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   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

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

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

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   Forward momentum continues this spring at Tarleton State University with a preliminary enrollment increase of 17.5% from last spring, record graduation numbers and sustained high retention rates.   “Tarleton State is transforming lives and educationally preparing the next generation of great Texans every day,” said Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley.   “The commitment of our faculty an

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,”

Trey Austin Phillips  By SARA VANDEN BERGE   An Erath County grand jury has indicted a man charged in connection with a motorcycle accident that claimed the life of a young woman.   Trey Austin Phillips was indicted for accident involving death (enhanced), a second degree felony.     He is being held at the Erath County Jail without bond.   According to the arrest warrant obtained by Beneath the Surface News , DPS Trooper Troy Bridier was dispatched to a motorcycle crash on C

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Foster’s Home for Children is gearing up for its largest fundraiser of the year.   The 23 rd  annual auction will take place on Saturday, March 7, on the foster home campus in Stephenville.     The live and silent auctions take place from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.   Doug Young, president of Foster’s Home for Children, told Beneath the Surface News that the annual auction is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year.   “We will have used vehicles, fiberg

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   An Erath County grand jury on Thursday indicted six individuals from Houston accused of traveling to Dublin to engage in a check-cashing scheme.   Those indicted include Juan Jose Zuniga-Ornelas for forgery and engaging in organized criminal activity; Miguel Angel Romero for fraudulent use or possession of identifying information; Francisco Guzman-Ramos for fraudulent use or possession of identifying information; Daneri Gormendia-Rodriguez for fraudulen

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The Stephenville Rotary Club is partnering with Carter BloodCare to host a blood drive from 1:30-5:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13, at the Walmart parking lot. Click here to schedule an appointment. Here are a few other interesting facts from Carter BloodCare. • Healthy adults who are at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds can donate blood every 56 days. • 32,000 pints of donated blood are used each day in the U.S. and there is a need for blood every t

Stephenville police shut down the street where last night's deadly shooting took place. Photo/Emberly Hay By SARA VANDEN BERGE   A well-known local businessman was shot and killed Tuesday night in what police say was a murder-suicide.   Sixty-eight-year-old David Bragg, owner of Stephenville City Electric, was shot outside of an apartment complex on Linda Lane.   Emberly Hay lives in a home behind the apartment building and was one of the first to call 9-1-1.   “My husband an

By Julie Brinkley If you’re a busy family who wants an easy, fast and delicious meal, this viral TikTok recipe for rotisserie chicken and rice in a bag is worth the hype!   It’s easy and fabulous (and there are a ton of variations).   Click here to watch how I make it.   WHAT YOU NEED   Rotisserie chicken  ( Remove from bag, reserving juices. Debone and shred pieces, return to bag.)   2 cups cooked rice   ¼ cup rice wine vinegar    2 green onions   2 small mini cucumbers, d

By Alexis Rochester   I spend a lot of time washing hands, testing cleaning products and dealing with dry Texas air, especially this time of year.   As a chemist and busy mom, that combination can be tough on skin - hands, nails and feet - that seem to dry out no matter how much lotion you use.   Over the years, I’ve tested countless creams and trendy products to see what lives up to the hype.   Surprisingly, the best solution isn’t expensive or complicated. It’s one small bo

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Restoration Advocates is hosting a high-energy event to raise money for Restoration Place, which provides emergency housing for women and children escaping domestic abuse.   Keys for a Cause; Dueling Pianos will take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, at Rancho El Burro in Stephenville.   "It's going to be a lot of fun," board president James Gresham told Beneath the Surface News . "They play what the crowd requests with a high-energy, ve

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Erath County officials continue to hold details surrounding the Feb. 5 incident in Lingleville that left one man dead unusually close.   Sgt. Garrett Koonsman with the Erath County Sheriff’s Office oversees investigations and told Beneath the Surface News that the people involved will not be publicly named at this time.   He said that deputies with the ECSO were dispatched to an area off FM 8, near the Lingleville Store on Feb. 5.   (The Lingleville St

Strawberry chocolate chip scones By Sarah McNeal-Weaver   If you’re looking to make a sweet treat to start your Valentine’s Day celebration, this recipe for strawberry chocolate chip scones is perfect.   (And they pair nicely with a hot cup of coffee.)   WHAT YOU NEED   2 cups flour   1/3 cup granulated sugar    1/4 tsp salt    1 tablespoon baking powder      1/2 cup salted butter (cold)   1/2 cup heavy cream    1 egg   2 tsp vanilla    About five chopped strawberries    Hand

These easy, delicious brownies will satisfy that sweet tooth you've been fighting with. By Sarah McNeal-Weaver   If you are looking for a sweet treat to bring to Sunday’s Super Bowl bash, these crowd pleasing brownies are perfect! They are super easy to make and equally delicious!     WHAT YOU NEED   1 cup salted butter, melted and cooled   2 cups white sugar    4 eggs    2/3 cup cocoa powder      1 cup flour    1 tsp vanilla    Handful of chocolate chips    Optional: nuts, c

Matthew Thompson By SARA VANDEN BERGE   A man accused of developing an inappropriate relationship with a student at Huckabay ISD reportedly “begged” for nude photos of the 13-year-old.   Beneath the Surface News has obtained a copy of the official complaint against Matthew Thompson, the 34-year-old IT director at Huckabay ISD, charged with child grooming and sexual performance by a child.   As soon as Huckabay ISD Superintendent Wes Corzine learned about the allegation, he p

Butter drop biscuits and easy to make and delicious.   By Sarah Weaver   I love biscuits and gravy.   But I am always baffled that so many people take the time to make a delicious gravy, only to use canned biscuits.   So, ditch ‘em!   Homemade biscuits are easier to make than you might think.   HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED   1 1/2 cups flour    2 tsp baking powder    1 tsp salt    1 stick of butter    3/4 cup whole milk      HOW TO MAKE THEM   Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a b