Home For Sale: 602 W. 9th St.

Dorchester's real estate market is booming. This as more people -- especially young families -- want the safety, sanity, affordability, and quality of life offered in our close-knit village. On the rare occasion a Dorchester home is listed, most are sold within a week to 10 days. 

Consider what Dorchester has to offer:

• TOP-NOTCH SCHOOL: A newer K-12 school with small class sizes and some of the state's top educators. 

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

• LOWER COSTS: Affordable living costs with lower property taxes compared to surrounding school districts that can overspend taxpayer resources.

• KEY BUSINESS AND PRIME LOCATION: Headquarters for one of the nation's largest agri-businesses (Farmers Cooperative), and situated on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line and along two major highways.

• GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE: A quick drive to employers in Crete, Milford, Friend, and Seward. Just 30 minutes to Lincoln and 10 minutes to I-80. Yet all the advantages of a rural small town.

Today we showcase the latest Dorchester home available.

602 W 9th St.: Wow, here is one that everyone has been waiting for! Well designed home, with 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (including a Master), Large Kitchen and Main Floor Laundry. Over 1, 400 sq. ft. on the main floor and another 702 of finished space in the Basement with an egress window. This home was built in 1996, with vinyl siding, new heat pump furnace & a/c, added insulation and is ready for you to just move in! All this is located on a deep lot that backs up to the Dorchester School's football field and has 2 utility sheds. See the listing.

Over 30 Sex Offenders In Saline Co.; Nearly 950 In Lancaster Co.

Nebraska law declares that sex offenders present a high risk as repeat offenders. For that reason, in Nebraska, sex offenders must register as provided by the Sex Offender Registration Act.

Here is the registry to look up the offenders living in your community.

This information is used to provide public notices and information so Nebraska communities can develop reasonable plans to safeguard children and teens.

There are currently 31 registered sex offenders in Saline County. They reside in the following communities:

• 11 offenders in Crete (and two others in the nearby countryside);
• Five offenders in Wilber; 
• One in Friend;
• One in Dorchester;
• Two in DeWitt; 
• One in Tobias;
• One in Western; and
• One in Swanton.

In Lancaster County, there are 947 offenders listed. Seward County has 36 offenders listed.

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

Visit the website of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

FLASHBACK: October 14 Whiteout Hit Three Years Ago

Three years ago this month, Dorchester and the surrounding area were hit by a serious winter storm -- way too early for most people's liking.

Here is what the Times wrote at the time:

Total snow accumulations are expected from two to four inches in Seward, Lancaster, Saline and Jefferson Counties. Plan on slippery road conditions. Use extra caution if traveling. Visibility could be reduced to 1/4 to 1/2 mile at times. Power outages are possible. Some trees branches could break from the heavy wet snow. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 511.

A freeze warning is in effect from 1 a.m. Monday morning until 10 a.m. Temperatures will be dropping to 24 to 28 degrees after midnight tonight through Monday morning. Freezing temperatures will kill sensitive vegetation and should end the growing season for the area. Damage could also occur to unprotected outdoor plumbing, garden hoses, and undrained sprinkler systems.

Stay up to date with the latest forecast at the Dorchester Times by clicking here.

The last time significant snow hit our area this early was October 14, 2009.  That event was a precursor to one of the worst winters in the past 40 years.

Is an early snow storm in the cards this year?

At this time, AccuWeather -- the official forecasting site of the Times -- shows no hint of snow in its 30-day forecast.

The Farmers' Almanac, likewise, predicts no sign of snow throughout October.

So if flakes fly this month or early November, it appears it will truly be a surprise to everyone (again).

Dorchester's Community Clean-Up, Oct. 16-23

It's time to get your property cleaned up -- because the white stuff isn't that far away.

The Dorchester Fall Community Clean-Up will be Oct. 16-23, according to information provided by the village government.

As a reminder, the village's dump site hours will be 

• Saturday, Oct. 16 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
• Monday - Friday, Oct. 18-22 (1-7 p.m.)
• Saturday, Oct. 23 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)

The dump is closed on Sundays. Call Village Hall at 402.946.3201 if there are questions about accepted items.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Last Weekend To Use Dorchester's Water Park

DHS Volleyball Wins 1, Loses 2 This Week: The DHS volleyball team picked up a win this week, beating Class C2 Shelby/Rising City on Sept. 23 at the High Plains Community triangular. But the DHS dropped two other matches, one to High Plains and another to Osceola on Sept. 21. The Orange and Black Attack is now 3-8 at the midpoint of the season. Next up for DHS is a Saturday, Sept. 25 tourney at Nebraska Lutheran in Waco.

Longhorns Football Team Suffers Loss to Hampton: The Dorchester High School football team's 2021 campaign has struggled due to injured players and a young roster. The squad lost their fourth straight contest on Friday, Sept. 24, losing to Hampton 39-16. The entire game can be viewed here. DHS must now prepare for their Friday, Oct. 1 road contest against a tough Sterling team.

Last Weekend for Dorchester's Splash Pad: Thursday, Sept. 30 is the last day to use Dorchester's splash pad in the city park. After that, it will be shut down until next May. Hours are 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Sept. 29 Deadline to Register For Dorchester's Women's Volleyball

For those interested in participating in Dorchester's women's three-on-three volleyball league, the deadline to register your team is quickly approaching.

Sign-up is open until Thursday, Sept. 29, according to an e-mail sent to the Times. 

Sign-up forms can be obtained at Village Hall, or by clicking here.

Again, the registration forms must be received at Village Hall no later than Sept. 29. Team registration fee is $30. 

League play begins  Oct. 11 at the Dorchester gym and runs until Dec. 13. 

Participants cannot be currently enrolled in high school. Due to COVID-19, only players may attend matches.

FLASHBACK: Dorchester's Old Water Tower Came Down 8 Years Ago

Eight years ago this month, Dorchester's skyline changed significantly when the old water tower -- a Dorchester landmark since the early 1900s -- was taken down in a matter of hours. (In the spring of 2013, the new water tower, complete with modern village logo, had gone up in the southeast corner of the village near the railroad tracks.)

While the new water tower, with its imposing shadow and modern shape, was welcomed by most town residents, in September 2013, we heard several residents talk about how they would miss the old tower's rustic charm and iron grit.

Records show Dorchester's old water tower had been located south of the City Park since the late 1880s. 

It is believed that the old tower was constructed prior to the the passage of Dorchester's $15,000 water works bond in 1914. The exact construction date is unknown due to a 1913 fire that destroyed all of the village records.

Over the decades, the structure had undergone several upgrades and renovations.  

Dorchester leaders decided in 2010 to replace the old tower based on cost estimates to refurbish it, as well as its short life expectancy even if the restoration been completed.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Dorchester Street Improvement Plan To Be Discussed Oct. 4

Public Invited to Dorchester Street Improvement Plan Discussion: Dorchester residents may attend the village board's consideration of the community's long-range street improvement plan. The event will be held at the Dorchester Community Hall on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. The board will take up a one-year and six-year street improvement program. Any interested person is invited to attend this public hearing and to present pertinent information, data ,or views or to request additional information or background regarding said street improvements plans. The purpose of the hearing is to afford full and complete public knowledge and discussion of the community's street improvements plans prior to adoption.

Pulled Pork Dinner at Methodist Church This Sunday: Tomorrow (Sunday, Sept. 19), from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., some seriously good eats will be available for dine-in or take-out at the Dorchester United Methodist Church. Everyone is invited. On the menu will be pulled pork sandwiches, scalloped potatoes and coleslaw, pork and beans, and a delicious homemade dessert. The meal can be picked up at the Dorchester United Methodist Church (612 Lincoln Ave.) or feel free to it it there! For pick-up, call 402-946-3091 or 402-641-5170. Free-will offering.

DHS Volleyball Team Goes 2-0 for the Week: The Orange and Black Attack captured their first two volleyball victories of the season this week, beating rival Friend in four sets and Nebraska Lutheran in five. The young Longhorns are showing big improvements as the season advances. Next up for DHS will be a road contest at Osceola (5-2) on Tuesday, Sept. 21 and a triangular at High Plains Community on Thursday, Sept. 23.

FLASHBACK: DHS Homecoming, 60 Years Ago

Maybe this photo will jog a few memories.

This image is from Dorchester High School's 1961 homecoming -- featuring the homecoming king and queen candidates. 

Thanks to a loyal Times reader for e-mailing this blast from the past.

How many of you can recall when this photo was taken? A couple of individuals on our staff can.

Pictured in this photo, from left to right, are: Jimmy McReynolds, Bill August (No. 11), homecoming king Doug Sysel (No. 10), Dan Tesar (No. 3), Sharon Nohavec, homecoming queen Judy Woehrle, Connie Johnson, and Cindy Drake. 

Once a Longhorn, always a Longhorn.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Dorchester School's K-12 Enrollment Up Once Again

Dorchester School Enrollment Sees Third Straight Year of Growth: K-12 enrollment at Dorchester Public School continues to grow, albeit it slowly. The school is currently at 215 students, compared to 204 two school year's ago. (This highlights why Dorchester needs as much housing as possible, including getting families in vacant homes.) Meanwhile, Superintendent Daryl Schrunk is encouraging students to participate in many extra-curricular activities. Schrunk notes that these activities are one of the key advantages of attending a smaller school -- and that some of life's greatest lessons are learned in the out-of-the-classroom activities.

DHS Teams Off to a Slow Start This Fall: Dorchester High School's fall sports season is off to a tough start for both the volleyball and football squads. The very young volleyball team has dropped its first six contests. But this week will give the Orange and Black Attack a good chance at picking up their first win since they'll face 0-5 Nebraska Lutheran on Tuesday, Sept. 14 (away), and 1-4 Friend on Thursday, Sept. 16 (at home). Meanwhile, the football team has lost its first three games and gets a much-need bye this week. Next up is 1-2 Hampton on Sept. 24 (away).

Crete Pumpkin Festival is Fast Approaching: The Crete Great Pumpkin Festival is set for Oct. 2-3. Among the featured activities this year will be: Bouncy ball and pumpkin drops; car show; carnival games; craft show; farmers' market; great pumpkin displays; hayrack rides; petting zoos; live entertainment; pumpkin pie eating contest; scarecrow and pumpkin competitions; and more. See all the information here.

Shelley And Rose Bruha Celebrate 60th Wedding Anniversary

A lot was happening in 1961. 

The cold war continued to worsen as the USSR tested some very large bombs and built a wall separating East from West Berlin. 

Many Americans were building backyard fallout shelters in case of nuclear war. 

The U.S. federal government, headed by Democrats, financed anti-Castro Cubans for a failed invasion at the Bay of Pigs. 

Chubby Checker was dominating the rock-and-roll charts with songs like "Pony Time," while top movies included "West Side Story" and "The Parent Trap."

And Shelley and Rose (Slama) Bruha were getting married.

The Bruhas will soon celebrate their 60th anniversary. They were married Sept. 2, 1961, in Dorchester.

Their family members include children, Pam and Larry Fuller, Rochelle and John Bruha, Lisa and Mark Lautzenhiser and Sheldon and Ingird Bruha, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

To celebrate, the family is requesting a card shower. Cards may be sent to them at P.O. Box 206, Dorchester, NE 68343.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Dorchester Power To Be Cut Sept. 2

DHS Volleyball, Football Teams Fall in Season Openers: Both Dorchester autumn sports teams lost their season opening contests late last week. The volleyball team, loaded with young talent, fell to East Butler. DHS will try to bounce back this week when the Longhorns host Palmyra and Weeping Water (Thursday, Sept. 2). The football team lost 28-46 against a tough Meridian team. Now the Longhorns must prepare for Pawnee City, which hasn't yet played a game this season.

Dorchester Gets Much-Needed Rain: In the past 24 hours, Dorchester has received much needed rain, which will help late-summer crops, gardens and lawns. Our village reports around 1.3 inches. That compares to just over 1.5 inches north of Crete and southwest of Wilber. See the NeRain map.

Power Will Be Turned Off Sept. 2: Village Hall has notified Dorchester residents that there will be a scheduled power outage beginning at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2 and lasting until 6 a.m. (this may be done sooner). Please plan accordingly. This is required as substation upgrades are made. Please refrain from excessive watering at this time.

Dorchester Looks to Improve Track-and-Field Facilities: At the Aug. 9 school board meeting, board members voted 6-0 to fund an improvement of the school's practice field. The improvements will include a runway for long/triple jump with a sand pit, high jump area, and lanes for relay exchange & hurdle practice. Superintendent Daryl Schrunk showed the board his propose changes to the practice field, according to meeting minutes. 

2021 Football Season Kicks Off This Friday In Dorchester

Dorchester High School's 2021 football season kicks off this Friday night. The Longhorns are set to do battle at home with the Meridian Mustangs. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. 

This is the modern era's fourth act of six-man football at Dorchester's revamped Nerud Field, which was upgraded a few seasons ago with a new lighting system.  

Here are the 2021 schedules for both DHS varsity and JV football teams:

Dorchester's football program has continued to show continuous improvement on the field after splitting from Milford four years ago and going to six-man. Last season, DHS finished the year at 6-3, making it to the state playoffs. (DHS was 4-4 in its 2019 campaign and 3-5 in 2018.)

The 2021 campaign will be a tough test without senior quarterback Blake Hansen, who is sidelined due to non-sport related foot injury. 

The Longhorns will also be contending with a younger and smaller roster than in the previous three season. Therefore, they'll be counting on young talent to mature quickly to fill in the missing pieces.

Stand by for season four of DHS six-man ball -- and the second straight season of football in a global pandemic.

DHS Volleyball 2021: Young Guns Set The Stage

The Dorchester High School volleyball team's 2021 campaign is about to begin. And the team is high on the future due to its strong numbers. 

But that also means DHS is counting on strong play from its young players.

This season, the Dorchester roster is comprised almost completely of freshmen and sophomores. Jayana Duchek, a junior, is the only upper classman donning the orange and black.  

The mighty DHS will field a very competitive volleyball team if the young players can quickly elevate their play. The team will again be guided by head coach Claire White and assistant coach Bethany Theis.

The new season gets underway Thursday, Aug. 26 at East Butler, followed by a JV tournament at Giltner on Saturday, Aug. 28 and a DHS triangular on Thursday, Sept. 2.

Here's a look at this year's DHS volleyball schedule:

2021 DHS Volleyball Schedule

Former DHS Educator, Football Coach Bill Story Passes At Age 88

Former Dorchester educator William "Bill" Story, 88, passed away Aug. 3. 

Bill was born in Tecumseh to Henry and Mary Story. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan and received his master's degree from UNL. He taught at Dorchester in the late 1940s and early 1950s. 

Bill was coach of the 1949 DHS football team that restarted the school's football program after a long hiatus following the 1930's death of a DHS ball player. In the fall of '49, only eleven players went out for the six-man version of the game. 

In August 2018, Story attended the special halftime ceremony honoring Dorchester's six-man alumni who played in the '50s. Coaching the Dorchester team was Bill's first job out of college. In 2018, he told the Friend Sentinel: “Football at Dorchester was just kind of like the [University of Nebraska]. It just never stopped, and everybody was behind it.”  

He also taught and coached at Tecamah, Lincoln High, and Lincoln Northeast. Summers were spent managing Uni Pool for 28 years. He loved gardening, sports, traveling and church where he was an usher. 

Bill married Phyllis Schmidt, his wife of 68 years. They have four children; Bill, Jr., Cindy, Jim and Chuck (Kathy); six grandchildren: Brian Story, Staci (Brandon) Rice, Jaime (Nate) Sanks, Jeff Story, Elizabeth Story and Alex Story; great-grandchildren: Kaden and Calissa Sanks and Aren Rice. The funeral service was held Aug. 6 in Lincoln. 

NEWS ROUND-UP: Back-To-School Edition

School Starts Wednesday: Tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 18, marks the first day of school for Dorchester Public School. Classes begin at 8:10 a.m. and release early at 1:20 p.m. Preschool begins Monday, Aug. 23. Good luck to all DPS Longhorns this school year! Email Superintendent Daryl Schrunk (daryl.schrunk@dorchesterschool.org) if you have questions about operations at DPS.

Fall Sports Preview is Thursday: On Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Dorchester High School will showcase its fall sports talent during the Fall Sports Preview. This event will be held at the school's north parking lot. The members of both the DHS volleyball and football teams will be introduced, followed by a free-will donation hot dog meal sponsored by the DHS Booster Club. On Friday, Aug. 20, the volleyball team will conduct its scrimmage at 5:30 p.m., while the football team will do the same at 7:30 p.m. Catch the Orange and Black Attack this year!

DHS Booster Club Seeks Members: Dorchester supporters from across the nation are asked to join the DHS Longhorn Booster Club. The club aims to make participation in all high school activities an enjoyable experience for students. Examples of this include purchase of new athletic equipment; sponsorship of the homecoming pep rally; paying DHS coaches' fees to belong to the Nebraska Coaches Association. If you have any questions regarding the DHS Booster Club -- or how you can contribute -- call DHS Athletic Director Brent Zoubek at (402) 946-2781. Otherwise, send your donation to: Dorchester Booster Club, 506 W 9th St., Box 7, Dorchester, NE 68343.