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 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.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The struggle to find often sold-out accommodations in Stephenville will soon come to an end with the construction of three new hotels. With an ever-growing Tarleton State University, rodeo industry and the city’s bustling main street and tourism departments, visitors to Erath County often struggle to find places to stay. Jeff Sandford, president of the Stephenville Economic Development Authority, sat down with Beneath the Surface News to talk abou

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

Jason Smith By SARA VANDEN BERGE Stephenville voters elected to keep a longtime city councilman in his place despite a challenge from newcomer Jorge Moreno. In Saturday’s city election, Gerald Cook won his race to retain place 2 on the Stephenville City Council with 76% (478 votes) to Moreno’s 24% (147 votes). In the race to fill the unexpired term of place 4 on the Stephenville ISD board of trustees, voters chose Jason Smith. Smith received 58% (556 votes) while his

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 Sarah McNeal-Weaver Making a pie crust is easier than you might think. I shared this recipe during the holidays and it was very popular. Summer pies are equally delicious so we are making it again. WHAT YOU NEED 1/2 cup shortening or butter 1 1/2 cups flour, plus 1/2 cup for surface 1/2 tsp of salt 1/2 cup cold water HOW TO MAKE IT Start by adding flour and salt into a mixing bowl, blend with fork. Add shortening or butter; cut with pastry ble

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

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 ALEXIS ROCHESTER As an investigative chemist, I spend my days working with brands all over the world, analyzing formulations, evaluating treatments and understanding how products and technologies work. But some of my favorite research happens right here in Stephenville. There’s something unique about seeing advanced wellness innovations available right here in town. One local business that caught my attention is The Wellness Bar. I recently tested out a trending tr

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