Photo/Rough Creek Lodge Special to Beneath the Surface News This Valentine’s Day, Rough Creek Lodg e invites couples to celebrate love with an elevated, multi-course dining experience crafted by Executive Chef Gerard Thompson, alongside Chef de Cuisine Raul Mujica and Sous Chef James Sowders.   Set within the resort’s refined yet rustic dining room, the prix-fixe Valentine’s menu highlights luxury ingredients, Texas-inspired flavors, and indulgent pairings designed for an unf

Special to Beneath the Surface News The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame has named Stephenville High School as the national winner of the 2025-26 NFF Hatchell Cup, following a comprehensive nationwide evaluation of the country's top state-recognized academic high school football teams. In addition to earning the distinction as the premier academic high school team in the nation, Stephenville's football program will be awarded $10,000 from Bob's Steak

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Erath County Master Gardeners is gearing up to host its first “Adventures in Gardening” class of the year.   “When we talk to gardeners in the community, one topic that comes up repeatedly is tackling grassburs,” club member Sheila Mangione told Beneath the Surface News .     “Dr. Hennen Cummings will provide expert advice on minimizing grassburs and other weeds that invade turfgrass.”   Dr. Cummings will also share tips for effective lawn management, w

Special to Beneath the Surface News   The public is invited to attend a virtual public meeting with in-person options for the 2027-2030 Rural Transportation Improvement Program (Rural TIP).   The online event will take place here on Feb. 10-26.     The meeting will offer an opportunity to review and comment on proposed transportation priorities within each county.   The Rural TIP is the first step on the road to producing a Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.   The

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

By SARA VANDEN BERGE If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the Harlem Globetrotters perform in person, your chance is coming. The Globetrotters will be at Tarleton's EECU Center  in Stephenville on Feb. 13. From gravity-defying dunks to game-changing tricks, experience the team that redefined basketball! Score your tickets by clicking here .

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   “Maybe our girlfriends are our soul mates and guys are just people to have fun with.” - Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City Valentine’s Day is not just a time to celebrate romantic love; it’s also a day to celebrate those amazing female friendships, and Lucky Vines Vineyard and Winery  is the perfect place to do it. Grab your girl gang and head to Lucky Vines for a Galentine’s Day brunch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7. The delicious menu includes

Say hi to Blossom! By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Blossom, a pretty girl as sweet as her name.   “She was adopted and later returned when apartment life turned out not to be the right fit, but don't let that fool you,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “This gentle, softhearted girl hasn't lost her loving spirit one bit. Blossom truly shines in calm, quiet e

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Bull Nettle , Stephenville’s No. 1 sports bar, is gearing up for the biggest night in football with a Super Bowl watch party on Sunday. The big game kicks off at 5:30 p.m. when the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, CA. You can watch the game on Bull Nettle’s 12 TVs and large video screen with surround sound. Owner Court Cole told Beneath the Surface News  that the watch party is an annual event. “We do this every year as

Katherine Noy delivered supplies to the Erath County Humane Society on Saturday. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Katherine Noy loves animals, so when she was awarded a $500 grant from Random Acts of Kindness, an overseas non-profit organization, she did what came naturally – donated the money to the Erath County Humane Society .   Katy’s mother Devon Serio reached out to Beneath the Surface News about the story.   Paid political advertisement “I have a 25-year-old high-functioning au

Bert Kreischer will perform at the EECU Center in May. Photo/TSU Media Relations   Special to Beneath the Surface News   Due to popular demand, renowned comedian Bert Kreischer has added additional dates to his Permission to Party World Tour, including a stop at Tarleton State University’s EECU Center .   Kreischer will take the stage in Stephenville on Saturday, May 16.   Tickets to the show are available here.     ABOUT KREISCHER   Kreischer’s career has evolved from Rolli

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The Erath County Humane Society  is gearing up for a special Valentine’s event next weekend. ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath Surface News  the organization will host a bake sale from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Walmart in Stephenville. “We will have lots of delicious baked goods for sale as well as merch; come out and see us,” she said. Proceeds, of course, will benefit the shelter’s new facility, which is currently being b

By S ARA VANDEN BERGE   Erath County’s burn ban is no more.   Commissioners on Thursday lifted the county’s burn ban following a winter storm that left behind an icy, slushy mess.   So, if you have stuff to burn, now’s your chance!

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

Buzzi's Pizzeria is located at 211 W. McNeil Street in Stephenville. By SARA VANDEN BERGE     Buzzi’s Pizzeria (named after Ruth Buzzi) is now open on McNeill Street in Stephenville and its pastrami pizza is already making waves.   Owner Mark Bryant said the new restaurant is dishing up pizza, sandwiches and will soon introduce new pastas.     “Our number one selling pizza is The Texan,” Mark told Beneath the Surface News .   “It’s made with red sauce, buffalo mozzarella, pa

The organization's first spaghetti dinner social takes place Feb. 20. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Huston Academy has started a new organization aimed at bringing together kids and adults living with disabilities.   Cassie Petty is a special education teacher who said bringing people with disabilities together has been her longtime passion.     “I think people need connections and people with disabilities might lack the opportunity to develop those connections,” Cassie told Beneath

By Julie Brinkley   There’s nothing like a piping hot bowl of soup to warm you up on a cold winter’s night.   We are taking this potato soup recipe up a notch by adding Boursin cheese and protein.   Click here to watch a video on how it’s made. WHAT YOU NEED   3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed   Two packages Boursin cheese   One package turkey smoked sausage, sliced in bite-size pieces   1 teaspoon garlic powder   1 teaspoon onion powder    One carton chicken stock

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Voters will get the chance to hear from candidates running for county commissioner and justice of the peace when the Erath County Republican Party hosts a forum at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Legacy Center in Stephenville. Carla Trussell, one of the event organizers, said all local candidates running in the March 3 Primary have agreed to participate. Paid political advertisement The event is free and open to the public. Featured races include: Just

Matthew Thompson Special to Beneath the Surface News   The following is a press release from the Erath County Sheriff’s Office.   Investigators from the Erath County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children, task force executed a search warrant inside the city limits of Stephenville on Friday.   Evidence gathered from the search warrant in conjunction with information previously gathered during the investigation led to the issuanc