Next Week's Election Will Narrow School Board Race

Next Tuesday, May 13, is Nebraska's primary election day, and much is at stake for Dorchester School Board applicants.

There are seven candidates, including two incumbents, vying for three open school board seats. Current board member Lori Pracheil is not seeking another term.

The following individuals will appear on next week's ballot for Dorchester Board of Education:

• Bill Boller (Incumbent)
• Kelli Burkey
• Mikki Hoffman
• Jeff Jacobson
• Ron Kahle (Incumbent)
• Lisa Wells
• Lindsey Zoubek

The primary election will narrow the field of school board candidates to six, meaning one less applicant will appear on the general election ballot on Nov. 4. (The publishing of this information is neither an endorsement of current officials, nor of any challenger.)

In the race for Village board, five individuals are running for the two open seats. However, no action on that contest will take place until the November's general election. The five village board candidates are:

• Todd Jensen
• Jeff Jacobson
• Brandon Koll
• Dean Pracheil (Incumbent)
• Lyle Weber

Tanya Strilkivsky Released From Hospital

There is a bit of good news for Dorchester's Strilkivsky family.

A tragic auto accident last month on Highway 33 took the lives of Nelya Strilkivsky, 22, and Anna Strilkivsky, 7, after their Honda Civic collided with a semi-trailer truck. Nelya was a recent graduate of Dorchester High School. Anna was a Dorchester first grader.

Also in the car that Sunday morning was their sister, Tanya Strilkivsky, 11, who was taken by helicopter to BryanLGH West Medical Center. Tanya is a fifth grader at Dorchester.

Now, nearly a month later, Tanya has been released from the hospital, according to KOLN/KGIN Television.

Tanya and the rest of the Strilkivsky family will need many more prayers and continued support from the Dorchester family. A fund for the family has been set up at Pinnacle Bank, where the family banks. Anyone wishing to make a donation may send it to: Pinnacle Bank, P.O. Box 66, Crete, NE 68333.

Students, Volunteers Begin Clearing School

The arduous task of clearing the old Dorchester school building has begun. Images of today's move are below, courtesy of Times' readers.

Today, Dorchester junior high and high school students carried out library books and text books. With less than 15 days until the 1927 building is razed -- and only four days until Friday's school auction -- time is growing short to complete this demanding job.

Students, volunteers and school staff will continue the moving process throughout the week. Moving will take place Tuesday afternoon, as well as all day Wednesday and Thursday.

More volunteers from the community are needed. If you wish to assist with the move, simply show up at the school during moving hours.

Those who helped with today wish to send a special thanks to Greg Tyser for the use of the moving van, as well as Keith Spanyers for providing the semi-tractor.

Community Garage Sales Coming June 14

The communities of Dorchester and Friend are teaming up to co-host a community garage sales on Saturday, June 14.

Event organizers say the garage sale weekend is the perfect opportunity for area residents who want to save some money on school clothes and other items, and for residents who need some extra income in this time of record fuel prices.

Dorchester residents are urged to start planning now. The Friend Sentinel is running an advertising special. For $12, garage sale hosts will get a classified ad of 20 words or less and your address posted on a map that will run in the June 11 issue.

The Dorchester Times will also run a list of garage sale addresses in both Dorchester and Friend. Addresses, along with dates and hours of the sale, should be sent to dorchester.times@gmail.com no later than June 10.

According to Carol Olson, president of the Dorchester Area Community Association, this as a community wide event. Individuals, organizations, classes and businesses are encouraged to participate. Local entrepreneurs such as Avon or Mary Kay dealers -- or local crafters or antique merchants -- may want to consider working together for a sidewalk sale.

Athletic teams and other organizations may want to consider using the weekend as a fundraiser. West Side Saloon might consider hosting a luncheon special or the Dorchester Grocery might offer a brown bag lunch.

"This is a chance for Dorchester to show off what we have to offer," Olson said. "Let’s clean up our yards, pick up the litter and be proud of where we live."

News Briefs: Stutzman To Receive Doctor Of Pharmacy Degree

• Dorchester's Lee Stutzman will receive his doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center during UNMC's commencement ceremonies this week. We salute Lee for his impressive achievement and wish him best of luck on what will surely be a successful career.

• Dorchester's Karmen Lawver added two more gold medals to her collection at the Crossroads Conference Invitational this past weekend. The DHS sophomore standout tossed the shot put 37-9 and threw the discus 113-10, earning her the top spot in both events. Another week, another great performance from Karmen.

• Dorchester senior Lucas Apfelbeck has signed his letter-of-intent to play football for Doane College in Crete. Best of luck to Lucas as he prepares to don the orange and black at the next level.

• We want to recognize Dorchester junior Wendy Boller and DHS senior Andrea Hansen for being named to the academic all-state honor roll by the Lincoln Journal Star. Both Lady Longhorns were awarded the honor for their contributions on the basketball court as well their superior performance in the classroom. Wendy holds a 3.8 GPA and is second in a class of 23. Andrea carries a 3.8 GPA and is second in a class of 26. We tip our hats to both of these deserving DHS students.

T-Ball Organizational Meeting This Saturday

Attention, young ball players of the Dorchester area!

This Saturday, May 3, an organizational meeting will be held for those interested in playing T-ball this summer in Dorchester.

The Dorchester T-Ball League is open to both boys and girls who have completed kindergarten this year or will be entering kindergarten in this fall. The league will not only introduce youngsters to the game of baseball and softball, but will also provide healthy, positive social interaction for Dorchester's next generation.

If your child would like to play T-ball this year, plan to attend this weekend's meeting at Nerud Field on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. If you are unable to attend the meeting, call Scott Vyhnalek (402) 641-7062 so an accurate count of players can be compiled.

Editorial: Hats Off To Seward Co. Sheriff's Dept.

Most agree that local law enforcement officers deserve our gratitude. All too often, the heroic actions of our police and sheriff deputies go unnoticed by the news media. Fortunately, that is not case in Seward County this weekend.

Late Friday night and in the early hours of Saturday morning, Seward County Sheriff deputies arrested 14 illegal immigrants during a routine traffic stop on Interstate 80. According to the Lincoln Journal Star, Sheriff Joe Yocum said a deputy pulled over a van and discovered its passengers were illegal immigrants.

A Seward County deputy notified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and escorted the van to the sheriff’s office. When the van was a block from the sheriff's department, it stopped and the driver and passengers fled.

The sheriff’s office called Seward Police and Nebraska State Patrol for assistance, and located all of the missing by Saturday morning. The sheriff’s office turned the suspects over to federal immigration officials.

No matter what your take on the immigration crisis, it is an atrocity that local law enforcement has become the front line in the war on illegal immigration. But due to Washington's lack of intestinal fortitude -- once known as guts -- there is no other choice: local sheriff deputies and police officers must detain illegal immigrants whenever encountered, regardless of the offense committed, and hold them until they can be processed by federal agents. Unfortunately, not all local law enforcement entities take this action. Many choose to look the other way.

We tip our hats to those at the Seward County Sheriff's Department. Their actions speak loudly to those who reside in our nation illegally, as well as those who employ them.

DHS' Lawver Holds Top Spots In Class D Field Events

DHS standout Karmen Lawver remains near the top of the state's track and field leader boards in her events.

According to today's Omaha World-Herald, Lawver is currently No. 4 in Class D shot put. The Dorchester sophomore trails leader Kim Urbanovsky of Arnold, who threw a top toss of 40-½, as well as Whitney Collins, Prague, 39-4¾; and Sadie Waugh, Paxton, 38-10½. Lawver's best toss so far this season is an impressive 38-9.

In Class D discus competition, Lawver holds the No. 3 spot. She trails only Sadie Waugh, Paxton, who threw a best of 126-11, and Meka Melvin of McPherson County, who hurled a best of 123-4. Lawver's top throw so far this year is 120-9.

On a related note, we tip our hats to those who organized and attended last Sunday's spaghetti feed benefit at the the Dorchester Fire Hall to raise funds for Lawver's training and competition this summer. It is inspiring to see the community rally around its deserving, hard-working student athletes.

News Briefs: Lawver One Of State's Discus Leaders

• Lawver Continues To Impress: Dorchester sophomore Karmen Lawver is one of the season's Class D leaders in the discus competition. Lawver is currently in the No. 2 postion statewide, trailing only Meka Melvin of McPherson County. Melvin has a season-best throw of 123-4, while Lawver's top throw so far is 120-9. At the Friend Invitational this week, Lawver won the shot put event with a toss of 38-4, which is the fourth-best throw in Class D this year.

• Automated Gas Meters Coming To Town: Dorchester is among the communities that will be receiving automated natural gas meters as part of Aquila's $1.8 million upgrade of its meter system. According to the Lincoln Journal Star, the automated meter reading system will allow Aquila to remotely read gas meters, thereby increasing accuracy and customer convenience. The upgrade will take place sometime this year. Aquila will send Dorchester customers a postcard notifying them of the upgrade before work begins. Customers who have questions can call Aquila toll-free at 1-800-303-0752.

• Deadline Extended For Community Improvement Program: Nebraska communities now have until June 30 to enter the 2008 Nebraska Community Improvement Program (NCIP), a program of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. NCIP recognizes the leadership, community and economic development efforts of Nebraska's communities. These communities organize to plan their future, set goals, determine priorities and implement project action plans. For more information, interested Dorchester leaders may call 1-800-426-6505 or e-mail Lindsay.papenhausen@ded.ne.gov.

• BECA Grant Deadline Is May 9: Dorchester leaders have three weeks to apply for the Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA) grant awarded through the state. BECA grants are designed to encourage local organizations to unite for a common cause and pool their resources. For example, last year, a $28,000 BECA grant was by several towns in the Panhandle to kick start a program to educate and technically assist young small business owners and entrepreneurs. The grant is administered by the Nebraska Rural Development Commission. Application deadline is Friday, May 9, noon. To apply online, go to: www.ruralnebraska.info. For more information, call 308-749-2291 or email linda.fettig@ded.ne.gov.

DHS Class Of '98 Reunion Set For May 2-4

Ten years after graduating from Dorchester, the members of DHS' class of 1998 are getting together again.

The Times has learned that the class is planning a three-day reunion slated for May 2, 3 and 4.

The event kicks off 8 p.m. May 2, when the class of '98 will gather at Sheryll's West Side Saloon in Dorchester at for drinks and conversation. On Saturday, May 3, the classmates will dine together at the Friend Country Club at 6 p.m. The reunion concludes Sunday, May 4, with a potluck lunch at the Dorchester City Park beginning at noon. In case of inclement weather, the potluck will be held at the Dorchester Community Building.

All from the class of 1998 are urged to attend.

Also, as reported earlier, this year's Dorchester Alumni Banquet will be held at Tabor Hall on May 24. More details are available by clicking here.

Roadside Trash Pick-Up Rescheduled For Saturday

It's time for spring cleaning.

The community roadside trash pick-up has been rescheduled for this Saturday, April 19, according to Dorchester Area Community Association officials. Volunteers are needed.

Those participating in this community event should meet at the Dorchester Community Building at 1 p.m. It is suggested that volunteers bring a pair of gloves.

Dorchester's community roadside trash pick-up is part of the "Great Nebraska Trash Off " -- an annual event in its 18th year. This marathon day of cleaning Nebraska highways generates lots of fun and competition between groups, as well as good publicity for the program and those who participate.

Last year, more than 5,000 volunteers statewide joined forces to remove litter from 3,000 miles of the state’s highways.

World-Herald: Sisters' Deaths Hit Dorchester Hard

Today's Omaha World-Herald reports on Dorchester Public School students and staff members who "are mourning the loss of a talented artist and her first grade sister."

Nelya Strilkivsky, 22, and her sister Anna Strilkivsky, 7, were killed Sunday morning when their Honda Civic collided with a semitrailer truck five miles east of Crete on Nebraska Highway 33. Their 11-year-old sister, Tanya, was in critical condition Monday at BryanLGH Medical Center West.

"The Strilkivsky sisters enrolled in the Dorchester schools in 2004, said Don Pieper, Dorchester's superintendent. The district has 240 students. Pieper said Nelya was a talented artist who graduated in 2005. 'She could draw things that were really excellent,' he said."

"Anna was in a first-grade class of 25 students, Pieper said. 'There were tears down there this morning,' he said of his visit to the first-grade classroom."

"There are 11 children in the Strilkivsky family, a close-knit Ukrainian family that took school seriously. Three of the Strilkivsky children, including Nelya, already had graduated from Dorchester, a school official said. Pieper said Anna and Tanya's teachers called each family in their first- and fifth-grade classes so parents could prepare their children for what they would hear about their classmates."It's obviously a tragedy, and we're dealing with it the best we can,'' Pieper said. "These are never easy times, but we'll make it through.''

** UPDATE: 4/15, 5:45 p.m. **

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that 11-year-old Tanya Strilkivsky remained in critical condition throughout yesterday, but that doctors talked of some encouraging signs, her sister Natasha said. Tanya, a fifth-grader at Dorchester Elementary School, has opened her eyes several times and was able to move her fingers in response to questions, Natasha said. “The doctors said the CAT scan looked very good,” Natasha said.

On the morning of the accident, the sisters "were on their way to services of a Ukrainian congregation that meets at Gates of Praise Church in Lincoln," according to the article. "The sisters’ father and stepmother, Vasily and Nina Strilkivsky, had left for church about 20 minutes after the sisters and came upon the accident.

"Vasily Strilkivsky and his first wife, Lyubov, the mother of his 11 children, moved to the United States almost 20 years ago, shortly before the fall of the Soviet Union. At their in between Crete and Dorchester, the family grew from three children to 10. Then, shortly before the birth of her last child, Lyubov fell ill with stomach cancer; she died on Christmas Day in 2001. Local benefits raised money for Vasily as he struggled to care for his children and return to work.

"The Strilkviskys are a very hard-working family, said family friend Harvey Schweitzer of Dorchester. Vasily has worked at Farmland Foods for many years and also repairs cars, he said.

"Nelya Strilkivsky mothered the clan for a year before her father remarried, Natasha said Monday. Nelya graduated from Dorchester High School in 2005 and worked for Molex in Lincoln. She lived with a grandmother in Lincoln during the work week, and spent the rest of her time at home. 'She liked to hang out with her sister, me,' Natasha said. She described Nelya as a quiet girl who kept to herself. 'She was very kind and caring. She was always doing things for the family. You never had to tell her, she just bought stuff or did stuff for us.'"

Tragedy Strikes Dorchester School Family

There are heavy hearts in the Dorchester area following the tragic deaths of two Dorchester students earlier today. As the Omaha World-Herald reports, "two sisters from rural Crete were killed and another sibling was critically injured Sunday morning in a two-vehicle accident about five miles east of Crete on Nebraska Highway 33."

Nelya Strilkivsky, 22, and Anna Strilkivsky, 7, were pronounced dead at the scene after the Honda Civic they were in collided with a semi-trailer truck, according to investigators for the Lancaster Sheriff's Office. Nelya was a recent graduate of Dorchester High School. Anna was a Dorchester first grader.

Tanya Strilkivsky, 11, was taken by helicopter to BryanLGH West Medical Center. The condition of the driver of the semi, Jerry Bailey, 56, of Fairview, Kan., was not available. Anna was a passenger in the rear seat and Tanya was riding in the front of the Honda. No one in the Honda was wearing a seat belt, investigators said.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Strilkivsky family.

** UPDATE: 4/14, 1:30 p.m. **

A fund for the Strilkivsky family has been set up at Pinnacle Bank, where the family banks. Anyone wishing to make a donation may send it to: Pinnacle Bank, P.O. Box 66, Crete, NE 68333.

Also, students at Dorchester Public Schools will be working to raise funds for the Strilkivsky family. Admission for the Dorchester Student Council dance on Friday, April 18, will be $4 or $3 with a food item for the family. In addition, a school food drive will be held this week. Outside donations will be accepted. For more information, contact Stacy Lutjemeyer at sschelbi@esu6.org.

FLASH: Roadside Trash Pick-Up Postponed

The Times has learned that the volunteer roadside trash pick-up scheduled for tomorrow morning, Saturday, April 12, has been canceled due to wet weather.

Dorchester Area Community Association officials say the event will be rescheduled at a later date.

The Times will post the newly scheduled date and time as soon as it is received.

School Auction Set For May 9

As work continues on the Dorchester school renovation and expansion project, school administrators are preparing for the school's surplus auction to be held early next month.

The auction will take place Friday, May 9 at the Dorchester school. Bidding will begin at 9 a.m. Items for sale will include equipment, furniture and other items from the 1927 building that will not be needed in the new facility.

Among the items listed for sale:

• A Hamilton upright piano;
• Chalkboards and dry-erase boards;
• Cabinets (metal and wooden);
• School desks;
• Furnace & A/C units;
• Lockers;
• Water fountains;
• Bathroom fixtures, including sinks and toilets;
• Loud speakers;
• Maytag electric stove;
• Hot water heaters and soft water unit;
• Tape recorders and record players;
• Basketball hoop brackets; and
• Computer tables.
  

Cash or a check with ID is needed the day of the auction. Profits from the event will go to help with the cost of the new school building and campus renovation.

For a complete listing of auction items, see the sale bill accompanying this story. Click on the graphic for a larger view.

Alumni Banquet To Be Held At Tabor Hall

Now is the time to begin making plans to attend this year's Dorchester High School Alumni Banquet.

The Times has learned there will be an alternative site for the annual alumni gathering. Due to the renovation of the school, the 2008 DHS Alumni Banquet will be held at Tabor Hall on Saturday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m.

Members of the 20-year class -- the class of 1988 -- have completed most of the preparations, and invitations will be sent within the next two weeks.

For more information on this year's alumni banquet, contact Donnetta (Sand) Hoffman at Hoffdoggz@windstream.net