 2 on the Stephenville City Council. And Jason Smith and Dr. Jill McAngus are vying to fill the unexpired term of place 4 on the Stephenville ISD b

Clayton Iley is being held at the Erath County Jail. By SARA VANDEN BERGE A Stephenville man accused of stealing millions of dollars in a Ponzi scheme used social media to spread alleged false information about his military career and connection to the U.S. Armed Forces. Clayton Iley’s Facebook and Instagram pages are filled with posts claiming that he worked in the shadows of the military as a defense contractor and claimed to have served in the U.S. Army. Iley, 40,

Clayton Iley's Facebook page By SARA VANDEN BERGE In a bombshell arrest following an investigation by the Texas Rangers, a well-known Stephenville businessman has been charged with two stunning crimes. Clayton Iley, owner of Texas Legacy Insurance Group, was taken into custody on Friday and charged with theft over $300,000, and money laundering, over $300,000, both first degree felonies. He is being held at the Erath County Jail; bond has not been set. Erath County

By SARA VANDEN BERGE 1. Erath County Master Gardeners hosts annual spring plant The Erath County Master Gardeners organization is hosting its annual spring plant sale from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the Texas AgriLife Research Center, located at 1229 N, Hwy. 281 in Stephenville. Gordon Lee, a certified master gardener, will be at the plant sale to explain the advantages of Texas natives and help local gardeners select the most appropriate plants for their landscapes. T

Inside the newly-renovated 377 Books at Frames Etc. Photos/Julie Lowrance By SARA VANDEN BERGE Book lovers like myself (and all you Beneath the Book Clubbers) have another reason to celebrate. Frames Etc., located in downtown Stephenville, has completely renovated its bookstore. 377 Books at Frames Etc. is no longer just a place to purchase gently-used books; it’s now a charming, colorful space where you can browse 1,500 new titles and releases, sit by a cozy electric

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Tarleton State University’s annual Jazz Festival, featuring more than 500 middle and high school musicians representing 30 bands from across the state, is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 24-25, in the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center in Stephenville. Friday’s performances and instruction conclude with a 7:30 p.m. concert by Tarleton State’s Jazz II and III ensembles. The festival winds up at 7:30 p.m. Sa

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The Stephenville Education Foundation is bringing back its Pits & Putts golf tournament on Friday, June 5, at Legends Country Club. Registration for the four-person scramble will begin at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at 1. A hamburger lunch will be served at 11:30. “This is an opportunity for the community to come together and support the Stephenville Education Foundation and our SISD staff while enjoying good food and an afternoon of golf,” Shell

Chicken caprese smash tacos By Julie Brinkley My family loves a good smash taco, so I have another recipe to share. If you like caprese chicken, you will LOVE these tacos! Click here to watch a video on how they are made. WHAT YOU NEED 1 lb. ground chicken 4 flour tortillas 2 tsp Italian seasoning 1 tsp garlic powder 1 egg, beaten 1 cup Panko bread crumbs Cherry tomatoes Parmesan cheese Fresh basil One clove garlic Olive oil Salt and pepper

The Rocha family (Editorial note: The following letter was sent to Beneath the Surface News by Alfredo Rocha Jr. whose mother and brother died when a vehicle crashed into their Stephenville home on March 22.) I have been trying to find the right words to explain what my family and I are feeling, and I still feel like I fall short. Since the day my mother and little brother were taken from us, our lives have been changed in ways I never could have imagined. There is a kind

Hi Abernathy! By SARA VANDEN BERGE One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Abernathy, an eight to nine-month-old mixed breed pup that arrived at the shelter as a stray. “Abernathy is a sweet, energetic girl who lives for attention and being with her people,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News. “She loves to be in the middle of the action and will happily follow you around to see what's goi