KSTV News

Grab your cowboy hats and settle in on the couch to see Stephenville’s own Carter Van Zandt, 11, make his screen debut in “Welcome to the West.” The multimedia concert film premieres online at 7:30 p.m. Friday and includes the Gilbert Intermediate School fifth-grade student and host of other Stephenville residents in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Dallas-based Lumedia Musicworks filmed the movie a few weeks ago at Pannill Ranch and other places in Stephenville to celebrate the life of the American rancher, and the musical portion was shot in Celina. The entire production is available online at www.lumediamusicworks.com through Nov. 30. The 50-minute production features poetry, sonatas, concertos, traditional fiddling, folk tunes and 1940s western swing paired with contemporary and historic film footage and photographs from the Library of Congress.

While the active coronavirus case count in Erath County remained relatively stable on Tuesday, 41 new positive tests were identified in the county in the past 24 hours. The significant news out of Tuesday’s report was that the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms rose by eight. That is the single largest one-day increase in hospitalizations in Erath County since the pandemic began. As of Tuesday, 67 people were hospitalized in Erath County. There are 257 active cases in the community. That’s just a handfull lower than the county’s all-time high of active cases in the community.

In concert with efforts by The Texas A&M University System, Tarleton State University is asking students and employees to test for COVID-19 before
beginning the Thanksgiving holiday next week. A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp said he wants to make sure communities feel safe and can avoid any unnecessary exposure to the coronavirus, which has spiked nationwide. Tarleton students and employees can call the Office of Compliance and Strategic Initiatives at
254-968-9415 or their primary healthcare provider for testing information.

A slight slowdown in new cases of COVID-19 in Erath COunty. On Monday, the countyu reporte donly 11 new positive tests in the previous 24 hours. The county has often reported 30, sometimes more than 40 cases in one day several times in recent weeks. The bad news out of the latest report, though, is the the hospitalization rate went up again. It now stands at 59 people who are hospitalized in Erath County with COVID-19 illnesses. The number of people who have died also went up by one. It now stands at 19.

A previously unknown species of plant life has been discovered by Tarleton State University researcher Dr. Ryan Morgan and two former students. Morgan and his team found a single fossilized leaf of the new species belonging to Cyclopteris, an extinct genus of seed ferns, in sandstone beds of the Placid Shale near Ranger in Eastland County. The plant fossil is characteristic of the late Paleozoic Era. Morgan, an Associate Professor in the university’s Department of Chemistry, Geosciences and
Physics, published the discovery of Cyclopteris chevronii in the International Journal of
Paleobiology and Paleontology.

A new police officer is hitting the streets of Stephenville. Taylor Morrison was sworn in as the newest Stephenville Police Officer last week. DUring a swearing in ceremony, Morrison had her father pin on her badge to her crisp, new uniform. Morrison previously served on the Reno, Nevada, police force, and has also been a poclie officer in the city of Dallas.

Another 40 cases of COVID-19 were identified in Erath County on Thursday, during the previous 24 hours. The county’s total number of positive tests since the pandemic began is now approaching 14-hundred. The active case load has dropped slightly in the past couple days. It now stands at 248 after hitting an all time high earlier this week of 258. The county lists 18 people who have died of complications from COVID-19 since the pandemic began in mid-March. That number has stayed the same since the beginning of the week. However, two more people are listed as being hospitalized for COVID-19 illnesses. That number now stands at 57, up from 55 on Wednesday.

Tarleton State University supporters are invited to kick off the holiday season on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1 — a global day of philanthropy — by giving to their favorite academic program, student activity or scholarship. The 24-hour event is an international online fundraiser. To give, visit givingday.tarleton.edu/ between midnight and 11:59 p.m. Dec. 1.

A free community COVID0-19 testing opportunity is being made avilable in Erath County. There will be no cost for these tests, but if you have an insurance card, take it with you. The event will be done as a drive thru style clinic. Anyone can be tested and you do not need to be exhibiting symptoms. These will be the swab tests, not the rapid result tests. You can expect results in 48-72 hours. The event is Thursday from 10am to 6pm at Cornerstone Assembly of God CHurch at 950 Glen ROse Highway in Stephenville. If you have any questions, you can call 254-965-1326. DO NOT call the church, as they are simply providing the parking lot for use and don’t have anything to do with the event.

The Erath County COVID-19 report issued on Friday showed 28 new positive cases in the previous 24 hour. 21 of those were from residents in Stephenville, while five are in rural Erath County and two are in Dublin. The number of active coronavirus cases in Erath County has now risen to 206… it’s highest number ever. However, the number of deaths and the number of people hospitalized with the illness reemained the same on Friday. What’s interesting to note is that the vast majority of cases in the community are coming from young people. In fact, the total number of 13-19 year olds who have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began now stands at 206, while the number of 20-29 year olds is at 360.