Survey Shows Four Primary Internet Providers For Dorchester Residents

Who do you use for an internet provider? 

Recently, through social media, the Dorchester Times asked our in-town readers who is providing their internet service -- and if they would recommend their carrier to others.

We received numerous responses, which indicated most town residents are using Zito Media and Windstream, with average or below average results.

Diode and Rise Broadband are the other primary internet providers in town.

The best results for reliability and speed, according to our survey, appears to be experienced by users of Rise Broadband, which has a satellite receptor atop the Dorchester grain elevator, we are told.   

Diode has a satellite receptor on the water tower, but has experienced difficulty reaching residents in the west portions of Dorchester, according to two online reports we've seen.

Here is a sampling of the survey comments we collected from town residents:

• "We have only used Zito and Windstream...I would never go back to Windstream. I haven't tried any others."

• "I had problems with mine. I blamed Windstream but turned out to be my old equipment. They installed new and I haven't had one problem since."

• "I use Diode; sometimes it’s great and other times not so much."

• "Zito now, but when we move to the farm we will have Rise Broadband."

• "I was forced to switch to Rise Broadband after Diode told me they could no longer provide service to my home due to trees blocking their signal. So far so good."

This Friday Is Deadline To Enter DHS Alumni Basketball Tourney

The annual Dorchester High School alumni basketball tournament is just around the corner.  

We've been told we should remind alumni that if they want to play, teams and individual players will need to register soon.

Dates for this year’s tournament are March 16, 17 and 18, which happens to be St. Patrick's Day weekend.  

Deadline to enter is Friday, March 2.  

For questions and/or entry form, contact DHS Activities Director Brent Zoubek at: bzoubek@dorchesterschool.org or call the school at (402) 946-2781. 

There is a player entry fee of $30.  

According to information in the school newsletter, teams may combine players "in any manner that promotes fairness, equity and good-natured competition.  The tournament director reserves the right to make changes or adjustments as he sees fit to allow these rules to be followed."

NEWS ROUNDUP: DHS' Ridge Hoffman Scores 21 In Season Finale

DHS' Hoffman Shines In Season Finale:  The Dorchester boy's basketball team has concluded its season.  The Longhorn men lost a close sub-district contest last week, falling to Osceola 43-39.  Nearly half of DHS' points were scored by sophomore Ridge Hoffman. The young Longhorns squad looked to Hoffman's leadership all season long as Hoffman emerged as a standout throughout the 2017-18 campaign, consistently scoring in double digits. The DHS starter earned a reputation for being adept inside the paint and from well behind the 3-point arc, scoring well over 20 points on several occasions. 

DHS Speech Team Has Strong Lineup In 2018: Dorchester's 2018 speech team has grown to seven this year.  The team is competing in several locations this season, from Crete to Meridian to Sutton to McCool Juntion.  This year's team is comprised of the following students: Daisha Hoffman, Ridge Hoffman, Harmony Shepherd, Timmy Newlin, Kohl Tyser, Breanna Muff and Jaki Acosta.  Coaches are Deb Nerud-Vernon and Karen Hrdlicka.

Saline County Sheriff To Step Up Patrol:  We've received word that the Saline County Sheriff's Department will have an increased presence in our community.  The reason is unclear and we've not reached out to the sheriff's department for comment, but our sources are reliable.  Citizens are encouraged to always be part of the solution by being watchful and vigilant, and reporting illegal or suspicious behavior by calling the Saline Sheriff's Department at 402-821-2111.  Dorchester is fortunate to have a strong relationship with our county law enforcement officials.

Polka, Polka, Polka This Sunday At Legion Hall

Don't let the dreary weather get you down.  Instead, get ready to party to polka.

Back by popular demand, the Dorchester American Legion on Sunday, February 25, will once again host a polka dance at the Dorchester Legion Hall.

According to a social media post, the Greg Blecha Trio will show you how polka was meant to be played.

Sunday's event will kick off at 3 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m.

Only a $5 cover charge and the Dorchester Legion kitchen will be open, as well as the Legion bar.

Upcoming dances will be March 25 with the Polka Dudes and April 8 with the Bruha Trio.

All proceeds raised from the polka dances go to support the Dorchester American Legion and its efforts.

And here's a little trivia: Polka originated as a Czech peasant dance. Historic folklore has it that a peasant girl named Anna Slezak invented the steps one day for her own amusement.  The word “pulka” is derived from the Czech phrase for “half-step,” which refers to the dance pattern of lightly stepping from one foot to the other.

WINTER WEATHER ALERT: Here Come The Snow & Ice Again

Make the winter end.  

We've heard that more than once this week.

Now Old Man Winter has another surprise for us.  This winter weather alert for Thursday morning and afternoon has been posted by the National Weather Service: 

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of up to two inches and ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch are expected.

* WHERE...Saline, Jefferson and Gage Counties.

* WHEN...From 3 AM to 6 PM CST Thursday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The ice will result in difficult travel conditions, including during the morning commute on Thursday. Be prepared for reduced visibilities at times. Ice accumulating on power lines could result in power disruptions.

* PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5-1-1.

See the latest conditions and forecast for Dorchester and the surrounding area by visiting here.

10/11 News: Court Documents Reveal New Information On Village Official

As we wrote late last month, this one of those rare instances when the staff members of the Dorchester Times are conflicted about publishing a news story.  In this case, we simply do not know the facts.  We also adhere to John 8:7, which says: "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone."

Because of the high-profile nature of this story, and the high-profile nature of the public servant who is well-known in Dorchester and Saline County, the Times feels it is our obligation to publish excerpts of a 10/11 News story so that the community is abreast about what is being reported locally and statewide.

-------

Last month, Matthew Hoffaman, chairman of Dorchester's Village Board and a Crete High School teacher, age 41, was arrested by the Saline County Sheriff's Office for reportedly committing acts of sexual assault of a protected individual. Hoffman was released on bail in late January.

Tonight,  Feb. 21, 10/11 News is reporting that court documents reveal new information regarding the case.  The following excerpts are from the 10/11 story:

New details surrounding the reported incidents are outlined in an affidavit for a search warrant on Feb. 2 that resulted in the possession of Hoffman’s work computer, which was taken from Crete High School at the suggestion of the school district’s superintendent.

The documents state the superintendent was “concerned that a Crete Public School computer….that was operated and used by teacher Matthew Hoffman may have inappropriate material on it.”

In addition, the documents state two previous search warrants were served on Hoffman’s cell phones, which revealed Snapchat videos of minors drinking alcohol with Hoffman, and several text messages with one of the victims that are “sexual in nature.”

According to court records, the alleged assaults go as far back as June of 2017 and are as recent as January 8 of 2018.

Hoffman is scheduled to be arraigned in Saline County Court on March 7.

The superintendent of Crete Public Schools confirmed that Hoffman voluntarily resigned his position Crete High School on February 19.

OUR VIEW: Federal Farm Bill Hasn't Worked As Intended

We've read that the politicians in Washington, D.C. plan to rewrite the farm bill this spring.  

While politicians don't read this blog, their constituents do.  

And many of those constituents agree that changes need to be made to the farm bill to save the small (and even mid-sized) farmer, which has become an endangered species thanks to the federal farm program that lacks meaningful payment caps.

From 1995 to 2016, Nebraska farmers and landowners received $20.3 billion in subsidies from the federal taxpayer.  Let that sink in.  Now ask yourself: 

• Is rural Nebraska better off after those billions of dollars were given mostly to a handful of mega operations? 

• Do we have more or fewer farms?

• Do we have more or fewer kids in our rural and small-town schools?

• Are small-town main streets thriving more or less compared to 30 or 40 years ago?

While some of the changes we've seen in rural America would have occurred regardless, the feds subsidizing the nation's very largest farms and landowners has expedited these troubling trends. 

The only thing previous farm bills have really done is help the biggest farms to get even bigger in a shorter amount of time.  Uncle Sam is giving a huge helping hand to the very operators that should be self-sufficient, making it impossible for the small farmer to get ahead.

In 2016, Saline County was the 19th most heavily subsidized of Nebraska's 93 counties. Most surrounding counties were ranked even higher.  According to an online database of federal records, here are some of the largest farm payment recipients in our area over the past 21 years (from 1995-2016), followed by the amount each farm received during that span of two decades:

• (Largest recipient in state) Kaliff Farms * York, NE -- $9,860,910
• H-r-w Farming * Friend, NE -- $6,572,990
• J D Hirschfeld and Sons * Benedict, NE -- $4,165,609
• Orville Hoffschneider and Sons * Waco, NE -- $3,401,172
• J D M Farms * Shickley, NE -- $3,247,662
• Alfs Farms Partnership * Shickley, NE -- $3,093,519
• B and B Ag * Fairmont, NE -- $2,741,238
• R and M Farms * Shickley, NE -- $2,276,234
• Pospisil Farms * Friend, NE -- $2,271,089
• Rex P Biegert Shickley, NE -- $2,084,728
• Bohaty Farms Joint Venture * Seward, NE --$2,048,396
• Rowen J Kempf and Sons * Shickley, NE -- $1,939,504
• J R Kaliff and Sons * York, NE -- $1,876,598
• S S R Land Co * Shickley, NE -- $1,682,446
• Spohn Farms Inc * Friend, NE -- $1,626,379
• Todd N Ricenbaw * Cordova, NE -- $1,506,802
• Glen T Petersen Farms Inc * Fairmont, NE -- $1,498,978
• Weber and Sons II * Dorchester, NE -- $1,471,359
• Agri Song Inc * Exeter, NE -- $1,452,204
• Drake Farms Inc * Friend, NE -- $1,444,689
• Medow Farms Inc * Seward, NE -- $1,406,596
• Kenneth L Cross * Friend, NE -- $1,375,689

That's just our look through the largest 250 recipients. For all Nebraska recipients, visit here.

Dorchester and other Nebraska communities depend on the ag economy to a large extent.  When farmers do well, our businesses tend to do well and our schools tend to do well. But that doesn't mean generously subsidizing the very largest  farms -- without stricter payment caps -- makes economic or ethical sense.  Currently, 85% of federal subsidies go to the largest 20% of producers.  

Not everyone is fortunate enough to inherit hundreds or thousands of acres of farmland, but most Americans are unlucky enough to pay tens or hundreds of thousands in federal income tax over a working lifetime.  Should middle class and working class Americans be forced to subsidize some of the wealthiest landowners in the world?

If these big subsidies to the biggest operators bother you, let your congressman and senators in Washington know how you feel.  

Contact them at:

Rep. Adrian Smith: https://adriansmith.house.gov/

Sen. Deb Fischer: https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/

Sen. Ben Sasse:  https://www.sasse.senate.gov/public/

Then feel free to pass along this editorial to friends, family and neighbors.

Unveiled: DHS' 2018 Football Schedule

The 2018 football season will bring the return of high school football to Dorchester on Friday nights, under Nerud Field's new lighting system.  And the Times has been provided with the schedule.

Here's the 2018 DHS football schedule:

Week 1: Walthill (at home)
Week 2: at St. Edward
Week 3: Hampton (at home)
Week 4: Bye
Week 5: Deshler (at home)
Week 6: at Lewiston
Week 7: Heartland Lutheran (at home)
Week 8: at McCool Junction
Week 9: at Sterling

Last fall, Dorchester school board members signed off on a plan to establish a six-man football team at DHS, after deciding there was sufficient support from parents and students.

An online survey of Times readers in late September 2017 showed nearly three-quarters of readers said they wanted DHS football to return. 

Dorchester has been without a football team of its own since 2013, as fewer enrolled boys in grades 9-12 and decreased participation rates raised questions whether a viable eight-man team could be fielded.  From 2014-2016, DHS co-oped with next-door neighbor Milford, a Class C-1 school.

DHS will enter six-man football as the version of the game is gaining popular support, with more than 40 Nebraska high schools expected to be play six-man ball next season, including more nearby schools.  

The 2017 season was the final season of the Nebraska Six-Man Coaches Association.  The six-man game is now back under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA).

The idea of six-man football at Dorchester is not new.  Seventy years ago, Dorchester resumed its football program (following an hiatus in the program following the 1930s death of a DHS player) with only 11 players participating.  

From the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s, the Longhorns played six-man ball for 10 seasons, getting better with every snap.  In fact, Dorchester's six-man teams of the 1950s were quite successful.   DHS alum Vern Johnson once told us that "the best six-man player DHS ever had was Jack Bruha, a two-year all-state player in the early 1950s."

DHS transitioned to eight-man football in 1959, when DHS went undefeated.  (Back then, Nebraska did not have a state playoff system for football.)  By 1969, Dorchester was playing 11-man football, a tradition that continued until 1991, when DHS reverted to eight-man ball and dropped to Class D. 

Tyser Takes First Place In 2nd Annual Chili Cook-Off

UPDATE: We've learned via comments on this site that Farmers Cooperative took first place in the judges' taste tests for Saturday's chili cook-off.  Here are the full results according to reader comments:  

* People's Choice: 1st - Tyser Autos/Repair; 2nd - Farmers Co-op; 3rd - Donna's Hair Creations. 

* Judges' Choice: 1st - Farmers Co-op; 2nd - Donna's  Hair Creation; 3rd - Tyser Autos/Repair.

* Cinnamon rolls: 1st - Andrea Pracheil; 2nd - Tiffany Bergmeyer; 3rd - Big T's.


Greg Tyser, owner of Tyser Repair and Tyser Auto Sales, was the "people's choice" winner of the February 17 Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department's second annual chili cook-off. 

Tyser's homemade chili was voted best among nine local businesses that competed in the event.

The event was held at Dorchester's Community Hall and American Legion Hall.  

Approximately 300 people attended, according to figures quoted to the Times.  

The above average temperatures, which surpassed 50 degrees on Saturday afternoon, helped bring the masses to downtown Dorchester.

Parking was difficult to find throughout much of the night, with well over 100 cars at any given time jammed in a two-block area, including in the middle of main street and on side roads.

The cook-off was a major fundraising event for Dorchester's volunteer firefighters and rescue personnel, providing much needed funds for new equipment and to help cover expenses.  

This year's event was the first to showcase a people's choice award, as well as a cinnamon roll contest. 

Those who attended were able to sample an amazing array of several different chili soup concoctions, as well as participate in a raffle drawing for prizes.

The winner of the first cook-off in 2017 was Brant Pracheil.

Dorchester's Chili Cook-Off Is This Saturday

This coming Saturday evening, February 17, the Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department  will hold its second annual chili cook-off at Dorchester's Community Hall and American Legion Hall. 

The serving will start at 5 p.m.  Chili and cinnamon roll winners will be announced at 8 p.m.

This is a major fundraising event for Dorchester's volunteer firefighters and rescue personnel, intended to help provided much needed funds for new equipment and to help cover expenses.  All proceeds will go to support the Dorchester Volunteer Fire and Rescue efforts.

According to volunteers, this year's event will showcase "a people's choice award" and a cinnamon roll contest. 

Those who attend will be able to sample an amazing array of several different chili soup concoctions made by Dorchester business owners. 

From all reports, this fundraiser last year was a smashing success last year, with some 350 attending.  

Businesses that took part in last year's event were:

• City Slicker's Restaurant;
• Novak Auction Service
• Big T's BBQ Pit Stop;
• Farmers Cooperative;
• Sharon Axline's Hair Salon;
• Tyser Auto Sales/Tyser Repair;
• BP Agronomics (Brant Pracheil);
• Bill Velder Taxidermy; and
• Mrs. G's Country Cooking.

The winner in 2017 was judged to be Brant Pracheil, while Sharon and Harold Axline took second place; coming in third place was Velder Taxidermy and Big T's Restaurant.

This year, egos and cooking skills will be on the line.

Besides chili and cinnamon rolls, the gathering will feature sandwiches and hot dogs, along with a silent auction.  

Dorchester Girls' Basketball Team Advances In District Play

UPDATE:  The Dorchester girls' basketball team has seen its 2017-18 campaign come to a close.  No. 3 Exeter-Milligan pulled out a 43-27 win over Dorchester last night, Feb. 15, despite a tough showing from a very young DHS squad, which trailed by only four points a half.

The Lady Longhorns' basketball team did what had to be done.

On Tuesday night, Feb. 13, the Dorchester girls beat a solid Mead High School squad by a tally of 48-38 at the D2-2 subdistrict tournament in Malcolm.  Mead was 10-9 going into Tuesday night's game.

In snagging the victory, DHS extends its season by at least one more game.

The 10-12 Lady Longhorns will now play Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the D2-2 subdistrict finals in Malcolm, taking on Class D2 powerhouse Exeter-Milligan.

Exeter-Milligan's girls squad is 20-5 on the year and ranked No. 3 in the state by the Omaha newspaper.  Only Friend, BDS and Meridian have upset the Lady Timberwolves this season.

Exeter-Milligan won its first-round subdistrict game handily over Osceola, 56-14.

While the DHS ladies have a tremendous challenge on their hands, several Longhorn fans tell the Times that there will be a large crowd wearing orange and black to root on the upset.

Go Big D!

Raffle Ticket Sales Taking Place To Raise Funds For Dorchester Splash Pad

As reported last month, inside sources say Dorchester is getting very close to having its own small water park at the city park. Groundbreaking could occur this spring, we're told.

The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund has raised $110,000 of the $150,000 in funds needed to construct the proposed splash pad.

The Foundation is planning its popular steak and hamburger feed for March 17, where more funds will be raised.

In the meantime, Dorchester school children are currently selling raffle tickets for major prizes donated to the Foundation. For a $1 donation, you can get a ticket, or you can get six tickets for a $5 donation, or 15 tickets for a $10 donation.

Some of the prizes include:

• Green Mountain Tailgate Grill (Donated by Spring Creek Repair)
• Four NU Baseball Tickets Vs. Iowa (Donated by Farmers Co-op)
• Four Tickets to NU Football Spring Game 
• Four NU Baseball Tickets Vs Creighton (Donated by First State Bank)
• Four Eagle Raceway Tickets
• Two Oil Changes (Sid Dillon)

To get your raffle tickets and help make the splash pad a reality, contact Amanda Cerny at 402-720-8640 or Darin Nerud at 402-641-1241 or any Dorchester Elementary Student.

The Dorchester Foundation is a non-profit subsidiary of the Nebraska Community Foundation, so all donations are tax deductible.

War Hero, Dorchester Native Dale Bruha Passes At Age 89

Dale Frank Bruha was born Oct. 25, 1928, in Crete to Frank Jr. and Creolla “Sidy” (Neihart) Bruha, the oldest of three children, and passed away Jan. 29, 2018, at Memorial Hospital in Seward at age 89. Dale attended Glendale Country School southwest of Dorchester, later attending Crete and Dorchester Public Schools. Dale moved with his family to a farm southwest of Dorchester where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping on Turkey Creek. Dale completed his schooling in the military, graduating from Military Police School, Criminal Investigation Command School, Airborne Infantry School and graduating as a parachutist and glider man.

Dale began his military career at an early age during World War II by joining the Army Air Force Auxiliary and later becoming a pilot. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Pacific Coast area. During the Korean War, Dale served in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 11th Airborne Division and volunteered for a newly formed 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team­—parachuting behind enemy lines in Korea with an infantry unit. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action. Dale also was awarded 16 other medals while serving his country in the U.S. Army and in the Nebraska National Guard for more than 20 years.

Upon his return to the states from Korea and Japan, he joined the Lincoln Police Department and was assigned to the detective division as an undercover officer and later assigned to the motorcycle squad. In 1956, he was appointed assistant chief of police with the Crete Police Department, assisting and installing the first two-way radio system. 

In 1957, Dale received an appointment as a Nebraska Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer. In 1959, Dale received a commission as a U.S. deputy game warden with the Federal Department of Interior, working three states and in addition, he was involved with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Canada. Dale was also the Nebraska special agent in charge of the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

After his retirement from the Wildlife Service, he was assigned to a tri-county drug task force and finally, after retiring again, he moved to the Whiskey Jack Forest in the Northwest Territory of Ontario, Canada.

Dale was united in marriage to Darlene Jo Brabec in 1953, and to this union two sons were born. After her death, Dale later was blessed with a second marriage in 1993 to Patricia Rixstine. They resided in Milford. Both Dale and Pat enjoyed summers at their Canadian home. Dale was a member of American Legion Posts of Milford and Crete, a life member of Seward and Crete VFWs, 82nd Airborne Division Association, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat

Team Association, Marine Corps League-Cornhusker Detachment, Life Member-National Rifle Association, Crete Masonic Lodge 37, AF & AM, and he attended the Milford United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Pat; sons and daughter-in-law, Robert and Dean and Joyce Bruha, all of Milford; three granddaughters, Tammy (John) Kliewer of Cameron, Missouri, Cari (Caleb) Nance of Lowell, Arkansas, and Casey Bruha of Omaha; great-grandchildren, John and Sara Kliewer and Lily and Joshua Nance; three step-children, Jeff, David and Kevin Rixstine; seven step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Ann Bruha of Dorchester; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Bob Hrdlicka of Milford; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceeded in death by his parents, Frank and Sidy Bruha; and his wife, Darlene Jo.

A funeral service was held Feb. 1, 2018, at the Milford United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lyle Schoen officiating. Interment was in the Wilber Czech Cemetery, with military honors by the U.S. Marine Corps, assisted by the Crete VFW and Milford American Legion Post. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Marine Corps League or to the Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial Fund. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.laubermoore.com.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Jeremy Pliva Earns Recognition For Artwork

Here are some of the latest headlines from our area:

• DHS' Jeremy Pliva Gets Honorable Mention In Statewide Art Contest: Even with more than 3,700 entries and only about 30 percent being awarded recognition, DHS senior Jeremy Pliva recently received honorable mention in the statewide Scholastic Art Contest for his sculpture of a buck.  Pliva will be honored at a ceremony in Omaha on Feb. 24.  His artwork will be on display in Omaha until April.  We say great woodworking and painting done by this Dorchester senior.

• DHS Freshman Scores 14 In First Varsity Start: The Friend Sentinel has a story in this week's paper that Dorchester girls basketball freshman Alli Novak got her first varsity start and scored 14 points for DHS last week in the Lady Longhorns' loss to Nebraska Lutheran.  The Dorchester girls, who beat Hampton 56-39 earlier this week, are 9-12 on the season.  They will finish the regular season with a home game against McCool Junction, tomorrow, Feb. 9.  Friday night is also parents’ night.  For the DHS girls, subdistrict play begins Monday, Feb. 12, at the D2-2 tournament at Malcolm and DHS will take on 10-8 Mead at 7:45 p.m.  The Dorchester boys will wrap up regular season play on Feb. 16 at Exeter-Milligan.

• Storm Spotter Training Will Be March 12:  This is an early notice that Jefferson, Saline and Gage County emergency management along with the Omaha National Weather Service will once again be sponsoring a storm spotter training class.  Storm spotter training will be March 12, 2018 at 7 p.m. at the Homestead National Monument, Education Center (west site), 8523 West State Highway 4, Beatrice.  Storm Spotter training is for the public who wants to learn what to look for, as well as the serious storm chaser. It is recommended that you attend a session every two years to keep up on any changes. For more information, e-mail John McKee at em@jeffconebraska.us. 

UPDATED Forecast: More Snow Headed Our Way

UPDATED: AccuWeather now says there's a 22% chance the Dorchester area could see more than 4" of snow over the next 48 hours.

Don't put those snowblowers and snowplows away.  

On top of the 3 to 4 inches of the white stuff that has dropped on Dorchester in the past few days, rounds three and four are on the way. 

The National Weather Service says more snow is in the forecast for Friday morning and again overnight Friday in to Saturday.  

Round one will start Friday morning with 1-3 inches expected. There will be a break in the afternoon, before round two hits overnight Friday into Saturday.  One to two inches of snow is expected in that system.

AccuWeather predicts Dorchester will likely see between 2" and 4" -- but more is possible.

The cold temperatures are expected to stick around without a break until at least the middle of February.

The snow has been causing problems for area drivers.  KWBE Radio reports that this morning, snow packed roads caused the driver of a pick-up to lose control of his truck on Nebraska Highway 112, three miles east of Odell. The pickup, traveling north, slid into the path of a southbound semi tractor-trailer.

Dorchester Methodist Soup & Sandwich Luncheon Is Feb. 11

Next Sunday, February 11, the Dorchester United Methodist Church's UMW group will host their annual soup and sandwich luncheon.  

This gathering always draws a crowd, so get there plenty early.  

Doors will open at 11 a.m. and food will be served up until 1 p.m.

Serving: Chicken Noodle, Chili, Clam Chowder and the UMW's famous Liver Dumpling.

Also on the menu will be sandwiches, relishes and some of Nebraska's very best deserts.

Best of all, the event will feature live entertainment with Jim Sprague.

The event is a free-will offering.  

Support a good cause and support the Dorchester UMW.

Dorchester Youth Wrestling Tourney Is This Saturday; Helpers Welcome

It's that time of year again.

The Dorchester Youth Wrestling Tournament is tomorrow (Saturday, February 3).  

This is always a huge draw for the area, bringing in youth, parents and grandparents from miles around.

If anyone would like to volunteer to assist in concessions or at scoring tables, please be at the school at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow. 

The tournament normally runs until mid-afternoon.

Show your support for Dorchester's young athletes and this annual event.