KSTV News

The Empire-Tribune reports that residents are invited to weigh in on the need to upgrade some of Stephenville’s key facilities like the Recreation Hall, library and Senior Center by taking part in a survey on the city’s website, accessed through social media platforms. Hard copies of the survey can also be obtained at the Rec Hall, library and Senior Center. The survey, which is due on March 15th, includes questions about recreational, arts and crafts spaces, a child watch area, party rooms, a computer lab, group fitness classes and lots more at; surveymonkey.com, with similar questions for the library and senior center.
Read more at; yourstephenvilletx.com.

and; Just a reminder of the celebration on Saturday in honor of retiring Dr. Kim Ip of Stephenville Medical & Surgical Clinic. After 42 years of outstanding treatment and care for thousands of patients, Dr Ip– who graduated with a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Alberta and was then with Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario until 1974, joined SMSC in 1978. Everyone is invited to join in thanking Dr Ip for his many years of dedicated service at his Retirement Party to be held at the Tarleton Memorial Stadium, Club Suite on the third floor tomorrow– Saturday, February 22– from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

Stephenville High School band and choir students competed last Saturday at the first round of UIL Solo & Ensemble at Henderson Junior High. Choir members performed 27 solos and two ensembles, while 16 soloists receivied a 1st division rating and 11 received a 2nd division rating. Both ensembles received 1st division ratings. Six solos and one ensemble will travel to Austin in May to compete at the state level round, including:Kyla Carter; Lixin Cordova-Law; Layla Lara; Olivia Leinhauser; Bailey Millar; Stevie Pilgrim and Arizona Barnes– all of whom have advanced to state. The Madrigal ensembles advanced to state and Barber Shop Ensemble earned 1st Division.

Tarleton State University is the new home of the Texas Center for Community Journalism, formerly located at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. A welcoming reception is scheduled for 6 p.m. today in the communication studies newsroom on the third floor of the Grant Building in Stephenville. The public is invited.
Speakers include Dr. Christopher Gearhart, head of the department of communication studies at Tarleton; Texas Press Association Executive Director Mike Hodges; Greg Shrader, president of the Texas Newspaper Foundation and more. The first workshop will be offered in April on the Tarleton campus. It is expected to covering skills pertaining to writing and reporting.

The Empire-Tribune reports the Texas Academic Performance Report for last year, presented during Monday’s SISD school board meeting, shows Stephenville students performed equal to or higher than the state on the STAAR test. The summary reports SISD’s overall score was a 90, which is higher to last year’s 89. In reading and science, SISD scored higher than the region and state and in College, Career and Military Ready rating, SISD scored abundantly higher than the state in most measures. SISD has also partnered with Ranger College to offer a pathway to a licensed vocational nursing degree, cosmetology license, emergency medical technician and machining certification.

Vanguard University Dean of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Bonni Stachowiak will be the keynote speaker at the annual Excellence in Teaching luncheon, which highlights Celebrate Teaching Week on Tarleton State University’s Stephenville campus. The event begins this Friday at noon in the ballrooms of the Thompson Student Center.

The Tarleton State University Jazz Ensemble performs the music of legendary big band leader Count Basie in concert at the Wells Fine Arts Center Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. next Tuesday, February 25th in Stephenville. Tickets are $5 or free with a Tarleton ID. The box office opens one hour before the performance and all seating is general admission.

The Empire-Tribune reports Erath County Habitat for Humanity hosted a groundbreaking ceremony last week for its 21st home and members of the community showed up to take part in the celebration, welcoming new homeowner,Janet Valdez. She’s a 28-year-old single mother of two who works at affordacare. Her children are ages 9 and 2. Chairperson of the Building Committee Stacy Morrison thanked several individuals and companies who’ve invested time and labor in building Habitat for Humanity homes like Chris Walter of Chris Walter Construction, Rod and Candy Rutledge of Rutledge Electric, Clint Reed of CR Services, Easter Heat & Air, Iron Horse Plumbing and Thurman Roofing.

Early voting begins today at the Erath County Courthouse and Dublin Annex. County Clerk Gwinda Jones is expecting a large turnout due to high-profile contests including the race for District 59 state representative. Incumbent Dr. J.D. Sheffield against challengers Shelby Slawson and Cody Johnson and the race for Erath County Sheriff between incumbent Matt Coates and challenger Kent Howell, his former deputy. Other contested local races include incumbent Precinct 1 Commissioner Dee Stephens running against Terry Truss; incumbent Precinct 3 Commissioner Joe Brown running against Justin Slawson and the open Precinct 2 race between Jonathan Walden and Ryan Gibson. Election Day is Tuesday, March 3rd.

After 42 years with Stephenville Medical & Surgical Clinic, Dr. Kam Ip is retiring. Dr Ip graduated with a Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Alberta and then practiced at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario in Canada until 1974. He joined SMSC in 1978, just as the clinic broke ground on their new building at 150 River North Boulevard. Dr Ip is also an avid Tarleton State University fan. The community is invited to join in celebrating and thanking Dr Ip for his many years of dedicated service at Tarleton Memorial Stadium’s third floor Club Suite on Saturday, February 22 at 2 pm.