NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Girls State Bound!

DHS Girls Basketball Heading to State: It has been 21 years since a Dorchester girls basketball team last made it to the state tournament. (That was the 12-8 DHS team of 2003-2004.) Now it's happening again as the Lady Longhorns defeated Dundy County Stratton 46-44 at Holdrege on Friday night. DHS is now 23-2 on the season, the winningest team in school history, regardless of gender. Here's the schedule for the state tournament in Lincoln, which begins Thursday, March 5. More information is available via the NSAA website. UPDATE: DHS is seeded No. 4 in the eight-team Class D2 state tourney bracket. The Lady Longhorns will play No. 5-seeded Silver Lake (21-4) at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, March 6 at the Pinnacle Bank Arena. See this bracket.

Alumni Basketball Deadline Is March 5: The DHS Alumni Basketball Tourney is set for March 21-22. If you're planning to have a team or have any questions, contact Brent Zoubek by Wednesday, March 5 at (402) 418-1019 or bzoubek@dorchesterschool.org.

Get Those Keystone XL Pipes Ready: President Donald Trump said this week he wants to revive the Keystone XL oil pipeline, even though its developer has already walked away from the project. “The company building the Keystone XL Pipeline that was viciously jettisoned by the incompetent Biden Administration should come back to America, and get it built – NOW!” Trump said in a post on his social media network. Trump said his administration is “very different” from the last one and promised “Easy approvals, almost immediate start!” This story shows a photo of the pipes in storage just east of Dorchester.

DHS Girls Make History; District Game This Friday

UPDATE: The DHS girls basketball team will play at 7 p.m. this Friday, Feb. 28 in the D2-4 District final in Holdrege. No. 4 DHS will take on Dundy County Stratton (16-6).

The 2024-25 Dorchester girls basketball team just made history in a big way.

By capturing the Class D2-2 Subdistrict title on their home court last night, Feb. 20, this season's Orange and Black Attack became the winningest basketball team -- either girls or boys -- in school history. 

The previous school record was 21 wins recorded by the DHS boys basketball team in 1934, according to a DPS social media post.

As a recap, during this week's subdistrict tournament, which was held in bone-chilling temperatures that reached well below zero, the Lady Longhorns defeated Parkview Christian (1-21) by a score of 60-21 as well as Omaha Christian Academy (3-19) 61-23.

Under the tutelage of head coach Brandon Bruha and assistant Brent Zoubek, the DHS girls now stand at 22-2 as they head into district play next week.

Fewer than 20 girls teams in Nebraska, regardless of class size, have 20 wins this season.

MaxPrep continues to have Dorchester ranked No. 5 in Class D2, while the Nebraska School Activities Association pegs DHS at No. 4 based on point totals tied to the quality of victories.

The Dorchester girls have compiled winning percentage of 91.667% this season, beating opponents 231-324 and scoring an average 45 points per game.

Developing...

Chance To Buy Properties Behind In Property Taxes; Feb. 27 Deadline

It's that time of year when state and county governments are publishing the names of those who haven't paid their property taxes, including seven in the Dorchester precinct alone. See this list.

Across Saline County's 16 precincts, there are hundreds of thousands of dollars due in late property tax payments.

Failure to pay property taxes subjects owners to a penalty of 14% interest per year. Delinquent taxpayers also risk losing their properties when the county conducts a public sale for tax liens. Eventually the county attorney will be ordered to foreclose on all properties with delinquent taxes. Then the property will be sold at auction.

In early February, the Saline County treasurer will publish a list of lands and lots in Saline County that are far behind on their taxes, delinquent for tax year 2023 and prior years. On the Monday, March 3, these properties will be offered at public sale on the first floor of the Saline County Courthouse starting at 9:30 a.m. and continuing daily until all taxes on these lands and lots have been offered for sale. 

Watch this county web page for more details.

To locate delinquent properties based on lot numbers, use this tool.

Keep in mind that delinquent taxpayers will still have the chance to reclaim their property. Under Nebraska law, property owners can "redeem" their property even after the county tax sale. If the current owner doesn’t redeem the property, however, the winning bidder at a tax sale can eventually get ownership.

 

Home For Sale: 1009 Franklin Avenue

Dorchester's real estate market remains fairly strong, even as the rest of the nation is starting to slump. And despite the fact that easy, cheap money -- following years of federal money printing and massive government spending -- are coming to a close.

Homes in large cities and rural properties have become unaffordable for the average buyer. So Dorchester looks even more appealing now to most folks. Consider what Dorchester has to offer:

• 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 AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY: With an upgraded water and sewer system, and a surplus of funding at Village Hall.

• 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 Dorchester home that just hit the market:

1009 Franklin Ave: This two bedroom, one bath home would make a great rental. First floor laundry, possible third bedroom, and detached garage. See the listing.

Report: Nitrates Causing Problems for Nebraska's Drinking Water

 

 

Some 40% of private wells in Nebraska -- tested over the past two years -- contained nitrate that exceeded 3 parts per million, which medical experts consider safe for children. That's according to a new state report. 

About 15% of those private wells exceeded the federal drinking water standard.

Nebraska Public Media reports nitrate levels are also rising in roughly a third of the 444 public water systems analyzed, according to the study, which was ordered by the Legislature at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen. 

Nitrates in water are linked to a variety of diseases, pregnancy complications, birth defects and various cancers. 

According to Nebraska Public Media, nitrate in Nebraska largely stems from agricultural practices. 

"It forms when soil bacteria break down nitrogen, often from commercial fertilizers and animal waste. When fertilizer is sprayed on cornfields and not used up by the crop, the excess nitrate can leach into the soil and eventually the water supply, especially when applied excessively. The over-application of manure on fields can do the same."

Nebraska has the highest pediatric cancer rate west of Pennsylvania.

If you have a private domestic well on your farm or acreage, and want to test your well for nitrate and/or bacteria, request a kit from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ Public Health Environmental Lab. Nitrate sample kits cost $16, and coliform bacteria sample kits cost up to $17.

DHS Girls Reach 20 Wins This Season

The Dorchester High School girls basketball team has recorded 20 victories this season, among the most difficult feats to achieve in high school basketball. This year's squad is now officially the winningest team in program history. 

Fewer than 20 girls teams in Nebraska, regardless of class size, have 20 wins this season.

MaxPrep continues to have Dorchester ranked No. 5 in Class D2. 

According to the Nebraska School Activities Association, DHS is No. 4 based on point totals tied to the quality of victories.

Over the past week, the DHS girls handed losses to Hampton, beating the Hawks 53-39, and McCool Junction, defeating the Mustangs 46-27.

On Tuesday evening at 6 p.m., Feb. 18, DHS will host Lincoln's Parkview Christian (1-19) at the Dorchester gym for the the Subdistrict D2-2 Tournament. 

If the DHS girls beat Parkview, they will move to the championship game of the subdistrict. That contest will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. -- and DHS will face either Mead (2-19) or Omaha Christian Academy (2-18). 

If DHS captures the subdistrict title, it is onto Class D2 district play -- and perhaps further.

Developing...

HOME FOR SALE: 1012 Lincoln Avenue

Dorchester's real estate market remains strong. This despite the fact that easy, cheap money -- following years of federal money printing and massive government spending -- are coming to a close.

Homes in large cities and rural properties have become unaffordable for the average buyer. So Dorchester looks even more appealing now to most folks. Consider what Dorchester has to offer:

• 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 AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY: With an upgraded water and sewer system, and a surplus of funding at Village Hall.

• 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 Dorchester home that just hit the market:

1012 Lincoln Ave: Check out this nice three-bedroom, two-bath areas home in Dorchester. First floor features living and dining room, spacious kitchen, full bath and primary bedroom.Two nice-sized bedrooms on the second floor. Great 0.26- acre lot with a detached three-stall garage in a corner lot. Enjoy the quiet small-town living in a welcoming community. Call for an appointment now. See the listing.

Dorchester UMW Soup Luncheon, Februrary 9

The Dorchester United Methodist Women are planning an event that is sure to tantalize the taste buds.

On Sunday, Feb. 9, starting at 11 a.m. at the Dorchester Methodist Church, the UMW will host their annual soup and sandwich luncheon.  

Get there on time and catch up with old friends.

Whether you fancy chili, clam chowder, chicken noodle -- or the Dorchester UMW's famous liver dumpling soup -- you'll be sure to savor every spoonful.  

The soup is served with meat, cheese, and relishes, as well as some of Nebraska's very best deserts, including homemade cinnamon rolls.

There is no charge for the event, just a free-will offering -- so be generous. 

Support a good cause. Support the Dorchester UMW.

Saline Center's 2025 Consignment Sale, March 16

Around here, a lot of folks are already gearing up for spring. 

And the arrival of spring -- just six weeks away -- brings one of the biggest events in Saline County: the consignment sale at Saline Center.

According to this Facebook post, Saline Center will host the annual auction on Sunday, March 16, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Six rings of selling with take place at once. More details available here.

Those interested in selling items should call 402-641-1357 or 402-641-4137 or salinecenter@gmail.com.

This year will mark the 41st year for this event.

For those unfamiliar, Saline Center is three miles west and nine miles south of Dorchester on Highway 15. A map of Saline Center can be found here.

If you have farm equipment, guns, ag supplies, coins, antiques, or other items you'd like to cosign, contact organizers to let them know what you'll be putting on the auction block.

No. 5 DHS Girls Basketball Shoots to 18-2

  
 

 (Photo Credit: The Crete News Facebook Page)

Before a packed DHS gymnasium last night (Friday), the Dorchester High School girls basketball team defeated Class C2 Twin River (Genoa and Silver Creek) for second time this season, 52-42. 

The win sent the Lady Longhorns to 18-2, making this year's squad the winningest team in program history. 

MaxPrep has Dorchester ranked No. 5 in Class D2.

Friday night's contest marked the final home game for the Orange and Black Attack, which now sets its sights on a 20-win season -- a rare feat in Nebraska high school basketball.

Over the past week, the DHS girls have been on a tear, handily beating three teams with with winning records. In addition to Twin River, DHS defeated College View Academy (12-5) by a score of 43-35, as well as Nebraska Lutheran (9-7) by a 53-39 tally.

Two regular season games remain. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, DHS will travel to Hampton (2-17). And on Friday, Feb. 14, DHS will play a Valentine's Day showdown at McCool Junction (9-9). 

Then it is onto Class D2 sub-district play -- and perhaps further.

Developing...

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Girls Capture Bronze At CRC Tourney

DHS Girls Grab Third at CRC: The Dorchester girls basketball team has captured the third-place trophy at the Crossroads Conference tournament at York, advancing to 14-2 on the season. On Jan. 21, the Lady Longhorns suffered their first loss of the season falling to a top-10 Class C2 team, Cross County, 58-35. Injured senior point guard Baylor Behrens sat out that contest. DHS beat Shelby-Rising City 40-28 on Jan. 23. At the CRC Tournament, DHS fell to BDS, which they had defeated earlier in the season, but beat Twin River (Genoa and Silver Creek) by 45-44. The Orange and Black Attack must now prepare for their last five regular games of the season as they aim to capture at least 20 wins and perhaps go down as the winningest girls team in DHS history. Meanwhile, the DHS boys have fallen to 1-15 on the season, struggling to be competitive in most games.

Two Food Vendors in February: Tammie's Tasty Treats and Crete Nutrition will be paying a visit to the village this month, serving inside the Dorchester Community Building. Tammie's Tasty Treats will be in town Monday, Feb. 10 from 4 - 6 p.m. Crete Nutrition will visit Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 7 - 9 a.m. Menus are at the post office, First State Bank, and the village office.

Statewide News Service Examines Friend-Exeter Consolidation: Nebraska News Service, a statewide reporting service serving community newspapers, recently reported on the consolidation of Friend Public School and Exeter-Milligan Public School. The story notes that the two institutions' student populations have declined by a combined 49% in the last two decades, with E-M’s enrollment shrinking from 302 students to 141. During the same span in Friend, enrollment declined from 331 to 213. This trend highlights the urgent need for small communities like to Dorchester to expand housing stock, both new and renovated.