DHS Sports Wrap-Up: Dorchester Football Team Goes To 3-2

DHS Football Team Takes Record To 3-2: After a tough game against Deshler last Friday -- with Dorchester giving up over 300 yards passing -- things looked just as tough yesterday afternoon (Friday) in Lewiston, as the Longhorns trailed at halftime 13-0. In the second half, however, Dorchester's defense made a stand and allowed no points, and a heroic defensive play late in the game by DHS' Ridge Hoffman allowed the 'Horns to improve to 3-2 on the season. Next week, Dorchester takes on Heartland Lutheran at 7 p.m. at Nerud Field in the last home game of the 2018 campaign. (For those who missed Dorchester's Cole Johnson in action last week, click here to see the senior's touchdown run against Deshler.)

Dorchester Volleyball Hits Some Speed Bumps: Moving into the final one-third of the season, the Dorchester volleyball team had a tough week after building momentum throughout most of September.  The Lady Longhorns fell at home -- twice -- at the Dorchester Triangular on Thursday.  DHS lost to Diller-Odell in two straight matches, 25-17, 25-12, as well as to Meridian, 25-13, 25-13.  Earlier in the week, Sterling defeated Dorchester, 24-26, 25-17, 25-17, 16-25, 15-12.  Now the DHS volleyball team stands at 9-8 on the year, must find the stamina to finish strong with just six regular season games remaining, along with the conference tournament -- but the road gets much tougher.  Next Tuesday, Oct. 2, DHS will be at home to battle Parkview Christian (2-10).  On Thursday, Oct. 4, Dorchester will tangle with powerhouses Cross County (11-6 in Class C2) and Exeter-Milligan (11-5).  The following week, on Oct. 9, Dorchester will face McCool Junction (10-6) and BDS (12-3). 

Volleyball 'Pink Out' Will Be Tuesday: When the Dorchester volleyball team takes on Parkview Christian this Tuesday at the DHS gym, fans are asked to wear some pink to raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

New Housing Being Built Right Now In Dorchester

Progress on the new house being built in northwest Dorchester on 12th Street.

New housing is going up in Dorchester right now.  

As the Dorchester Times has reported previously, action is being taken by village leaders to grow Dorchester's housing supply.  Dorchester officials recently annexed a large piece of farm ground immediately north of town for purposes of housing development.

A basement has been dug for the new home on 9th Street.

However, we want to keep our readers updated on more immediate developments regarding housing in town.

Two new homes are going up this fall.  One is on 12th Street, just east of the westside spur that connects Highways 33 and 6.  The other new housing property will be on 9th Street, located between the school and main street.

While two new homes may not seem like a big deal to readers in large cities, this development can be considered a "housing boom" in a village of 600.

This is especially noteworthy given that a new home has not been constructed in Dorchester for a dozen years.  

(We should note that despite the lack of new housing activity in Dorchester since 2006, there have been several major home renovations in recent years -- including renovations on large, older homes on 7th St., 10th St., 11th St. and Washington Ave., also known as Main Street.)

A few years ago, the Times asked area readers if they supported new housing in Dorchester, an overwhelming 83% of respondents said "yes," with only 17% saying "no." (We always have to giggle at the few naysayers.  They're always present, in every community.  We suspect some who answered our survey actually live outside of Dorchester, trying to dampen spirits here.)

Other data collected have showed that as many of 80% of younger Dorchester alumni (under the age of 35) would consider moving back to Dorchester if there was adequate and quality housing readily available.

Hoffman Takes Plea Deal, Says News Wire

As we wrote earlier this year, when this story broke, this one of those rare instances when the staff members of the Dorchester Times are conflicted about publishing a news story.  Because of the high-profile nature of this story, which involves a 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.  A video of the newscast is at the 10/11 site.

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LINCOLN, Neb. – A former Crete High School teacher facing sexual assault charges has entered a plea deal, court records show.

According to court records, Tad Eickman, the County Attorney for Saline County, filed a motion to dismiss the felony charges against Matthew T. Hoffman, 41, who was facing two charges of second-degree sexual assault of a protected individual and one charge of first-degree sexual assault.

In exchange, Hoffman plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of third-degree sexual assault, court records show.

Hoffman, of Dorchester, was arrested by the Saline County Sheriff's Office on Jan. 17.

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

Hoffman is due in court for sentencing on Nov. 20, 2018.  Each charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison and/or a $1,000 fine. 

Renew Dorchester Releases Early Survey Findings

Recently, the Dorchester Times reported on a new group in town called Renew Dorchester.   

Last week, we received a new announcement from the group.  It is published below in its entirety:

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Renew Dorchester – a new non-profit – has released early findings from a survey being conducted of its new members.  As a member-driven 501(c)(3) organization, Renew Dorchester’s mission is to enhance the community’s quality of life, while expanding Dorchester’s opportunities.  

Nearly 40 individuals have already joined Renew Dorchester during its first 30 days.  To help the organization identify both long-term and immediate projects, the group is surveying members to shed more light on their key concerns and priorities.  

The following is a summary of early survey responses:

When asked about Dorchester’s current strengths, common responses included:

- There are several young families in and around town who are enthusiastic about Dorchester’s future and are getting involved.

- Dorchester has a growing school enrollment.

- Current businesses are successful, and several organizations (church, volunteer groups, county museum) are currently working hard to improve the community.

- Dorchester is a “friendly community” that is close to larger cities and employers.

When asked about the town’s opportunities, responses included:

- Location affords Dorchester the opportunity to grow its population and business base.

- Dorchester’s strong school allows for even more enrollment growth and more future residents.

- Dorchester’s tightly knit community affords the opportunity for more town events (such as street dances and festivals).

- Dorchester’s lower cost of living and new housing development efforts will attract new residents.

When asked about Dorchester’s weaknesses, responses included:

- More residents need to get involved in organizations and volunteer efforts.

- The appearance and conditions of some homes and commercial properties, including a few on main street, can leave negative impressions.

- Lack of available housing.

- Too few paved streets.

- The attitude of “it has always been this way.”

Renew Dorchester members were then asked for project ideas (or priorities) in five key areas.  The following were common responses in each category:

- “Community Improvement” – Pave more of Dorchester’s streets; develop a plan to pave one street per year; recruit new housing; clean up abandoned properties; offer more kid/family activities.

- “Business Cultivation” – Construct a “spec” commercial building to recruit outside businesses or start-up businesses; find new ways to boost support of existing businesses; encourage construction of new homes; recruit a grocery or convenience store to town; remove/renovate old commercial buildings.

- “Community Involvement” – Offer more community BBQs, street dances and other activities to bring residents together; provide residents an opportunity to help improve main street; provide more activities for younger couples and families; recruit DHS graduates back to Dorchester.

- “Main Street Improvement” – Construct a new community center; create incentives to recruit new businesses and fill vacant buildings; create incentives to improve appearance of Main Street; promote new programs to grow patronage of existing businesses.

-  “Housing” – Find ways to bring new apartment complex/duplexes/multi-family housing to town; remove neglected properties to make room for new homes; enforce housing/property codes more strictly. 

Renew Dorchester’s board is comprised of: Deanna Bird, Brett Boller, Shelly Bruha, Tiernan Creamer, Julie Holly, Jamie Karl, Chris Kirkpatrick, Marvin Kohout, Kyle Lehr, Amanda Nohavec, Cory Schlueter, Daryl Schrunk, and Diane Velder.  Membership to Renew Dorchester is open to all; applications are available in the Dorchester Post Office lobby or by e-mailing RenewDorchester@gmail.com.  

Donations to the organization, including membership dues, are fully tax deductible.  Any and all donations can be sent to RENEW DORCHESTER, P.O. Box 64, Dorchester, NE 68343.

SPORTS ROUND-UP: DHS Volleyball Making People Take Notice

Photo by York News-Times

* Longhorn Volleyball Surging at Mid-Season: The Dorchester High School volleyball team, despite suffering a heartbreaker at High Plains, is surging.  This as the season hits its midway point.  The Lady Longhorns have boosted their season record to 6-5, winning five of their last six games and 12 of their last 16 matches.  Even when falling short as they did in Polk on Thursday, the York newspaper wrote that "Dorchester’s Abigail Plouzek, a 6-foot-3 junior, put on a show." The volleyball squad will tested in the coming days with a Tuesday contest at Sterling (6-5), and Thursday games at home against a strong Diller-Odell team (7-4) and a stout Meridian squad (6-6).  Be sure to show your support for the Orange and Black!

* Football Team Falls To Deshler on Homecoming: The Dorchester football team lost a heartbreaker to Deshler on Friday night, which was the first football homecoming at Nerud Field in six years.  Despite a good defensive showing in much of the first half, Deshler pulled away in the second.  However, the game saw a late Longhorn surge thanks to Dorchester's quarterback Tim Newlin's 146 passing yards and two scores, along with big time plays by Longhorns Jonathan Vielma, Cole Johnson, Collyn Brummett and Carson Zahourek.  DHS, now 2-2 on the season, will travel to Lewiston for their next game at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28.

Our View: Ways To Pay For Street Paving

Dorchester has a lot going on right now.  But there's still a large number of Dorchester residents who want village leaders to consider a plan to pave Dorchester's streets -- even if it's only a limited paving strategy, including finishing 11th Street.

Critics to street paving have often asked: How do you propose we pay for such an undertaking?

Well, the Times staff are firm believers that with newly paved streets (in certain areas -- not every street) will come new home construction, more home improvements and increased property values -- meaning more city revenue. (Other benefits would be better air quality, less money spent on gravel and labor, a renewal of community pride, and a better quality of life in general.)

The Times decided to explore the methods of revenue collection used by other communities currently paying for new paving projects. We found a variety of approaches.  They include:

• IMPACT FEES ON BLIGHTED PROPERTIES: The City of Lincoln, for example, relies heavily upon "impact fees" that are applied to new homes built in the city's outer limits. One member of the Times staff adamantly suggested stiff "impact fees" on condemned or vacant properties (commercial and residential) and properties whose owners won't obey the village's clean-up orders.  Not a bad idea.

• FEES ON NEW SEWER/WATER HOOK-UPS: Smaller communities with populations more similar to Dorchester also impose impact fees. Ceresco has a water and sewer development fee of $2,250 per lot. Malcolm has a tap fee for sewer and water of $250 per lot, plus a sewer and water fee of $2,250 per lot. These fees are used, at least in part, for road improvements.

• EARMARK A PERCENTAGE OF CURRENT REVENUES: The Village Board could set aside 5, 10 or 15% of current utility revenues or keno profits, earmarked specifically for paving streets. 

• BONDING:  Since Dorchester doesn't have a boom in new home building -- not yet, anyway -- the village would likely need to utilize a bonding program.  Many communities that take on new paving projects have residents vote on a bond issue, typically paid for by an increase in property tax, which is never too popular but might be acceptable for paving.

• LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX:  Dorchester could impose up to a two-cent sales tax on goods sold in the confines of the village, with the revenue being dedicated to paving. Such a tax would need to get voter approval first under the state's LB840 program.  This seems like a sensible route.

• GET CREATIVE:  There are some more creative and affordable ways of accomplishing the paving mission. Some communities hold special fundraising drives to offset the overall cost. One community even found "sponsors" who donated substantial sums and renamed streets after the largest donors.  In Washington state, one small community recently paved all of its streets thanks to a donated labor and machinery from a heavy equipment operation school.

To make paving -- even partial paving a reality -- residents of Dorchester are going to have to start taking their case to village board officials.  It's obvious nothing will get done until that happens.  (For the next town board meeting date, click here.)

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Homecoming Parade, Pep Rally Tonight

Homecoming Parade, Pep Rally Tonight at 6:30: It's homecoming week in Dorchester.  And the festivities begin tonight (Wednesday).  The Dorchester homecoming parade, community hamburger feed and pep rally start tonight at 6:30 p.m. Go Big D!

Longhorn Volleyball Now 5-4: The Dorchester High School volleyball team continues its strong momentum coming off last week's road victories over Nebraska Lutheran and Friend.  The Lady Longhorns boosted their season record to 5-4 with a 3-0 set win over Class D2 Osceola at home last night.  The volleyball squad will hit the road again tomorrow (Thursday) to take on Class C2 Shelby/Rising City, as well as Class D1 High Plains Community (formerly Polk-Hordville) at High Plains, beginning at 5:30 p.m.  This Saturday, Sept. 22, DHS will travel to Nebraska Lutheran Tourney for a four-team round robin in Waco. Be sure to show your support!

Friday Night Lights Specials on Main Street: Happy Homecoming Longhorns! We've learned that City Slickers Bar and Grill (formerly Joe's Place) will be hosting a "Friday Night Lights" special after every Dorchester Longhorn home football game with $7 half-pound burgers and fries and $2 root beer floats from 9-11 p.m. 

Burgess Advertising Items Wanted: The Times recently received an e-mail from Jody Cameron, whose grandfather, William F. Burgess, lived in Dorchester for many years with his wife, Katherine. Bill drove a truck for Standard Oil and had various advertising items with his name on it.  Jody and her family are looking for any of those items, such as rulers, yardsticks and pens.  If you have any such items will Bill Burgess' advertising, Jody is interested in buying them.  E-mail her at camskid@aol.com.

DHS Sports Wrap-Up: Volleyball Team Beats Lutheran, Friend

* Longhorn Volleyball Team Now 4-4 On Season: The Dorchester High School volleyball team has strong momentum coming off last week's road victories over Nebraska Lutheran and Friend.  With the wins, the Lady Longhorns raise their season record to 4-4 as they prepare for Tuesday's contest against Class D2 Osceola at home (6 p.m. JV and 7 p.m. varsity).  The volleyball squad will hit the road again Thursday to take on Class C2 Shelby/Rising City, as well as Class D1 High Plains Community (formerly Polk-Hordville) at High Plains, beginning at 5:30 p.m.  Then on Saturday, Sept. 22, DHS will travel to Nebraska Lutheran Tourney for a four-team round robin in Waco.  This will be a crucial week for the Orange and Black Attack.  Be sure to show your support!

* Homecoming Is Friday Versus Deshler: This Friday night is homecoming as the DHS football team, 2-1 on the season after a bye week, will host the Deshler Dragons at Nerud Field.  Kickoff is 7 p.m.  Deshler brings an experienced football team, as the Dragons switched to the six-man version several seasons ago.  As proof, Deshler beat a previously undefeated Eustis-Farnam team last Friday by a tally of 68-26.  The Longhorns will certainly be well prepared with the extra week, as alumni return to DHS to cheer on the mighty DHS. 

* Jr. High Sports In Full Force:  The Dorchester Jr. High football team is in action Monday (today) at 4:30 p.m. at Centennial.  The jr. high boys have home games scheduled for Sept. 24 (vs. Fairbury at 4:30 p.m.), Oct. 1 (vs. David City at 4:30 p.m.) and Oct. 9 (vs. Lincoln Christian at 5 p.m.).  Meanwhile, the jr. high volleyball team will continue their play this week at McCool Junction on Tuesday (1 p.m.) and at home on Thursday against Friend (2 p.m.). The volleyball squad will then travel to Friend this Saturday for the Friend Tourney.  Go Big D!

Curtis, Neb. Honored For It's Town Planning, Development

The Dorchester Times has received a news released that the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced the City of Curtis, Neb. (pop. 896) as the State of Nebraska’s newest Leadership Certified Community (LCC). 

We are sharing this news because Dorchester is similarly sized and Dorchester officials (both elected and public employees) may want to investigate Curtis' pathway to success as a best practices model.

According to the news release, Curtis is the 23rd Nebraska community to qualify for the state's LCC program, created in 2011 to help Nebraska communities adapt to ongoing changes and opportunities in economic development. Qualifying communities must demonstrate an understanding for and preparedness in strategic and community planning, as well as display readiness in technological development to help new and existing businesses grow. Certified communities earn designation in the program for five years, and are required to update and maintain information and websites. 

Curtis was praised for "local leaders’ utilization of the community’s LB840 program assists both new and expanding businesses, and aids in preparations for local businesses’ transitions in ownership. Curtis’ LB840 sales tax provides grants, loans or land to individuals or entrepreneurs working to establish or expand a business. LB840 loans are currently in use in six Curtis businesses."

For Dorchester to establish an LB840 program, it would have to establish a sales tax.  Nebraska communities can impose up to a 2% sales tax, if approved by voters.

Curtis is developing a community industrial site, initiated by Curtis’ 10-year Comprehensive Plan.  Construction on a local seed business in the park, located near Curtis Municipal Airport, is nearly complete.   

The City of Curtis' administrator and clerk said: “Becoming a Leadership Certified Community has helped us prepare for and understand what businesses need in order to grow. We are now in a better place for economic development, and the City of Curtis thanks DED for help and guidance in achieving this recognition.”  

Curtis' innovative housing program provides incentives for Nebraskans to grow their families in Curtis. The City has gifted five housing lots on land adjacent to the community golf course. A 2013 housing study, made possible through a Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) Housing Study Program, indicated a rise in the community’s population over the past two decades. The study encouraged local leaders to continue efforts to accommodate growth by developing additional housing units. 

For information about the Leadership Certified Community Program, contact kelly.gewecke@nebraska.gov or 308-627-3151; or, visit
http://neded.org/community/community-info/community-improvement/leadershipcommunity.

Beer Yoga? It's A New Sensation In Dorchester

Beer yoga? Yes, it really exists -- and it has a loyal following in and around Dorchester.

And the next beer yoga session is tonight (Monday) at City Slicker's starting at 7 p.m.  A $5 fee will be donated to the Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department.

Led by Julie Holly, the owner and operator of The Well in Dorchester, beer yoga is exactly what its name implies: a yoga session in which participants have a beer close by or in hand throughout.

Sessions are conducted once a month -- most months -- at City Slickers in downtown Dorchester, in the newly renovated area of the restaurant and under a ballroom light.

Yoga, of course, is a group of physical, mental and spiritual practices or disciplines, all of which originated in ancient India.  

Despite yoga's popularity, it sounds a little intimidating to most of us, so why not add a beer and lighten the mood?

Not only are these yoga sessions good for the body, but good for the soul as Holly has donated the session fees to worthy causes.

From September 2017 through the May session, nearly $800 was raised for organizations such as the DVFD, Billy Graham Crisis Response Team, Omaha Children's Hopital, Operation Everyone Under the Tree, The Bay, Water for Haiti, York Adopt A Pet, and Saint Jude's Children's Hospital. 

The Well's Facebook page contains further information.  

In the meantime, if you need to get your stretch on throughout the summer, The Well offers three yoga classes every week.  Contact Julie Holly at 402.418.1838 for days and times of her yoga classes.

DHS Sports Wrap-Up: DHS Football Gets Second Consecutive Win

In a big win at Nerud Field Friday night, the Dorchester Longhorns' football team earned its second consecutive victory of the young season.  

With it's 43-6 win over Hampton, the DHS team, now 2-1, is showing that it's getting the hang of the six-man game.  

The Longhorns were slow out of the chute, as the Longhorns and Hawks were locked in a 6-6 tie after the first quarter.  But the Orange and Black Attack would proceed to rack up five unanswered touchdowns in the next three quarters to put a big exclamation point on this week's win.

Dorchester was led by its quick-footed quarterback Tim Newlin, who had a 100% completion percentage, as well as senior running back Cole Johnson, who had 15 carries for a whopping 162 yards and 1 TD.  Speedy TJ Belcher hauled in 30-yard TD catch for the Longhorns, followed up by a lightning-fast Carson Zahourek who took in a 17-yard TD pass.

Leading DHS' stout defense was Cole Johnson with 7 tackles, followed by rising defensive star Collyn Brummett with 5.5 tackles.  Helping stop Hampton in its tracks were Tim Newlin (4 tackles), Kohl Tyser (3.5 tackles), Neal Ladely (2.5 tackles) and Ridge Hoffman (2.5 tackles).

DHS gets a bye this coming Friday, Sept. 14, and will be at home again on Sept. 21 for Dorchester's homecoming game against the Deshler Dragons.

Meanwhile, the Lady Longhorns went 1-1 this week on the volleyball court. DHS took care of business against College View Academy, but fell to the 6-0 Giltner Hornets.  

The Lady Longhorns will face two tough road contests this week against two longtime rivals -- Nebraska Lutheran on Sept. 11 and Friend on Sept. 13.

This Sunday Is Dorchester Legion Consignment Auction

A flyer posted at the several locations around town announces that the Dorchester American Legion's annual consignment auction will be this Sunday, Sept. 9, at 1:30 P.M. on Dorchester's main street.

The auction has traditionally taken place just outside the Legion club.

For those who haven't been to this event, it's a pretty big deal.

This year's auction will not only feature a selection of shotguns, rifles and pistols, but also unique items such as old coins, comic books, tricycles and kids' toys, Ford collectibles, a compound bow, and even a fishing boat.

The auction is a fundraiser for the Dorchester Legion.  So not only will you get a chance to bring home neat items, but you will also be helping a great cause to support our veterans.

If you have a gun, camper, boat, jet ski, ATV, general hunting/fishing equipment or any other items you want to sell, get it to the Dorchester Legion soon.  

Because this is a fundraising event, the Dorchester Legion will keep a very small percentage of the final sale price, we are told.  

But the sellers will get the large bulk of the proceeds.  

Auction services are being donated by Novak Auction for the Legion free of charge.

This is your chance to free up some space and get some serious cash, too.  

Buyers will be able to get good deals based on previous auction results.

FLASHBACK: Readers Want New Housing In Dorchester (And Now We Know It's Coming)

In May 2014, the Dorchester Times asked readers who lived in Dorchester if they wanted to see new housing built in our community.  More than 60 readers/residents responded to the survey.    

When we asked if they supported new housing in Dorchester, an overwhelming 83% of respondents said "yes."  Around 17% said "no."

Those who said that they wanted new housing in Dorchester were then asked which area of town would they like to see new homes built.  Readers were evenly divided, with 40% saying build north of town and 40% saying south of town.  The rest wanted housing elsewhere.

We bring up this four-year-old survey because now the Times can confirm that action is being taken by village leaders to grow Dorchester -- in geographic size, anyway.  Dorchester officials have annexed a large piece of farm ground immediately north of town for purposes of housing development.

The land being annexed is owned by William J. Plouzek.  The area's boundaries are 12th Street to the south; the Hwy 6 spur (or County Road 1400) to the west; County Road D to the north; and County Road 1450 to the east.

From what we know, following the annexation, the Dorchester Village Board will use an economic development tool known as "tax increment financing" (TIF) to provide an incentive to build new homes.  Authorized by Nebraska voters in 1978, TIF diverts taxes generated by the increase in a redeveloped property's taxable value to reimburse the cost of new infrastructure over as much as 15 years. Of course, there would have to be sufficient interest and a commitment to build new homes. 

According to sources, at least two new homes are going up in Dorchester this fall (on 9th Street and 12th Street).  At least two additional homes are being planned to be constructed in the northeast section of town. (Also, don't forget that these lots in are available for housing.)

Which brings us to another survey (conducted by the Times in March 2014) of 20 DHS alumni ages 18-30 showed that 80% of these young people -- many of whom have already married and/or have children -- would currently consider moving back to Dorchester.  However, nearly all of those alumni said there would need to be adequate housing.  Others told us they would not move back unless there were more streets with paving.  We've heard the same sentiments from Baby Boomers in or near retirement.

Random Thoughts With The Village Dweller

This feature is called "Random Thoughts."

What you are about to read are the collective random thoughts and observations of the Dorchester Times staff, posted by our own Village Dweller.  Some of the musings will be provoking or enlightening; others will have less intellectual depth than the kiddie pool.

In any case, if you read something you agree with, let us know in the comments box. Disagree? Do the same. Have a random thought you want published, send it to dorchester.times@gmail.com.

Enjoy.

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* Select youth baseball team coming to Dorchester? We're hearing that is a possibility, but we're not sure who the driver(s) is behind the proposal.  The matter is supposed to be discussed at Wednesday night's (Sept. 5) village board meeting at the Fire Hall.

* Coming soon to Dorchester -- Wagner Avenue.  Last month, the Dorchester Village Board passed an ordinance designating a new street in town.  It's called Wagner Avenue and it will connect 11th and 12th streets in the "Wagner's Replat" of Block 14.  Don't ask us to explain exactly where this is.  In fact, good luck finding Block 14 on the county assessor's map or with finding any official town plat map online.  We're just repeating what we read in the village's official minutes, which are also not online -- even in the year 2018.

* Precipitation tops 5 inches in Dorchester.  As of late Tuesday evening, Dorchester had received (UPDATED: more than 6.50" in the past since last Thursday) according to the Times' official rain gauge.  And more is on the way.  See the Dorchester area forecast here.  Who do we contact to say "enough!"?

* See that picture above? Is Dorchester ready for Village Dweller apartments? We can already see the long line of applicants now. Maybe that will be an option in Dorchester's new addition and housing development.  One can only hope.

* For your life's sake ... get your butt off the couch and do something. A new study finds Nebraska has the 13th highest adult obesity rate in the nation at 32%. That's up from 20.1% in 2000 and from 11.3% in 1990.  And 30% of Nebraska kids ages 10-17 are overweight or obese.  The cases of arthritis, heart disease and obesity-related cancer are expected to skyrocket in the near future. Sadly, Nebraska doesn't require high school students to participate in physical education.  One look at the waistlines in the Nebraska Legislature tells us this should be addressed at the local level of our education system.