Photo/Lauren Hummert Photography By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Erath County law enforcement agencies are wasting no time getting into the holiday spirit.   Their working together to raise money for the sixth annual “Shop with a Cop” program, aimed at giving local at-risk youth a merry Christmas.   “We are so very blessed by the most loving and generous community and county,” Stephenville Police Chief Dan Harris told Beneath the Surface News .   “With such love and support we are abl

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The Erath County United Way is asking residents to take part in an “urgent food drive” to provide assistance to residents dealing with a pause in SNAP benefits.   “Due to the current environment surrounding the pause of SNAP benefits and the ongoing federal shutdown, many families in our communities are facing sudden food insecurity,” reads an ECUW Facebook post. ECUW has partnered with InterBank and the Purple Goat for a two-week food drive to collect

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Registration is underway for a festive annual event hosted by the Cross Timbers Business and Professional Women organization.   Run with Rudolph will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Timber Ridge Church.     Sign up to take part in a 5K for $25 or a one-mile fun run for $20.   Click here to register.     Participants must be registered by Nov. 26 to guarantee a T-shirt.   All participants will be entered into a drawing for a chance to wi

Lonn Reisman will be sworn in as Stephenville's new mayor on Nov. 18. Photo/Reisman campaign By SARA VANDEN BERGE One of the most recognizable names in Stephenville has earned a new title. Lonn Reisman on Tuesday was elected to become the city’s next mayor. “I want to congratulate David (Baskett) for a well-run campaign and wish him the best. I am overwhelmed at the number of people who went to the polls to vote for me. Truly amazing!” Reisman said. “I had a wonderful campaig

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Election Day has arrived and polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. today at the Erath County Annex, Dublin Annex, Texas A&M Agrilife Research & Extension Center and TexasBank in Stephenville. Registered voters in Erath County can cast a ballot at any of these locations no matter where they reside. Headlining the ballot in Stephenville is the race for mayor between Lonn Reisman and David Baskett. If you’re still undecided and need to learn a little more ab

Hudson Westbrook presented a $100,000 check to the Erath Country Junior Livestock Association after his headline benefit show in Stephenville on Nov. 1. Pictured from left: LV Coffee, Christie Beyer, Lance Gilliland, Hudson Westbrook and Jason Beyer. Photo/Ian Noh Special to Beneath the Surface News   Skyrocketing Texas country star Hudson Westbrook headlined a benefit concert in his hometown of Stephenville on Saturday, then donated a whopping $100,000 to the Erath County Ju

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The city of Stephenville’s annual holiday market is happening this weekend and the festive event will be bigger and better than ever! The two-day event will be held from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Rec Hall. There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything from home décor and jewelry to clothing and holiday gift ideas. There will also be food trucks both days and free pictures with Santa from 10 a.

Photo/Mindy McCleskey By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Stephenville High School’s theatre will perform two showings of The Spongebob Musical at 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8.    Theatre teacher Mindy McCleskey told Beneath the Surface News that more than 60 students have worked on the production in the areas of performing, sets, costumes, props, hair and makeup, lighting, sound and projections.     “This high energy musical is appropriate for all ages and is based on the Nickelodeo

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Stephenville will kick off the holiday season with a festive event happening on Thanksgiving weekend. The city’s annual Christmasville will be held in downtown Stephenville on Saturday, Nov. 29. Bring the family for a full day of holiday cheer with horse-drawn carriage rides, Rudolph’s chili cookoff (click here to sign up), live music, progressive bingo and the annual lighted Christmas parade (to participate, click here ). Santa and Mrs. Clause will al

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   History Happy Hour at the W.K. Gordon Museum and Research Center is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 8, with the event featuring Island Getaway Rum.    Produced in Dripping Springs and founded by Stephanie Martinez, Island Getaway Rum is one of the few dark rums produced in the United States and the only one produced in Texas.   Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here . Advanced purchase is required.    The W.K. Gordon Mus

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Admit it.   The only thing you want to do right now is curl up on the couch under a comfy blanket and read.   Me too.   So, Beneath the Book Club, I’ve chosen three terrific-sounding (and very different) books to choose from for our November read.     Here they are:   1. The Intruder by Freida McFadden   No. 1 best seller in Kindle Store, 4.3 on Goodreads   WHAT AMAZON SAYS : “ Who knows what the storm will blow in… “Casey's cabin in the wilderness is n

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Early nights are headed our way, friends. Daylight Saving Time comes to an end at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, and for Texans, that means setting those clocks back one hour before climbing into bed on Saturday night. I know I’m in the minority when I say that I love this time change. To me it means cozy nights, soft blankets, cool weather, fires and the excitement of the holiday season. Oh, and an extra hour of sleep.

By Julie Brinkley   This easy-to-make dish with rice, chicken, French onion soup and cheese is absolutely delicious   And it’s pure comfort your family will love!   Click here to watch a video on how it’s made.     WHAT’S IN IT   2 cups white rice   1 (10.5-ounces) can condensed French onion soup   2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed beef consommé   8 ounces baby portobello mushrooms, roughly chopped   1 cup grated pecorino romano or parmesan cheese, divided     1 stick butter, cu

Jayce Gazaway and his mother Haley Esslinger at Friday's Heart of Gold game. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Jayce Gazaway has a new heart beating inside his chest.   And his family is hopeful that his life – and theirs – will soon return to normal.     The 17-year-old was placed on a transplant list in September after doctors discovered that he was in heart failure.   Late Friday night, the family got the call they had been praying for: A heart was available for Jayce.   “We had jus

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The Stephenville Chamber of Commerce  and city of Stephenville  are partnering for an evening of fun with the annual Safe Trick ‘R Treat happening from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, at Stephenville City Park. The festive Halloween event will feature candy (and lots of it!), the annual costume contest, fun zone and plenty of entertainment. If you decide to enter the costume contest, there are a few things you need to know. The Chamber will award five prize

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   Tarleton State University will host its annual Fall Carnival from 4:30 -7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the O.A. Grant Building lawn and Admin Mall. This festive event brings the campus and community together to support Tarleton’s student organizations.   Tickets can be purchased to enjoy games and activities at various booths.   “We are excited to be hosting the annual Fall Carnival once again,” said Kyle Becerra, Cam

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Before you stuff yourself with turkey on Thanksgiving Day, make plans to take part in the 7 th  annual Huffin’ for the Stuffin’ 5k fun run in Stephenville.   Julie and Dana Brinkley started the neighborhood run, which has expanded to a community-wide event with more than 200 participants last year.   Click here to register for $30.   To guarantee a T-shirt, register by Friday, Nov. 7. (The cost to enter will increase after that.) The fun run will start

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Texas Sage Plant Nursery and Garden Market is brimming with the spirit of the season and it’s hosting a family-friendly Halloween event this weekend.   “Monsters, Magic & Mums” will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.     The event will include 15 local vendors, live music, costume contests for pets and kids, free pumpkin painting, yard games, a scavenger hunt, festive photo ops, delicious food, a coffee and tea truck and door prizes ever

Hudson Westbrook is playing a concert at the EECU Center on Nov. 1. Photo/Lance Houston Special to Beneath the Surface News   Skyrocketing Texas country star Hudson Westbrook launched his  Texas Forever Fall Tour ,   and will perform a hometown benefit show on Nov. 1 at Tarleton State University’s EECU Event Center .    The 7,000-cap venue will host a night of fundraising, benefiting the Erath County Junior Livestock Association. All proceeds from the show will go towards re

By Julie Brinkley   It’s time for dinner and we're making crispy smash dumplings with ground chicken and cabbage.   They are so good!   Click here to watch a video on how they are made.     WHAT YOU NEED   1 lb. ground chicken   1 clove minced garlic   3 tbsp ginger, peeled and minced   1 cup green cabbage, finely shredded   3 scallions chopped   1 egg     ½ tsp salt   ½ tsp pepper   1 tbsp sesame oil   1 tbsp soy sauce   1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water)   1 packa