KSTV News

The Bellamy Brothers will perform at the next Texstar Summer Concert Series set for 8 this Friday evening at the Birdsong Amphitheater in Stephenville City Park. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, snacks — and some bug spray — and enjoy the free summer concert. Howard and David Bellamy have been performing since 1968, when the brothers had their first official gig playing a free show with their father at the Rattlesnake Roundup in San Antonio, Florida. Their big break came with the Jim Stafford hit, “Spiders & Snakes,” which was written by David. The song went on to sell more than 3 million units worldwide. Then in the 70’s the Bellamy Brothers hit it big on the country charts with their own hit… “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me).” The lyrics to that song were originally scribbled on a dinner napkin by David. They also hit number one on the pop charts with “Let Your Love Flow.

There has been an uptick in COVID cases in Erath County, where as of yesterday, there were 54 new cases. The good news is that this time around, it appears to be less severe, with just 2 hospitalizations. The 54 new cases were discovered in just the past week. The predominant strain circulating now is the Delta variant, which is much more transmissible, and it tends to affect younger patients more than the previously circulating strains did. Doctors report a jump in overall testing and therefore, in positive test results, and they encourage those who have not yet done so to consider getting vaccinated. They say more than 99% of the cases involve the unvaccinated, yet they admit that even if you get vaccinated there is still a small chance you can come down with Covid-19.

A popular event is returning to Stephenville… Hearsay Wine Bar is bringing back the wine pairing dinner, and this time around, Chef Curren Dodds and the Silver Spur Winery will be a part of it. The four-course dinner will be held on Thursday, August 26th, from 6-9 p.m. Plan to attend, and plan on enjoing some delectible palat pleasing delights. As for the actual wine pairings… they’ll be revealed the night of the dinner. It is always a special night with great food, great wine, and great people. But to be a part of it, you need to make a reservation, and there are only a limite dnumber of seats available. Tickets can be purchased for $100 each beginning August 1 by calling 817-715-1682. By the way, if you are looking for something unique to do for date night, this could be the answer!

An opportunity for better oral health is coming! A longtime dentist has signed up with the team at AccelHealth, and now will be serving dental patients in Stephenville and De Leon. Dr. C.C. Rice is from Eastland, where he has had a dental practice for 27 years. Dr. Rice is a graduate of the Baylor College of Dentistry and is a sixth-generation Texan. According to AccelHealth CEO Esther Taylo, his vast dental experience and knowledge will benefit and profoundly impact the patients that they serve. As for Dr. Rice… he said it is like coming home for him, and he is looking forward to serving patients in Stephenville, De Leon and Eastland.

Tarleton State University has announced a series of name and organizational changes of colleges and departments within the Division of Academic Affairs… all said to be part of the university’s strategic planning process. Taking effect July 1, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences becomes the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Department of Social Work will be recast as the Department of Social Work and Communication Disorders. The School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Strategic Studies within the College of Liberal and Fine Arts becomes the School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Public Administration. Also, the College of Education becomes the College of Education and Human Development. As of Aug. 1, the bachelor of science degree in environmental science from the new Department of Wildlife and Natural Resources becomes the bachelor of science degree in environmental science from the Department of Chemistry, Geoscience and Physics. On Sept. 1, the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication becomes the Division of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Department of Public Administration becomes part of the School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Public Administration in the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. Also Sept. 1, the Department of Engineering and Computer Science in the College of Science and Technology will split into the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering and the Department of Mechanical, Environmental and Civil Engineering.

The Graham Street/Washington Street intersection in Stephenville is now closed to traffic, and will continue to be shut down until the fall for brick pavement construction. The work is of course, weather permitting. Motorists will be directed through a signed detour. State Highway 108 will also remain closed between College and Washington streets for a local beautification project consisting of brick pavement installation. Local through traffic should follow the local signed detour on College to Belknap Street and return to US 108 on Blair Street. Commercial vehicles should follow the signed detour on US 377 to US 281 and return to SH 108 on FM 8.
During this closure, the hospital will be accessible to northbound traffic from Belknap or Blair streets.

Ryan Hess of Stephenville has been elected Area IV FFA vice president… and is now officially one of the 12 Texas FFA State Officers. He will serve the Texas FFA Association for the next year as the Area IV vice president. Hess underwent an extensive seven-day election process. Hess grew up in Stephenville, where he raised and showed a herd of Santa Gertrudis cattle. He served on the board of directors for the National Junior Santa Gertrudis Association, and served as the national president his senior year of high school. As such, he is a highly decorated FFA member, being a five-time state champion and two-time national champion of agriculture. Hess has competed on many FFA teams, and has placed in the top 10 in the state six times. Hess was chosen as one of 10 San Antonio Livestock Show Scholarship recipients, and received $20,000 from the SALE organization. He has served as the Stephenville FFA Chaplin, first vice president and president, Pecan Valley District president and Area IV first vice president, as well as on numerous committees. He is a 2021 graduate of Stephenville High School, was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council and on the A honor roll. He is the son of Robbie and Cindy Hess.

Market conditions are causing a spike in beef prices, meaning consumers can expect higher beef prices at grocery stores despite a recent dip after the typical seasonal peak, which took place around Memorial Day. High demand, tight supplies and high production costs mean prices are likely to remain higher than normal. Choice average beef prices have increased from $6.41 to $6.96 per pound since the first of the year. Experts say the price hikes are consistent with historic seasonal peaks and valleys, but prices still remain above the five-year average of $5.82 per pound. They also say market conditions most likely will keep prices up. Meanwhile, demand for beef at grocery stores has not waned, and in fact, is seen as extraordinary right now.

Just twenty-four hours after Texas Democratic lawmakers fled to Washington, D.C., the remaining members of the Texas House passed a motion ordering authorities to track down their absent colleagues under what is called “a Motion for Call of the House.” It directed the House’s sergeant-at-arms to dispatch state police to find and return the missing members, using the power of arrest if necessary. Governor Greg Abbott pledged to arrest the Texas Democrats upon their return to the state. But as long as they remain beyond the reach of Texas police in Washington, for now most legal observers say they are probably safe from forced attendance. However, it is pretty unrealistic to believe the Democrats can stay outside of Texas forever. The governor doubled down on Friday, saying state authorities will await their return, and just as soon as they come back to Texas, they will be arrested, and then cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done.

Stephenville ISD Superintendent Matt Underwood is calling it quits… He is leaving for Ranger College. Underwood’s last day is August 31. His new challenge will involve taking on an administrative role at Ranger College, where he will become the next senior vice president of Erath and Brown counties. He says it is an opportunity to do something that he has always wanted to do. Officially, Underwood wrote a letter to his staff, saying he plans to submit his formal letter of resignation to the board of trustees tonight. Now the board will be tasked with finding a path forward in the fall semester, which means at least for the short term, they will need to find an interim superintendent, superintendent search firms and a timeline for seating a new superintendent. Underwood said the time he and his family have spent in Stephenville has been by far the best… both personally and professionally.