By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Stephenville officials are bringing the mayhem back to Stephenville in May.   The 3 rd  annual Mother-Son Mayhem will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, at Stephenville City Park.     It will be an action-packed night of laser tag, food, thrilling games and monster truck madness!   “We will also have a DJ and there will be a glow-in-the-dark robot,” Kaley Barnette, the city’s special events coordinator, told Beneath the Surface News .   “It’s

Devonte Johnson By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The parents of a young man killed by a gunshot in Stephenville last week is setting the record straight about their son.   Twenty-three-year-old Devonte Johnson was fatally shot by an acquaintance - 20-year-old Lorena Miranda – at a home in the 300 block of S. Lillian Ave. on April 3.     His parents, Arminthe Pyrnneau and Andre Johnson, called Beneath the Surface News on Friday from Lacy Funeral Home where they were making final arrang

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Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   Tarleton State University ’s annual Giving Week, held March 30- April 3, raised more than $1.04 million, marking an 82% increase from last year and the most successful campaign in the event’s history.   Giving Week brought together alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of the university to invest in the institution’s future.   Now in its third year, the campaign builds on the tradition

Jaden Campos (competition photo) By SARA VANDEN BERGE   A talented kid from Stephenville has advanced through multiple rounds of the national America’s Favorite Student competition presented by Bill Nye the Science Guy.   Jaden Campos, a 12‑year‑old GT and honors math student at Gilbert Intermediate, is currently in 2 nd  place in his group.     You can help Jaden continue to advance by voting for him here .   Voting ends soon, so don’t wait!   The winner will receive $20,00

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The Stephenville Association of Realtors is gearing up for its 4th annual fashion show and luncheon taking place at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 14, at The Big Red Barn event venue. “This special event is held each spring to benefit our ‘Shoes for Christmas’ program, which provides shoes to area children in need,” Vanessa Green, administrative assistant for SAOR, told Beneath the Surface News . “Thanks to the generosity of our attendees and supporters, we are

Aaron Webb was convicted Wednesday of threatening three Erath County officials. By SARA VANDEN BERGE An Erath County jury on Wednesday found De Leon resident Aaron Webb guilty of threatening three Erath County officials. He has been sentenced to 10 years in prison on all counts. "We are grateful to the jury for affirming that threats of violence will not be tolerated in Erath County," District Attorney Alan Nash said following the sentencing. Webb was represented by attorney

By Sarah McNeal-Weaver   Wondering what to do with all that leftover candy still piled into those Easter baskets?   Make a special treat the whole family will love; granola bars.     The first thing you’ll need to do is raid those baskets for the chocolate.   Here’s what else you need:   2 ½ cups rolled oats (not quick oats, I use old fashioned rolled or protein oats)    1 ½ cups rice crisp cereal (any kind)     ½ c all-purpose flour   dash of cinnamon   dash of salt   Place

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   A new event is coming to downtown Stephenville.   The Stephenville Arts Festival is happening from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at the Erath County courthouse square.     The family-friendly event will include a children’s area in the downtown plaza.   The event will also feature live artist paintings, unique art for sale, artisan vendors, food, drinks and live music. The children’s area will feature an interactive mural, sidewalk chalk and face pain

By SARA VANDEN BERGE A Stephenville woman has authored a series of books that focus on children’s emotions.   The Junie Series: Worlds of Wonder includes six books - Junie is Sad, Junie is Angry, Junie is Jealous, Junie is Scared, Junie is Happy and Junie is Curious.   “They are all about a little red headed pigtailed girl named Junie, inspired by my late pug, who learns lots of lessons and has many magical adventures, based on child-oriented feelings,” author Jennifer Marco

The Stephenville Running Club is known for having fun and offering encouragement to its members. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The Stephenville Running Club is celebrating five years of camaraderie with a 5K birthday bash.   The event will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at the Green Canoe in Hico.     The cost to participate is $30 (click here to sign up) and you must be registered by April 10 to guarantee a T-shirt.   The celebration will include door prizes and

Lorena Miranda By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Details of what transpired inside a home in Stephenville where a man was shot and killed are outlined in an arrest warrant that charges a 20-year-old woman with manslaughter.   According to a copy of the arrest warrant obtained by Beneath the Surface News , the Stephenville Police Department responded to a call in the 300 block of S. Lillian Ave. shortly before midnight on April 3. The call referenced a male subject, later identified as 2

Splash By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Splash, a five to six-year-old Australian Shepherd with a gentle soul.   “This sweet girl is looking for a calm, cozy home where she can be your one-and-only pup and truly shine,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “This animal would do best in a home where it is the only dog.”   Splash might be a little shy at first, but

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   The next movie night at the W.K. Gordon Museum and Research Center will feature Buster Keaton in the 1926 silent film classic “Battling Butler” at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 11.   Alfred Butler, played by Keaton, is part of a wealthy family but an embarrassment to his father, slight of build and accustomed to ease and luxury.     His father suggests a hunting trip to toughen him up.   During the excursion, he falls in love

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Dublin FFA students have been busy over the past several months, growing, transplanting and designing hanging baskets for their annual plant sale. The three-day event will take place from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, April 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday, April 12, at the Dublin High School greenhouse.     “We will have multiple different varieties of flowers including geraniums, begonias, fuchsia, petunias, pansies, vinca, impatiens, verbena,

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Admit it.   You could use a big bowl of mac and cheese right now. If you play your cards right and purchase tickets to The Big Cheese benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erath County , you’ll soon be enjoying America’s favorite comfort food.  This year’s mac and cheese cook-off begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, at Lucky Vines Vineyard and Winery . “ We are back for our third annual Big Cheese,” BBBS executive director Sarah McNeal-Weaver told B

The sauna and cold plunge room is warm and inviting. Clients also have access to a robe and slippers. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   If you’re on a health journey, Stephenville’s new wellness spa is for you.   The Wellness Bar , located at 195 River North Blvd, Suite 102 (next to Revision Aesthetics & Wellness) , is a sanctuary for clients seeking renewal.     Step inside the luxurious center and you’ll find friendly faces ready to guide you through a series of modern, personalized t

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The Texas Commission on Jail Standards issued a notice on March 11 that the Erath County Jail was in non-compliance after jail officials self-reported that a male staff member had strip-searched a female inmate twice on Feb. 24.   The violation, outlined in 265.2 (b), states that all strip searches “shall be conducted by jailer(s) or designated staff of the same gender in a reasonable and dignified manner and place.”     Erath County Sheriff Matt Coates

A rendering of Stephenville's newest downtown development, Project 1885. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The public is invited to an open house at Project 1885, a newly-renovated space located at 118 E. College Street in Stephenville.   The event will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8.     Residents will have an opportunity to tour the space and learn about leasing opportunities.   Maynard Property Investment  developed Project 1885 - a 5,072 square foot, two-sto

By Sarah McNeal-Weaver   Nothing says spring like a light, delicious slice of lemon bread.   This easy recipe for a lemon loaf will make a beautiful addition to your Easter table.     WHAT YOU NEED   1 1/2 cups flour   1 1/2 tsp baking powder    1/2 tsp salt    Zest of lemon    1/2 cup (1 stick) of salted butter      1 cup sugar    2 eggs (room temperature)    1 tsp vanilla    Juice from lemon    1/2 cup whole milk    Dash of white vinegar      HOW TO MAKE IT   Sift flour, po