KSTV News

The local Knights of Columbus will be hosting their annual youth free throw contest on January 25th. Boys and girls ages 9 to 14– as of January 1, 2020– can participate absolutely free. The competition will be held at SPARD Rec Hall from 1:30 until 2:30pm this Saturday. Division winners will compete next week– same time, same place– for district title. Come early and sign up to shoot from the line at 378 West Long in Stephenville.

The Empire-Tribune reports Stephenville’s new police chief comes to town from the US Border Patrol Academy. Chief Dan Harris was officially selected as the city’s next police chief at a special session of the Stephenville City Council on Tuesday. He will reportedly begin his new duties following his swearing-in on Tuesday, February 4th.
Harris is a sixth generation law enforcement officer and the 14th public safety officer in his family. His great-grandfather was shot and killed in the line of duty as a Texas Ranger. He began collecting police department patches when he was just seven years old. Read more about Harris online at; yourstephenvilletx.com.

There will be a free public showing of the new documentary film “30 Texans Czech In,” at 7 p.m. this Thursday in the theater of the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center. Dr. Robert Anderson has become a prolific documentary film maker, highlighting the experiences of Tarleton State University Study Abroad students since 2007. The collaborative project between the departments of Agricultural and Consumer Sciences, Communication Studies and Study Abroad features 30 student on a trip to the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany in 2019. Members of the group also toured the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz, where much of the 70-minute film takes place.

Incumbent Erath County Sheriff Matt Coates will once again face Paul Tyus, who ran for sheriff two years ago in the Republican Primary, but this time as an Independent. Coates is already facing Kent Howell for the Republican nomination for Sheriff in March. Tyus has filed papers to run as an Independent, and his name will be on the ballot in November’s general election, which Erath County Judge Alfonso Campos confirmed Monday. Tyus finished fourth in 2018 with 11 percent of the vote behind Clell Murray and Bobby Harppole. Coates won with nearly 53 percent of the vote. Get more local politics online at; yourstephenvilletx.com.

The Dwain and Carolyn Bruner Endowed Scholarship will add to their 20 years of educational support for area students attending Tarleton State University. The endowed scholarship was established in February 1999. Employees of Bruner’s also make annual donations each December. A recent donation of $5,000– commemorating Bruner Automotive’s 50 years in business locally– was added to the scholarship fund. Greg Bruner said it’s been a privilege to see students accomplish great things, knowing the Bruner family’s generosity played a part in that success. Recipients are graduates from an Erath County High School with a 3.2 GPA or above and demonstrate leadership skills and financial need.

The Empire-Tribune reports Stephenville school board member and Pastor Ed Dittfurth has decided not to seek re-election in May based on a lack of diversity on the SISD board. Dittfurth told the E-T he cares deeply about the diversity of the student body and wants them to be represented on the school board. He’s served there for five years including a two-year unexpired term and a full three-year term and said the decision to step down was difficult, but it’s time for someone new. 43-year-old personal trainer and adjunct professor at Tarleton State Donny Hill has said he’ll run for Place 7.

The Tarleton State University Division of Student Affairs holds its Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Town and Gown Breakfast today, featuring keynote speaker Nicole Blake Smith, a freshman agricultural service and development major. The title of her presentation is “What is your Dream?” Smith is the winner of Tarleton’s fall Town and Gown speech competition., She’ll be honored by Killeen attorney and Class of ’86 Tarleton alumnus Gregory Simmons, who was last year’s keynote speaker at the annual breakfast in the Tarleton Dining Hall. The event also recognizes National Day of Service, where residents, business leaders and students to reflect on Dr. King’s good works and legacy.

April 15th is just around the corner and volunteers with the AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide program are gearing up to help with your 2019 income tax returns. Volunteers are trained and tested in current tax law using IRS materials in filing basic income tax returns and appointments are available. The program provides free tax help for area resident taxpayers with special attention to those age 60 and older. However, you don’t have to be a member of the American Association of Retired People or over age 60, but taxpayers with complex returns are advised to seek professional tax assistance. Learn more at; aarp.org/money/taxes.

The Empire-Tribune reports former Stephenville attorney James Keene pleaded guilty Tuesday to prostitution. Keene was arrested in 2018 after a female client claimed he attempted to trade sexual favors in exchange for professional legal services. Stephenville Police have a record of Keene mentioning her past-due account, the potential consequences of withdrawing as her attorney and his desire to begin a sexual relationship in exchange for putting up with her failure to pay legal fees. Keene was arrested and charged with criminal attempt–compelling prostitution. His plea agreement required Keene to surrender his license to practice law and 10 days in Erath County Jail. Get more at; yourstephenvilletx.com.

Republic EMS and Surepoint Emergency Center offer a free CPR class for ages eight and older at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 23rd. The course teaches adult, child and infant CPR skills.