Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Over 5,000 members of the Texas Future Farmers of America (FFA) will compete in the Invitational Leadership Development Event (LDE) at Tarleton State University on Friday, Oct. 30. Events will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. across the Stephenville campus and at the Tarleton Agriculture Center. For more than 54 years, Tarleton State has partnered with Texas FFA to host the organizati

The holiday open house will be held inside the fabric showroom, located at 2551 Northwest Loop in Stephenville. Photos/Julianne's Lifestyle By SARA VANDEN BERGE Julianne’s Lifestyle is inviting the community to its holiday open house happening from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5. The festive event will be held inside the fabric showroom, located at 2551 Northwest Loop in Stephenville, and include a Christmas bow workshop, drawings and charcuterie and pairings. For the wor

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Tarleton State University student organizations and the Lance Zimmerman Department of Campus Life will host the annual fall carnival from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the O.A. Grant Building Lawn and Admin Mall. “We are excited to host the fall carnival and bring together the community and student organizations for an evening of fun,” said Campus Life Program Coordinator Kyle Becerra. “Traditions like

By Julie Brinkley This recipe for lemon chicken pasta combines healthy ingredients and the convenience of a crockpot meal, giving families the best of both. Click here to watch a video on how it’s made. WHAT YOU NEED 2 to 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 4 to 5 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, chopped Minced garlic, to taste Juice of 2 lemons 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning 1/2 teaspoon paprika Salt and pepper to taste ½ cup chi

Say hi to Ceasar! By SARA VANDEN BERGE One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Ceasar, a year-and-a-half-old male Anatolian Shepard. “Ceasar was adopted from us back in July 2026, but was returned after his adopter discovered his bad habit of chewing on things,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News. “Ceasar can be nervous at first, but once he gets to know you, he's a happy, fun-loving pup.”

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. 1, and for Texans, that means setting those clocks back one hour before climbing into bed on Saturday night. And that happens to be Halloween, so if you have a party to attend – yay! 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 seaso

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Early voting will continue this week with polls open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct. 30, at the Erath County Annex III and from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 26-30 at Dublin Annex. Election Day, of course, is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the following locations and registered voters in Erath County can cast a ballot at any of these locations no matter where they reside. • Erath County Annex • Lingleville Fire Dep

By Sarah McNeal-Weaver Flour Riot This is the perfect snack for busy game days. Let’s make ‘em! WHAT YOU NEED 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats 2 cups rice cereal 1/4 cup flour Dash of cinnamon Dash of salt Mix in large bowl…. Over medium heat in a saucepan, melt… 1 stick butter 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/4 cup sugar 1/3 cup honey Remove from heat and add in a dash of vanilla; pour into cereal mixture and combine. Let sit for about 5 minut

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Tarleton State University has been ranked as one of the Best Colleges for Rural America by Washington Monthly, recognizing an ongoing institutional commitment to serving rural students. The inaugural Best Colleges for Rural America rankings assess colleges on their ability to recruit in-state students and graduate them into in-demand fields like teaching, nursing, engineering, agriculture

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News The W.K. Gordon Museum and Research Center will host a free trick-or-treat event from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Guests are encouraged to arrive in the Halloween spirit and attend in costume. In addition to treats and local vendors throughout the museum, guests can experience local history through the rotating exhibit space, coal mine diorama and opera house. “Trick-or-treaters will have a frightfully fun tim

By Julie Brinkley Soup season has officially arrived and this recipe for one made with butternut squash, gnocchi and sausage will have your family asking for seconds. So, make a big pot! Click here to watch a video on how I make it. WHAT YOU NEED 12 oz Italian sausage 1 tbsp olive oil 10 oz potato gnocchi 1 cup heavy cream 2 cups chicken broth 1 cup butternut squash puree 3 cloves minced garlic 2 tbsp fresh sage 2 tbsp fresh thyme Salt

By SARA VANDEN BERGE A nice downpour of some much-needed rain over the past couple of weeks prompted Erath County officials to lift the burn ban on Monday, Oct. 19. Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee said officials will continue to monitor weather conditions and adjust accordingly. “Please make sure you call dispatch before starting a controlled burn to prevent volunteers and resources from being sent to a controlled burn and wasting time and resources,” Huckabee said in a F

Retail By SARA VANDEN BERGE One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Retail, a sweet cat that was found hiding under a car with her newborn kittens. “After spending her time being a devoted mama, her kittens are finally weaned, and now it's her turn to find a loving home,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News. “Retail is a sweet girl with a little sass. She can be a bit rough around the edges a

Matthew Thompson By SARA VANDEN BERGE Matthew Thompson, the former IT director at Huckabay ISD, was taken back into custody on Friday, Oct. 16, after authorities received additional information about his relationship with a student. Thompson was first arrested in January and charged with child grooming and sexual performance by a child. Read initial story about his arrest here. After posting bond, Thompson was released from the Erath County Jail, but was taken back in

Treston Nolte By SARA VANDEN BERGE An Erath County grand jury last week indicted 18 individuals on a variety of charges including a man who escaped from jail last summer. Treston Cane Nolte escaped from custody on Aug. 3 and was recaptured hours later near the head of the Bosque River Trail in Stephenville. Read the original report here. According to the official complaint, Nolte was in an enclosed recreation yard at the Erath County Jail when closed circuit television captur

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News A cherished Homecoming tradition at Tarleton State now bears the name of a man who dedicated himself to bringing Texans together. During a special ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 17, the university renamed its annual Reunion Hall event in honor of the late Darrell W. Brown, recognizing his lasting contributions to campus life, alumni engagement and the Stephenville community. The annual Homec

By SARA VANDEN BERGE If you like to cast an early ballot, it’s time. Polls in Erath County will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 19-23 at the Erath County Annex III and Dublin Annex. Hours will be extended from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, and from noon-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Erath County Annex (closed in Dublin). Early voting will continue with polls open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct. 30, at the Erath County Annex III and from 8 a.

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By SARA VANDEN BERGE Newton’s Saddlerack in downtown Stephenville is hosting a unique event that brings California’s wine country to Erath County. “Boots, bottles and bites” takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 28, with dinner service beginning at 6:30 p.m. The bar opens at 4 p.m. for pre-dinner cocktails. “We’re teaming up with La Lomita Wines for an unforgettable evening of fabulous wines, exceptional food and a whole lot of Saddlerack hospitality,” Melanie Newton told

Barney Ross Billue Sr. By SARA VANDEN BERGE The following report contains graphic language connected to an alleged sexual assault in Erath County. An Erath County grand jury on Thursday indicted a man accused of sexually assaulting a female in August 2026. Sixty-six-year-old Barney Ross Billue Sr. was indicted for sexual assault (enhanced), a first degree felony. He is being held at the Erath County Jail on a $100,000 bond. The following narrative is from the offici