KSTV News

The College National Finals Rodeo begins on Friday in Casper, Wyoming, and among the participants from Tarleton College, Maddy Deerman will be competing as the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Southwest Region breakaway roping reserve champion. A native of Hope, New Mexico, Maddy’s exposure to rodeo started when she was about six, growing up on a ranch and having a father who was a roper until injury sidelined him. She started her collegiate career at Sam Houston State University then transferred to Tarleton after hearing about the school’s rodeo tradition. Maddy will compete tomorrow in Casper.

A fire at the Dollar General in Dublin was attended by the Erath Volunteer Fire Rescue, as well as the volunteer fire departments from Harbin, Lingleville, and Comanche, as well Dublin EMS who stood by to monitor firefighters. The Dublin Police also manned traffic control, blocking the highway to allow fire units free access to the scene.

The College National Finals Rodeo was cancelled due to COVID-19 last year, so Tarleton athletes had a year to train and perserve through trying times. According to the Empire Tribune, each year, CNFR welcomes 400 of the top collegiate rodeo athletes to compete inEach year, CNFR welcomes 400 of the top collegiate rodeo athletes to compete in saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying.

To qualify for CNFR, competitors must rank in the top three for their event, while the top two men’s and women’s teams from NIRA’s 11 regions also qualify.
Roger Walters, commissioner for the National Intercollegiate Rodeo, said in a press release, “Last year was tough for so many, including the rodeo community having to cancel such a big event. This year our student-athletes, coaches, parents, fans and supporters are returning and we cannot wait to see this event back in Casper.”

For Tarleton bull rider Cullen Telfer, success in rodeo for him is a matter of putting his hand in the rope and staying in the middle of the ride for eight seconds. Telfer holds the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Southwest Region title and will be competing in bullriding in Casper this weekend along with Sarah Angelone and Maddy Deerman, SW Region champion Breakaway ropers, Rickie Engesser-goat tying, Jake Barnes-saddle bronc riding and Walt Arnold-SW Region Reserve champion steer wrestler. For more information and to follow along with your favorite college rodeo athlete, go to cnfr.com

The National Public Health and Safety Museum in Dublin is holding its first Military Vehicle Show Saturday, the 26th from 11am to 4pm. Admission is Free.

The Erath County Humane Society continues its adoption special all this week through Saturday. The shelter is currently over capacity, so stop in and perhaps find your new fur-ever friend! Spayed and Neutered dogs are available for just a $50 adoption fee. Puppies and non-spayed/neutered dogs are $25 to adopt and all cats are $10 off.

Tarleton State University rodeo team member Rickie Engesser is preparing for a busy College National Finals this weekend in Casper, Wyoming. According to The Flash, she’s qualified for the annual event, representing Tarleton in goat tying. As a high school standout in Spearfish, S.D., Rickie claimed two national rodeo crowns — barrel racing in 2014 and goat tying two years later. She attended Gillette College in Wyoming for two years, earning a slot in the 2017 CNFR goat tying, then returning as a breakaway roper in 2018 before donning Tarleton’s purple vest and qualifying in both events as a junior. In her final season of college eligibility, Rickie is working on her master’s in consumer research and science and is on track to graduate in December. Although she plans on continuing in rodeo once she graduates, she says she’d also like to work for a big feed company or vaccine company after she finishes her degree.

Longtime Stephenville resident and former city employee Bob Self addressed the city council, requesting that the council reinstate a cost of living to the city’s retirement fund. In 2017 the council eliminated that allowance, which provides a small source of income to some 110 retired city employees.

The Stephenville City Finance Director gave a report on the city’s financial status during the City Council meeting last week. Monica Harris said overall, the city is in a pretty good shape. The $6.47 million in property taxes collected during this fiscal year to date is just under 98% of what was anticipated. Sales tax brought in $4.3 million thus far, which is higher than expected. Revenue in general is above projections and thus far expenditures have been higher due to COVID-19.

The Stephenville City Council met in regular session earlier last week. A list of recommendations from the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission on changing some regulations regarding permitted uses. According to the Empire-Tribune, the city has about 175 permitted uses in its zoning code, and at a May meeting of the commission the City asked the commission to review and propose changes of the regulations after questions were raised about the zoning of a tattoo parlor and a semi-permanent make-up business. According to the ordinances, the two businesses were in an industrial zoning category. The Planning and Zoning Commission will continue to review the city’s zoning ordinances and make additional recommendations at upcoming meetings.

The Stephenville High School Class of 1971 will celebrate its golden anniversary next weekend… June 11-13. The 50-year celebration will kick off with a casual get-together at the home of Steve and Linda Peacock on Friday night. Then, the class will tour the old high school and also take a look at the newly-remodeled campus at 2 p.m. Saturday. The big/main event though gets underway Saturday afternoon at 5. It is a catered dinner that will be served 6:30 at “The Place” on Hico Highway. Ronald Gene Becker will serve as master of ceremonies. The whole weekend of activies wraps up Sunday morning at 9 with breakfast at the Purple Goat. Classmates from as far away as California, Tennessee and Indiana are attending so it will be a great chance to catch up with a lot of people you probably haven’t seen in a while.