More State Park Service Centers Will Re-Open Tomorrow, July 1

It's summer. Get outdoors!

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is reopening more services closed this spring due to the coronavirus, including:

• Nearly two dozen state park service centers — including Branched Oak, Pawnee, Platte and Mahoney — will open Wednesday for information and permit sales, though gift shops and interpretive displays will remain closed. All visitors must wear masks.

• Restaurants and food service at Platte River, Fort Robinson and Lewis and Clark are reopening, though menus may be limited and self-service options such as buffets, salad bars and soda fountains remain closed. To-go options will be available at some sites. Caddy’s Parkside Bar and Grille at Mahoney reopened earlier this month.

• Year-to-date reservations will return Wednesday for cabins, lodge and meeting rooms, group lodges, cabooses, pavilions and picnic shelters. But RV and tent camping will continue to allow reservations no more than 30 days in advance.

For more information about state parks and the impacts of COVID-19, or to buy entry permits, go to OutdoorNebraska.org.

A Look At Initial Plans For Dorchester School's Re-Opening

Dorchester Public School has set plans for re-opening school in the fall. 

DPS' scheduled first day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 19, according to public notices.

The 2020-2021 calendar for Dorchester Public School can be found here.

On its Twitter feed, school officials wrote: "Please know that the safety and well-being of our students and staff is always a priority.  We will follow the directed health guidelines in place. 

"Our plans will allow us to adjust according to any health concerns so we can continue educating our students. More details to come!"

In the meantime, for those who were unable to attend the June 19 DHS graduation ceremony -- delayed due to the coronavirus -- you can check it out online. 

Congratulations, DHS Class of 2020!

Hidden Camera Creeper Gets 30 Days Jail, 10 Years Probation

A 38-year-old Wilber man has been sentenced to 30 days in county jail and 10 years of probation for hiding a camera in the women's bathroom at the Dorchester Farmers Cooperative, according to reports.

Josh Hagemann pleaded guilty to five counts of unlawful intrusion, felonies, as part of a deal with prosecutors who dropped four additional charges. 

Prosecutors alleged he recorded nine women in states of undress between Jan. 3 and Feb. 20, 2019.

The camera contained 19 videos, showing women in the bathroom in states of undress, and discovered Hagemann bought several cameras online. 

Hagemann was fired following his arrest in March 2019.

Acreage For Sale 7 Miles South Of Dorchester

Taking into consideration the ongoing housing shortage in Dorchester, the Times staff wants to keep readers aware of all known opportunities to purchase a home in the Dorchester area and school district.

And given the insanity in many U.S. cities (some experts predict a large exodus from cities nationwide), rural properties could become especially hot, especially for families and recent retirees.

We have spotted a nice acreage for sale south of Dorchester, located at 1057 County Road 1300.

This beauty has lots of land and is located near Spring Creek. 

Best of all, the house is in the safe-and-sane school district of Dorchester Public School, which offers Saline County's lowest property taxes.

The realtor says this about the property: "Fantastic rural setting with mature trees, large yard and wildlife within view from the front porch and living room window. 

"This is just a great get away location within 7 miles of Dorchester. This property includes a creek on the south line of the property. Several nice outbuildings can be used for animals or camper and boat storage."

"Sit on your covered, maintenance free deck and enjoy the cool breeze and watch wild turkeys come up from the trees. Ductless AC was installed in 2018. New metal roof and hot water heater added in 2020. Enjoy the perennial flowers, start your garden, work in the shop. Put in a zipline across the creek. 

"There is plenty of room to enjoy life in the great outdoors, especially that this price! Contact us for your private showing today."

Click here to see the listing.

Even If Scaled Down, Dorchester's Independence Day Celebration Must Go On

Independence Day 2020 will see cancelled or scaled back celebrations across America. (Sad thing is there are some within our borders who will either be indifferent or even cheer this news as they bash our nation and its founding. This update is not for them.)

Earlier this month, Dorchester's Fourth of July Committee wrote: "For the safety of the community and our volunteers, it has been decided that there will not be (an official) Fourth of July Celebration in Dorchester this year. All village-sponsored activities have been cancelled. This decision was not taken lightly, but safety is our number one priority."

Despite the cancellation of Dorchester's village-sponsored activities, the celebration must go on. COVID or no COVID, the people will still celebrate the greatest nation ever known to man, in both principle and practice. We do not need to be ushered in our festivities.

As John Adams wrote in 1776 after delegates from 12 colonies (New York took an extra day to decide) voted to break away from tyrannical England, Independence Day "ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with ... games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more."

And so it should, 244 years later.

Here are Dorchester's Independence Day events that we are aware of:

• Dorchester's Official Fireworks Stand: Firework sales will take place this year in the trailer south of the fire hall. We suggest you buy as many fireworks as you can fit in your budget. Blow off some extra to show you're proud of our nation and its constant efforts to form a more perfect union.

• Pork Ribs and Sandwich Feed (Take-Out Only): The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund will be hosting a pork ribs and sandwich feed at the Dorchester Legion Hall from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.  This take-out-only event features pulled BBQ pork sandwiches or pork ribs, cole slaw, pork and beans, and a drink. Just show up or call in advance (402-641-0564) to ensure your order will be ready.

• Independence Day Cruise on Main Street: Several readers have told us via email that a cruise is planned for Dorchester's main street, likely from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. or later, we're told. Details are not firm since this is being organized organically by Dorchester businessman Greg Tyser.

If you know of other events taking place in Dorchester to celebrate the USA and its independence -- and, as Adams said, the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration -- email us at dorchester.times@gmail.com.

Gas Tax Going Up; Deadline To Protest Property Tax Valuations Is June 30

Prepare to pay more at pump. That's because you, Mr. and Mrs. Middle America, are easy pickings. Lawmakers (from Omaha and Lincoln, especially) know you won't protest, threaten life and liberty, and destroy property. Corporations don't fight back either; they're too concerned about complying with the mobs.

Nebraska's gas tax will increase by about 4 cents per gallon beginning July 1.

The hike from 29.3 cents per gallon to 33.2 cents will be in effect until Dec. 31, according to the Nebraska Department of Revenue.

Meanwhile, property owners who believe the valuation of their property has been raised to an unjustified level can formally protest that valuation. But protests must be filed on or before June 30. The valuation protest may be filed in person or by mail with the county clerk. 

Here's the protest information for Saline County. You'll need to complete this form.

If a protest is sent through the U.S. mail using either registered or certified mail, the date of registration or certification will be considered the postmark date.

Will Dorchester's Water Park Open This Summer?

Just a few months ago, Dorchester residents -- especially the under-12 set -- were busting with excitement over news that the final features, including a "mega soaker," had been installed at the city park's new water park.

Then a global pandemic came along.

Sources tell us there are currently no plans to open the Dorchester splash pad this summer. That decision was reached earlier this month by the Dorchester Village Board, which oversees the splash pad's maintenance and operations. 

In the era of COVID-19, it seems there are liability fears. Lawsuit concerns have plagued Dorchester's governing body -- and volunteer organizations -- ever since legal action was taken by a town resident in the early 2000s following a July Fourth accident.

Now several parents are weighing in on the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund's social media, saying they want the splash pad opened immediately. (The Foundation was responsible for raising the money needed to fund the splash pad.) 

One resident wrote: "Can we have a community vote to open the splash pad??? If you are scared just stay home."

Another parent weighed in, saying: "Other towns are opening their pools. (The splash pad) is safer than a pool. I thought sun was good and killed the virus anyway."

We should mention that the Dorchester Times has been bombarded with emails asking when the water park will open. We cannot answer that since none of the six staff members of the Times currently has a role in village government.

Because the splash pad is the property of the village, it can be opened only by the village board. 

Some residents have suggested the use of liability waivers, signed by parents, to absolve the village of any liability. Others have said that parents will need to take turns patrolling the kids if the water park operates this summer. And some have recommended that small blocks of time be reserved so the pad can be used just by kids who live in the same households.

As of today, June 13, there is no announcement regarding the splash pad on the village's official website, leaving parents and their kids in the dark.

Developing...

Saline County Man Snags Nebraska Record With 89-Pound Catfish

PHOTO: NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS

Saline County's Richard Hagen's recent outing to the Missouri River resulted in him landing an 89-pound flathead catfish. The Omaha World-Herald says he also landed a new state record with the catch.

The state's previous record for a flathead was 80 pounds.

Hagen, of Swanton, caught the monster he named Brutus along the river near Brownville, according to the World-Herald's account. He was fishing overnight Saturday with his brother, Darin.  

He hooked Brutus using a bluegill for bait with a Meat Hunter rod and a Penn Fierce 3 bait-running spinning reel. He had Whisker Seeker 50-pound monofilament line.

“That’s the biggest freshwater fish I’ve ever seen up close,” conservation officer Matt Seitz said. “It was an amazing fish.” He expects it to be a long time before the record is broken again.

The 61-year-old’s phone has been blowing up since news of the state record has spread. 

The Omaha paper says Hagen had hoped to find it a home for Brutus, but the tanks at Schramm Education Center can’t accommodate a fish that size, and he couldn’t get any of the big sporting goods stores to bite. So he released Brutus back into the Missouri River.

See the full article here.

FLASHBACK: Three Years Ago, Jerrod Niemann Rocked Dorchester's Main Street

Three years ago this month -- on June 3, 2017 -- big-time country artist Jerrod Niemann conducted a concert on Dorchester's main street.

The concert was part of City Slickers Bar and Grill's "City Lights, Country Nights" street party. 

For those who don't know, Niemann is a top-ten country music singer and songwriter who hails from Liberal, Kansas, but has gone on to become a Nashville celebrity.  

Niemann's debut single, "Lover, Lover", was released in early 2010. In March 2010, the song became Niemann's first Top 40 single on the country music charts and in August hit number 1. The song is included on his first major-label album, Judge Jerrod and the Hung Jury.  The album's second single, "What Do You Want", debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in October. In May 2011, "What Do You Want" peaked at number 4. The album's third single, "One More Drinkin' Song", reached number 13 in December 2011.

Niemann released his fourth Arista single, "Shinin' on Me", on April 9, 2012. His second Arista album, Free the Music, was released on October 2, 2012. The album's second single, "Only God Could Love You More", was released to country radio on October 29, 2012.

"Drink to That All Night" was released in late 2013 as a single for his third album for Arista. The album, High Noon, was released in March 2014, and in April "Drink to That All Night" became his second number 1 single.

In March 2017, Niemann released the single "God Made A Woman," a song he called "my favorite song I’ve ever recorded." It served as the lead-off single to his fourth studio album, This Ride, which was released via Curb Records on October 6, 2017. "I Got This" was released as the album's second single, and it peaked in the top 40 of the Country Airplay chart.

He has also co-written three singles for Garth Brooks: the Chris LeDoux tribute "Good Ride Cowboy", as well as "That Girl Is a Cowboy" and "Midnight Sun". Jamey Johnson, Neal McCoy, Julie Roberts, Flynnville Train, and Zona Jones have also recorded Niemann's songs.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Cerny Resigns From Village Board, New Homes Going Up, Graduation Date Set

Cerny Resigns From Village Board: Thomas Cerny, chairman of the Dorchester Village Board of Trustees, has stepped down from his position due to health concerns. Cerny, a longtime and active volunteer in the community and in organizations such as the Dorchester American Legion, was elected to the village board most recently in 2018. Last year, he announced he was battling a resurgence of cancer. No word yet on who will replace Cerny since board minutes are not posted to the village government's website. Here's a heartfelt salute to Tom Cerny for his dedication and service to his community.

DHS Graduation Ceremony Set For June 19: Dorchester Public School recently announced that graduation for DHS' Class of 2020 will take place Friday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m. Social distancing and other safety protocols will be in place, and the gym will be allowed to fill to only 25% capacity. For those who cannot or should not attend in person, the ceremonies will be broadcast live on the school's online streaming service.

DPS Principal Moving On: Speaking of school news, it was brought to the Times' attention that Ade Allen, Dorchester Public School principal, is departing the school after eight years at DPS for new career opportunities. In a social media post, Allen wrote: "These years have been full of friendships, hard work, support, laughs, challenges and love. We have so many amazing memories to take with us that we will forever cherish. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you have done for our family. We will miss you all!"

More New Homes Going Up In Dorchester: For those who haven't yet seen the construction on Dorchester's north side, another new home is under construction. This home, which will lie north of 12th Street, will be the first home in Dorchester's newly annexed division. This won't be the only home built in 2020, according to several sources. A new home is also going up on Dorchester's east side, as well as south of the highway on Whitmar Ave. Ironically, these are the same building sites the Times notified the public about just a couple of years ago. Last year, Dorchester saw the construction of two new homes -- the first new construction in several years. We predict small town living will only grow more trendy in coming months and years ahead.