Photos/Lane Cooper By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Stephenville is getting a major new travel center that will anchor the city’s north corridor.   Construction on the Cowboy Corner Travel Center , located at 1095 Morgan Mill Road near Atwoods , is underway and expected to be complete by the end of the year.     The $8 million project will include a more than 7,300 square foot convenience store and three quick service restaurants.   “We are working on the restaurants now, but it looks

Photo/Mindy McCleskey Special to Beneath the Surface News   Stephenville High School Theatre has announced that nine of its students are state finalists in UIL Theatrical Design competition.   This year's prompt required students to read and analyze a classic commedia dell'arte play,  The King Stag , and create designs to showcase elements of the show, then write a paper justifying their choices.     These designers will polish their work to be ready for the state meet on Ma

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Stephenville  is kicking off its first Farmer & Artisan Market of the season this weekend at the downtown plaza and you should make plans to go. The annual markets are held on the first Saturday of the month between April and October. The market will be open from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 4, with live music by Landry Allen. So, make plans to grab a coffee and stroll through the market where you will find fresh produce, handmade goods and unique finds

By Julie Brinkley   Everyone is trying to get enough protein while searching for foods that are equally delish, and this recipe for a hot honey taco bowl satisfies both.   It’s tasty and high in protein.   Click here to watch a video on how it’s made.     WHAT YOU NEED   2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed   1 lb. ground beef   1 packet taco seasoning     2 tbsp olive oil   1 ½ cups cottage cheese   Dressed arugula    Avocado   Hot honey to drizzle     HOW TO MAKE IT   Cube sweet

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   A threat that a bomb had been planted at Stephenville High School prompted local law enforcement agencies to rush to the scene to begin evacuations Monday.   “Dispatch received a phone call this morning at about 11:48 indicating there was a bomb in the building,” Captain Jeremy Lanier told Beneath the Surface News .   “We have to treat every threat like they are absolutely valid, so we sent everyone to the school to start evacuating the building.”   At

Say hi to Gordon! By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Gordon, a five to six-year-old shepherd mix with a big heart.   Found as a stray and never reclaimed, Gordon hasn't let that dull his friendly spirit; he's been making friends since day one.     Gordon isn't shy about asking for love and will happily let you know when he's ready for pets, belly rubs or a hug.   “He's done well with other dogs, but w

Photos/Mindy McCleskey Special to Beneath the Surface News   Stephenville High School Theatre competed at District One Act Play contest on Friday, March 27, at the SHS Auditorium.   The cast and crew of Peter/Wendy ranked first and won advancing play, theatre teacher Mindy McCleskey said.   The following individual honors were awarded:   Claire Grove - All Star Technician    Kathryn Parish playing Wendy - All Star Cast Mya Guay playing Captain Hook - Best Performer   Chloe N

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The cities of Stephenville and Dublin are gearing up to host their annual community-wide Easter egg hunts.   Both events are free. Stephenville will host the “Megga Hunt” from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 4, at Stephenville City Park.   The annual event is co-sponsored by the city and Timber Ridge Church.   Along with the hunt, there will be games, activities and bounce houses. DUBLIN’S EGGSTRAVAGANZA   Dublin’s 5th annual EGGStravaganza will take pl

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Tarleton State University will host its third annual Giving Week March 30-April 3, bringing together alumni, faculty, staff and friends to support scholarships, programs and initiatives that enhance student success. Organized through the Division of Institutional Advancement, Giving Week highlights opportunities for donors to contribute to areas they are most passionate about, including academi

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Hello Beneath the Book Clubbers!   It’s time to vote on our April read and I am excited to introduce these three books.       1. It Should Have Been You by Andrea Mara   3.9 on Goodreads   WHAT GOODREADS SAYS: “ Your neighbors have secrets. How far would they go to keep them? “’A simple, ordinary mistake explodes into a suburban nightmare in this hugely compelling, one-sitting read packed full of thrilling moments and genuinely surprising twists. Andrea

By SARA VANDEN BERGE An Erath County grand jury on Thursday indicted 12 people, including the former director of Dublin ISD ’s information and technology department who is accused of stealing more than $1 million from the school district. Craig Wayne Parks was indicted for making a false statement in order to obtain property/credit over $300,000, theft of services over $300,000 and money laundering over $300,000, all first degree felonies. Parks was released from the Erath Co

By Sarah McNeal-Weaver   Nothing satisfies a sweet tooth like a warm slice of banana bread.   It pairs well with a morning cup of coffee and makes a great afternoon snack.   Here’s how you can whip up a loaf for your family.     WHAT YOU NEED 1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt   1/2 tsp cinnamon 4 ripe bananas 1 egg, beaten 1 1/2 tsp vanilla 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled 1/4 cup sour cream   HOW TO MAKE IT Preheat oven to 350 degrees; grease loa

One of the delicious dishes you'll find on Newton's Easter menu. By SARA VANDEN BERGE Make plans to hop over to Newton’s Saddlerack  for Easter brunch. The downtown Stephenville restaurant is now taking reservations from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for Sunday, April 5. Chef Mike Newton told Beneath the Surface News  there will be an a  la carte menu featuring brunch and dinner favorites with steak, pasta, fresh seafood (including lobster tail) and chicken fried top sirloin and eggs. There

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   There’s good news and bad news for kids looking to stay cool this summer.   The bad news is that Splashville – Stephenville’s only waterpark – will not open this summer while it undergoes a major renovation.     The good news is that Splashville is transforming into a really cool spot for families.   Daron Trussell, the city’s director of Parks and Leisure Services, told Beneath the Surface News that the project will take up to one year to complete and

By Julie Brinkley   If you’re looking for a healthy, delicious (and easy) dinner your family will love, you’ll want to give these chicken Caesar smash tacos a try.   Click here to watch how I make them.     WHAT YOU NEED   1 pound ground chicken   4 flour tortillas   2 tsp Greek seasoning   1 tsp garlic powder   1 egg beaten     1 cup Panko bread crumbs   Romaine lettuce   Caesar dressing (store bought or homemade)   Parmesan cheese   Crispy bacon for topping     HOW TO MAKE

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The race is on to fill the unexpired term of place 4 on the Stephenville ISD board of trustees following the recent resignation of Doug Young.   The board has called a special election to fill the open seat for Saturday, May 2.     Dr. Jill McAngus and Jason Smith have both filed to run for the position.   Beneath the Surface News spoke with both candidates about the reason behind their decision to run for school board.   Dr. Jill McAngus Dr. Jill McAn

Gracie Yates' mugshot from the Erath County Jail. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   A woman charged with criminally negligent homicide in connection with an accident that killed a 49-year-old woman and her young son while they slept in their home early Sunday morning, was allegedly drunk.   The arrest warrant, obtained by Beneath the Surface News , describes Gracie Yates’ state when police arrived at a home in the 200 block of N. Ollie Street in Stephenville about 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Marc

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   It was a scary moment for a Morgan Mill family when one of their dogs was recently attacked by a rabid raccoon.   “A raccoon attacked one dog and two others (dogs) came in and killed the raccoon,” Erath County Sheriff Matt Coates told Beneath the Surface News .     The raccoon tested positive for rabies and the Texas Department of Health was notified of the positive rabies exposure in Erath County.   “The dogs have been tested and are being quarantined,

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Four kittens – all siblings – are among this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society .   “Gotzi, Crixus, Ruckus and Ureelo are an adorable group of five to six-month-old siblings ready to find their forever homes,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “These sweet kittens came in as strays with their mom and may be a little shy at first, but once they feel safe, their playful, curious

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   Tarleton State University will welcome more than 11,000 Texas Future Farmers of America members for Invitational Career Development Event judging contests on Thursday, March 26.   This marks the 54th year for Tarleton State’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to host the statewide FFA invitational, the largest in the United States.     Approximately 1,800 ag science teachers repres