Community Pulse
What residents are talking about in Erath County, TX public meetings, ranked by community engagement.
3 topics in environment
Oncor Project
Property Rights and Oncor Project
Transmission Lines and Data Centers Impact
In the News
12 articlesRecent coverage of Erath County, TX from local and regional media.
Soaker prompts Erath County officials to temporarily lift burn ban.
By SARA VANDEN BERGEGot stuff you need to burn? Now you can.Following the much-needed drenching we just received, Erath County commissioners lifted the burn ban effective immediately Friday, Oct. 2.But you better hurry.The order is set to expire at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at which time you will need to put away those matches.The Erath County Fire Marshall and other county officials will continue to monitor the fire danger.
Oct 2, 2026Erath County commissioner calls out dual role held by emergency management coordinator.
By SARA VANDEN BERGE Erath County Commissioner Sherman Edwards is questioning the fairness of a county employee getting full time pay from two different departments. In a video posted to his Facebook account, Edwards brings attention to the fact that Erath County Emergency Management Coordinator Chris Brooks receives full-time pay in his role as well as full time pay as a member of the Erath County Volunteer Fire Rescue department. “I don’t think you can have two jobs and do them simultaneously
Oct 2, 2026Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee releases plan to fill role of precinct 4 commissioner.
By SARA VANDEN BERGE After the unexpected passing last week of Erath County Commissioner Jim Buck, county officials are moving forward with plans to fill his unexpired term. On Thursday, Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee outlined a plan to ensure that precinct 4 continues to function normally. In a letter to community members, Huckabee outlines the following: “I want to first start with my continued prayers for Commissioner Buck’s family and friends. “He leaves a hole in our community and o
Oct 1, 2026Flags to fly at half-staff as Erath County remembers longtime commissioner Jim Buck.
By SARA VANDEN BERGE Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has given an order to Erath County to fly all flags at half-staff in honor of Erath County Commissioner Jim Buck who was found deceased inside his home on Thursday morning. Buck, a well-respected, longtime commissioner of precinct 4, was 70. In a post to Facebook, Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee called Jim “a friend, a good man, and someone who cared deeply about Erath County and the people he represented.” “I am thankful for the time I had worki
Sep 25, 2026Stephenville City Council looks to end its contract with Flock, but don’t expect the cameras to disappear.
By SARA VANDEN BERGE The Stephenville City Council is set to potentially end its contract with Flock Group Inc. when it meets at 5:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall, but that doesn’t mean there will be an end to Flock cameras inside the city limits. That’s because the city doesn’t own them. Stephenville City Manager Jason King explained to Beneath the Surface News that the city signed a contract with Flock in November 2024, but before the cameras were installed, the state came in and put up their o
Sep 22, 2026Data centers are reshaping parts of Texas. Neighbors outside the city, county line feel powerless
Data centers are reshaping parts of Texas. Neighbors outside the city, county line feel powerless Texarkana Gazette
Sep 18, 2026Erath County officials vote to keep Flock cameras in budget.
By SARA VANDEN BERGE Erath County commissioners on Monday voted to keep Flock cameras in the budget, despite opposition from some citizens. Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee said he understands both sides of the issue. “I understand some of the concerns that have been brought to us and I have also seen the good that’s come from how law enforcement and prosecutors utilize them,” Huckabee told Beneath the Surface News. Click here to read a report on a recent arson arrest using Flock cameras. Hu
Sep 14, 2026Stephenville’s longtime public works director set to retire.
By SARA VANDEN BERGE A longtime employee with the city of Stephenville is set to retire on Friday, Sept. 11. Nick Williams has served as the city’s director of public works for the past 20 years. “Nick has been an amazing and extremely valuable public servant for this community over the years,” City Manager Jason King told Beneath the Surface News. “He has been a great leader and friend. His tireless efforts in the areas of water, wastewater and our landfill have given us security in those area
Sep 10, 2026Judge Huckabee says Erath County officials seeking more info on rumored data center.
By SARA VANDEN BERGE A rumor circulating that a data center is coming to Erath County has reportedly not been substantiated by county officials. “We have been told by citizens, but have not had any contact with a landowner or developer regarding any data center projects in Erath County,” Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee told Beneath the Surface News. “There are a lot of developers bundling land and selling to data center developers across Texas. We are working to get more information on the
Sep 4, 2026Woman arrested in connection with intentionally setting 3 Erath County fires.
Special to Beneath the Surface News In early August, the Erath County Fire Marshal's Office began investigating a series of suspicious fires occurring along roadways in eastern Erath County. Due to the circumstances surrounding these fires, the fire marshal's office initiated an investigation with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Rangers Division and the Dublin Police Department. As a result of the investigation, Dana Whitley Buckelew was identified as a suspect. D
Aug 28, 2026Officials say flock cameras led to the arrest of arson suspect.
By SARA VANDEN BERGE The following report is based off the arrest warrant for Dana Whitley Buckelew, obtained by Beneath the Surface News. Erath County District Attorney Alan Nash said the use of flock cameras led investigators to Buckelew’s arrest. (Read the original report here.)“But for the availability of flock cameras to identify the perpetrator's vehicle on public roadways, the arsonist would not have been identified, apprehended and neutralized as a threat so quickly,” Nash said. The use
Aug 28, 2026Erath County blanketed with smoke as wildfires rage in neighboring counties.
By SARA VANDEN BERGE Erath County residents are dealing with stinging eyes as a thick blanket of smoke envelops the area while wildfires rage in neighboring counties. Erath County emergency management coordinator Chris Brooks told Beneath the Surface News that the smoke in the area is from the Palo Pinto fire. He said he is not concerned that the wildfires will spread to Erath County, but that doesn’t mean the area isn’t at risk. “Erath County is not on fire, but the threat for wildfires here
Aug 26, 2026