Getting Rocked!

UPDATE: As of 10 p.m. Sunday night, another 1.15" had fallen on Dorchester.  That makes more than 5" of rain since mid-week.

Late summer thunderstorms are rocking the Dorchester area and much of eastern Nebraska on this last day of August.

Up to another inch of precipitation is predicted over the next hour in Dorchester. Rainfall should cease around 6:45 or 7 p.m.

A tornado watch remains in effect until 9 p.m.  A flood warning has been in effect for the Dorchester area for the past three days.

Stay up-to-date with Dorchester's weather and radar outlook by clicking here.

Flooding Hits Dorchester Area After Big Rains

The heavy rains of the past four or five days have resulted in significant flooding in our area.  In fact, the Dorchester area remains in a flood warning.

The picture on this post is from a Times reader who sent us a glimpse of Turkey Creek near Pleasant Hill as it appeared Friday evening.

Turkey Creek has been out of its banks since Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service tells us that the Big Blue River near Crete was at 22.6 ft. as of 10 a.m. this morning.  That's 4.6 ft. above the flood stage of 18 ft.

The river will continue rising, likely above 23 ft., but it should fall below flood stage by Monday afternoon -- if there is no additional rainfall.

See what the weather forecasters are predicting for the Dorchester area by clicking here.

MHS-DHS Kicks Off Season With 27-6 Win

The Milford-Dorchester football team opened the high school season last night with a convincing victory against Louisville in a Class C-1 battle.  The MHS-DHS squad won 27-6.

Milford-Dorchester is in its second season as a co-op, but this is the first year Dorchester students can play games on varsity.

The MHS-DHS Eagles are coming off a 3-6 season, but coaches and players believe momentum could swing their way in 2014.  Last night, the team moved the ball with relative ease, while the defense showed it was much faster than last year's squad.

Milford-Dorchester returns an impressive 13 starters. One of them is tight end and linebacker Daniel Mitchell, who is a key contributor. 

Dorchester Deluged: 72-Hour Rainfall Amounts In Saline County

UPDATE: Late August rain is quickly ensuring that our area of Nebraska will have a big, big surplus of yearly precipitation heading into autumn.

In parts of York County, they've received more than 10 in. over the past four nights.  Most people there have stopped counting.

Here is a look at rainfall amounts in Saline County over the past 72 hours:

Dorchester (In Town) ................ Around 3.85"
Milford (5.9 miles SSE) .............. 3.20"
Dorchester (2.1 miles NW) ......... 2.60"
Dorchester (4.4 miles SSE) ......... 1.42"
Friend (3.4 miles E) ................. 2.21"
Friend (4.8 miles SSE) .............. 1.99"
Wilber (7.0 miles WSW) ............ 0.90"
Wilber (4.1 miles W) ................ 0.88"
Western (1.2 miles SE) .............. 0.90"
DeWitt (0.3 miles WNW) ........... 0.58"
Tobias (4.7 miles SSW) ............. 0.71"

Dorchester Gets More Rain, But Avoids Huge Amounts So Far

Dorchester was drenched earlier today, but we've avoided the heavy soakers that have hit York county.  One report, compiled by the NeRAIN reporting program, shows that the area just southwest of the communnity of York was deluged with nearly 6.5 inches.

See the York News-Times for images from that community.

In the meantime, rain and thunderstorms are supposed to resume around 5:30 p.m. tonight and continue off and on until tomorrow afternoon.  Keep up on the weather by clicking here.

For the sake of record keeping, here is a list of rainfall totals from our region over the past 36 hours:

• York, 0.6 mile SW -- 6.42"
• York, 1.0 mile ESE -- 5.01"
• Hampton, 2.6 miles ESE -- 2.41"
• Henderson, 3.4 miles ENE -- 2.39"
• McCool Junction, 1.1 miles ENE -- 1.62"
• Seward, 4.7 miles NE -- 1.28"
• Dorchester, 2.1 miles NW -- 0.46"
• Friend, 3.4 miles E -- 0.15"

Dealing With Negative People In A Small Community

Every small community has its handful of negative residents. In a small town, most everyone knows who those negative people are. (Social media even makes it easier to spot them these days.)

These are the folks who can spot flaws in the best of situations.  They are the ones who like to air their negativity publicly. They typically believe that nobody can or could do the job better than them, if ever they were to actually help around town.

Obviously, no one can be happy all the time; no one who isn't on some type of drug can keep a permanent smile on their face.  Yet, putting up with constant negativity is, at best, draining. And at worst, it's a morale killer that negatively affects the attitudes and efforts of fellow residents.

Here are our five strategies we've devised for dealing with negative people in and around a small town:

1.)  Don’t write off the negativity. It’s easy to dismiss negative attitudes and comments with remarks like, “That’s just the way she is.” But sometimes, negative people are pointing out very real problems and legitimate concerns that can and must be addressed.  Town leaders, school administrators and group organizers need to take into consideration all serious comments and complaints, even if from the consistently-negative crowd.

2.)  Consider the circumstances. If an always-negative resident is coping with a personal matter that is affecting his/her behavior, be sympathetic.  In a small town, we often hear what other people said, but we don't know the circumstances that may have prompted the comments.  The truth is, those constantly negative people probably have a big void somewhere in their lives.  (This happens in the big cities just as often, if not more. The Negative Nancys simply aren't as visible there.)

3.)  Make Negative Nancy part of the solution. Sometimes, community leaders simply need to let those who are constantly negative know that their concerns are being heard -- and that it would make more sense for them to tell someone who can do something about it, instead of airing their negative comments for all to hear (or read).  Establishing a special committee and offering a committee spot to the negative person would put the burden on Mr./Ms. Negative to be part of the solution.

4.)  Be rational in your approach.  Negativity is mostly emotional.  Don't combat emotion with more emotion; combat negativity with facts.  For example, if someone is constantly saying the cost-of-living is too high in Dorchester, show them Dorchester has the lowest school levy in Saline County; show them that Nebraska, overall, is one of the very least expensive states in which to reside. 

5.)  Know when to say goodbye. We realize our words aren't so powerful that we can change personalities. Let's all work to bring the negative personalities around by making them part of the solution.  But at the end of the day, in a small town -- just like a big city -- some people only want to complain and wear a constant frown.  Perhaps they feel isolated or can't see it's their own attitude acting as an impediment to making their own community a bit better.  For these people, it's best to leave them alone and not give them a platform.

Report: Farmland Foods Cracks Down On Illegal Workers, Finally

We were shocked to read that this past week, a Democrat state representative in next door Iowa, who happens to also be running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, said if the underage migrants who have come to the U.S. from Central America aren’t given a “pathway for citizenship” they could become terrorists. The candidate, Pat Murphy, said if illegal immigrants aren't provided benefits from taxpayers today, "they’ll be terrorists a generation from now."

If that's the case, we have a problem in every corner of America -- especially meatpacking towns like Crete -- since America's political leaders have shamefully turned a blind eye to immigration enforcement and border security.

We have often wondered how many people in our own county are here illegally -- or "without documentation," as some would want us to say. (The Times is on record as a longtime critic of our nation's poor enforcement of immigration across our southern border.)

At last check, unofficial census counts estimate the city of Crete is about 40-45% Hispanic or other minority.  That is a staggering (dare we say unhealthy?) rate of change experienced by Saline County's largest community over just 15 years.  We've been told by a Crete leader of respected stature that he estimates that as much as 35%-40% of Crete's Hispanic population is here illegally.

Recently, the Times was informed that Farmland Foods of Crete, owned by Shuanghui International Holdings of China, has cracked down on employment of those who cannot prove they are in the country legally.  According to inside reports, the new enforcement guidelines were implemented earlier this summer.  As soon as they were, more than 200 employees walked off the job, presumably because they are in the country illegally.

Those 200 are now "lurking in the shadows," as some politicians have said.

We wonder when other businesses and entities -- such as landlords, school administrators, realtors, social welfare organizations receiving state dollars -- catering to individuals who are "without documentation" will step up and demand to see proof of citizenship? Even if they aren't required to, don't they have an obligation to inform their fellow residents and taxpayers?

Leonard & Jan Stehlik Celebrate 60 Years

Sixty years ago.  Seems like just yesterday.

Actually, it was 525,600 minutes ago.  

And that's when Leonard and Jan (Jeanette Selk) Stehlik of Dorchester were getting married.

Other notable events of 1954 were:

• Jerry Seinfeld, the comedian, is born.
• The first issue of Sports Illustrated magazine is published in the United States.
• The Miss America Pageant is broadcast on television for the first time.
• Bill Haley & His Comets record "Rock Around the Clock", thus starting the rock and roll craze.
• The words "under God" are added to the United States Pledge of Allegiance.
• And RCA manufactures the first color television set (12-inch screen; price: $1,000).

This month, the Stehliks celebrated their 60th anniversary on Aug. 22 with their five children and six grandchildren.

Cards may be sent to 1479 County Road C, Dorchester, NE 68343.

Ladies: Spots Still Open For Outdoors Program

The Dorchester area has its share of females who enjoy the great outdoors -- whether it's hunting or camping, boating or hiking.  The good news is that space is still available for a retreat that teaches women skills they can use in the outdoors.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says the annual Becoming and Outdoors-Woman program runs from Oct. 3-5 at the national forest near Halsey. The BOW program is intended to help women become active in hunting, camping, boating, hiking and fishing.

Anyone who is at least 18 years old can register to learn skills in a friendly, non-intimidating environment.  Additional information and registration forms are available online at NebraskaBOW.com.

CRC Elite B-Ball Team Features Two Longhorns

The Dorchester basketball program has a long, proud history and the story continues.

The Crossroads Conference Elite Club basketball program recently concluded its third summer of competition.  

This year's CRC all-stars squad featured two players from Dorchester, current senior Corey Bird and 2014 DHS graduate Riley Zahourek.

The all-star team is made up of players from the Crossroads Conference schools and in 2014 had one team competing in the 8th grade division and two teams competing in the 11th and 12th grade division, while traveling to Omaha and Lincoln, as well as Kansas City, Hutchinson and Newton, Kan.  

Highlighting the summer was a first place finish in Kansas City and runner-up finishes in both Lincoln and Omaha.

Coaches were Dade McDonald from McCool Junction, Jon Mierau from Lincoln, Dan Hayes from Osceola and Chris Callan from Waverly.

Dorchester Receives 0.70" Of Rain Sunday Evening

Last night's showers were spotty.  In fact, they were some of the spottiest rainfalls to hit our area this year.

Fortunately for Dorchester's yards, gardens and area crops, the village received around 0.70" in most rain gauges.

But not all communities in Saline County were as lucky as Dorchester.  

Here's a look at some of the official precipitation reports from around our area:

Friend:  (3.4 miles east) ................... 0.76"
Western (4.4 NNE) ......................... 0.20"
Wilber (7.0 WSW) ......................... 0.20"
Tobias (1.8 E) .............................. 0.20"
Western (1.2 SE) .......................... 0.18"
Tobias (4.7 SSW) .......................... 0.00"
Dorchester (2.1 NW) ...................... 0.00"

Meanwhile, further west in Nebraska, powerful storm winds knocked down power lines and trees as hail pounded crops and buildings.  At least one person was reported injured Sunday by hail in northwest Nebraska's Sheridan County. Large hail was reported in adjacent Cherry County as well.

A gust of 83 mph was recorded by the National Weather Service in Hastings. The overnight storms caused power outages in Garfield County and in Hastings and Grand Island.

Saline Co. Drug & Alcohol Prevention Coalition Meets Aug. 25 In Wilber

The alcohol makers and pro-drug crowd won't like us for reporting this, but the facts are the facts.

Since the overall economy hit troubled times six years ago, America's use of drugs and alcohol has skyrocketed and been largely ignored by political leaders.  

A 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 23.9 million Americans (nearly 10% of the population) aged 12 or older were current illicit drug users, meaning they had used an illicit drug during the month prior to the survey interview. Daily or almost daily use of marijuana (used on 20 or more days in the past month) increased from 5.1 million persons in 2007 to 7.6 million persons in 2012. The number of past year heroin users increased between 2007 (373,000) and 2012 (669,000). Among youths aged 12 to 17, the current illicit drug use rate was 10.1%.

Meanwhile, nearly one quarter (23.0%) of persons aged 12 or older were binge alcohol users in the past 30 days. This translates to about 59.7 million people. Among young adults aged 18 to 25 in 2012, the rate of binge drinking was 39.5%, and the rate of heavy drinking was 12.7%.  The rate of current alcohol use among youths aged 12 to 17 was 12.9% in 2012. An estimated 9.3 million underage persons (aged 12 to 20) were current drinkers, including 5.9 million binge drinkers and 1.7 million heavy drinkers. Among current underage drinkers, 36.6% got it from an unrelated person aged 21 or older, 23.0% got it from a parent, guardian, or other adult family member, and 18.8% got it from another person younger than 21 years old.

If you would like to help stem the tide against the growing dependence on drugs and alcohol, you can attend the next meeting of the Saline County Drug & Alcohol Prevention Coalition -- scheduled for Monday, August 25, 2014, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Saline County Extension office, 306 W. 3rd St. in Wilber. 

All county residents are encouraged to be a part of the prevention discussion and efforts. If you have questions or would like additional information, contact Tim at (402) 821-3581.

Become A DHS Booster Club Member Today

The first meeting of the Dorchester Booster Club will be held tomorrow, Aug. 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. 

The meeting is open to everyone.  Dorchester Times readers are urged to join the Longhorn Booster Club today. 

You'll be surprised what a small donation can do.  The DHS Booster Club makes the participation of all activities for our students an enjoyable experience.  

From the purchase of new athletic equipment, to sponsorship of the annual homecoming pep rally, to paying Nebraska Coaches Association fees for DHS coaches, to buying meals for DHS athletes and coaches that qualify for state competition, these funds truly help carry on Longhorn pride.

Become a Longhorn Booster Club member today. Call DPS Athletics Director Brent Zoubek at (402) 946-2781 for details.

Hansens Celebrate 60 Years Of Marriage

What was happening back in the summer of 1954?

Bill Haley and His Comets were singing: "Shake, Rattle And Roll." 

Dean Martin was crooning "That's Amore."

Americans were celebrating a robust economy, with U.S. unemployment under 3%. 

The New York Stock Exchange reached its highest levels since 1929.

The cost of a stamp was 3 cents.  

Dr. Jonas Salk had started inoculating schoolchildren with his polio vaccine. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race-based segregation in schools is unconstitutional.

And Wayne and Velma Hansen were getting married on July 25, 1954, right here in Dorchester. 

A couple of weeks ago, they celebrated their 60th anniversary with a family dinner.

It's not too late to congratulate them on this milestone in marriage.  Send your best wishes to Wayne and Velma at: 287 State Highway 15, Dorchester, NE 68343.

Serious Accident Near Dorchester Sends Six To Hospital

Earlier this evening, around 5 p.m., a serious accident two miles east of Dorchester shut down Highway 33 for a lengthy period of time.

UPDATE: 10/11 News covered the story. The Lincoln TV station reports that a two-car accident on Highway 33 sent six people to the hospital and shut down a section of the highway for almost two hours Saturday night.

The Dorchester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Dept. assistant fire chief says an SUV carrying a family of five was going east, while the car involved was traveling west on Highway 33. He says the accident trapped the person in the car under the dashboard.

It took fire crews from Friend, Crete and Dorchester nearly 30 minutes to get the person out. The car's driver was taken directly to Bryan West Trauma. The Assistant Fire Chief says the injuries were critical, but not life threatening.

He says the five people in the SUV had minor injuries.

Editorial comment: This is another testament of the hard work and sacrifices made by volunteers at our local fire and rescue departments.  Thanks to those from the DVFD, as well as Friend and Crete departments who helped at the scene today.

Milford Fun Days Are Aug. 15-17

It's still summer and there's still summer fun planned in our area.

Take a quick drive up to Milford next weekend and enjoy any one of the numerous activities during Milford Fun Days.

The Aug. 15-17 celebration features inflatable games and a family street dance on Friday night; a fun run, petting zoo, volleyball tournament, rock climbing; bike rodeo; pulled pork picnic, parade and fireworks on Saturday; and a family adventure race on Sunday.  

To see the entire lineup of fun events at Milford Fun Days, click here. 

Or check out the Website by clicking here.