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

Hickory  By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Hickory, a one-year-old Black Mouth Cur mix with a big heart and lots of puppy energy.   “This adorable girl came to us with her siblings through no fault of her own and now she's ready to find a family,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .   “Hickory is a happy, playful pup who loves romping around with her dog friends and

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 Voters in the Republican and Democrat Primary will get the chance to cast a ballot when early voting gets underway this week. Early voting will be held from Feb. 17-27 at the new Erath County Annex, located at 222 East College Street, and Dublin Annex, located at 219 S. Grafton Street. Paid political advertisement ERATH COUNTY ANNEX EARLY VOTING TIMES Tuesday, Feb. 17, through Friday, Feb. 20: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22:

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

David Martin Q. What are the main duties of the Justice of the Peace? There are many duties assigned to the Justice of the Peace that touch on various areas of the law. Statutorily, the Justice of the Peace has jurisdiction over Class C Misdemeanors Cases filed in their precinct as well as Small Claims civil disputes in which the damages are for $20,000 or less. They also have jurisdiction over Eviction Proceedings in which the property in controversy lies within their Precin

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

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   Hiring representatives from school districts and education organizations from across Texas will be on the Tarleton State University campus in Stephenville for the Future Educators Career Fair from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Feb. 18, in the Barry B. Thompson Student Center ballrooms.   The fair will offer prospective educators the chance to explore opportunities, ask questions and make meaningful connections, whethe

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

Melissa Ferguson Q. What are the main duties of the Justice of the Peace?   In Texas, the Justice of the Peace serves as a vital pillar of our judicial system, embodying the dual roles of magistrate and judge.   As a judge, they preside over a range of criminal and civil cases, including traffic offenses, Class C misdemeanors such as minor alcohol violations, and simple assault.   In civil matters, they manage small claims and debt claims up to $20,000, as well as eviction pr

Graphic/Tarleton State University Special to Beneath the Surface News   Tarleton State University is gearing up for its upcoming musical, Little Shop of Horrors, happening at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19–21 in the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center.   A special discounted rate of $5 is available for students and/or parent groups for the 2 p.m. Sunday matinee on Feb. 22.     If a group from an area school is interested in attending, RSVP to reserve seats by calling the Box Offic

The birria torta is a new menu item for $10, but you can get a special Valentine’s version (double the size and heart-shaped) for $18. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   If your Valentine’s Day plans include a tasty margarita and plate of delicious Mexican food, Azteca has got you covered.   Azteca Mexican Bar and Grill is gearing up for the holiday by unveiling a special menu that includes a heart-shaped birria torta for $18 and “taco love” for $25.   The Stephenville restaurant is off

Say hi to Harry. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Harry, a three to four-month-old male mixed-breed pup with a big heart and lots of energy.   “Harry was born under a local business and brought safely into our care,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “He didn't have much early human interaction, but you'd never know it now. This sweet boy loves attention and s

Dale Spurlen Q. Why are you running for Erath County commissioner? I’m running for County Commissioner because I care deeply about Erath County and how local decisions affect people’s lives every day. Having lived and worked in this area, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our county faces as we experience growth and change.   I want to ensure that county services are working efficiently to help people get on with their daily lives, whether that’s maintaining safe roads, mana

Erath County Commissioner Albert Ray   Q: Why are you running for Erath County commissioner? I’m running for re-election as Erath County Commissioner because I believe deeply in finishing what we started and continuing to move our county forward the right way — steady, responsible, and rooted in common sense. Over the last eight years, I’ve had the honor of serving the people of Erath County, and together with the County Judge, my fellow Commissioners, department heads, and o