Report: Nitrates Causing Problems for Nebraska's Drinking Water

 

 

Some 40% of private wells in Nebraska -- tested over the past two years -- contained nitrate that exceeded 3 parts per million, which medical experts consider safe for children. That's according to a new state report. 

About 15% of those private wells exceeded the federal drinking water standard.

Nebraska Public Media reports nitrate levels are also rising in roughly a third of the 444 public water systems analyzed, according to the study, which was ordered by the Legislature at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen. 

Nitrates in water are linked to a variety of diseases, pregnancy complications, birth defects and various cancers. 

According to Nebraska Public Media, nitrate in Nebraska largely stems from agricultural practices. 

"It forms when soil bacteria break down nitrogen, often from commercial fertilizers and animal waste. When fertilizer is sprayed on cornfields and not used up by the crop, the excess nitrate can leach into the soil and eventually the water supply, especially when applied excessively. The over-application of manure on fields can do the same."

Nebraska has the highest pediatric cancer rate west of Pennsylvania.

If you have a private domestic well on your farm or acreage, and want to test your well for nitrate and/or bacteria, request a kit from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ Public Health Environmental Lab. Nitrate sample kits cost $16, and coliform bacteria sample kits cost up to $17.

DHS Girls Reach 20 Wins This Season

The Dorchester High School girls basketball team has recorded 20 victories this season, among the most difficult feats to achieve in high school basketball. This year's squad is now officially the winningest team in program history. 

Fewer than 20 girls teams in Nebraska, regardless of class size, have 20 wins this season.

MaxPrep continues to have Dorchester ranked No. 5 in Class D2. 

According to the Nebraska School Activities Association, DHS is No. 4 based on point totals tied to the quality of victories.

Over the past week, the DHS girls handed losses to Hampton, beating the Hawks 53-39, and McCool Junction, defeating the Mustangs 46-27.

On Tuesday evening at 6 p.m., Feb. 18, DHS will host Lincoln's Parkview Christian (1-19) at the Dorchester gym for the the Subdistrict D2-2 Tournament. 

If the DHS girls beat Parkview, they will move to the championship game of the subdistrict. That contest will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. -- and DHS will face either Mead (2-19) or Omaha Christian Academy (2-18). 

If DHS captures the subdistrict title, it is onto Class D2 district play -- and perhaps further.

Developing...

HOME FOR SALE: 1012 Lincoln Avenue

Dorchester's real estate market remains strong. This despite the fact that easy, cheap money -- following years of federal money printing and massive government spending -- are coming to a close.

Homes in large cities and rural properties have become unaffordable for the average buyer. So Dorchester looks even more appealing now to most folks. Consider what Dorchester has to offer:

• TOP-NOTCH SCHOOL: A newer K-12 school with smaller class sizes and some of the state's best educators. This means individualized attention for your child.

• A SAFE AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY: With an upgraded water and sewer system, and a surplus of funding at Village Hall.

• LOWER COSTS: Affordable living costs with lower property taxes compared to surrounding school districts.

• KEY BUSINESSES AND PRIME LOCATION: Headquarters for one of the nation's largest agri-businesses (Farmers Cooperative) and situated on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line and along two major highways.

• GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE: A quick drive to employers in Crete, Milford, Friend, and Seward. Just 30 minutes to Lincoln and 12 minutes to I-80. Yet all the advantages of a small, close-knit community.

Here's a Dorchester home that just hit the market:

1012 Lincoln Ave: Check out this nice three-bedroom, two-bath areas home in Dorchester. First floor features living and dining room, spacious kitchen, full bath and primary bedroom.Two nice-sized bedrooms on the second floor. Great 0.26- acre lot with a detached three-stall garage in a corner lot. Enjoy the quiet small-town living in a welcoming community. Call for an appointment now. See the listing.

Dorchester UMW Soup Luncheon, Februrary 9

The Dorchester United Methodist Women are planning an event that is sure to tantalize the taste buds.

On Sunday, Feb. 9, starting at 11 a.m. at the Dorchester Methodist Church, the UMW will host their annual soup and sandwich luncheon.  

Get there on time and catch up with old friends.

Whether you fancy chili, clam chowder, chicken noodle -- or the Dorchester UMW's famous liver dumpling soup -- you'll be sure to savor every spoonful.  

The soup is served with meat, cheese, and relishes, as well as some of Nebraska's very best deserts, including homemade cinnamon rolls.

There is no charge for the event, just a free-will offering -- so be generous. 

Support a good cause. Support the Dorchester UMW.

Saline Center's 2025 Consignment Sale, March 16

Around here, a lot of folks are already gearing up for spring. 

And the arrival of spring -- just six weeks away -- brings one of the biggest events in Saline County: the consignment sale at Saline Center.

According to this Facebook post, Saline Center will host the annual auction on Sunday, March 16, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Six rings of selling with take place at once. More details available here.

Those interested in selling items should call 402-641-1357 or 402-641-4137 or salinecenter@gmail.com.

This year will mark the 41st year for this event.

For those unfamiliar, Saline Center is three miles west and nine miles south of Dorchester on Highway 15. A map of Saline Center can be found here.

If you have farm equipment, guns, ag supplies, coins, antiques, or other items you'd like to cosign, contact organizers to let them know what you'll be putting on the auction block.

No. 5 DHS Girls Basketball Shoots to 18-2

  
 

 (Photo Credit: The Crete News Facebook Page)

Before a packed DHS gymnasium last night (Friday), the Dorchester High School girls basketball team defeated Class C2 Twin River (Genoa and Silver Creek) for second time this season, 52-42. 

The win sent the Lady Longhorns to 18-2, making this year's squad the winningest team in program history. 

MaxPrep has Dorchester ranked No. 5 in Class D2.

Friday night's contest marked the final home game for the Orange and Black Attack, which now sets its sights on a 20-win season -- a rare feat in Nebraska high school basketball.

Over the past week, the DHS girls have been on a tear, handily beating three teams with with winning records. In addition to Twin River, DHS defeated College View Academy (12-5) by a score of 43-35, as well as Nebraska Lutheran (9-7) by a 53-39 tally.

Two regular season games remain. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, DHS will travel to Hampton (2-17). And on Friday, Feb. 14, DHS will play a Valentine's Day showdown at McCool Junction (9-9). 

Then it is onto Class D2 sub-district play -- and perhaps further.

Developing...

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Girls Capture Bronze At CRC Tourney

DHS Girls Grab Third at CRC: The Dorchester girls basketball team has captured the third-place trophy at the Crossroads Conference tournament at York, advancing to 14-2 on the season. On Jan. 21, the Lady Longhorns suffered their first loss of the season falling to a top-10 Class C2 team, Cross County, 58-35. Injured senior point guard Baylor Behrens sat out that contest. DHS beat Shelby-Rising City 40-28 on Jan. 23. At the CRC Tournament, DHS fell to BDS, which they had defeated earlier in the season, but beat Twin River (Genoa and Silver Creek) by 45-44. The Orange and Black Attack must now prepare for their last five regular games of the season as they aim to capture at least 20 wins and perhaps go down as the winningest girls team in DHS history. Meanwhile, the DHS boys have fallen to 1-15 on the season, struggling to be competitive in most games.

Two Food Vendors in February: Tammie's Tasty Treats and Crete Nutrition will be paying a visit to the village this month, serving inside the Dorchester Community Building. Tammie's Tasty Treats will be in town Monday, Feb. 10 from 4 - 6 p.m. Crete Nutrition will visit Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 7 - 9 a.m. Menus are at the post office, First State Bank, and the village office.

Statewide News Service Examines Friend-Exeter Consolidation: Nebraska News Service, a statewide reporting service serving community newspapers, recently reported on the consolidation of Friend Public School and Exeter-Milligan Public School. The story notes that the two institutions' student populations have declined by a combined 49% in the last two decades, with E-M’s enrollment shrinking from 302 students to 141. During the same span in Friend, enrollment declined from 331 to 213. This trend highlights the urgent need for small communities like to Dorchester to expand housing stock, both new and renovated.