KSTV News

The Stephenville Chamber of Commerce’s annual Safe Trick ‘R Treat event is going to take place this Thursday in downtown Stephenville. It’s something kids look forward to all year long. Area children are all invited to dress up and come on out to visit treat stations that will be set up around the Erath County Courthouse square and downtown plaza this Thursday from 5-7 p.m. In addition, there will also be a so-called “Fun Zone” set up in the plaza parking that will be jammed full of lots of games and activities for children. There will also be a costume contest. Drivers are reminded that for safety purposes, the entire area will be blocked to thru-traffic this Thursday evening from 5-7. Everyone is invited to come on out and enjoy the festivities.

Locally, a so-called “person of interest” is now being sought by authorities, and they are now turning to you… the public… for information on just where to find this person. The Stephenville Fire Marshal’s Office and the Erath County Sheriff’s Office are working on a joint investigation, and they want to find a person who at least for now, is only wanted for questioning on multiple felony offenses. If you have any information that would lead to finding that person, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 965-CASH. Callers may remain anonymous. You can find a picture of the person who is being sought on our website. Just check under local news.

Beginning on Sunday, you will no longer simply be able to dial seven numbers when making a local telephone call. Ten digit dialing means, while the local numbers remain the same, you will have to also dial the area code… just as you would do to make a long distance call. That means here in Texas, and if you are in the 254, 361, 409, 806, 830, 915 and 940 area codes, you will have to press the area code and then the phone number when making every call. Local calls dialed with only seven-digits will not be completed. If you have any automatic dialing equipment like pre-programmed numbers in your cell phone, or life safety systems or medical monitoring devices, fax machines, fire-burglary-security systems, gates… in other words, everything basically will need to be checked to make sure it includes the proper area code. You will continue to dial 1+ the area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls. Emergency calls such as 911 are not affected by the change.

The Harbin Volunteer Fire Department is holding a BBQ fundraiser from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the fire department at the intersection of FM 847 and County Road 275 in Dublin. Both a drive thru and sit down service will be available. A band will be there too! Tickets for door prizes will be available, and for more information just call (254) 485-5091.

If you want to contribute to a good cause locally, here’s one idea. Pick up an extra case or two of bottled water, and then drop it off at the office of Farmers Insurance Agent Leslie Walker, at 155 North Graham Street in Stephenville, where Leslie and her team are collecting bottled water for local fire departments through the end of November. All the water collected will be donated to the Stephenville Fire Department and Erath County Volunteer Fire Rescue. You can drop off cases of bottled water at the insurance office Monday through Friday from 9 to 5. It’s a great way to give back to the community and to show support for those who protect us all.

The Stephenville Historical House Museum is planning to hold a Homecoming event from 2-5 p.m. this Sunday. If you attend, you will have the opportunity to stroll the museum grounds and learn more about the museum’s historic structures from local historians. Walking tours of the buildings and the cabins will be available, and refreshments will be provided. To find out more, just call (254) 965-5880.

Good news again today… Covid numbers continue to improve in Erath County, with the total number of active cases countywide now standing at just 37. The official update shows Erath County… between October 11th and October 17th, only added 11 new cases. Currently, there are 11 active cases in Stephenville, 11 in Dublin, and 15 more in other parts of the county. More good new too… The number of people locally who are hospitalized for COVID symptoms is also down. Now, there are just five people in Erath County hospitalized with COVID. Despite all the positive trends, Erath County… according to Covid ActNow, is still ranked as having a “very high” risk level.

It’s been happening across the nation, and now it is happening in Erath County… “It” is a 10-digit dialing system. Beginning October 24th, you will no longer simply be able to dial seven numbers when making a local telephone call. Ten digit dialing means, while the local numbers remain the same, you will have to also dial the area code… just as you would do to make a long distance call. That means here in Texas, and if you are in the 254, 361, 409, 806, 830, 915 and 940 area codes, you will have to press the area code and then the phone number when making every call. Local calls dialed with only seven-digits will not be completed after October 24th. If you try to do it, you will just get a recording telling you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. So… if you have any automatic dialing equipment… specifically pre-programmed numbers in your cell phone for instance… they will need to be re-programmed to include the area code. Specifically, things like life safety systems or medical monitoring devices, fax machines, fire-burglary-security systems, gates, all you contact speed dialers, call forwarding and voicemail services…. everything basically will need to be checked to make sure it includes the proper area code. You will continue to dial 1+ the area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls.

A man who assaulted an Erath County sheriff’s deputy has learned what that will cost him. Judge Jason Cashon on Monday, sentenced David Junior Moore to 10 years in the penitentiary for assaulting Erath County Deputy Tye Box in a Walmart parking lot back in 2019. Moore was found guilty last month by a jury following a two day trial. The violent struggle resulted in Box being taken to the hospital for treatment of a concussion, scrapes, and a fat lip.

Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council is hosting “Life Captured in Bronze” by local artist and sculptor Mary Rush Waters at its River North Gallery, which is located at 204 River North Blvd. The exhibit is on display through October 31 with a special artist reception scheduled for 4:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, October 21. The exhibit and reception are free, and the public is invited to attend. For more information, call (254) 965-6190.