By Alexis Rochester This is part four in the science-backed fall reset series with Chemistry Cachet. Fall in Texas is a little unpredictable. We can have an 85-degree afternoon followed by a cool, dry morning, and those changes can start showing up on our skin. As a chemist and busy mom approaching 40, I’m always testing new skincare products, but I’m not interested in using something simply because it is trending online. I look at the active ingredients, what they

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Someone apparently thinks it's a good idea to knock down Flock cameras in Erath County. In the past several weeks, at least four cameras have been knocked down or damaged, including two on US Hwy. 281 that might have caught the person who snatched Ruffles, Henderson Junior High School’s emotional support dog. (Read the story here.) Erath County Sheriff Matt Coates told Beneath the Surface News that all of the damaged cameras belong to DPS and th

Ruffles, HJH's facility dog, went missing Sunday morning. Her caretakers are asking for the public's help in locating her. By SARA VANDEN BERGE It’s been more than 24 hours since Ruffles, a six-year-old Poodle, slipped out of her caretaker’s home at the Diamond C Ranch Estates off Hwy. 281 in Erath County, and hasn’t been seen since. Now, her caretaker, Brittany Howell, is working desperately to find her. “Ruffles has a teddy bear haircut and looks a Doodle,” Brittany

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Take a step back in time and “meet” the pioneers of Erath County during the Spirits of Erath Cemetery Walk. The 16th annual event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the West End Cemetery in Stephenville. The first performance will take place at 2 p.m., followed by a second at 3:30. The cost to attend is a $10 donation benefiting The Friends of the Dick Smith Library and Stephenville Historical House Museum. For more information, contact Glend

One of Clayton Iley's exotic cars he posted on social media. By SARA VANDEN BERGE Everyone has been wondering what’s going to happen to all those exotic cars that once belonged to 41-year-old Clayton Iley. Well, now we have the answer. Iley was sentenced on Oct. 1 to more than 13 years in federal prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. As part of his plea deal, according to United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, Iley agr

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. 26, at Stephenville City Park. The festive Halloween event will feature candy (and lots of it!), a costume contest, fun zone and plenty of entertainment. If you decide to enter th

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Stephenville Medical & Surgical Clinic is partnering with Javara Research for a nationwide paid flu prevention research study. Dr. Benjamin Marcum, a family medicine physician at SMSC, is leading the local effort and searching for healthy adults between the ages of 18-49. Participants must be non-smokers (no nicotine) and have not received a flu shot within the past 12 months. “This study is actually testing a long-acting antiviral as well as a

Special to Beneath the Surface News Things are about to get spooky ‘round here when Revitalize Dublin hosts “Doublin’ Your Nightmares,” a community haunted house bringing scares, screams and Halloween fun to Dublin this October. The haunted house will be open at 8 p.m. every Saturday night leading up to Halloween - on Oct. 10, 17, 24 and 31 - at the barn on the Harris Ranch, located at 1029 County Road 304 in Dublin. There will also be a special Friday night opening o

By Alexis Rochester This is part 3 in Chemistry Cachet’s fall series. Let’s talk scents. You don’t need a chemical plug-in running in every room to make your home smell like a beautiful autumn day. As a chemist and mom, I start with a simple rule: remove the source of odor before adding a fragrance. A cinnamon scent won’t fix a rug, a dirty trash can or buildup in the garbage disposal. Once those are clean, a few small healthier touches can make the house feel coz

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Bull Nettle, Stephenville’s No. 1 sports bar, is hosting its annual day of music and good vibes on Saturday, Oct. 24. The Bull Nettle Bash will include a fantastic lineup of 14 performances throughout the day and into the night. Landry Layne and Beau Garza - two of Stephenville’s finest young talents – along with Race Ricketts who just finished touring with country legend Robert Earl Keen will all take the stage. The event will also include a performance

Chocolate chip banana bread By Sarah McNeal-Weaver Flour Riot Nothing says fall like a warm slice of banana bread dripping with butter. This recipe is extra special because it includes chocolate chips. Let’s make it! Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a loaf pan with parchment paper, spritz with olive oil. In small bowl, mix: 2 cups flour 1tsp baking soda Dash of cinnamon Dash of salt Set aside. In a larger bowl, mix: 1 stick butter, room tem

A look inside the Erath County Humane Society's new 14,000 square-foot shelter. Photo/Serena Wright By SARA VANDEN BERGE The Erath County Humane Society’s new 14,000 square-foot facility is nearing completion and now shelter officials are asking the public for help getting it stocked. “We pretty much need everything,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News. “We don’t even have office furniture.” Serena said they hope to move into the ne

Croque Monsieur By SARA VANDEN BERGE If you’re a fan of the movie “It’s Complicated,” you’ll enjoy trying this Croque Monsieur – or fancy grilled cheese sandwich – which you should enjoy with your favorite fall soup or stew. Click here to watch how it’s made. WHAT YOU NEED 4 slices sourdough dread Dijon mustard Black forest ham Grated Gruyere Cheese Bechamel Sauce 2 tbsp butter 2 tbsp flour 1 cup warm milk Dash of nutmeg Salt and pepper LET’S

Trey Phillips By SARA VANDEN BERGE A Stephenville man pleaded guilty Monday to fleeing the scene of a deadly motorcycle accident that left a young woman dead last year. Trey Austin Phillips pleaded guilty to accident involving death in the July 2025 incident and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. According to the arrest warrant obtained by Beneath the Surface News, DPS Trooper Troy Bridier was dispatched to a motorcycle crash on County Road 490 in Erath County on July 12,

By Alexis Rochester This is part two of the science-backed fall reset with Chemistry Cachet. It’s time to give your outdoor area a quick reset for your fall and upcoming Christmas decor. Even if you aren’t much of a decorator, this spray will do a great job of cleaning all your outdoor surfaces. Fall decorating is more satisfying when the surface underneath the pumpkins and mums is clean. After a long Texas summer, front doors, siding and patio furniture can hold

Erath County Commissioner Sherman Edwards By SARA VANDEN BERGE Erath County Commissioner Sherman Edwards is questioning the fairness of a county employee getting full time pay from two different departments. In a video posted to his Facebook account, Edwards brings attention to the fact that Erath County Emergency Management Coordinator Chris Brooks receives full-time pay in his role as well as full time pay as a member of the Erath County Volunteer Fire Rescue department

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The Erath County Courthouse By SARA VANDEN BERGE After the unexpected passing last week of Erath County Commissioner Jim Buck, county officials are moving forward with plans to fill his unexpired term. On Thursday, Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee outlined a plan to ensure that precinct 4 continues to function normally. In a letter to community members, Huckabee outlines the following: “I want to first start with my continued prayers for Commissioner Buck’s fam

Clayton Iley By SARA VANDEN BERGE A disgraced former Stephenville businessman learned his fate today. Clayton Iley, former owner of Texas Legacy Insurance Group, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and identity theft and was sentenced to a little more than 13 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman. Iley faced a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud offense and a mandatory sentence of two years in prison for aggravated

By Sarah McNeal-Weaver Flour Riot Admit it. You care enough about your health and weight to make sure to get your daily protein intake. But sometimes… that sweet tooth sneaks up on us. This recipe for a high protein, no bake (yay!) cheesecake takes care of both. HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED FOR THE CRUST 1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers. (About 11-12 full size sheets) 3 tbs granulated sugar 7 tbs butter In a food processor blend crackers and pour into bowl.