New Christmas Decorations, Street Light Banners Welcome Visitors

This post isn't so much for those who reside in Dorchester as it is for those who might be coming home for the holidays.

The first thing you'll notice when you drive down main street this Christmas season is Dorchester's new Christmas lights.  These are some of the classiest holiday decorations of any town in Nebraska -- plain, pretty and festive.  

We are told the town board used revenue derived from KENO to help pay for these new ornaments that have really spruced up the community this December.

Next, you'll notice the new town "banners" or miniature welcome signs attached to the light poles on main street.  These signs are the latest project of the Dorchester Foundation, which works hard to raise money for such efforts.  If you would like to make a Christmas donation to the Foundation, just donate online by clicking here.

Finally, you will notice that gas prices in Dorchester, like everywhere else, continue to plunge.  This is a welcome Christmas gift, even if those low prices are due largely to a big slowdown in the global economy.  Dorchester's Farmers Cooperative service station is offering some of the lowest prices in southeast Nebraska.

We think Dorchester leaders deserve a big "thanks" for their efforts to make this Christmas in Dorchester a very happy one.

DHS Boys Basketball Team Prepared For Season

Those who say Dorchester's male student-athletes aren't hungry to compete have not met this season's Longhorn boys basketball team.

So can the Longhorns hang tough this year? 

Our sources say yes, thanks to leaders like senior Corey Bird and emerging talent like Tim Havlat.

Seniors on the team include Bird, Nixon Nerud, Leo Conte and Stephan Heiermeier. They will need to provide key leadership roles if the DHS squad is to improve on its 6-16 mark from last season.

The new season tips off Friday night at DHS against Meridian.

Representing the Dorchester School and community this year will be 12 boys, as pictured above, (seated) Stephan Heiermeier, Leo Conte, Corey Bird, Nixon Nerud, (kneeling) student manager Ridge Hoffman, Ryan Weber, Anthony Cardona, Tim Havlat, Dustin Nelson, Augustine Perez, (standing) Anthony Bonilla, assistant coach Miles Ray, head coach Adrian Allen, assistant coach Grant Cole, Cody Youngblood and student Colyn Brummett. (Photo is courtesy of BJ Fictum.)

Here's the schedule for the 2014-15 DHS boys basketball team:

12/05/14 Meridian  
12/09/14 Diller-Odell
12/12/14 @ BDS  
12/16/14 @ Harvard
12/18/14 Osceola
01/03/15 St. Edward
01/06/15 College View Academy
01/08/15 Sterling
01/13/15 @ Friend
01/15/15 @ East Butler
01/16/15 @ High Plains Community
01/20/15 @ Cross County
01/23/15 @ Shelby-Rising City
01/24-01/30   (To Be Determined)  Crossroads Conference Tournament at York
02/03/15 Parkview Christian
02/05/15 Nebraska Lutheran
02/06/15 Giltner
02/10/15 @ Hampton
02/13/15 @ McCool Junction
02/20/15 Exeter-Milligan

Lady Longhorns Tip Off New Season Friday

The Dorchester High School girls basketball team is ready to inflict some damage on the court this year, as bigger things are expected from the Orange and Black Attack than in recent seasons.

A crew of more seasoned Lady Longhorns begins their new season this Friday at DHS, taking on fellow Class D-2 opponent Meridian.

The DHS girls will be lead by first-year head coach Brandon Bruha, a former DHS basketball standout himself.  Bruha is a second-year instructor at DHS and helped coach last season.

This year's team, as pictured above, includes (seated) student manager Jacee Zoubek, Makenna Bird, Bailey Velder, Clarissa Bors, Maru Ruiz, (kneeling) Zoe McKnight, Kaytee Eberhardt, Michelle Kotas, Audra Bulin, Maite Barandica, student manager Daisha Hoffman, (standing) assistant coach Kyleigh Lewis, Avery Behrens, Lydia Wells, Jessica Kalkwarf, Savannah Plonkey, Brittney Zoubek, Jacee Weber, head coach Brandon Bruha and (not pictured) Ashley Schwisow.  (Photo is courtesy of BJ Fictum.)

While the Lady Longhorns are young, the team is comprised of some experienced players, including Bailey Velder, Avery Behrens and Jacee Weber.

Here is the 2014-15 DHS girls basketball schedule:

12/05/14 Meridian
12/09/14 Diller-Odell  
12/11/14 Exeter-Milligan
12/12/14 @ BDS
12/16/14 @ Harvard
12/18/14 Osceola
01/03/15 St. Edward
01/06/15 College View Academy
01/08/15 Sterling
01/13/15 @ Friend
01/15/15 @ East Butler
01/16/15 @ High Plains Community
01/20/15 @ Cross County
01/23/15 @ Shelby-Rising City
01/24-01/30 (To Be Determined)  Crossroads Conference Tournament at York
02/03/15 Parkview Christian
02/05/15 Nebraska Lutheran
02/06/15 Giltner
02/10/15 @ Hampton
02/13/15 @ McCool Junction

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Saturday

Hey, kids.  Saturday is the big day.

Santa Claus is coming to town! And all Dorchester-area kids -- if they have been nice -- are invited to see Saint Nick.

Santa will be arriving at the Dorchester Community Building at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and he will be staying until 11 a.m.

As in previous years, there will be crafts and activities and goodies for the kids.

Parents, mark your calendar for this special community event and bring the kids to the Dorchester Community Building this Saturday for a morning of Christmas cheer.

And kids, be sure you're behaving!

Nice, Affordable Home Available In Dorchester Now

Dorchester is a great town and it's getting noticed for all the right reasons. Just consider what Dorchester has to offer:

• A new K-12 school.
• A peaceful and safe community.
• A new water tower and upgraded sewer system.
• The lowest school tax levy in the county.
• Affordable cost of living.
• One of the largest agri-businesses (Farmers Cooperative) in the state.
• Good neighbors.
• A 10-minute drive from many employers in Crete and Seward. And only 30 minutes to Lincoln. Located next to two highways and minutes from Interstate 80.

However, one challenge facing Dorchester is housing.  We've heard from many readers who've said they would like to move to Dorchester, if only homes were available.

Today, we showcase the latest Dorchester home available right now.  If you're ready to call Dorchester home, we encourage you to take a look. 

912 Franklin Ave.:  If you like small town living at a reasonable price, this is the house for you.  Much larger than it looks! Very nice two bedroom home with partial basement and wood floors. This home is very clean and move in ready. Windows have all been replaced with energy efficient windows and the roof was new in 2009, the furnace in 1999, the central air in 2007 and the water heater in 2005. $44,900. Click here for more information.

Dorchester Gas Prices Some Of Nebraska's Lowest

Dorchester's Farmers Cooperative fueling station is leaving competitors in the dust when it comes to gasoline prices.

As of Monday, Nebraska's average for regular gas was $2.809 a gallon, while Lincoln's was $2.823.

In downtown Dorchester, the price for regular as is $2.72.  If you prefer you gasoline unadulterated with no corn-based alcohol, it will run you $2.90.  (For those of you who use diesel, prices are still high at $3.75 or better, due primarily to the fact diesel competes with heating oil for supply, according to a local expert.)

We have always bragged about Dorchester's lower-than-average cost of living, and here's more proof.

So what's going on with gasoline prices falling well below the $3 mark?

“Oil prices have been demolished in the last 72 hours as OPEC decided against a production cut, which will open the flood gates to even more gas price declines,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy.com. “In my decade of watching oil and gasoline prices, I don't think I've seen as steep a decline in a 48 hour time frame as what we saw on Thanksgiving Day and into last Friday as OPEC put off any decrease in production.

"This is perhaps one of the most astonishing weeks in watching crude prices I've ever witnessed, and motorists will likely be giddy at what I see in our gas price crystal ball: a 15-25 cent drop over the next several weeks, bringing the national average down to the $2.50s by Christmas,” he said.

"We'll see at least one station in the nation at $2 by Christmas. And that's not really a prediction at all. That's more like a certainty."

Stock up now, kids.

Unique Dorchester Items Found Online

The calendar shows 24 days to finish your Christmas shopping. Let the scramble begin. 

Or just stay at home and do your shopping from the Internet.

The staffers at the Times are often amazed by the wide array of Dorchester-related items for sale on the Internet, including sites such as eBay.

One of the novel items that caught our attention is a Tyser Weld and Repair toothpick holder from our centennial year of 1981, congratulating the community on "100 years of progress."  The item is offered by a collector in Waco.  For the current bid of $3.50 (plus $2.50 shipping), you can get this unique piece of hometown history.

Or maybe you'd rather give the gift of written history, such as this book on Saline County's old rural school districts and one-room schoolhouses.

Or share a piece of history when Dorchester had a service station right off Highway 6.  Or a time when horses took Dorchester-area residents through the winter weather.

Maybe a map of Dorchester as the town appeared in 1900?

Or for those who aren't into history, there's always plenty of modern-day Dorchester apparel, such as t-shirts, bags, shorts and caps.

If you know of other unique or rare Dorchester-related items for sale on the Internet or elsewhere, let us know in the comments section or e-mail us at Dorchester.Times@gmail.com.

Nebraska Main Street Network Taking Applications Now

Dorchester leaders, take note.  Many Dorchester residents want to see some type of plan in place for our community's main street.  Here would be a good first step.

The Nebraska Main Street Network is taking applications for the Associate Member and Rural Associate Member program now through Monday, Dec. 15.   

Information and applications are available here.

All Nebraska communities and urban commercial business districts are eligible to apply for membership.  (Yes, even Dorchester!)

Annual membership runs on a 12-month cycle.  The next membership cycle application deadline is June 15, 2015.  Associate Membership is required for any community interested in applying to become a fully designated Main Street Community recognized by the Nebraska Main Street Network and National Main Street Center.

Communities and organizations interested in learning more about the Nebraska Main Street program are encouraged to contact Elizabeth Chase, Executive Director of the Nebraska Main Street Network at 402-499-3703 or echase@windstream.net.

Crete Cares Serving Our Area Since 1973

Crete Cares begins its 41st consecutive year of helping area residents in need with food that can be used for a Christmas dinner.  The initiative is also hoping to provide short-term financial assistance during this holiday season for families in extreme circumstances.

If you or a relative or friend were on the list last year, those names will not be on the list this year unless they are called in, mailed, or e-mailed in this year. 

The contact information for names is: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 249, Crete 68333, or 402-826-4359 or blutherancrete.ne@gmail.com. 

You may also call the above number to ask that your name not be put on the list in spite of well-intentioned friends and family.  

Deadline to receive names this year is Friday, Dec. 5 at 3:30 p.m.  

Donations of money may be sent to: Crete Cares, P.O. Box 343, Crete 68333, or food donations may be delivered to: Grace United Methodist Church, 13th and Juniper in Crete.

Saline County Coalition Targets Teen Drug, Alcohol Use

Studies show that underage drinking costs the citizens of Nebraska nearly half a billion dollars a year -- including medical care, work loss, and pain and suffering associated with the problems resulting from the use of alcohol by youth.  And roughly 28% of Nebraska students in grades 9-12 say they've had five or more drinks of alcohol in a row (binge drinking) in the past 30 days.

Now Hollywood elitists and others are pushing the acceptance of marijuana, despite the drug's effects on brain development and it being a catalyst for lung cancer.

That's why the Saline County Drug & Alcohol Prevention Coalition will again meet on Monday, December 1, 2014, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Saline County Extension office, 306 W. 3rd ST in Wilber. 

The Coalition is a grassroots organization geared toward the prevention of illegal drugs and alcohol use, aimed primarily toward area youth. Whether you’re a teenager or a great-grandmother, the group welcomes you all County residents to join in on the discussion, planning and active engagement with its prevention activities.

It is important for all those interested to know the Coalition respects the responsible consumption of alcohol to be an adult privilege, yet equally values and recognizes the right of all individuals who choose not to drink.

If you have questions, would like additional information or simply wish to be added to our mailing list, please contact Tim at (402) 821-3581. The Prevention Coalition wants all those interested in joining with a collective response to underage drinking, drug abuse, and those related to its contribution, to join us each month.

DHS Takes First Place In UNL Math Bowl Tournament

Calculus, addition, division, multiplication, subtraction -- if it's math and you're a Longhorn, you look it squarely in the eye and say: "Bring it on!"

Dorchester High School continues its long and outstanding tradition of excellence in the area of mathematics with a first place finish at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Math Bowl Tournament.

More than 1,500 high school students from 105 Nebraska high schools participated in Thursday's Math Bowl.  

This year marked the 25th anniversary of the event.

In the Math Bowl Tournament team competition, DHS finished first in Class VI. 

Team members for the Longhorns were Tim Havlat, Nixon Nerud, and Cassidy Olson, according to UNL's news release.

Derek Chew of Omaha North High School was the top individual winner. For his efforts, Chew won an $8,000 scholarship to UNL.

Other top 10 finishers also were awarded scholarships: Ingrid Zhang of Lincoln East, Jae Hyun Lim of Lincoln Southwest, Zach Warneke of Millard South and Alex Heitzman of Emerson-Hubbard each earned $4,000 scholarships for finishing second through fifth.

Rounding out the top 10 and winning $2,000 scholarships were Isaac Zhang of Lincoln East, Caravaggio Caniglia and Ivy Wang of Omaha Brownell-Talbot, Jae Jun Park of Mount Michael Benedictine and Crystal Xu of Lincoln East.

UPDATE: Sunday's Benefit For Kody Moved To Community Building

(UPDATED 11/20, 11 a.m.) -- One thing special about Dorchester is the community always comes together to help its families -- especially when they're facing a tragic loss.

Recently, six-year-old Kody Krapp, son of Chad and DHS graduate Kelly (Krivohlavek) Krapp of Gretna, had and extended stay of 26 days in intensive care following complications from open-heart surgery. Many of our readers know the Krivohlaveks and how stressful this was on the family.

Last week, on Nov. 6, things took a very sad turn as Kody passed away.  The family is now facing incredible medical bills. 

To help the family out at this difficult time, a benefit will be held in Dorchester next Sunday, Nov. 23, to honor the life of this wonderful six-year-old and his family. 

The benefit has been moved to the Dorchester Community Building and Legion Hall due to overwhelming support.  The event will still take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.  (See the Lincoln Journal Star's coverage here. And see 10/11 News' coverage here.)

There will also be a silent auction.  Please contact Pam Fuller at 402-946-4051 if you have silent auction things or leave items at Donna's Hair Creations in Dorchester. 

For more, see the Facebook page set up for this event.

Please come and support Kody's family.  If you can not attend, donations can be made at any Pinnacle Bank under "The Kody Krapp Benefit."

Former Resident, Businesswoman Carole Sprague Passes At 72

Carole “Fluffy” Sprague, age 72 of York, died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014 in York with her husband and children by her side.  

Many residents of Dorchester still remember Carole as the owner and operator of Conner Garden and Gift Shoppe on main street.  This successful business was truly an attribute to the community until it was destroyed by a fire in the early 1980s.

Carole was born on June 15, 1942 to Hazen and Thelma Smith.  She grew up in Taylor, Neb., in Loup County, and attended beauty school in Lincoln. She moved to Milford, where she had all four of her children. When her youngest was in school, she moved to Dorchester and opened Conner Garden and Gift Shoppe. 

In 1987, she married Jim Sprague and they made their home in Dorchester just west of the Farmers Cooperative elevator.  In 2002, they moved to York, where she resumed her passion of painting and gardening. She took pride in her community and often headed up projects such as planting flower boxes in Dorchester, tending the flower garden at East Hill Park in York, and painting beautiful murals at church.

Carole loved being a part of various church groups, garden club and social coffee groups, and she never said no to going to garage sales or a trip to Hobby Lobby.  Being with family and friends was what brought her the greatest pleasure.

She is survived by her husband Jim of York; her mother, Thelma Hill of York; her children, Brad (Kerry) Conner of McCool Jct., Stacie Conner and friend Chad Becwar of Lincoln, Steve (Angie) Conner of Seward and Nicki (Erik) Rivers of Lincoln; step- children, Kathie Vocasek of Pickrell and Kristine Briese of Lincoln; grandchildren, Mayson Conner and Morgan Conner both of McCool Jct., Andrew (Jennifer) Crees of York and their children  Joel and Brennen, Sierra Crees and her fiancé Kory Einspahr of Lincoln, Brad Ricenbaw of Cordova, Ashton Conner and Dane Conner both of Seward and Lauren Rivers and Hayden Rivers both of Lincoln and step-grandchildren, Amanda Vocasek and Jordan Sprague of Lincoln.

Also surviving is Carole’s sister, Jeanette (Richard) Lewis of Taylor; her brothers, Leland (Dot) Smith of Foster, Mo., David (Susan) Smith of Norfolk and Dan (Lynn) Smith of Council Bluffs, Iowa; nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Hazen Smith; sister, Elaine Harris and granddaughter, Conner Rivers.

Memorial services will be held 2:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in York with the Reverend Art Phillips officiating. Memorials may be directed to the church or to the family for a bench to be placed at East Hill Park in her honor. No viewing or visitation. Online condolences may be sent to her family at www.metzmortuary.com.

Metz Mortuary in York is handling arrangements.

Paying More Than Your Fair Share Of Property Taxes? Protest!

Without a doubt, property taxes are the most despised tax in Nebraska -- even though most who aren't on the farm pay more in state income taxes or even sales tax, depending on the year's purchases.  However, unlike the income tax, you're not completely helpless when it comes to property taxes.

In fact, you can dispute your property tax valuations if you feel they have been raised unjustly.  

Here in Saline County, property valuation protests can be filed with the Saline County Clerk on Form 422, along with a protest letter.  The Form 422, when completed, must be filed with the County board of Equalization at the office of the County Clerk in order for it to be accepted.  Also, a protest letter must be provided to the clerk's office.

For real property, protests must be filed on or before June 30. The requested valuation of the property must be stated along with the basis for the request.  Failure to state the reasons for the requested valuation will mean your protest gets dismissed.  Also, the legal description of the property and the value of the land and buildings must be included.

For personal property, protests must be filed on or before May 1. The taxpayer may provide a copy of the most recent federal depreciation worksheet or any other supporting documents as evidence of the requested change in value.  If additional space is needed, attach additional sheets to each copy of the Form 422.

The form 422 may also be used when the county assessor notifies a taxpayer of an additional assessment, the failure to file a personal property return, or the imposition of a penalty. The taxpayer has thirty days from the date the notification was mailed to protest the action of the assessor.

The person protesting the assessed valuation will be notified by the county clerk of the place and time for the hearing on the protest. At this hearing, evidence may be submitted and witnesses may be presented. Within seven days after the final decision, the clerk shall notify the protester of the action taken by the board.

If you don't like the answer you get from county officials, protesters can appeal to the state's Tax Equalization and Review Commission within 30 days after adjournment of the county board of equalization. 

More Than 20 Registered Sex Offenders In Saline County

The well-being of our youth is a top priority of the Dorchester Times. 

That's why we are publishing today's post, hoping parents will always take appropriate steps to ensure the children's safety -- no matter how busy we get.

Nebraska law declares that sex offenders present a high risk as repeat offenders. For that reason, the Legislature and the attorney general have determined that in order to assist local law enforcement agencies, sex offenders must register as provided by the Sex Offender Registration Act. This information is used to provide public notices and information so that Nebraska communities can develop reasonable plans to safeguard children and teens.

Under state law, there are three levels of registered sex offenders -- those who must register for 15 years, 25 years and life.  That duration is based on the seriousness of the crime. The difference between the levels are as follows:

• 15 years: If the sex offender was convicted of an offense not punishable by imprisonment for more than one year (i.e., primarily misdemeanor offenses).

• 25 years: If the sex offender was convicted of an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.

• Life:  If the sex offender was convicted of anoffense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and was convicted of an aggravated offense; or had a prior sex offense conviction; or has been determined to be a lifetime registrant in another state or other jurisdiction.

The Times found one listing of a registered sex offender in Dorchester at the present time. It may be viewed by clicking here.

There are currently 22 registered offenders in Saline County, according to the Nebraska State Patrol Web site. 

Over the past year, the City of Crete has seen its number of registered sex offenders jump to 10, up from seven. Wilber has four offenders, while Friend has two.  

To see the list of registered sex offenders in Saline County, click here.

Nebraska's Mountains Of Corn Continue To Grow

Two years ago, area farmers were cashing in on corn worth $8 or more a bushel.  Times were good in rural Nebraska as money trickled down to other sectors of the economy, including main street businesses.

But two years makes a big difference. Today corn for November delivery in Dorchester is around $3.40 a bushel.

It's not just farm commodities that are under pressure.  So are oil and precious metals.  It appears the market recognizes that the U.S.  economy, while keeping its head above water, continues to be under some serious stress as global growth wanes and our government presses on with high taxes, environmental agendas and healthcare mandates.

When it comes to corn prices, consecutive years of near-record harvests mean farmers have simply produced more than a slow-growth market needs.  A story in today's Lincoln newspaper details the situation in Nebraska -- where "a temporary mountain range has sprouted ... as farmers bring in one of the most bountiful harvests in the state's history."

According to the Journal Star, "despite years of steady growth in storage capacity, grain has filled up nearly every bin and silo and overflowed, forming massive ground piles that stand stories high."

The story points out that commercial storage space in Nebraska grew from 455 million bushels in 2011 to 491 million as of June and likely has topped 500 million with new facilities having come online since then.  And yet there's still an estimated 65 million bushels of corn currently laying on the ground in Nebraska.

This doesn't even include on-farm storage, which has grown to 1.15 million as of 2013, the most recent year for which information is available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Forecasters expect Nebraska's 2014 corn crop to come in at 1.58 billion bushels, down 2% from last year's record. Soybean production in Nebraska is forecast at a record high 284 million bushels, up 11% from a year ago. 

The Journal Star mentions Dorchester-based Farmers Cooperative, "which boasts about 58 million bushels in permanent storage capacity, went into harvest season with only 5% of its space taken up. Its bins and silos are now full, and about 8 million bushels of grain is on the ground in more than 15 piles, said President Ron Velder."

"Despite a wet start to the fall, Velder said, the majority of corn has come in at low enough moisture levels to not need drying and can be stored without worrying about spoilage. Only corn that was replanted due to storm damage seems to need a bit of drying out."