B y SARA VANDEN BERGE   Get ready for a day of fun, competition and community when the Monk Strong Memorial Foundation brings the madness to the course.   The Monk Madness Golf Tournament will take place on Saturday, March 28, at Legends Country Club in Stephenville.     The shotgun start will begin at 9 a.m.   The cost to enter is $100 per player or $400 for a four-person team.   A burger basket is included for all golfers.     Special contests include: • $10 par 3 challeng

By  SARA VANDEN BERGE Tornado season in Texas can be frightening. The Lone Star State is hit with an average of 132 tornadoes each year with about 25 of those happening in North Texas.  In 2019, North Texans experienced an unsettling severe weather pattern when 52 twisters were recorded. Erath County is no stranger to severe weather either.    An EF1 tornado tore through the area in 2016, leaving behind a large swath of damage but, thankfully, no injuries.   With the arrival

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Spread the word about your garage sale with a story on Beneath the Surface News. 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. Se

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   With recent rain and more on the way, Erath County officials lifted the burn ban indefinitely on Monday. "The burn ban lift is based on the determination that the fire danger and circumstances identified in the original burn ban currently do not exist," a statement from officials said. Officials say they will continue to monitor fire danger daily.  So, if you have stuff to burn, now’s your chance!

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Tarleton State University ’s neuroscience lab is conducting a research study on chronic knee pain.   The university is looking for participants to take part in the 90-minute NIH-funded study, which explores how chronic knee osteoarthritis pain is processed in the brain using safe and easy procedures.     Dr. Amber Harris Bozer is a neuroscientist leading the paid study.   “We are looking for participants to come to Tarleton for our study,” Dr. Bozer tol

By Sarah McNeal-Weaver   If you’re plagued with a sweet tooth, you’ll love this recipe for blondies.   This yummy treat looks like a brownie, but is made with a cookie base and has a “cakey” consistency.   They are easy to make and so, so  good.     WHAT YOU NEED   4 cups flour, sifted   2 tsp baking soda    2 c of butter softened    1 1/2 cups brown sugar    1/2 cup white sugar     4 eggs   2 packages of instant vanilla pudding mix   2 tsp vanilla   chocolate chips      HOW

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Rest up now because you’re losing a full hour of sleep this weekend when we “spring” forward. That’s right, Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, so set those clocks ahead one hour before you go night-night on Saturday. The good news is that if longer days are your jam, this is your time to shine. I’m in the minority that despises this time change. I’m an early-to-bed, early-to-rise kind of girl that doesn’t like going to sleep when

Erath County Commissioner Albert Ray was re-elected Tuesday. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Erath County voters in Tuesday’s Republican Primary gave a resounding approval to incumbents running for re-election.   All three up for another term were re-elected by a wide margin, and without a Democratic opponent, will retain their seats next year.     Final election results for local races: COMMISSIONER PCT. 2   Incumbent Albert Ray – 709 votes, 60.65%   Challenger David Bays – 253 votes

By Julie Brinkley   I love bringing you healthy, flavorful recipes every week and Mediterranean food is one of my favorites.   This recipe is trending on TikTok and there are several variations.   Click here to watch a video on how it’s made.     WHAT YOU NEED   2 lbs. ground chicken    1 small red onion   3 cloves of garlic   Handful of parsley   1 jalapeno    2 tbsp tomato paste   1 tbsp sumac (alternative za’tar or lemon zest)   1 tsp chili flakes   ½ ground cumin   1 tbs

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Election Day in the Republican and Democrat Primary has arrived and Erath County residents are set to elect several new county officials.   Polls will be open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, at the following locations:   • New Erath County Annex • Texas Agrilife Research and Extension Center • TexasBank, Stephenville location • United Cooperative Services • Dublin Annex     • Lingleville Volunteer Fire Department • Morgan Mill Community Center •

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Bull Nettle , Stephenville’s No. 1 sports bar, is hosting its annual day of music and good vibes this weekend.   The Bull Nettle Bash will start with live music at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, with fantastic performances throughout the night.     Doors open at 2 p.m. with a $10 cover charge to attend.   There will be tacos and barbecue available for purchase and all-day drink specials.   Here’s the official lineup:   3-4 p.m. – Jason Kuster and Cody Ker

Howlywood By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Howlywood, a three to four-year-old male heeler mix.    “This handsome guy was brought in as a stray and never reclaimed, but he hasn't let that dim his big, lovable personality,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .   “He is a friendly, rambunctious boy who lives for attention. He adores people, does great with kids, strang

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   Performances by special guests Dr. Benjamin Raviotta and Dr. Trevor James Smith will highlight Tarleton State University ’s Wind Ensemble concert, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, in the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center Auditorium in Stephenville.     Dr. Raviotta, assistant professor of French horn, will be the featured soloist on “Cape Horn for Horn and Wind Ensemble”by Otto M. Schwarz. A

The "Hall of Marble" inside the Longhorn Cavern. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   I remember when our kids were young and we would search for something fun and affordable to do for Spring Break.   Our kids always enjoyed an outdoor adventure, so when The Husband and I paid a visit last weekend to Longhorn Cavern State Park , I thought, ‘Man, this would be a fun thing for local families.’”   Longhorn Cavern State Park is located near Burnet and touring its cave is like taking a grand ad

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   I’m not sure which book I want to read in March.   It’s not often I don’t have a favorite I hope my fellow Beneath the Book Clubbers will choose, but I am truly intrigued by all three of these books.   After reading a brief description of each of them, vote for your pick in our online poll on the Beneath the Book Club’s official page .     1. The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead   4.07 on Goodreads   WHAT GOODREADS SAYS : “Perfect for fans of  Daisy Jon

By SARA VANDEN BERGE For more than three decades, the United Methodist Women have hosted a baked potato luncheon to raise money for various causes that benefit underserved children in Erath County. Proceeds from this year’s lunch will benefit B ackpack Buddies, Tree House Afterschool Program, Love Thy Neighbor and St Luke’s Food Pantry. The lunch will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, in the fellowship hall at Stephenville’s First United Methodist Church.

Special to Beneath the Surface News WASHINGTON, D.C.  –  Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25) on Wednesday took to the House floor to recognize Stephenville High School’s NFF Hatchell Cup Victory. See full story on that here . Williams’ remarks are below:   “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stephenville High School, which I am honored to represent in the United States Congress.   “On February 9th, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame named Stephenvill

Milk and coffee pair well with this cinnamon sugar donut bread.  By Sarah McNeal-Weaver  Flour Riot If you need a sweet treat, this recipe for cinnamon sugar donut bread is one your family will absolutely love.   Here’s the recipe!   WHAT YOU NEED   2 cups all-purpose flour   1 ½ cups granulated sugar      2 teaspoons baking powder      Dash of salt    1 ¼ cups whole milk   Spoonful of Greek yogurt       1 large egg, room temperature      2 tablespoons butter melted    1 tab

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Erath County residents who need assistance with food, healthcare, utilities, rent or childcare can find help by calling a United Way helpline .   Dialing 2-1-1 and entering a zip code will put community members in contact with a variety of resources that can help.     Lisa Scroggins, executive director of the Erath County United Way , said the helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week in all languages.   “It’s a great program and easy to use,”

Photo/TSU Media Relations  TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   Tarleton State University ’s W.K. Gordon Museum and Research Center will host a representative of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for an information session about the creation of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1.     A TPWD ranger will discuss the process of building the park and the steps taken to balance outdoor recreation areas with the conservation of wild