The last day to file for a place on the ballot is Feb. 13.  By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The list of candidates running for Stephenville City Council continues to grow.   Mark McClinton filed Wednesday to run for the unexpired term of Place 3, previously held by Mayor Lonn Reisman.   On Thursday, Nick Robinson filed for Place 7, currently held by councilman Brandon Greenhaw who is stepping down.   The special election to fill both unexpired terms will be held Saturday, May 2, in co

Tee it Up Indoor Golf opened Monday in Stephenville. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   If you enjoy playing a round of golf – or want to learn how to play – a state-of-the-art indoor golf simulator is now open in Stephenville.   Tee it Up Indoor Golf is located at 2187A W. South Loop (behind HEB) and delivers an immersive indoor golf experience that rivals outdoor play.     “My son played at something similar and really liked it, so we decided to open one here,” owner Chris Gifford tol

By Sarah Weaver   Our family loves this recipe for high protein strawberry cheesecake bites!   This versatile recipe  keeps well in the fridge.   It’s sweet and will help keep those New Year’s resolutions in check! Click here to watch a video on how they're made.     WHAT YOU NEED   1 cup Greek yogurt    1 cup zero sugar cool whip    1 package sugar free cheesecake pudding mix    1 package strawberries, cleaned and dried   For covering: Chocolate chips/coconut oil      HOW T

An architectural rendering of Project 1885. Photo/Maynard Property Investment By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Something exciting is coming in place of where the old senior citizens center was once located on College Street in Stephenville.   Maynard Property Investment is developing Project 1885 - a 5,072 square foot, two-story structure – aimed at revitalizing downtown Stephenville. (The name, by the way, comes from when the original building was constructed.)   “I am the listing ag

Remember when the Erath County Courthouse looked like this? Will the weekend storm bring a repeat? By SARA VANDEN BERGE Stock up on firewood and break out the crockpot. Erath County is expecting its first blast of real winter weather this weekend and I couldn’t be happier. My favorite weather guy, WFAA’s Pete Delkus , says freezing rain will move into the area on Friday morning before transitioning into sleet and snow Friday night through Sunday. Pete said the latest European

By Julie Brinkley   Not only is this recipe full of flavor, it’s lean and green and made with simple ingredients.   If you’re watching your carbs, substitute white rice for cauliflower rice.   Click here to watch a video on how I make it.   WHAT YOU NEED   1 lb. ground beef, lean   White rice   3 green onions   2 tbsp soy sauce   1 tbsp rice wine vinegar   1 tsp ginger   2 cloves garlic   2 tsp sesame oil   1 tbsp Gochujang    1 tbsp brown sugar   English cucumber   Carrots

Darrell Brown By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The Erath County United Way has renamed its “Live United” scholarship after the late Darrell Brown.   Brown was the director of administrative services for the city of Stephenville when he passed away on Jan. 11.     He was only 60 years old.   An ECUW Facebook post from board president David Perez states, “I am honored to share that our board has approved renaming our scholarship the Darrell W. Brown Live United Scholarship, in memory of

Say hi to Casie! By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Casie, a six to seven-year-old mixed breed.   “This sweet girl lights up with a wiggly rump once she gets the attention she loves,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .   “She has a soft heart and an even softer spot for belly rubs and head scratches.”   Casie can be a little anxious with kennel changes, but settles n

Victor Eichhorn and his wife recently opened Noblemen Wines in downtown Glen Rose. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The Husband and I are on a mission to learn all we can about wine.   We have toured Bourdeaux France, wineries in Portugal, and most recently, Paso Robles in sunny California.     And these are our big takeaways.   1. The most expensive wines aren’t necessarily the best.   2. Our favorite wines are attached to the memories and people we share them with.   3. Texas wines a

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Tarleton State University invites students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends to the Tarleton State Day at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo on Monday, Jan. 26. Wearing Tarleton State apparel provides free general admission to Stock Show grounds beginning at 8 a.m. on Tarleton State Day, Jan. 26, including entry to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and the National Cowgirl Museum

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   I have a secret.   For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been working with a web designer to give Beneath the Surface News a fresh, new look.   This is the website’s second redesign since it was launched almost six years ago. (Time flies!) With 60 local businesses trusting their advertising to Beneath the Surface News and more than one million social media/website views every month, we are committed to staying current with online trends while finding new

Photo/Jocelyn Etters Special to Beneath the Surface News The S tephenville High School  DECA chapter delivered an outstanding performance at the District 9 Career Development Conference held in Sweetwater, with an impressive majority of competitors earning advancement to the state level. Out of 52 students who represented the school, 45 qualified for the Texas DECA State C areer Development Conference , reflecting the chapter’s strong preparation and commitment to excellence.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   If you think you make the best chili in Erath County, make plans to enter an upcoming chili cookoff.   The Bluff Dale Garden Club is hosting the annual event at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Bluff Dale Community Center (fire hall).     Registration will be held from 4:30-5 p.m. and the cost to enter is $10 per pot.   Judging begins at 5 p.m. and there will be awards for 1 st , 2 nd  and 3 rd  place as well as a People’s Choice.     Any kind of chili

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Tarleton State University marked a major milestone Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expanded Dick Smith Library.  The event celebrated the first phase of completion of a transformative project designed to enhance student success, collaboration and study opportunities on campus. The expansion adds approximately 10,000 square feet of modern academic space across two levels of the l

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   If you’re one of the estimated 25% of Americans participating in Dry January, the weekends just got easier.   Newton’s Saddlerack has unveiled its new “mocktail” menu, which includes the Desert Rose Ranch Water, Ranch Breeze, Cactus Blossom Mockarita, Cinnamon Pecan Coupe, Coastal Cowgirl and Lavender Lemonade.   “In honor of Dry January, we’re excited to announce the addition of these fun and flavorful, alcohol-free mocktails to our menu,” Melanie New

Ricky Thurman By SARA VANDEN BERGE   A familiar face in local politics is hoping to make a return to the Stephenville City Council in May.   Ricky Thurman filed Wednesday for Place 6, currently held by David Baskett.     “I am excited to announce my candidacy for Stephenville City Council,” Thurman told Beneath the Surface News .    “With seven of the nine seats up for election this May, and after meeting with Mayor (Lonn) Reisman, I believe an experienced voice on the counci

Daylee Powe poses with her ribbon Tuesday after competing in the Chisolm Challenge. Photos/Kate Powe By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Young Stephenville resident Daylee Powe was finally able to take on something she’s been looking forward to – the Chisolm Challenge.   Daylee, an eight-year-old second grader at Chamberlin Elementary, took part in the Chisolm Challenge on Tuesday.     “The Chisolm Challenge is a competitive horse show for riders with disabilities that is a part of the Fo

Bull Nettle is hosting live music every Monday night. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   With Tarleton State University students returning from winter break, Bull Nettle is welcoming them back this weekend with two nights of great music.   Billy Hartman and Matt Hartman will perform a free show on Friday and the legendary Race Ricketts will take the stage on Saturday with a $5 cover.   Both shows start at 9:30 p.m. (and yes, you have to be at least 21 years old to be admitted). Bull Ne

Lucy and Purd are so bonded that they need to be adopted together. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Two of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society are Lucy and Purd, a sweet, bonded pair of nine to 10-year-old females looking for a forever home.   “These two came to us due to housing issues, but their loving, affectionate personalities have never changed,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “They adore attenti

By SARA VANDEN BERGE With no substantial rain in recent weeks (and nothing in the forecast), Erath County  officials decided on Monday to extend the burn ban for an additional 90 days. Under the ordinance, outdoor burning is a class C misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine. So don’t burn people.