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)  

Looking Back: The Establishment Of Dorchester's City Park

The Dorchester City Park has been part of our community for 95 years.

Makes you wonder where town kids played before that.

Dorchester was officially established in 1881, but the village had no village-run public park for its first 50 years. 

Then, in June 1931, Jacob Sack, president of Sack Lumber and Coal Company, donated seven lots to the Village of Dorchester for use as a public park, according to The Centennial History of Dorchester and Pleasant Hill.

The village board acted promptly on the donation. Town leaders laid out and landscaped the property.

Over the generations, Dorchester residents have continued to improve the park. The basketball court was renovated in 2007 with help from members of the Dorchester girls basketball team. 

In 2019, the community celebrated the opening of a splash pad after several years of planning and fundraising.

Dorchester's park also features a modern picnic shelter, public restrooms, swings, and playground equipment for younger children.

Nearly a century after his donation, the village remains grateful to Jacob Sack — and we encourage Dorchester families to use, enjoy and help care for Dorchester's proud park.

UPDATE: Comparing Per-Pupil Spending Of Area Schools

This publication recently reported that Dorchester Public School's annual expenditures increased 44% over 10 years, from $2.80 million in the 2015-16 school year to $4.03 million in 2024-25, the latest year available. For comparison, the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 35.81% from the 2015 annual average to the 2025 annual average.

Increases in K-12 public school spending affect every property owner in the school district — agricultural, residential and commercial. Approximately 60% of the average property tax bill in Nebraska goes to local public schools.

Also, keep in mind that Nebraska state government — funded mostly by income and sales taxes — is currently providing substantial property tax relief through state-funded tax credits and direct school aid. This property tax relief can feel non-existent because the state is largely subsidizing local government rather than holding local decision-makers accountable for approving large tax-and-spending increases. Few taxpayers attend their local school, county or city board meetings, so accountability often isn't happening there, either.

All this said, we don't think Dorchester school board members — or village officials, for that matter — are being reckless in their spending. They are using the tax base they have been authorized to use to cover the costs of Nebraska's "free public education" mandate, which dates back to 1875.

One of the best ways to gauge how efficiently local public schools are operating is to compare per-pupil expenditures. Statewide, the 2024-25 public school cost per pupil was $17,664, while Dorchester Public School's per-pupil cost was $23,356. 

How does that stack up against area schools?

More than a decade ago, in 2015, the Times compiled a comparison of per-pupil spending for several area schools. Today, we updated our comparison. Schools are listed from the highest spenders to lowest based on the updated figures. DPS moved down several spots over the years as other schools' per-pupil spending has outpaced Dorchester's.

Perhaps the bigger question presented by this data is: Are Nebraska's smallest schools, when they graduate only 10 or 12 students per senior class for consecutive years, still justifiable?

If so, could steps be taken to significantly lower costs?

Could special education services be consolidated at the county or regional level?

Could schools lower administrative costs by sharing some of their highest-compensated personnel?

For example, our research shows that Iowa, despite having nearly 190,000 more K-12 students than Nebraska, has fewer superintendents, in part because many Iowa school districts share superintendents.

After 150 years of mandated public school education, Nebraska should be willing to consider improvements and innovative reforms to a system designed for a different era. That discussion should start at the local level.

Dorchester’s Third Annual Rib Cook-Off, Fun Run Set For Aug. 15

(UPDATE: Organizer Dale Hayek reports that Max Country 104.9 will broadcast from the street from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. There are currently 17 competitors register for the Cook-Off, with room for more. Hardwood Dash will start at 6:30 on the street. "Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the evening," he said.)

The smell of barbecue smoke will fill downtown Dorchester on Saturday, Aug. 15, as the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund and Dorchester American Legion host the community’s third annual Rib Cook-Off Competition. 

Everyone from near and far is encouraged to join in for a full day of food, music and activities.

The rib competition will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. near the Dorchester American Legion. Teams will be competing for cash prizes and -- perhaps more importantly -- local bragging rights. First place will receive $200, second place $100, and third place $50.

Organizers are limiting the competition to 25 entries, with an entry deadline of Sunday, Aug. 9. The cost is $40 per team, with one cooker allowed per team or individual. (To register, email dhayek@farmersco-operative.com or call 402-641-4075.) Completed entry forms may be emailed or dropped off to Dale Hayek at Farmers Cooperative in Dorchester.

Competitors will receive at least four racks of ribs supplied by organizers, as cook-off teams can begin setting up at 7:45 a.m. with approximately 12-by-12-foot cooking spaces assigned. Ribs will be delivered to the cooking area at 10 a.m. Judging will be blind, with entries scored on appearance, tenderness, and taste. Each team must submit four individual ribs for judging, with turn-in scheduled for 4 p.m.

All-Day Event With Music

Keep in mind that you won’t have to wait until supper to find something to eat.

The Legion will kick off the day with a breakfast buffet from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. for a free-will donation. The free-will donation supper will begin at 5 p.m., featuring pork sandwiches, ribs, pork and beans, coleslaw, chips and a drink.

After the grills cool down, the evening will continue with a Legion beer garden and street dance featuring Hardwood Dash.

Burn Off Calories With a Fun Run

Those looking to work up an appetite before breakfast can also take part in a Fun Run beginning at Dorchester Park. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Questions about the run can be directed to Kelli Kohout at kelli.kohout@dorchesterschool.org.

From an early-morning run and breakfast to sizzling ribs and an evening street dance, Aug. 15 is shaping up to be a full summer Saturday in Dorchester.

Is It Time For DHS Football To Have Its Own Tunnel Walk?

 

Dorchester football busted back onto the scene in a big way in 2018. Is 2026 the year DHS football gets its own version of the Tunnel Walk?

It was way back in 2008 that we first inquired about a Dorchester football Tunnel Walk when we wrote the following:

Recently, one of our readers sent us an e-mail suggesting that Dorchester High School should feature a "tunnel walk" for the Longhorns' football team. 

Reader "CJ" wrote: "The Longhorns need to start a new pre-game tradition similar to that of the Huskers at Memorial Stadium." 

CJ's idea would have music playing over the loud speakers to "fire up" the DHS faithful at home games as the Longhorns make their way from the locker rooms to Nerud Field -- similar to the Huskers' tunnel walk to the old Alan Parsons Project tune "Sirius."

CJ said that Longhorn fans could "form a pathway" from the school's north parking lot to the field.

Nearly 40 readers weighed in on that question 18 years ago, including offering songs they thought deserved consideration. 

See all their comments here.

What else are fans supposed to talk about less than three weeks before the first kickoff?

Dorchester School Begins 154th Year This Wednesday

The hallways will soon be bustling again at Dorchester Public School as students and teachers prepare to begin the 2026-27 school year.

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

Preparations for the new year officially begin Monday, Aug. 10, with teacher in-service activities. Practices for the Dorchester Longhorn football and volleyball teams also get underway Monday as student-athletes begin preparing for their fall seasons.

The first day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 12, with classes dismissing early at 2 p.m. Students will also be dismissed at 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 13-14.

As the first day of classes approaches, families still have time to pick up their back-to-school supplies. Separate school-supply lists for Dorchester elementary and high school students are available online through the school.

Fall Sports Action Begins Aug. 25

The week of Aug. 24-28 will bring the first major activities of the new school year.

But first, at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, Dorchester High School will host its Fall Sports Preview and Parents Sportsmanship Seminar, giving Longhorn fans their first opportunity to see this year's teams.

Volleyball action follows Tuesday, Aug. 25, when Dorchester hosts Wilber-Clatonia for a preseason scrimmage. The Lady Longhorns have defeated the Class C-2 Wolverines in the scrimmage each of the past two years.

The matches will begin to count two days later. That's when Dorchester officially opens its volleyball season at home Thursday, Aug. 27, against East Butler. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Dorchester gymnasium.

Longhorn football begins its season the following night, Friday, Aug. 28, when Dorchester hosts Sterling at Nerud Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Online DPS Resources 

The complete August school calendar, including activities and athletic events, can be viewed here.

Families can also keep up with school announcements, schedules and other information throughout the year by visiting DorchesterSchool.org.

Home For Sale: 600 W 9th Street

Dorchester's real estate market remains strong, despite that cheap lending money -- following years of federal money printing and massive government spending -- is long gone. You can count on interest rates remaining high due to the uncontrollable debt unleashed during the COVID-19 years. Both political parties can own that.

While homes in large cities and rural properties have become unaffordable for the average buyer, Dorchester looks even more appealing now to many. Consider what our community has to offer:

• STREET IMPROVEMENTS: Village leaders have paved many more blocks in recent months and more street improvements are planned.
  
  
• POTENTIAL FOR MORE BUSINESSES: Due to its strategic location and available commercial buildings, Dorchester could see an increase in more small businesses over the next few years with the right leadership.
  
  
• 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 COMMUNITY: With an upgraded water and sewer system.

• 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 great Dorchester home that just hit the market:

600 W 9th Street: Take a look at this tastefully updated home with plenty of space on more than an acre of land in Dorchester. According to the real estate listing, the home features five bedrooms, two large updated bathrooms, an updated kitchen, updated flooring, newer windows and fresh interior and exterior paint.

The newer poured-concrete foundation provides a large basement with room for additional finished living space. The HVAC system was installed in 2022. The property also features a large corner lot and a newer, oversized two-stall garage. It is conveniently located near Dorchester Public School. See online listing.