By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Officials with the Erath County Courthouse and Erath County United Way  have partnered for a program aimed at keeping residents warm this winter. Becky Keith, HR director at the courthouse, said the drive is ongoing through Dec. 20 ECUW executive director Lisa Scroggins said the coats will be boxed by sizes and taken to local food pantries where they will be dispersed. “All the coats stay local and are given to people in Erath County who need them,” Lis

The pickleball court at The Serving Station. Photo/Sierra Felton By SARA VANDEN BERGE   If you’re a fan of playing pickleball, this is for you.   A new indoor pickleball court – The Serving Station – opens Monday, Nov. 10, at 408 East Road in Stephenville.     Owners Sy and Sierra Felton opened The Serving Station after playing at an indoor court in Fort Worth.   “We love to play pickleball with our friends and thought that Stephenville could really use something like this,”

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   “Voices of Service: A Tribute to Veterans” will honor the service and sacrifice of local veterans with a community celebration featuring music, remembrances and recognition from 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Tarleton State University ’s Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center. The tribute is a collaboration by the university’s Lozano Long Division of Global, Community and First-gen Initiatives, the College of Education and

Photo/Lauren Hummert Photography By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Erath County law enforcement agencies are wasting no time getting into the holiday spirit.   Their working together to raise money for the sixth annual “Shop with a Cop” program, aimed at giving local at-risk youth a merry Christmas.   “We are so very blessed by the most loving and generous community and county,” Stephenville Police Chief Dan Harris told Beneath the Surface News .   “With such love and support we are abl

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The Erath County United Way is asking residents to take part in an “urgent food drive” to provide assistance to residents dealing with a pause in SNAP benefits.   “Due to the current environment surrounding the pause of SNAP benefits and the ongoing federal shutdown, many families in our communities are facing sudden food insecurity,” reads an ECUW Facebook post. ECUW has partnered with InterBank and the Purple Goat for a two-week food drive to collect

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Registration is underway for a festive annual event hosted by the Cross Timbers Business and Professional Women organization.   Run with Rudolph will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Timber Ridge Church.     Sign up to take part in a 5K for $25 or a one-mile fun run for $20.   Click here to register.     Participants must be registered by Nov. 26 to guarantee a T-shirt.   All participants will be entered into a drawing for a chance to wi

Lonn Reisman will be sworn in as Stephenville's new mayor on Nov. 18. Photo/Reisman campaign By SARA VANDEN BERGE One of the most recognizable names in Stephenville has earned a new title. Lonn Reisman on Tuesday was elected to become the city’s next mayor. “I want to congratulate David (Baskett) for a well-run campaign and wish him the best. I am overwhelmed at the number of people who went to the polls to vote for me. Truly amazing!” Reisman said. “I had a wonderful campaig

Hudson Westbrook presented a $100,000 check to the Erath Country Junior Livestock Association after his headline benefit show in Stephenville on Nov. 1. Pictured from left: LV Coffee, Christie Beyer, Lance Gilliland, Hudson Westbrook and Jason Beyer. Photo/Ian Noh Special to Beneath the Surface News   Skyrocketing Texas country star Hudson Westbrook headlined a benefit concert in his hometown of Stephenville on Saturday, then donated a whopping $100,000 to the Erath County Ju

Chopper loves to ride in cars. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Chopper, a five-year-old male that was adopted as a puppy in 2020 and returned two years later through no fault of his own.   “Chopper has been with us for three years - three long years of watching other dogs come and go while he patiently waits for his turn,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “C

Randy and Renee Thompson (far right) took home the mirror ball trophy after raising more than $87,000 and earning a perfect dance score. Photo/ B&A Media Tech By SARA VANDEN BERGE Last week’s Dancing For the Stars event raised a record-breaking $208,498.49 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erath County . Randy and Renee Thompson took home the mirror ball trophy after raising a whopping $87,000 and getting a perfect dance score. Jeremy and Hillary McBroom, Donny and Brigit Hill

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The city of Stephenville’s annual holiday market is happening this weekend and the festive event will be bigger and better than ever! The two-day event will be held from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Rec Hall. There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything from home décor and jewelry to clothing and holiday gift ideas. There will also be food trucks both days and free pictures with Santa from 10 a.

Photo/Jody Fain By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Stephenville High School seniors taking part in the health  science program are hosting their annual Teddy Bear Clinic on Nov. 13 for approximately 230 kindergarteners at Central Elementary. “These seniors are pursuing careers in the healthcare field and have been enrolled in health science classes for the last three years,” Jody Fain, an LVN who teaches the class, told Beneath the Surface News .   “ We hold the Teddy Bear Clinic to giv

Photo/Mindy McCleskey By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Stephenville High School’s theatre will perform two showings of The Spongebob Musical at 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8.    Theatre teacher Mindy McCleskey told Beneath the Surface News that more than 60 students have worked on the production in the areas of performing, sets, costumes, props, hair and makeup, lighting, sound and projections.     “This high energy musical is appropriate for all ages and is based on the Nickelodeo

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Stephenville will kick off the holiday season with a festive event happening on Thanksgiving weekend. The city’s annual Christmasville will be held in downtown Stephenville on Saturday, Nov. 29. Bring the family for a full day of holiday cheer with horse-drawn carriage rides, Rudolph’s chili cookoff (click here to sign up), live music, progressive bingo and the annual lighted Christmas parade (to participate, click here ). Santa and Mrs. Clause will al

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   History Happy Hour at the W.K. Gordon Museum and Research Center is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 8, with the event featuring Island Getaway Rum.    Produced in Dripping Springs and founded by Stephanie Martinez, Island Getaway Rum is one of the few dark rums produced in the United States and the only one produced in Texas.   Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here . Advanced purchase is required.    The W.K. Gordon Mus

Say hi to Bubble Bath. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Bubble Bath, a five-year-old female Pit mix.   “Bubble Bath is a big, lovable girl who just wants to be close to her people,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “She’s done well around other dogs through the fence, but she hasn’t had a formal dog test yet. When meeting cats, she’s showed curiosity, but did

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Ask for Andrea  by Noelle W. Ihli was the perfect atmospheric read to get into the Halloween spirit.   A ghostly tale centered around three women - Meghan, Brecia and Skye – who were murdered by the same man. The killer was a bad dude. A really bad dude who hunted his victims online, pretending to be an eligible bachelor, though he had a wife and kids at home.   After charming his victims, he lures them to a desolate area and un-alives them.   The kill

By Julie Brinkley   This easy-to-make dish with rice, chicken, French onion soup and cheese is absolutely delicious   And it’s pure comfort your family will love!   Click here to watch a video on how it’s made.     WHAT’S IN IT   2 cups white rice   1 (10.5-ounces) can condensed French onion soup   2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed beef consommé   8 ounces baby portobello mushrooms, roughly chopped   1 cup grated pecorino romano or parmesan cheese, divided     1 stick butter, cu

Jayce Gazaway and his mother Haley Esslinger at Friday's Heart of Gold game. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Jayce Gazaway has a new heart beating inside his chest.   And his family is hopeful that his life – and theirs – will soon return to normal.     The 17-year-old was placed on a transplant list in September after doctors discovered that he was in heart failure.   Late Friday night, the family got the call they had been praying for: A heart was available for Jayce.   “We had jus