NEWS ROUND-UP: Community Foundation, School Win Major Grant Funding

Community Foundation Earns Grant for Baseball/Softball Outfield Fence: The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund has received a Youth Engagement Grant through the Nebraska Community Foundation to help bring collapsible outfield fencing to Nerud Field. The $18,000 project includes a $9,000 local matching commitment, and fundraising is underway. According to a social media post, Mike Vodicka helped spearhead the project. Plans also call for involving young people in selling sponsorship advertising banners to generate future revenue for Dorchester’s youth ball leagues. As a reminder, area residents can support the effort by attending the Foundation’s Windsor loin and hamburger feed from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Dorchester Legion and Community Hall. A free-will offering will be accepted.

DPS Wins Grant to Update School Kitchen: Dorchester Public Schools has been awarded a $93,363 Kitchen Modernization Grant through the Rural Health Transformation Program to upgrade school kitchen equipment and storage. The improvements will support more cooking from scratch using whole, fresh and locally sourced ingredients. In announcing the award, the district thanked Mrs. Mumm for writing the successful grant proposal. 

DHS Football Ends Season at 3-5: On Oct. 23, Dorchester closed its football season with a 61-36 loss at Mead, finishing with a 3-5 record. The Longhorns trailed 41-12 at halftime but continued battling, outscoring the Raiders 24-20 over the final two quarters. Landon Shaw led Dorchester’s passing attack with 107 yards and two touchdowns. Graydon Meredith-Walker added 56 rushing yards and a touchdown on just six carries. The Longhorns had three seniors on this year's six-man squad -- Mason June, Javier Munoz, and Graydon Meridith-Walker. 

DHS Volleyball Goes 2-1 in Post-Season Play: The Dorchester Lady Longhorns ended their volleyball season Saturday, Oct. 31, with a hard-fought, four-set loss to Hay Springs in the district final. DHS finished the season at 15-14 after posting two impressive victories in the D2-1 sub-district tournament at Meridian. The Lady Longhorns swept Sterling 3-0 on Oct. 26 before defeating Meridian 3-1 the following night to advance. Against Hay Springs, DHS dropped the opening two sets 25-18 and 25-22, then rallied to win the third 25-21 before falling 25-23 in the fourth. Kaitlyn Bolton led Dorchester’s offense with 18 kills, while Kendall Kasl supplied 37 assists. Lily Lehr and Ella Vyhnalek each contributed two service aces. Although Dorchester fell short of a state berth, its sub-district victories and competitive final performance provided a strong finish to a winning season. 

Veterans Day Ceremony at School, Nov. 11: Dorchester Public Schools will hold a Veterans Day program at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the school. The program will honor those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. 

School Board Discusses School Safety During October Meeting: School safety and transportation improvements were among the topics at the Dorchester Public Schools Board of Education’s Oct. 14 meeting. Superintendent Nick Mumm reported that new bus cameras had arrived and would soon be installed, while bus radios were already in place and working well. Principal JJ Wagner discussed school safety and security conferences he recently attended. Mumm said the board’s financial committee had discussed security measures and cameras, along with planning for the eventual replacement of rooftop units. The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m.

Junior High Play Is Tuesday, Nov. 3: Dorchester Junior High will present its version of “The Cornbread Kid” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the school’s multi-purpose room. Follow a runaway Cornbread Kid as he meets colorful swamp friends and tries to escape Hungry Man on his journey home. Admission is $3 for kindergarten students through adults.

Dorchester's Spookiest Places

 

Halloween is fast approaching -- which brings us to this annual tradition.

Back in 2007, the Times started publishing reports on the Dorchester area's haunted places. Here's an update on the latest reports regarding our area's spooky spots.

Gilbert's Graveyard: The most famous of Dorchester's "haunted places," Gilbert's Cemetery -- the final resting place of the family of John W. Gilbert -- continues to draw attention from inside and outside Saline County. (There's even this video of some brave souls who went into the graveyard at night for electronic readings.) Click here to see some of the stories left about Gilbert's Cemetery on a site called "Haunted Places."  Another report on the pioneer cemetery came from a website called  "Hauntings" (no longer active), which featured a "pre-haunt interview with the locals" in Dorchester. The site recounts some of the history behind Gilbert's Graveyard and its namesake, using historical accounts published by this blog and the 1981 Dorchester Centennial book. As Hauntings reported, "a number of strange events have been reported here. Among them, strange noises and the movement of tombstones. ... Sadly, this location has been host to vandalism and disrespect for some of the area's earliest pioneers. If you plan to visit this location, think on how you would want your remains and the stone markers of your final resting place treated."

The website also featured firsthand accounts from those who have visited the cemetery. One visitor named Chris wrote the following: 

"The first trip we had made (to Gilbert's Graveyard) I ended up in tears; just the feeling of being there was enough to make you sick. We started to drive through the graveyard, and someone pointed at a tree that was knocked down over a grave, and when I looked over there I saw a black fog coming up from the grave, we decided to leave. As we left the graveyard, we looked over to the graveyard and about nine-plus flashing lights came up from the graveyard and seemed to follow us. I was the driver and I looked in my rear view mirror to be horrified to see a older lady staring at me in the mirror, then scream and then I began to cry uncontrollably. I stepped on that gas and swore I would never return. But consequently we did, and the second time it was more calmer then the first, not much happened except for hearing footsteps in the distant, and the feeling of you being followed closely."

Former 'Squeaky Bridge': According to GhostsOfAmerica.com, the site of the former ''squeaky bridge'' over Turkey Creek, south of Dorchester, is "extremely haunted" (County Rd. 1500 between county roads G and H). "According to legend several men were hanged on the bridge, which was closed and removed in or around 1994. However the ghosts still appear on a routine basis at night. They are transparent figures hanging by a noose right where the bridge once stood. Some have said the hanged men will occasionally look up and stare at observers."

Specter of Highway 33: For years, we've heard reports of a "man" who supposedly walks on Highway 33 as you near the west edge of Crete. People have reported seeing him on the road, or just off to the side, and swerve to miss him.  When they look back, he is gone. The Times has investigated the story further. Some say the apparition is that of a Dorchester lad who died decades ago in a very bad accident a mile west of Crete. Others say it is the ghost of an Oregon Trail pioneer who lost his way and died on the journey.  

Second Floor Above the Village Office:  According to GhostsOfAmerica.com, "there have been many reports of figures or shapes moving around in the second floor of the village office building" on main street Dorchester. The website claims to have a picture of the ghostly figure taken with a cell phone in 2009.

Dorchester School Boiler Room: We can confirm that the boiler room of the 1927 Dorchester School building is no longer haunted, if it ever was. The old school building was torn down in 2008 to make room for the current DPS campus. But when it existed, there were reports that in the late 1920s a child "locked himself in the boiler room and died." According to the old stories, school janitors in the modern era sometimes heard yells coming from the boiler room during the night -- and "when they went down into the boiler room, they didn't find anyone." So convincing were the reports that the Lincoln Journal Star in 2006 wrote a story on the the old boiler room. The story quotes former school secretary Joyce Karl and former custodians Ron Sehnert and Sharri Kasl, who said: "I never go down there in the mornings if I’m ever here by myself." Another publication ranked the Dorchester boiler room the second-most haunted site in Nebraska.

Doane College Library: Doane College's old library seems to be haunted by a woman in a white dress, according to some reports. On a full moon, she will appear in front of one of the windows. She has been reported to roam about the basement as well.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Foundation Fundraiser Dinner, Nov. 14

Dorchester Foundation Feed Set for Nov. 14: A highlight of late autumn returns Saturday, Nov. 14, when the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund hosts its Windsor loin and hamburger feed. Serving will run from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Dorchester Legion and Community Hall, bringing neighbors and friends together for a hearty meal while supporting community improvements, including ambitions of a new community building in the location of where Tyser Auto Sales is currently located. Admission is a free-will offering, with proceeds supporting improvement projects in Dorchester. For takeout orders, call Judy at 402-641-7050. Come hungry, catch up with friends and help support Dorchester.

DHS Football Prepares for Final Contest of Regular Season: Dorchester’s football team has experienced both ends of a lopsided scoreboard in its last two games, routing Scribner-Snyder 75-6 on Oct. 9, and then falling Oct. 16 to unbeaten McCool Junction 48-7. In their victory over Scribner-Snyder, Mason June caught passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown. Graydon Meredith-Walker contributed 66 rushing yards and a touchdown. Trevin Steuk and Payton Zoubek each intercepted a pass, while Mason Vyhnalek returned a fumble for a touchdown. Against McCool Junction, quarterback Landon Shaw completed 77.4% of his passes for 170 yards and a touchdown. Max Novak led Dorchester’s receivers with 52 yards, while June rushed for 34 yards. DHS, now 3-4 on the season, travels to Mead (3-4) this Friday, Oct. 23.

DHS Volleyball in CRC Tourney Semi-Finals: The DHS volleyball team (13-11) is finding its stride late in the season, winning four of its last six matches and advancing to the semifinals of the Crossroads Conference Tournament in York. The Longhorns improved to 13-11 with a 2-1 victory over Bruning-Davenport-Shickley on Saturday, Oct. 17. Kaitlyn Bolton powered Dorchester’s attack with 17 kills. Kendall Kasl recorded 26 assists and led the Longhorns with three service aces. DHS now heads into the CRC semifinals with momentum as they take on the tournament's top seed, Class C-2 Shelby-Rising City (24-3).

Dorchester FBLA Seeks Vendors for Dec. 6 Holiday Shopping Event: Dorchester students are inviting area vendors and holiday shoppers to help support their next steps in business leadership. The Dorchester Future Business Leaders of America chapter will host its Holiday Vendor Extravaganza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Dorchester Public School, 506 W. Ninth St. The event will raise money to help students attend state and national FBLA conferences while giving shoppers a chance to check items off their Christmas lists. Vendor spaces are available. Anyone interested in reserving a booth should contact school counselor Kyra Creamer at kyra.creamer@dorchesterschool.org. A raffle for door prizes will also be held. For more information, follow @dorchesterfbla on Facebook and Instagram. 

Rural Dorchester's Verlin Rickard Passes: Verlin Rickard, 84, of rural Dorchester, passed away on October 16, 2026, in Lincoln. Services are pending with Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. View the obituary here.

Karen Bruns Celebration Of Life Is Nov. 7 In Dorchester

Dorchester's Karen Ann Bruns, 67, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 8, 2026, after an extraordinary 11½-year battle with cancer. She was born March 16, 1959, in Wichita, Kansas, to Dorothy Hromek. 

Karen moved to Dorchester at a young age with her mother and six siblings and graduated from Dorchester High School in 1977. It was in Dorchester that she met her high school sweetheart, Todd Bruns. The two married on Sept. 5, 1981. Together, they raised two children, Jamie Ann and Scott Alan.

Karen is survived by her daughter, Jamie Ann Vyhnalek, her husband, Kelly, and their son, Harrison, of Dorchester; her son, Scott Alan Bruns, of Lincoln; her siblings, Vicky (Steve) Parks, Bill (Teri) Hromek, Moe (Jean) Hromek, Bruce Hromek, Robin Usher, and Kelli Hromek; nine nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and great-nephews; and countless friends who were lucky enough to be considered family.

She was preceded in death by her husband and high school sweetheart, Todd Bruns; her mother, Dorothy Hromek; her grandparents; and other beloved family members.

According to the full obituary, family and friends will gather for Karen’s Life Party at the Dorchester Legion/Community Center on Nov. 7, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.

Antiques Roadshow-Type Event Comes To Dorchester, Sunday, Oct. 18

Do you enjoy "Antiques Roadshow" -- the TV program on PBS? 

Then you'll love the free event planned at the Saline County Historical Museum this Sunday, Oct. 18, starting at 2 p.m.

And you'll be able to get your favorite antique appraised at no cost.

The Saline County Museum, located in south Dorchester off Highway 33, will host longtime antiques appraiser Tom Bassett, according to social media notices. 

Get there early and check out some of the new and refurbished displays at the museum's 13-building campus. 

The event will be like "Antiques Roadshow" in our own community, according to information the Times has received from readers. Attendees can bring an item or two to be appraised. 

Admission to the Saline County Museum is always free. Donations are accepted and will help with repairs and new displays.

Dorchester Loses Two Residents: Karen Bruns, Dale Talkington

Longtime Dorchester resident and DHS alumna Karen Bruns, 67, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 8, following a battle with cancer. She was born on March 16, 1959, in Wichita, Kansas to Billy and Dorothy Hromek. Services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. 

View Karen's online obituary here. 

On Sept. 27, rural Dorchester resident Dale Talkington passed at his home surrounded by family after a short battle with cancer, at the age of 81. Dale was born in Inavale, Neb. on December 31, 1944, to Clarence and Mildred Beryl (Ritchie) Talkington. 

A Vietnam veteran. Talkington owned his own electrical business, Dales’ Electric. Even while starting a new business, and supporting his young family, he would still go back to help on the family farm. Dales’ Electric would grow into a general contracting business called RST Contractors and eventually lead back to him being self-employed under Alltech Electric, which he was still running until just days before his passing.

Funeral services were held Oct. 3.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Dorchester's Village Property Tax Rate Exceeds State Average

Village Board OKs New Budget: Last month, on Sept. 14, the Dorchester Village Board approved its 2026-27 budget and property tax request, setting the General Fund property tax request at $260,951 with a tax rate of approximately 45.58 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The village’s total operating budget will decrease 7.67% from the previous year. No public comments were offered during the budget and tax levy hearings. Trustees also approved a conditional use permit for a telecommunications tower and associated facilities within the village’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, following a public hearing that drew no comments. Board members reviewed street improvement assessments, with corrections to the 2026 project figures to be submitted to the village for review. The board approved replacing lift station pumps and cashing in a keno certificate of deposit, with the proceeds placed in the general account for now. The next regular meeting was moved to Thursday, Oct. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the Farmers Cooperative meeting room.

Dorchester's Municipal Property Taxes 18% Over State Average: Dorchester’s newly approved village property tax rate is about 18% higher than Nebraska’s statewide municipal average for 2025. The village’s 2026-27 rate is approximately 45.58 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, compared with a statewide average of 38.67 cents calculated from Nebraska Department of Revenue figures. That statewide figure includes city and village bond levies and is weighted by taxable property values, giving larger tax bases more influence on the average. For a home assessed at $200,000, Dorchester’s rate would generate about $912 annually in village property taxes, compared with approximately $773 at the statewide average. The difference is about $138 a year. Keep in mind that these amounts cover only municipal taxes, with school, county, and other local levies adding to the overall bill. (K-12 public schools represent about 60% of your property tax bill, while counties represent roughly 15%, based on statewide averages. Cities represent less than 10% in most cases.) 

Trunk or Treat Set for Oct. 25: Trunk or Treat at the Dorchester School will be Sunday, Oct. 25, from 2-3:30 p.m. inside the school's back gym. If you would like to have a table, contact Nikki Schweitzer at 402-641-4550.

Hydrant Flushing Set for This Month: According to the Village newsletter, Dorchester's hydrants will be flushed during October. 

Our First-Frost Prediction is Oct. 28: The Times uses a proprietary mix of weather forecasting models to create our own "first-frost prediction." For the Dorchester area, we believe the first frost will come Wednesday, Oct. 28, just in time for Halloween. Until then, watch out for all those Dorchester mosquitoes following the wettest September on record.

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Football Scores 62-19 Homecoming Victory

DHS Football Scores 62-19 Homecoming Victory: Dorchester celebrated homecoming at Nerud Field with a commanding 62-19 victory over Nebraska Lutheran on Friday, Oct. 2, improving the Longhorns’ record to 2-3. By the end of the third quarter, Dorchester had built a 55-19 lead, putting the game firmly out of reach. Senior Graydon Meredith-Walker rushed for 73 yards and two touchdowns on six carries, while Mason June added 84 rushing yards and a touchdown. Lily Lehr was crowned homecoming queen, and Meredith-Walker was crowned king. The Longhorns will face Scribner-Snyder at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9.

DHS Volleyball Seeks to Rebound in Final Stretch of Season: Dorchester’s Lady Longhorns are working through a challenging stretch, dropping six of their last nine volleyball matches while showing flashes of strong play. Against Meridian, Dorchester won the opening set before falling 2-1, with Kaitlyn Bolton contributing nine kills, Kendall Kasl recording 24 assists, and Brennaly Vazquez adding two aces. Lily Lehr contributed nine digs in a 2-0 loss to Elm Creek, and the Lady Longhorns followed that match with a 2-0 victory over Omaha Christian. Dorchester, now 9-9, will have opportunities to regain momentum when it hosts Twin River and Cross County on Oct. 8, faces Parkview Christian on Oct. 12 and hosts Bruning-Davenport-Shickley and McCool Junction on Oct. 13. The Lady Longhorns will then compete in the Crossroads Conference Tournament Oct. 17-20 at York City Auditorium.

Medicare Part D Guidance in Dorchester: Medicare open enrollment will occur from Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, marking the time of year when you can make changes to your coverage. If you're on a Medicare plan, you'll get an annual notice of changes. It's important to compare plans to see if you can get a better price on prescriptions and premiums. To help you do so, Saline County Aging Services will be in Dorchester on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Community Hall. Call 402-821-3330 for more details.

Fall Clean-Up Set for Oct. 17-24: Autumn means its time to clean up your property. Dorchester's fall clean-up will be Saturday, Oct. 17 through Saturday, Oct. 24. The village dump site will be open Monday through Friday that week from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The dump is to be used by Dorchester residents only and an attendant on site will check IDs. 

Garbage Service in Dorchester See $3 Hike: Bel-Con, the trash service contracted by the Village of Dorchester for residential pick-up, will be adding $3 a month temporarily due to high diesel prices. 

OUR VIEW: Times Endorses Schoenrock For Legislature

Political silly season is in full swing.

Politicians are promising lower taxes or more government handouts. Negative ads fill our TV screens and radio airwaves. And media cheerleaders are doing their best to skew the news in favor of their chosen candidates and political parties. 

The Times might as well join the pack.

Today, the Times staff is endorsing Mark Schoenrock for the District 32 seat in the Nebraska Legislature. 

The reason is simple: Schoenrock passes our three-way test.

1. Local Leadership: Schoenrock has served as a county commissioner for more than a decade, demonstrating that he understands how government works. While Nebraska's counties account for only around 15% of property taxes levied statewide, the services they provide are similar to those of state government. Schoenrock's experience is relevant at a time when state senators will need to intervene to place new spending restrictions on K-12 public school districts, which consume about 60% of property taxes in addition to billions in state aid.
    
2. Service Beyond Self: A Jefferson County native, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army for decades, and then worked as a civilian with Army combat forces. He was in uniform in the Pentagon on 9/11. His record of public service deserves respect.
   
   
3. Political Transparency: Schoenrock identifies as a "conservative Republican." He quotes Ronald Reagan on his website. No disguises, no masquerade balls. What you see is what you get. Voters can judge his positions knowing where he stands.

Schoenrock's opponent, Crete attorney Shay Smith, has no elected government experience that we know of.

Moreover, Smith presents herself as an "independent" -- a common practice in Nebraska among far-left candidates. As we reported earlier this year, The Crete News previously published photos of Smith attending an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vigil, leading many Saline County residents we spoke with to suspect she supports far-left causes. The Nebraska Democrat Party has announced its support for Smith. 

But the biggest red flags with Smith are those funding her campaign.

The Times examined campaign statements filed with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission (NADC). Among Smith's contributors were state Senator Danielle Conrad, a liberal activist attorney and a leader of the Unicameral’s far-left wing. The state teachers union gave Smith thousands of dollars last spring; you can bet thousands more will follow.

Smith also received $25,000 from Democracy Nebraska, a well-oiled progressive activist group that Google's Gemini says is comprised of "Lincoln/Omaha elites" and is "funded by out-of-state interests who want to 'California-ize' our election laws."  

Wyoming-based Way Back PAC, another dark-money group, gave Smith's campaign $10,000. Way Back PAC also funneled money to Dan Osborn in the 2024 Nebraska U.S. Senate race. 

Nebraskans deserve political transparency, especially at election time. It shouldn't require hours of research to discover who is actually bankrolling the people who want to write our laws.

This is why we will be voting for Mark Schoenrock on Election Day. Schoenrock’s experience, service, and clear statement of his political views have earned our endorsement.

Looking Back: Thompson Pony Farm And Rodeo

Today we look back at one of the most intriguing pieces of Dorchester's past: the Thompson Rodeo and Elmwood Pony Farm. 

If we turned the calendar back to the 1930s, chances are you'd be making plans right now to attend the Thompson Rodeo in late September.

Owned and operated by Colonel W.J. Thompson, the Elmwood Pony Farm was located in the northeast section of Dorchester. The farm sat on present-day 10th Street, between Lincoln and Fulton Avenues.

Dating back to the 1890s, the Elmwood Pony Farm was one of the largest pony farms west of the Mississippi River. By the 1920s, the pony farm was home to more than 300 ponies.  

Thompson's pony farm was a popular destination for children from miles around, according to accounts of longtime residents.  

 

Children who lived in the country were even permitted to take home a pony and ride it all summer, if they agreed to keep it fed well.

Each September, Colonel Thompson took as many as 35 Shetland ponies to the Nebraska State Fair for rides. He entered many more of the animals in the fair's show contests. 

All of the ponies were herded overland from Dorchester to Lincoln by Thompson farm employees.

In 1930, Colonel Thompson's son, Wallace, started the Thompson Rodeo. It was usually a three-day event held each fall, complete with fighting broncos, cowboys, clowns, trick riders, cowgirls, bull dodgers, concessions, rides, dancing and "whoopee." 

Pictured at the top of this story is an original banner from the Thompson Rodeo. The banner is now hanging in the Saline County Museum in Dorchester in the Weidner Building.

The Dorchester rodeo attracted many top riders from around the country, as well as local talent. An Oklahoma rider even came within 0.7 seconds of the world's record in calf roping at the Dorchester Rodeo.

At one time, more than 7,000 spectators were reported in attendance at the Dorchester Rodeo. 

Many people had high hopes that Dorchester would become a permanent rodeo on the famous circuit that included Cheyenne Frontier Days, as well as the Burwell and Sidney rodeos. 

But by 1940, the rodeo hit a spell of heavy rain and events were cancelled.

By 1942, the country was fighting WWII. The Thompson Rodeo closed its doors permanently, becoming another relic of our community's history.

(This is a reprint of a Times article that was published originally in August 2007.)

NEWS ROUND-UP: School, Village Boards Set To Vote On New Budgets

Village Board to Consider $7.15M Budget, Property Tax Increase: The Dorchester Village Board will hold public hearings Monday, Sept. 14, before considering the village’s proposed 2026-27 budget and property tax request. The proposed budget authorizes $7,150,069 in disbursements and transfers. That is 8% below the previous year’s operating budget of $7,744,406, although the village estimates actual 2025-26 disbursements and transfers at $2,908,359. The village is proposing a property tax request of $260,951 — an increase of $6,365, or approximately 3%, from the previous year. The proposed tax rate would rise about 2%, from $0.447216 to $0.455768 per $100 of taxable valuation. For property valued at $100,000 with no change in assessed value, that would increase the village portion of the tax bill by approximately $8.55. The budget and property tax hearings will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Farmers Cooperative Meeting Room, 607 Franklin Ave., Entrance No. 2. The board’s regular meeting will begin immediately after the hearings. The meetings are open to the public.

DPS Board to Vote on $8.5M Budget, Property Tax Request Increase: The Dorchester Board of Education's budget hearing will begin at 6 p.m. this Wednesday, Sept. 16, in the Dorchester Public School library, 506 W. Ninth St. A special hearing to set the final property tax request will follow, along with the regular board meeting. The hearings are open to the public. At the Dorchester Board of Education's Aug. 31 budget retreat, the board unanimously approved transferring $150,000 from the General Fund to the Depreciation Fund, $20,000 to the Activity Fund, and $20,000 to the Nutrition Fund. All six board members were present. The school's 2026-2027 proposed budget authorizes $8,500,311 in disbursements and transfers across all district funds, compared with $5,752,900 in 2025-2026. For purposes of the special tax-request hearing, the district lists an operating budget of $7,607,666 — an increase of approximately 21% from $6,272,775. The district proposes collecting $3,760,757 in property taxes, an increase of $78,789, or approximately 2.1%, from the previous year’s request. Despite the higher total tax request, the district’s combined property tax rate would decline about 6%, from $0.778160 to $0.733234 per $100 of taxable valuation since the district’s total property valuation increased approximately 8%, from $473.2 million to $512.9 million. For property remaining at an assessed value of $100,000, the school district’s tax would decline approximately $44.93. The actual change for an individual property owner will depend on whether that property’s assessed value increased or decreased.

Public Hearing Monday on Proposed Telecommunications Tower: The Dorchester Village Board will hold a public hearing Monday, Sept. 14, concerning a proposed telecommunications tower and associated facilities approximately 1¼ miles west of Dorchester. The site is within the village’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. The hearing will be held at the Farmers Cooperative Meeting Room, 607 Franklin Ave., Entrance No. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Members of the public may comment before the board reviews and considers the proposal.

DHS Gets First Win of 2026 Football Season: The DHS football team tagged 67 points on the Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer Titans on Sept. 11, beating the Titans 67-14 at Nerud Field. The Longhorns, now with a 1-2 record, get a bye next week, but will travel to Parkview Christian in Lincoln Friday, Sept. 25. The Patriots (1-2) are coming off a 46-38 loss to Meridian.

DHS Volleyball Drops Two, Wins Two to Go to 4-2: Dorchester’s volleyball team suffered its first two losses of the season this week but also picked up two important victories. The Longhorns fell 3-1 at College View Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 8, before splitting two matches at the Sept. 10 triangular in Giltner. DHS defeated Harvard 2-1 but lost a close 2-1 contest to host Giltner. DHS bounced back Saturday with a straight-set victory over Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer at the HTRS Invite. The Longhorns edged the Titans 26-24 in the opening set before completing the 2-0 win with a 25-21 victory in the second set. The Longhorns, 4-2 on the season, will host Nebraska Lutheran at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Rural Dorchester's Shirley Kasl Passes

Rural Dorchester's Shirley Ann Kasl, age 91, passed away on September 7, 2026, at the Seward Hospital. 

Services will be held on Friday, September 18 at 10:30 a,m. at the Dorchester United Methodist Church. 

Visitation will be Thursday, September 17 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. 

A more detailed obituary will follow. 

Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Volleyball No. 3 In Class D-2 Point Standings

DHS Volleyball No. 3 In Class D-2: Dorchester’s volleyball team is off to a strong start, improving to 2-0 with a 3-1 victory over Weeping Water on Thursday, Sept. 3. The Longhorns won a pair of tight sets on their way to the victory, taking the match 29-27, 25-16, 19-25 and 26-24. The win was Dorchester’s second straight to open the 2026 season. The Longhorns are also getting some early statewide recognition, sitting No. 3 in the Nebraska School Activities Association’s Class D-2 wildcard point standings as of Sunday night. The wildcard standings remain fluid this early in the season as teams continue to add matches to their schedules. Dorchester will take its unbeaten record on the road Tuesday, Sept. 8, when it faces College View Academy. See DHS' full schedule.

DHS Football Loses Home Opener: Dorchester fell to 0-2 on the season Friday, Sept. 4, with a 53-6 loss to Lewiston. The defeat marked the Longhorns’ fourth straight home loss dating back to last season. Quarterback Landon Shaw threw for 111 yards and a touchdown, with Payton Zoubek leading Dorchester receivers with 51 yards. Mason June added 47 yards on the ground. Dorchester will look for its first win of the season this Friday, Sept. 11, when the Longhorns host Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer at 7 p.m. at Nerud Field. See the full schedule.

Mark Wixson Celebration of Life, Sept. 12: Rural Dorchester's Lt. (Ret.) Mark Allen Wixson, 67, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 25. He was born, July 27, 1959, in Geneva, Wisconsin to David Allen Wixson and Theresa Marguerite O’Grady. Mark spent his life serving in the U.S. Navy, where he retired February 1st, 1999. He earned many medals, ribbons, and designations. Mark enjoyed traveling, kayaking, and spending time with many friends. His favorite place to travel was to the beach. Mark is survived by his wife Robin Kay Wixson; two daughters, Danielle Ketchum and Kelly Moore; two sons-in-law, John Ketchum and John Moore; three sisters. A celebration of life open house will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Dorchester Legion Hall in Dorchester. Read the full obituary.

Living History Day Is This Sunday, Sept. 13: The fifth annual Living History Day at the Saline County Historical Museum is set for Sunday, Sept. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There's no charge to attend this family-friendly event, which will feature interactive demonstrations of historical skills throughout the day on the museum grounds. Food will be available for purchase. The event has become one of the museum’s largest annual programs, and a good turnout is expected this year, especially with the new improvements at the museum. See more on Facebook. 

Wetter Fall Predicted Due to El Niño: A strengthening El Niño could bring improved chances for fall moisture across Nebraska, including southeast Nebraska later in the season. According to the Midwest Messenger, the Climate Prediction Center’s latest outlook favors above-average precipitation across the western two-thirds of the state from September through November, while the entire state could see increased precipitation from October through December. For Saline County and surrounding areas, that means the strongest signal for wetter weather may come later this fall rather than in September. University of Nebraska-Lincoln agricultural meteorologist Eric Hunt said increased fall precipitation could help improve drought conditions in much of the state. The added moisture would also help replenish soil moisture heading into the 2027 growing season. Nebraska is expected to experience above-average temperatures statewide this fall.

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Volleball Opens Season With Sweep Of East Butler

Longhorn Volleyball Starts Season with Big Win Over East Butler: Dorchester High School's volleyball team took care of business in its season opener at home on Thursday, Aug. 27. The Lady 'Horns put the hurt on the East Butler Tigers with a sharp 3-0 victory, with set scores of 25-23, 25-10, 25-19. Looking ahead, DHS will welcome Weeping Water at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3. The Lady 'Horns are under the direction of Thais Viera. Led by seniors Lily Lehr and Livia Schweitzer, the team is counting on some key underclassmen to improve on last year's record of 13-17. See the team's full schedule.

DHS Football Opens Season With Loss to Sterling: A new high school football season is underway. DHS is in its ninth season of six-man football in the modern era and under the steady hand of head coach Brent Zoubek, who is in his fourteenth year as the Longhorns' head coach. With only two seniors, the Orange and Black Attack will need younger players to learn the game quickly. On Friday, Aug. 28, DHS lost its opening game of the season 42-14 to the Sterling Jets in a road contest. The 0-1 Longhorns will host Lewiston (1-0) on Friday, Sept. 4. See the full schedule.

DPS Budget Retreat Set for Aug. 31: Following its 5-0 vote on Aug. 12 to exceed the property tax base growth percentage increase for the 2026-27 fiscal year, the Dorchester Board of Education will hold its budget board retreat on Monday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m. in the school library. The next regularly scheduled board meeting, which is open to the public, is set for Monday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. in the school library. Agendas and meetings can be viewed here.

New County Text Messaging Service Coming Soon: Saline County has announced the launch of TextMyGov (https://textmygov.com), a new text messaging service designed to keep county residents informed. The system launches Sept. 1. You may receive an initial text from 80946 introducing the new service. Participation is voluntary, and you can opt out at any time by texting STOP to 80946. If you don't get the initial message and want to subscribe, text the keyword "SALINECOUNTYNE" to 80946 -- then reply YES when prompted to confirm.

Looking Back: School Buildings Of Dorchester's Past

This year marks the 154th school year in Dorchester. Dorchester's school system dates back to 1872, when the village's first schoolhouse was built.

Did you know that Dorchester is currently on its fifth school building in the past 150-plus years?

More than 18 years since the construction of the current Dorchester Public School building, we're taking a look at the history of the structures that have housed our community's educational system.

 

1872 School Building

The first term of school taught in Dorchester took place in 1872 at a select school held in the McIntyre family home, which happened to be Dorchester's first house and was located near the present Methodist Church. 

Also in 1872, District No. 44 -- the present school district -- was organized, even though there were only 21 children of school age residing in the district.  

Later that year -- nine years prior to Dorchester's official founding -- nearly $3,000 in bonding authority was approved to build Dorchester's first schoolhouse, which was a two-story building. The first floor of the 1872 school was used for school instruction, while the upper level was used for public meetings and worship services. In fact, it was here that the Dorchester Methodist Church first organized around 1874.

By 1879, more than 100 pupils were enrolled in Dorchester Public School.

 

1890 School Building

By 1883, the town's longest running newspaper, The Dorchester Star, was advocating for the construction of a larger school. 

Six years later, in 1889, district patrons approved $12,000 in bonding authority to build a new school that was built in 1890 (pictured above). What a grand structure it was, sitting where today's gym is located.

During the 1911 school year, Dorchester was formally organized as a K-12 district. The class of 1914 was the first DHS class to graduate from an accredited twelve-grade high school. 

 

1927 School Building

As more area families placed greater importance on education, the 1926 Dorchester school board voted to build a new school -- just 35 years after the completion of the 1890 school building. 

 

The bond election was successful by a two-to-one margin and a new three-story school building was completed in December 1927. It sat where the current DPS Library is. 

 

The DHS Class of 2020 was the first class not to have attended school in the 1927 building.

A large addition to the 1927 school was approved in May 1963 for approximately $300,000. It included the present-day basketball/volleyball gymnasium, cafeteria, hallway classrooms, and music room. The gym, cafeteria and other additions approved in 1963 are still standing and in use today following the 2008 tear-down of the 1927 building. 

 

The gym and cafeteria have been renovated in recent years and look as fresh as the rest of the new school building, which was built during the summer of 2008 following overwhelming voter approval for a $4.5 million bond issue.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Bruhas Celebrate 65th Anniversary

Bruhas Celebrate 65th Anniversary: 1961 was quite a year. Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth's single-season home run record. JFK asked Congress to land a man on the moon before the decade ended. And Shelley and Rose Bruha tied the knot. Now, 65 years later, the happy couple is celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. To celebrate, the Bruhas are hosting an open house Saturday, Aug. 29, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Tabor Hall. There will be goodies and music by the Dan Bruha Band. For those who can't attend, cards may be sent to: P.O. Box 206, Dorchester, NE 68343.

Two Dorchester Residents Convicted in Dangerous-Dog Cases: According to Saline County Court records, two Dorchester residents were found to be in possession of dangerous dogs that were not confined. Orisel Pavon Bauza, 44, and Erlandy Oranzo Osorio, 38, were both fined. The court also imposed additional requirements. 

Living History Day Set for Sept. 13: The fifth annual Living History Day at the Saline County Historical Museum is set for Sunday, Sept. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There's no charge to attend this family-friendly event, which will feature interactive demonstrations of historical skills throughout the day on the museum grounds. Food will be available for purchase. The event has become one of the museum’s largest annual programs, and a good turnout is expected this year, especially with the new improvements at the museum. See more on Facebook.

Former Longtime DPS Teacher Mary Ann Reiss Passes:  Mary Ann (Fridrich) Reiss passed away on Aug. 7 at Eventide/Tabitha in Crete at the age of 95. A Crete native and Wilber High School graduate, Reiss taught third grade at Dorchester Public Schools for 20 years. Read her obituary here.

Highest-Paid Positions in Saline County Government: Nebraska law requires local governments to periodically publish employee salaries or compensation information. According to the latest salary information published in The Crete News' general notices, here are the positions with the highest annual compensation in Saline County government, as approved by Saline County commissioners:

- County Sheriff: $121,292

- County Attorney: $121,292

- Courthouse Security: $109,553 to $92,227 (based on hourly wages, which have been annualized based on 40 hours per week for 52 weeks) 

- Patrol Supervisor: $92,227 (based on hourly wages)  

- Highway Superintendent: $90,496

- Patrol Deputies: $86,840 to $67,496 (based on hourly wages)  

- Sheriff's Office/Corrections Clerical Administrator: $81,640 (based on hourly wages)  

- County Treasurer, County Clerk, County Assessor, and Clerk of the District Court: $80,861 

- Jail Administrator: $79,622 (based on hourly wages)  

- Communications Supervisor at 911 Center: $76,710 (based on hourly wages)  

- K-9 Deputy: $75,712 (based on hourly wages)  

- Aging Services Director: $73,606

- Assistant Highway Superintendent: $73,469 

- Zoning Director: $68,036 (based on hourly wages)