Rural Dorchester's Karen Sysel Passes At 76

Karen Kay (Hagelstein) Sysel, age 76, of rural Dorchester, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln. She was born on Jan. 13, 1950, at Bryan Hospital in Lincoln. Karen was baptized March 26,1950 and confirmed May 23, 1965, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wahoo. Karen married Deryl Sysel on November 16, 1974, at First Lutheran Church in Lincoln. To this union they had one daughter, Debra Kay.

Karen attended Wahoo elementary and high school through the first semester of her junior year when her family moved to Rock Falls, IL. She graduated from Rock Falls in 1968. Upon graduation, she worked at the Cerebral Foundation. In 1969, her family moved back to Lincoln where she worked for Central Service Company for 5 years. Growing up, Karen swore that she would never marry a farmer, but that soon changed when she met Deryl Sysel. They made their home SW of Dorchester where they farmed for nearly 50 years. Soon after moving to the farm, Karen wanted to learn how to drive the truck and tractors to help Deryl in the field. She enjoyed spending time in the field with Deryl and Deb and looked forward to their annual family vacations. Karen also enjoyed attending Young Farmers Conventions with the Lorenz and Hayek families, where many memories were made over the years.

Karen was a Gold Star member of the American Legion Auxiliary #82 Wahoo and VFW Post 4502 Wahoo. She was a former member of Crete Young Farmers, Girl Scout leader and member. She also held several positions in Farmers Union, both at the county and district levels, holding many different officer positions. She was also a school board member of District #57.

Karen enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Her greatest joy was attending her grandsons' events and helping on the farm. She enjoyed hosting family and friends where she was able to cook and bake for them. She was a dedicated caregiver for Deryl.

Karen is preceded death by her husband, Deryl in February 2022, parents: Ken and Delores Hagelstein, parents-in law: George and Elsie Sysel, brother-in-law, Joe Mares and nephew, Brad Kasl.

She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Deb (Nate) Shaw, grandsons: Landon and Connor, sister-in-law, Cheryl Mares, niece, Sheri (Kevin) Schuetze and their children: Carter and Atley, aunt, Ruth Heiser, family friend, Dale Lawver and many cousins.

Services were March 26 at the Dorchester United Methodist Church. Click here to leave condolences for the family.

Dorchester Easter Egg Hunt Is April 4

Hey, kids! The Easter Bunny will soon be dropping by Dorchester. It is definitely time to practice your egg hunting skills.

The Dorchester Easter Egg Hunt will take place 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4. And it's going to be a hopping good time.

Here's where to report (we suggest getting there by at least 1:45 p.m.):

• Football Field: Ages 3 and under, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, and first- and second-graders meet at the football field, northwest of the school.
  
  
• Practice Field: Third and fourth graders meet at the practice football field two blocks north of the school.

Make sure your children take part in this special holiday tradition. The hunt is sponsored by the Dorchester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.

All children are invited to help color the eggs on Good Friday evening, April 3, at 7 p.m. at the Dorchester Fire Hall. Prepared to get messy (that means don't wear nice clothes).

 

Looking Back: The Mills Of The Dorchester Area

Nowadays, the rivers and creeks of Saline County are used mostly for irrigation and fishing. But in days gone by, mills located on Turkey Creek (pictured above) and the west fork of the Big Blue River (pictured below) played an even more substantial role. In fact, Dorchester's first electricity was generated by a dam on Turkey Creek.

In Dorchester's early days, the milling industry was a staple of the area's economy. The 1880s saw rapid growth of the milling business on Turkey Creek, just south of town.Turkey Creek became recognized as "the Old Mill Stream," according to the Nebraska State Historical Society. 

Of the five mills on Turkey Creek in Saline County, two predominately served the Dorchester area. 

One was Amity Mill at Pleasant Hill. Constructed in 1870, the Amity Mill produced flour and meal, and later provided the first electricity for Dorchester. 

The other Dorchester-area mill, Lawrence Mill, was located near the current Gilbert Cemetery.

A trip to the nearest mill, with a team and wagon loaded with grain, occupied most of a farmer's day back in those early years -- and when the weather was pleasant, such a trip often provided a holiday for Saline County settlers. This allowed farm families to picnic, as well as take in the sights and sounds of water pouring over the log dam. 

The dams also provided excellent havens for large catfish.

The Amity Mill at Pleasant Hill was destroyed by a fire started by lightning and was not rebuilt. In 1934, the dam was removed by dynamite. Millstones from the Amity Mill can be seen at the Saline County Museum located in Dorchester.

No specific details are known about the demise of the Lawrence Mill.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Drought Returns To Saline County

Drought Returns To Saline County: Deadly wildfires are plaguing western and parts of central Nebraska, fueled by worsening drought. The Morrill Fire alone has burned a record amount of land in our state. Now drought is returning to Saline County and eastern Nebraska, as illustrated by UNL's updated drought monitor. As for precipitation, none is expected for the foreseeable future. In fact, very warm temperatures and extremely low humidity levels have our area in a fire warning for the weekend. The next chance at rain comes Monday, March 30, according to weather models. The Times staff's work with several AI models shows that early April will likely bring a wet early part of that month.

Dorchester Community Foundation Fund Fish Fry, April 3: We have learned that the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund is planning to hold its first-ever fish fry. The event is set for Friday, April 3, starting at 5 p.m. at the Dorchester American Legion Hall and Community Building. Details emerging.

April 11 is Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department Brisket Meal: On Saturday, April 11, the Dorchester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department will host its brisket mean and silent auction fundraiser. Dinner will be served from 4:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the fire hall. Orders to go will also be available by calling 402-826-7346.

Museum Hosting Session on Storm-Damaged Trees: Just in time for the start of spring. This Saturday morning, March 21, starting at 9 a.m., Nicole Stoner with the Nebraska Extension Office will be at the Saline County Museum. Her topic of discussion will be tree care, including dealing with the damage your trees had in the storms last year, what to do with damaged trees, and how to plant new trees.

Dorchester School Play, March 26 and 29: The spring play at Dorchester High School this year is "Murders in the Heir." The play is an interactive comedy you won't want to miss. The audience has the opportunity to choose the murderer, which can make things very interesting. The performance dates are Thursday, March 26, and Sunday, March 29.

Looking Back: 79 Seasons Ago, Alumni Were On DHS' Regular Season Schedule

The Dorchester High School's 2026 alumni basketball tourney will be held this week, March 20 and 21. 

 

According an email sent to the Times, five teams will participate in the 2026 tourney, which marks more than 30 years of this event that helps the school's athletics program raise extra funds.

 

The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund's annual steak feed will also take place that same weekend on Saturday evening. It should be a swinging weekend in Dorchester, as usual.

Today, we're taking the time machine back to December 1946.That's when the Dorchester alumni challenged the DHS boys varsity basketball team in a Friday night match-up on the tiles of DHS' gymnasium (the "old gym," which was torn down in 2008). 

The picture to the right is from Dorchester's 1946-47 season.

That first contest of the '46-'47 campaign was the opening game for the high school boys. Back then, most smaller communities had "town teams" of adult males -- and Dorchester claimed one of the better town teams for basketball and baseball, according to old timers and history books.

The Dorchester Star reported the DHS boys lost to the DHS alumni by a tally of 16-27, unable to recover from a 7-12 halftime deficit.  

The Star reported, "Earl Parks, Tom Parks, Harold Fette and Leonard Bures (the DHS captain) looked good for the high school team," as Don Pisar, W. Plouzek, Dale Arnold and Harry Axline also saw plenty of action for the Longhorns.  

"Doc" Tobiska was the star for the "old grads." 

 

Interestingly enough, the alumni team went on to play other games that season against opponents like the Crete VFW.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Village of Dorchester Spending Sees 216% Jump

 

 

Village Spending Sees 216% Jump: The Village of Dorchester budget for the current 2025-26 fiscal year, approved last fall by the village board, increased total disbursements and transfers of funds by 216%. That is $7.74 million for the current fiscal year compared to $2.45 million the previous year. Key line items were water ($2.5 million), electrical utilities ($1.1 million), and streets ($1.7 million). The village budget is available for public viewing since it is filed with the Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts. See it here. If you're interested in the spending of school districts, counties, and other communities in Nebraska, see this page.

Dorchester Kindergarten Roundup, April 1 and 2: A DPS social media post reports that registration for Dorchester's kindergarten class for next school year will be held April 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Then the annual DPS Kindergarten Roundup will be the following day, April 2, starting at 12:15 p.m., giving the students a chance to meet their fellow little Longhorns. Call Mrs. Schindler for questions at bailey.schindler@dorchester.org.

Village Office Closed Third Week of March: According to the village government website, the village office will be closed the week of March 16. No other details are provided. It simply reads: "The Village office will be closed the week of March 16 - March 20. Please plan accordingly. If you have an emergency, please call the Utility cell (402-381-8442) or the Clerk cell (402-381-8644)."

Saline Center Consignment Sale, March 15: As a reminder, Saline Center will host its 42nd annual consignment sale Sunday, March 15, starting at 9:30 a.m. If you missed our original story, read it here.

Anti-Teen-Drinking Event Set for April 8 in Milford: The Todd Becker Foundation will host a community outreach event in Milford on April 8 at the Milford High School. The foundation is working with area churches to conduct this free program, which is open to the public. The Todd Becker Foundation is a non-profit that started in Kearney in the spring of 2005 following the death of 18-year-old high school student Todd Becker in an alcohol-related car accident. Visit toddbecker.org for more information.

Dorchester's Steak And Hamburger Feed, March 21

Ring in spring with a tasty steak or burger at the Dorchester Community Hall and Legion Hall on Saturday, March 21.  

In the process, you'll be helping Dorchester improve itself.

The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund's Annual Steak and Hamburger Feed will be held in conjunction with the Dorchester High School Alumni Basketball Tourney.

The feed will take place from 5 p.m. until approximately 9 p.m.

For those who don't want to dine in, to-go orders will be available by calling 402-461-7050 or 402-525-5705.

Those who have been to this event in the past know it's some of the best beef available anywhere -- and served in a small-town, friendly environment. 

Funds raised will help support the Foundation Fund's projects. 

This event has been one of the most popular in Dorchester for the past decade. And the food always gets top-notch reviews.

 

In previous years, the event has raised as much as $2,500 after expenses -- helping support many worthwhile initiatives, including the bleacher shade at Nerud Field, the "Welcome to Dorchester" signs, the directory at the Dorchester Cemetery, and the water park.

Come out and support Dorchester March 21.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Pickleball Comes To Dorchester

Pickleball Comes to Dorchester: Pickleball is sweeping the nation. It's a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, played on a compact court, making it easy for all ages to learn. Now pickleball is coming to Dorchester. Starting March 7 at the school gym, Dorchester Community Pickleball will kick off its casual, open-court Saturday mornings, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. This non-competitive gathering will prioritize connection over scores, inviting players of all ages and skill levels — regardless of whether they live in Dorchester or are just passing through — to drop in for a game. No teams to join or sign-up sheets to navigate, the focus remains entirely on friendly play. See the group's Facebook page.

Earthquake Rattles Southeast and Southern Nebraska: If you felt your house shake and rumble early this afternoon (Sunday, March 1), yes -- that was an earthquake. Early reports indicate that a 4.1 magnitude earthquake that hit Cowles, Nebraska, which is near Red Cloud. More information available at the USGS website. Developing...

New Business Coming to Dorchester's Main Street: According to a social media announcement, "Country Cheesecake Co. will be transitioning into Lola Sue's LLC. Same delicious cheesecake and more! We will be moving into a storefront, where Tiffy's Cafe was formerly located in downtown Dorchester ... Stay tuned for hours we will be available." According to the announcement, the store on the northeast corner of Washington Ave. and 8th Street is expected to be open in June. The owners say that coffee and other drinks will be available, along with limited breakfast and lunch menus, as well as baked goods/desserts. 

Village Job Openings: The Village of Dorchester is still in search of a qualified individual to serve as a full-time assistant utility superintendent, according to the Village government's site. This long-term position will perform duties in the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the sewer and water systems; streets; storm drainage; parks; city equipment; public buildings; heavy equipment operations; and other tasks as assigned for the Village of Dorchester. The village is also seeking a dependable Dump Site Attendant responsible for monitoring disposal of branches, leaves, and grass clippings. Call the Village Clerk at (402) 946-3201, if interested.

Basketball Seasons End For Both DHS Teams: On Feb. 19, the DHS girls basketball season concluded following a 65-33 loss to Falls City Sacred Heart in the sub-district final. Earlier that week, DHS beat Diller-Odell 38-31 in the first-round sub-district contest. The Lady Longhorns end the season at 15-9. Coach Brandon Bruha told The Crete News he was proud of his team, despite finishing short of their goals. The team loses three seniors. Meanwhile, the DHS boys lost to Nebraska Lutheran 21-38 in their sub-district game, finishing 1-21 on the season. It's been a tough decade for the DHS boys basketball program, but an influx of young talent starting next year promises to flip the script.

March 15 Soup Luncheon: The ladies at the Methodist Church are planning an event that's sure to tantalize the taste buds. The annual soup luncheon will be held Sunday, March 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dorchester Methodist Church. Whether you fancy chili, clam chowder, chicken noodle, or liver dumpling, you'll savor every spoonful. This is a free-will offering event. 

Southeast Nebraska As Earthquake Country? You Bet

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, an earthquake hitting 4.1 on the Richter Scale struck around 1 p.m. today, March 1, in Webster County, located in south-central Nebraska near the Kansas border.

While this is considered “light” and not likely to cause damage, the quake was felt in Dorchester by several residents.  

Nebraska Public Media reports that earthquakes are relatively rare in Nebraska, but the state does usually record one or two minor quakes per year. The last time Nebraska recorded a quake of a magnitude 4 or above was in December 2023, also in Webster County.

Southeast Nebraska lives under a minor threat of earthquakes. The Humboldt Fault Zone is a normal fault or series of faults that extends from Nebraska southwestwardly through most of Kansas -- all the way to Oklahoma City.  The Humboldt line is close enough to the Saline County that we would certainly feel the impact of a major quake.

Most of the impact of a quake in southeastern Nebraska would likely do the most damage in southeast Nebraska up north to the Platte River area in Cass County, according to historical records.

Keep in mind that Nebraska (and Kansas, for that matter) is not particularly earthquake prone, ranking near the bottom of the 50 states by damage caused.

When it comes to potential for damage, northwest Nebraska claims the highest probability in our state.

But also remember this: The Humboldt Fault had the largest earthquake in Kansas history with the 1867 Manhattan, Kansas earthquake. It happened near the town of Wamego and was estimated at about 5.5 on the Richter scale. Reportedly it was felt as far away as Dubuque, Iowa. 

Had Dorchester been around then, we're quite certain residents then would have felt it, too.

During the 1800's, Nebraska experienced some rather strong quakes, with one in 1811 in New Madrid, which registered an 8.1 and produced thousands of aftershocks. The earthquake was felt as far away as Washington, D.C. In strength, this quake superseded an 1877 quake, considered the strongest quake on record since it did serious damage in Lincoln and Omaha.

An article in "Nebraska Life" magazine reports that the New Madrid Fault Zone "is at greater risk of earthquakes that any location east of the Rocky Mountains."

There is speculation among experts that there is a connection between the Nebraska plates and others in the U.S. -- even in Alaska.

In March, 1964, there was a 9.2 quake in Prince William Sound, Alaska. This was the strongest earthquake ever recorded in the U.S., measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale. Merriman, Neb., on the same day, had four quakes, each about four minutes apart, which registered at 5.1 and impacted a 90,000 square mile area. 

This same scenario has occurred several times.

Home For Sale: 909 Fulton Ave.

 

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:

909 Fulton Ave.: Adorable home! All one level living in this great House with one bedroom, 3/4 bath with laundry and open kitchen/dining and living room spaces. Has a detached garage along with a small storage shed. See the listing.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Sub-District Time For Lady Longhorns

Dorchester Girls Head to Sub-Districts: (UPDATE, 2/20 - The DHS girls basketball season is over after a 65-33 loss to Falls City Sacred Heart in the sub-district final. DHS beat Diller-Odell 38-31 in the first-round sub-district game on Feb. 17. The Lady Longhorns end the season at 15-9.) It's been a tale of two seasons for DHS Lady Longhorns basketball. Coming off a Class D-2 runner-up finish last season, the Dorchester girls opened the 2025-26 campaign 11-1, losing only one contest up until Jan. 20. Since then, the DHS girls have lost seven of their last 10 games, standing at 14-8 now. On Tuesday, Feb. 17, the Orange and Black Attack will travel to Falls City for their sub-district play, taking on Diller-Odell at 7 p.m. The winner will most likely play last year's Class D-2 champs Falls City Sacred Heart on Thursday, Feb. 19.

Cornhole Tournament is Feb. 21: Did you know that the popular game of skill now known as Cornhole was around as early as 1883, originally called "Parlor Quoits"? The sixth-annual Cornhole Shootout will be held Saturday, Feb. 18 at Tabor Lodge. Registration will begin at noon that day. Shooting starts at 2 p.m. There will be a 64 team limit. Players need to be at least 16 years old. Entry fee is $30 per team and there will be a 50% payout. Food and beverages will be available. To pre-register of for questions, call Mike Pracheil at 402-641-1921.

March 15 Soup Luncheon: The ladies at the Methodist Church are planning an event that's sure to tantalize the taste buds. The annual soup luncheon will be held Sunday, March 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dorchester Methodist Church. Whether you fancy chili, clam chowder, chicken noodle, or liver dumpling, you'll savor every spoon full. There is no charge for the event, just a free-will offering. 

Much of Nebraska in Drought Once Again: The unusually warm and dry winter has most of the Cornhusker State in drought once again. The most recent edition of UNL's drought monitor map shows nearly all of Saline County in "abnormally dry" status. 

Election Year Update On School, Village Boards

UPDATE - Feb. 13: We've been informed that the state's general filing deadlines for candidates don't apply to the village board race. The correct village filing deadlines are July 15 for incumbents and Aug. 3 for non-incumbents. 

Here's an update on Dorchester's elected seats that will be up for re-election in this year.

The following local officials have terms ending this year. The publishing of this information is neither an endorsement of current officials, nor an endorsement of any challenger.

Dorchester School Board

• Steve Vyhnalek​ (current board president)
• Matt Hansen (current vice president)
• Carol Schnell

According to one of our staff, the Saline County Clerk's office reports Hansen and Schnell have filed filed for re-election. Vyhnalek had not yet filed.

 

Dorchester Village Board

• Roger Miller (current chairman)
• Nate Hitchins
• Matt Shaw 

None of these current board members had yet filed for re-election as of the first week of February.

 

Candidates for local races will appear on only the general election ballots in November -- not on the primary election ballots in May.

 

By the way, if you want to run for public office -- including school board or village board -- you have until March 2 to file. Incumbents (those individuals who already hold elected office) must file by Feb. 17. 

Those seeking election or re-election must submit the proper paperwork to the Saline County Clerk and Elections Commissioner.  

Filing papers for both the school board and village board are available at Village Hall and the Saline County Courthouse.

For more information, call or email Saline County Election Commissioner Diann Nettifee at 402-821-2374 or clerk@salinecountyne.gov.

Sheriff’s Office Seeks Information On Recent Dorchester Thefts

The Saline County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating two separate thefts from residences in Dorchester and is asking for the community's assistance.

On Friday, Jan. 29 a Segway scooter was stolen from the area of 7th and Franklin between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. On Sunday Feb. 1, a mini-bike and a go-cart were stolen from the area of 7th and Fulton at approximately 4 a.m.

Investigators believe the suspect vehicle is a white truck.

Residents are encouraged to check any home security or doorbell cameras for footage of a white truck or suspicious activity during these time frames.

If you have any information regarding these thefts or any other crimes, please contact Saline County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-345-3361. When calling the hotline, press 1 and reference case number #CS26002.

Tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward. All callers can remain anonymous. 

Looking Back: The Rise and Fall of Crete's FM Radio Station

For those too young to remember, Crete once had its own FM radio station broadcasting from near the intersection of 12th and Main. It played a central role in Saline County life, offering everything from community programming and local updates to polka shows and weekly football score prediction contests.

Best of all, the station had deep Dorchester connections.

A History Lesson

Fifty years ago this month, in February 1976, Crete's hometown radio station, KTAP, got its start. Operating at 103.9 on the FM band, the station first started broadcasting August 20, 1976. The call letters "KTAP" were selected because the station's owners believed listeners would associate it with "tapping your toes" to the music.

The station's first owners were a group from Columbus known as Airwaves Broadcasting Services Inc. The first general manager was Walt Chockley, famously known as "Scotty Holiday" on his irreverent morning show, “Scotty on The Potty... Brushin' and Flushin'.” 

The format originally leaned toward adult contemporary before shifting to 1970s-style album-oriented rock after 6 p.m. with “Garry Lee (Rice) in your nighttime, rockin' your socks 'til midnight.”

The Dorchester Connection

Sundays on KTAP featured Dorchester’s own Hank and Helen Zahourek, who hosted their "Polka Show" from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dating back to 1955, Zahourek was the leader of his own band, Hank’s Melody Masters, and an owner of the Blue River Lodge, which hosted Sunday polka dances through the mid-1970s.

Another staple was Dorchester historian and educator Jan Stehlik, who hosted the regular segment “What’s Doing in Dorchester,” alongside various other Dorchester personalities who DJ’d at the station over the years.

Ownership Shifts and the Glory Days

By 1977, with the support of Tom Aron and Dick Sinkule of Crete State Bank, Jim Jaworski (from sister station KTTT)  purchased the station for $230,000. A community contest later determined that KTAP stood for "Key To Area Progress."

The years between 1977 and 1984 were the station's glory days. With polka DJs like Joe Zumpf and Elmer Niemec, a profitable country format, and a focus on local markets, KTAP became a true community pillar.

The Final Broadcast 

In 1984, Mel Gleason purchased the station. In July 1986, KTAP was renamed to KBVB (Blue Valley Broadcasting) and the format soon changed to adult contemporary. Following Mel’s passing, his wife Louise took over operations. However, by March 1988, the station was sold again.

According to former employees, the end was abrupt: the moment the deal was finalized, one of the new owners entered the studio, cut a song off mid-stream, and announced the station was going off the air immediately. The entire staff was fired on the spot, marking the end of commercial radio in Crete.

The loss of local radio was a significant blow to community journalism and the unique social fabric of Saline County.

Over the years, the tower that once broadcast KTAP programming has changed ownership several times, from KKNB, which aired Top 40 music as B-104 FM and later "The Point," to Clear Channel-owned Kiss 104 FM and Three Eagles Communications-owned "The Blaze." The frequency formerly associated with KTAP is now licensed to KIBZ in Crete, serving the Lincoln metropolitan area.

DHS Girls Aim to Regain Winning Momentum

After a blistering 11-1 start to the 2025-26 season, the Dorchester High School girls basketball team has hit some late-season turbulence.

On Jan. 20, the Lady Longhorns dropped a tough road contest to Class D-1 power Cross County (14-6) by a 24-56 margin. 

Two nights later, DHS suffered a 39-40 heartbreaker against Class C-2 Shelby-Rising City (8-10).

At last week’s Crossroads Conference Tournament in York, the team showed their grit. The Longhorns topped Twin River (8-10) in a 37-31 defensive battle, but the Orange and Black Attack fell for the second time this season to a stout Osceola (10-7) squad by a score of 29-37.

Now, it’s crunch time. 

With only five games remaining in the regular season, the Lady Longhorns are focused on finding their rhythm before the postseason push.

On Tuesday, Feb. 3, the Lady Longhorns will host College View Academy (9-5) followed by another home game, against Nebraska Lutheran (7-8), on Thursday, Feb. 5. 

On Friday, Feb. 6, DHS travels nearly two hours away to Genoa to take on Twin River (8-10).     

Meanwhile, the Dorchester boys basketball program continues to struggle, compiling a 1-15 season so far this season. 

In other sports news, DHS' Bethany Vazquez finished in first place at the recent girls wrestling meet Centennial. Congrats to Bethany!

Saline Center's 2026 Consignment Sale Is March 15

Despite the very cold temps, a lot of folks are already gearing up for spring. 

And the arrival of spring -- about seven 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 15, 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 42nd 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.