Village Of Dorchester Seeks New Utilities Superintendent

The Times has learned that the Village of Dorchester is currently accepting applications for an assistant utilities superintendent -- someone who can keep the community's operations running well.

The position oversees the village’s water and wastewater systems. Duties also include general maintenance of streets, operating equipment such as skid steer and motor grader, minimal electrical and upkeep of village property. 

The successful applicant must have or be able to obtain certification in both water and wastewater, as well as pesticide application, within one year of employment and possess a valid driver’s license. 

Basic computer skills required. Experience is a benefit, but the village will train the right applicant. Successful candidates will be required to live within a reasonable distance from the village limits. Wage is commensurate with experience. Benefits include health, dental and vision insurance, HSA, and retirement plan.

Learn more here.

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Alumna Is A Finalist To Lead Lincoln Public Schools

Dorchester Grad a Finalist to Lead Lincoln Public Schools: Jami Jo (Uhlig) Thompson, superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools and a 1991 graduate of Dorchester High School, has been named a finalist for superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools. The Lincoln newspaper reports that Thompson previously worked for Beatrice Public Schools as a special education teacher, staff development coordinator and director of student programs before becoming the Norfolk superintendent in 2013. She earned her bachelor's in special education and master's and doctorate in administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

No Dorchester Buffalo Feed This Year: January in Nebraska is a long month with few highlights, other than high school sports and snow. But traditionally, area residents can at least look forward to the Dorchester American Legion's annual January buffalo feed -- a decades-long tradition. However, there will be no buffalo feed this year due to the high cost of buffalo meat, according to a report sent to the Times. We hope this tradition gets back on track next year, even if it means charging more for this once-a-year treat.

Donna's Hair Creations Closed This Saturday: Donna's Hair Creation will be closed this Saturday due to illness, according to the business' Facebook account.

Photos of TransCanada's Dorchester Pipe Site Still Being Shown Around the World: As energy prices keep going up, all those photos of the Keystone XL pipes stored near Dorchester keep making the rounds on the internet -- including in the Boston Herald. Columnist Chris Woodward writes that Joe Biden's decision to kill the pipeline a year ago has hurt the U.S. economy and weakened America’s hand with its potential enemies, including Russia. But here in Dorchester, we know Joe's irrational decision to appeal to the irrational left has cost real people the ability to provide for their families. Sad state of affairs in D.C.

DHS Girls Fall To Meridian In CRC Tourney

The Lady Longhorns, coming off a miracle finish this past weekend, fell short Monday night in the second round of the Crossroads Conference Basketball Tournament in York. 

DHS fell 45-22 to a solid Meridian squad.

The York News-Times reported, "The Mustangs swamped the Longhorns early, as the No. 2 seed buried six of its first 10 shots from beyond the arc and led 19-3 after one quarter. Meridian cruised from there, facing little Dorchester resistance."

According to the News-Times, the young DHS team made "one of its first 15 attempts and shot just 6 of 42 (14.2%) from the floor for the game, including a woeful 3 of 26 (11.5%) from 3-point range."

Amber Kotas paced Dorchester with seven points, while Atley Zoubek added six.

DHS' Gabby Theis Hits Buzzer Beater For CRC Victory

Now in its 30th year of membership in the Crossroads Conference, Dorchester is again getting some respect after a dramatic first-round victory by the Lady Longhorns at this weekend's CRC basketball tournament in York.

As reported by the York News-Times, High Plains held a 30-26 lead over Dorchester with under one minute to play in last night's game, but it wasn’t enough.

The Longhorns "got two free throws from Addison Lehr to make it 30-28, and then with barely any time on clock, 5-3 freshman Gabrielle Theis drilled a three-pointer to put the Dorchester girls in the quarterfinals where they take on the No. 2 seed Meridian Mustangs at 6 p.m. on Monday." (Watch the final play of the game.)

Dorchester was led in scoring by Hailey Schweitzer with nine points, all on 3-pointers, while Baylor Behrns and Amber Kotas put up seven and six points respectively. The Longhorns were 11 of 33 from the field and that included a respectable 5 of 13 on 3-pointers.

Every game of the CRC tournament you can hear on 104.9 Max Country, KOOL Radio AM and FM, and a live video broadcast from Striv TV.

Meanwhile, the DHS boys, who were without the services of Garrett Nohavec due to illness, dropped their first-round CRC contest to Shelby-Rising City, 45-21.

Flashback: Reader From Dorchester, Mass. Shares His Dorchester, Neb. Stories

We get all kinds of comments at the Dorchester Times. 

Today, we draw readers' attention to a comment left in 2016 by a reader from Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Mark Shortt, a native the Boston suburb, left his comment after he read our story titled, "How Did Dorchester Get Its Name?"

Mr. Shortt wrote: "I visited your town when I worked in Hastings, Neb., and lived in Overland Park, Kan. I am from Dorchester, Mass.! A (piece of) history about Dorchester, Mass. for you all: It was the spot on which the City of Boston was founded in June 1630."

According to Mr. Shortt, Dorchester, Mass. holds a Dorchester Day celebration and parade down Dorchester Avenue the first Sunday in June to commemorate the day that Boston was found.

Mr. Shortt adds: "The local paper is the Dorchester Reporter. Interestingly (or not) it is where Mark Wahlberg and his family are from."

Mr. Shortt concluded his comments with with a story about a conversation he was having with his neighbors. "The husband said he was going to Dorchester this past summer," so Mr. Shortt "asked jokingly if he was going to Dorchester, Nebraska," figuring he knew nothing about the small community on the Plains. "He said yes" -- Dorchester, Neb. was indeed where he was headed. "His grandfather, whose last name was Auth, lived there."

According to Mr. Shortt, he then told his neighbor he should also visit Crete and Wilber, the Czech Capital of the United States.  

Mr. Shortt said his comments nearly knocked over the neighbor. "He was stunned I knew about your town and had actually been there."

Thanks for sharing this story, Mark. You're welcome in the other Dorchester anytime.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Eric Bird Appointed to Village Board

(Photo courtesy of Sharon Axline.)

Dorchester Girls Basketball Team Takes Down Friend: The DHS girls basketball team has managed to win two of their past five contests over the past couple of weeks, including a 42-33 win over rival Friend. However the girls have dropped to 4-8 on the season. Up next for the Lady Longhorns are contests against Cross County (8-6) and Shelby-Rising City (3-9). Then comes the annual CRC Tournament in York.

DHS Boys Drop Five Straight: The Dorchester boys basketball team has hit a rough patch, falling in their last five contests. The team will need to find some magic in a hurry because next week the Longhorns take on 11-2 Cross County and 5-6 Shelby-Rising City.

Farmers' Co-op Seeks to Move Anhydrous Operations: News Channel Nebraska reports Farmers’ Cooperative of Dorchester will hear action in about two weeks on a plan to establish a commercial anhydrous ammonia operation near Adams, along the Gage-Lancaster County line. According to the online publication, the Gage County board is expected to vote on approval of a special use permit for the operation. Ryan Franzluebbers of Farmer’s Co-op says the company is undertaking a safety improvement by consolidating operations and moving anhydrous tanks out of more populated areas.

Eric Bird Appointed to Village Board: Eric Bird is the newest member of the Village of Dorchester's board. Appointed and sworn into office in December, Bird replaces Matt Scholz, who resigned late last year due to his family's move. The board is currently chaired by Andrea Pracheil. 

Bob Wolesensky Sr. Passes: Dorchester-area native Robert Melvin Wolesensky Sr. passed away on his 90th birthday on Dec. 19 in Georgetown, Texas. He was born on the family farm in Dorchester on Dec. 19, 1931, to William Wolesensky and Rose Wolesensky. He and his wife, Camille, raised five children on the Dorchester farm.

Good Life, Good Family: Nebraska is the fifth best state in which to raise a family. That's according to WalletHub's revised study, which considered 51 key indicators of family-friendliness. You can see the comparison here.

Acreage For Sale South Of Dorchester

Given the ongoing housing shortage in Dorchester, the Times staff wants to keep our readers aware of opportunities to purchase a home in the Dorchester area and school district.

In the past 24 hours, we have spotted a nice acreage for sale south of Dorchester at 1392 County Road K. 

This beauty has lots of land (18 acres).

The realtor says this about the property: "Nothing but beautiful Nebraska countryside awaits! You are going to fall in love with this 1918 farmhouse and all that it has to offer. There are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an updated kitchen, formal dining, lovely wall to wall fireplace all on top of a poured concrete foundation! Your horses are going to love living here too! They will get a fantastic barn with some private stalls, an arena and just shy of 18 acres of land. Come check out The Good Life!"

For more details, click here.

Young DHS Basketball Teams Produce Wins

The DHS boys basketball team has worked hard to get back to playing .500 ball. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Nohavec)

Despite opening their seasons with multiple losses, both boys and girls Dorchester High School basketball teams are showing incredible heart early in the season to get back in the win column.

This has occurred even as there's just three seniors -- on both teams combined -- among the 22 Longhorns out for basketball.

The DHS boys, with only freshmen and sophomores in the starting lineup, have racked up three wins in their six games thus far, winning the last two contests over Cedar Bluffs (48-37) and Lewiston (32-25). The improved Orange and Black Attack will take on College View Academy in Lincoln this Tuesday, Jan. 4, and then travel to Sterling on Thursday, Jan. 6. Both games should be even contests.

Meanwhile, the DHS girls, with all freshmen and sophomores on the team, minus one junior, are 2-4 so far in the 2021-22 campaign. A Dec. 16 overtime loss to Osceola is all that stands between the Lady Longhorns and a .500 record at this point in the season. Like the boys, the girls squad will travel to College View Academy and Sterling this week for contests that should be evenly matched.

Next week, both DHS will gear up to play next-door rival Friend (at Friend on Jan. 11) and East Butler (at home on Jan. 13).

Be sure to support your hometown teams.

Dorchester To Consider Revised Redevelopment Plan For Co-Op Properties

On Monday, Jan. 3, at 6:30 p.m., the planning commission for the Village of Dorchester will meet to consider revisions to a previously approved redevelopment project that will utilize tax increment financing (TIF). 

The meeting, which will be held in the Dorchester Community Building, is open to the public. (Unfortunately, the notice has not been published electronically on the village website.)

The area of town under consideration contains property owned by the Farmers' Cooperative, according to the Village's public notice. (See graphic above.) This includes parcels that contain the filling station, co-op parking lot, co-op office building, and grain silos.

For readers who may be unaware, TIF is utilized to help make new development and property upgrades financially viable, beginning with the city government declaring an area as substandard, blighted, and in need of redevelopment. 

Under the state's TIF rules, the city government must hold a public hearing and prepare a redevelopment plan, which must show, for example, the boundaries of the redevelopment project area, proposed land uses, population, land and building intensities, changes in zoning, and traffic flow.

Dorchester has used TIF previously for the housing development area in the northwest section of town.

According to the public notice, all interested parties will be afforded an opportunity to express their views at the Jan. 3 meeting regarding the revised redevelopment plan.

A map of the redevelopment area and a copy of the cost-benefit analysis are available at Village Hall.

Developing...

Tom and Jerry Party At Dorchester Fire Hall, Dec. 26

Looking for something to do over the holiday break?

Dorchester has several options. For adults, one of them will be at the Dorchester Fire Hall.

Consider joining your friends at the Dorchester Fire Hall for Tom and Jerry's on Sunday, Dec. 26, when members of the Dorchester Volunteer Fire Dept. will host a Tom and Jerry party.

The event will kick off at 9 a.m. and continue until around 1 p.m. 

According to our in-depth and extensive research, the Tom and Jerry -- now known as a traditional Christmas time cocktail -- was devised by sportswriter Pierce Egan in the 1820s. The eggnog-brandy-rum drink is a reference in Egan's book "Life in London." 

To publicize the book, Egan introduced a variation of eggnog by adding ½ fl. oz. of brandy, calling it a "Tom and Jerry."  

The additional fortification helped popularize the drink.

To try Tom and Jerry's at your home this holiday season, here is our recipe:

TOM AND JERRY INGREDIENTS

Boiling water
1 tbsp Tom And Jerry Batter*
1 oz Cognac
1 oz Dark rum
Whole milk, hot

Garnish: Nutmeg, clove and allspice
Glass: Coffee mug or Tom and Jerry cup

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*Tom And Jerry Batter

INGREDIENTS:
12 Eggs, separated
1 tsp Cream of tartar
2 lb Sugar
2 oz Dark Jamaican-style rum
1 tsp Vanilla extract (optional)

PREPARATION:
In a nonreactive bowl, whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar until they form stiff peaks.  In a separate bowl, beat the yolks with the sugar, rum and vanilla (if using). When the mixture is completely liquid, fold it into the whites.

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How to make the Tom and Jerry Cocktail

Rinse a small coffee mug (or, indeed, a white ceramic Tom & Jerry cup) with boiling water to warm it and discard the water. Add the batter, cognac and rum to the cup and fill with hot milk. Garnish with a mixture of 2 parts freshly grated nutmeg to 1 part each ground clove and ground allspice.

Lillian Rezabek Passes At 96

Lillian L. Rezabek passed away peacefully at the age of 96 at the Wilber Care Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, with her family by her side. She was a resident of the Care Center for the past eight years. 

Lillian was born on Aug. 28, 1925, on a farm southwest of Wilber, the youngest of four daughters born to Raymond and Agnes (Kohel) Vlcek. She attended school at District 93 and graduated from Wilber High School with the class of 1942.

Following graduation, Lillian worked at the Crete Creamery for about a year and then left for Midland, Texas where her future husband Donald C. Rezabek was serving in the Army Air Corps. They were married on Oct. 20, 1943. They returned home briefly to celebrate their wedding with a dance at Tabor Hall on Dec. 7, 1943. When Donald was discharged from the service in 1946, they moved to a farm south of Dorchester. On Feb. 4, 1947, they welcomed twins, Raymond Gene and Beverly Jean. 

When the twins were in high school, Lillian went to work at Formfit in Crete and later worked at Walkers in Seward until she retired. Lillian enjoyed working on the farm taking care of both the livestock and her large garden. Gardening was a tradition she continued after they moved to Dorchester in 1971. She was known for her beautiful flowers and lawn. 

Donald and Lillian enjoyed their second home in Republican City where they spent many weekends fishing with their boat at Harlan County Lake, often times with friends and family. They especially enjoyed taking their grandchildren on these fishing trips. They were also fond of taking vacations, traveling to Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska and South Padre Island. They enjoyed trips to Arizona in the winter and Colorado in the summer. 

Lillian loved her family and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Christmas dinners of duck, dumplings and sauerkraut, along with kolache and vdolky, were her specialty and always appreciated by the entire family. 

Lillian spent many hours embroidering, creating the most beautiful pillowcases, tablecloths and quilts which she shared with family. Her work was exquisite and no one could match her skills. Each piece will always be a treasured remembrance of her. 

Lillian was a long time member of August-Vanek Auxiliary Unit 264, and a member of Tabor Lodge #74 of Dorchester.

Mourning Lillian’s loss are son, Raymond and wife, Connie Rezabek of Dorchester and daughter, Beverly and husband, John Walker of Dorchester. Grandchildren Daniel and Christina Rezabek of Lincoln, Rachel and David Biar of Dorchester, Sarah and Michael Fuchs of Arlington, Lori and Jeff Herz of Lincoln, Donald Sladek of Seward, and Rebecca Severn of Rapid City, South Dakota. Great Grandchildren Aaron, Erica and Isaiah Fuchs, Tyler Sladek, Chelsea (Kevin) Volkmer, and Lily and Macy Severn. Great-Great Grandchildren Ila and Sylas Sladek and Madelyn Volkmer. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Donald C. Rezabek, who passed away in July of 2004, her parents Raymond and Agnes Vlcek, sisters and brothers-in-law Irene and Ernest Fictum, Adeline and Ervin Brozovsky, and Norman and Floyd Timm, and son-in-law Jerry Sladek. 

Funeral Service will be held Saturday Dec. 18, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.  Visitation is set for Friday Dec. 17, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to be designated at a later date.  Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.

Dust Bowl Days Returning? Major Damage From December Wind

The Dust Bowl was the name given to the drought-stricken Southern Plains region of the United States, which suffered severe dust storms during a dry period in the 1930s. As high winds and choking dust swept the region from Texas to Nebraska, people and livestock were killed and crops failed across the entire region.

There has always been a threat of those days returning, due in part to the loss of grassland, wooded areas, and more tilled acres in our windy part of the country. 

On Wednesday, Dec. 15, the Dorchester area and all of central and southeastern Nebraska got a taste of the Dust Bowl once again as a powerful storm system blew through the Great Plains and Midwest, combining with unusually warm temperatures to close highways and prompt numerous tornado warnings.

In Dorchester and the surrounding area, there are reports of lost buildings, roof damage, downed trees, and other wind-related damage. Dorchester and other communities have lost power.

At the Lincoln Airport, a 93 mph wind gust was recorded. A tornado was spotted north of Crete.

High wind warnings and a blowing dust advisory remain in effect until later tonight for our area.

The photo above shows a weather satellite-captured image of the storm system over the central U.S. on Wednesday afternoon shortly before sunset. Severe thunderstorms can be seen over eastern Kansas and eastern Nebraska, but the brown clouds over central and southwestern Kansas are actually dust being picked up by extreme winds. When this satellite image was captured, winds across this portion of Kansas were howling between 55 mph and 100 mph. 

Developing.....

Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration At Museum, Dec. 18

Get ready for an old-fashioned Christmas celebration.

The Saline County Historical Society will host a free holiday event Saturday, Dec. 18 at the Saline County Museum in Dorchester.

The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

And now for the big news: Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there.

There will be hot chocolate, snacks, and Christmas activities for all ages.

Everyone is invited. 

Don't miss this special event at one of Nebraska's best kept secrets.

Dorchester's Jack Bruha Passes At 87

Jack LeRoy Bruha was born July 13, 1934 in Omaha to Frank and Creola “Sidy” (Niehardt) Bruha and passed away on Sunday, Dec. 5 at his home in Dorchester at the age of 87.

As a young boy, Jack attended a country school south of the home place and later graduated from Dorchester High School with the class of 1952.  He enlisted into the US Army in 1953 and was honorably discharged in 1955.  Jack was united in marriage to Ann Jelinek on Jan. 4, 1958, in Wahoo, and to this union five boys were born:  John, Jim, Tim, Don, Brian. Together they lived in the Dorchester area their entire lives, ultimately moving into 1012 Fulton Ave. in the early 1970s. 

Jack had various jobs over the years, but mainly was a heavy equipment operator for NL Cole Construction and JJ Westhoff Construction, retiring at the age of 83. Over the years, Jack loved watching his children and grandchildren’s athletic events and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and going on hunting and fishing trips with his friends and family. He was a member of the Dorchester American Legion and the Dorchester Fire Department.

Jack is survived by his wife, Ann, Dorchester; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Rochelle Bruha, Dorchester, Jim and Tracy Bruha, Wickenburg, Ariz., Tim Bruha and Diane Bruha, Crete, Don and Tricia Bruha, Lincoln; grandchildren, Shelena and Dan Neeman, Dorchester, Brandon Bruha and special friend, Cassidy Olson, also of Dorchester, Alexis and Andrew Gothier, Laurel, Neb., Bailey and David Smaus, Yuma, Ariz., Ethan and Seth Bruha, both of Lincoln; five great-grandchildren, including one more on the way; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Jelinek, Lincoln, Pat Bruha, Milford; several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. 

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, son, Brian, in 1988, a brother, Dale Bruha, a sister, Carol Hrdlicka, three brothers-in-law, Carl and Lawrence Jelinek and Bob Hrdlicka.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Friend, with Fr. Leo Seiker officiating.  A rosary will be recited at 10 a.m., also on Saturday.  The family suggests casual attire.  A luncheon will be provided after the mass in the parish hall, followed by a graveside committal at Dorchester Cemetery.  

Visitation is Friday, Dec. 10, at Lauber Funeral Home, Friend, from 1-8 p.m. with family receiving relatives and friends from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.  Pallbearers are:  Ethan Bruha, Seth Bruha, Andrew Gothier, Brandon Bruha, David Smaus, Danny Neeman, and Jimmy Jelinek. Honorary Pallbearers are:  Alexis Gothier, Bailey Smaus, Harold Axline, Greg Tyser, and Shelena Neeman. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.   

WWI Helmet Shows Sacrifice Of Dorchester's Dr. Charles Arnold

Stories of Dorchester's wartime heroes continue to spread across Nebraska and the nation. (An appropriate topic on the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.)

We've all heard of the fate of Pvt. Charley Havlat in World War II. But have you heard of Charles Arnold and his efforts in World War I?

The U.S. Army helmet you see here belonged to Dr. Charles H. Arnold. It's a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of Dorchester citizens that came before us.

It also is a reminder of our community's sometimes-forgotten links to British ancestry.

Dr. Arnold was a native of Dorchester and a DHS graduate. He received his medical degree in 1913. Later, he enlisted with the British Expeditionary Forces during the first world war and served with the Royal Army Medical Corps on the front lines in France and Belgium.

Arnold was dressing a wounded soldier near Aveluy Wood, France, when a German sniper fired a bullet through his helmet. Although Arnold’s scalp was injured, he finished dressing the soldier’s wound before being attended to himself.

He was released to the American Expeditionary Force in January 1919 and discharged the following month with the rank of major in the Medical Corps Reserve. After his military service, Dr. Arnold returned to his Lincoln practice, where he continued to gain honors and prominence.

He continued his studies at the University of Vienna in 1930 and 1933. When World War II began, he re-enlisted and was sent to England, where he served as consulting surgeon to more than 50 military hospitals in Europe.

Dr. Arnold would go on to have an active medical career, spanning 53 years. He served as a surgical staff member and lecturer on surgery at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lincoln; a surgical staff member at Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln; surgeon for Traveler’s Insurance Company; special lecturer in the surgical department at Creighton University School of Medicine; and surgical consultant and honorary professor of surgery at West China Union University in China, and at the Chinese Army Medical Center at Shanghai.

The Nebraska State Historical Society has a wonderful collection of materials that belonged to Dr. Charles Arnold and his family. Click here to learn more about Dr. Arnold's service and career.

Reports: Omicron In Saline County

(UPDATE 12/3: Dorchester Public School will host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic Thursday, Dec. 9, from 12-3 p.m. This event is open to the public. Primary doses and booster shots of all three vaccines will be available. All children must be accompanied by a parent. No appointments are necessary. To reduce chances of potential side effects, the Times suggests checking out this site.)

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is here -- in Nebraska, in Saline County.

The Public Health Solutions District -- which includes Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Saline, and Thayer counties -- announced today there are six cases of the COVID-19 strain in its five-county area.

Sources have told this blog the cases are definitely in Saline County given the ties to the COVID-positive person who traveled to Nigeria. That person returned home Nov. 23 and started experiencing coronavirus symptoms the next day, according to online reports.

The other five cases were likely linked to the original case through household contact. Of those five, only one person was vaccinated, and that person had not yet gotten a booster dose of the vaccine, other reports say.

All of the infected people have had "mild-to-moderate" symptoms for the time being, but it is too early to tell how the virus will ultimately impact the infected individuals, experts say.

Kim Showalter, director for Public Health Solutions, said it is important to get vaccinated to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the omicron variant. 

The omicron variant was first identified last month in South Africa and since has been detected in dozens of countries. Nebraska is the sixth state to report a case. (Here's what the CDC is saying about the variant.)

Gov. Pete Ricketts has said there are no plans for any additional directed health measures due to the discovery of the latest variant in Nebraska.

New cases of COVID-19 have surged in Thayer, Saline and Jefferson counties over the past two weeks, with rates of 64 or more cases per 10,000 residents.

As of Thursday, there were 553 people hospitalized statewide for COVID-19, including 168 who were in intensive care.