Omaha Local News

Omaha, Nebraska - The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is turning to the community for assistance in their search for a wanted felon, urging residents to remain vigilant and report any relevant information. The individual in question, Cecilia Hernandez, 32, has been identified as a person of significant interest by the Fugitive Warrant Unit. Hernandez has several known aliases, including surnames Acosta and Vanschoiack. She is being pursued for numerous felony charges. These charges encompass a range of serious offenses such as attempted vehicular assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing to elude capture, criminal mischief, and three distinct counts of...

Omaha, Nebraska - In a tragic incident in Omaha, a bicyclist lost his life after being struck by a pickup truck over the weekend. The unfortunate event took place at the intersection of 72nd and Pratt streets, at approximately 6:08 p.m. on Saturday. The victim has been identified as John Turpen, 45. He was riding a unique, homemade motorized bicycle when the accident happened. According to police reports, Turpen proceeded through a stop sign at the aforementioned intersection when he was hit by the pickup truck. Emergency medical responders were swiftly on the scene, transporting Turpen to a nearby hospital. Sadly,...

Omaha, Nebraska - The conclusion of COVID-19 support programs has exacerbated food scarcity issues for families in Omaha. Six months after the termination of these crucial assistance programs, these families face increased hardship. The potential discontinuation of SNAP benefits in both Nebraska and Iowa may further challenge these families. Due to the acute food scarcity, an increasing number of individuals are seeking assistance from food banks. However, these banks are offering limited resources. This intensified food crisis is causing some Omaha families to skip meals, a dire consequence of the pandemic. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that the situation is deteriorating. Following a two-year decline...

Omaha, Nebraska - Residents near Albright Park are increasingly alarmed by the consistent problem of illegal dumping at a local cul-de-sac. The issue, they say, has persisted for almost three years. Stephen Bolgar, a resident of the area, dedicates his time to cleaning up this mess, visiting the cul-de-sac at least three times a month to pick up trash. Just this Monday, Bolgar discovered discarded sofa chairs, a window, cigarette butts, broken glass, and numerous empty bottles. Despite the presence of "No Dumping" signs, Bolgar expressed concerns about the insufficient measures to deter such activities. "There are no dumping signs around here...

Omaha, Nebraska - Residents near 50th and Fontenelle Boulevard in Omaha have raised concerns due to three specific shootings occurring within a fortnight. This area, typically quiet, has witnessed a surge in violent incidents, leading to property damage and a lack of tranquility. The local community is apprehensive, with some choosing to remain indoors to prevent potential harm from stray bullets. According to the Omaha Police Department, violence in this zone has intensified. The situation is of high priority for law enforcement. Evidence from the crime scenes includes over 85 collected shell casings. These casings come from various firearms, with some...

Omaha, Nebraska - During the summer, a prolonged power outage occurred near 45th and Browne in Omaha, leading to increased concerns about safety and crime among the local inhabitants. Many residents, including Remi Dortch, highlighted their apprehensions about potential risks due to darkness. The majority felt that the darkness had led to a rise in crimes, particularly attempted car thefts. Initial requests for support directed to the Omaha Police Department (OPD) and the Mayor's office went unaddressed. However, after the intervention of 7 Can Help, a positive response was observed. Within a day, OPD teams were dispatched to resolve the problem. Their...

Omaha, Nebraska - An Omaha resident, Justyn Wagner, has entered a 'no contest' plea in relation to charges stemming from the fatal shooting of 18-year-old KorVanta Hill in October 2021. Wagner faced multiple charges including second-degree murder, use of a weapon in a felony, and possession of a firearm by a restricted individual. The incident occurred at the intersection of 39th and Pratt streets when Hill was accompanying his father to buy a soda. Previously, Elijah Robinson received a sentence ranging from 40 to 60 years due to his involvement in Hill's demise. According to Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine, both Wagner...

Omaha, Nebraska - The Omaha City Council is in the process of finding a successor for the former councilman, Vinny Palermo, who is now serving time due to a public corruption charge. A public interview of five contenders took place recently, and they will vie for the council seat in an iterative voting method. The goal is for one individual to garner at least four votes. Earlier this year, Palermo admitted his involvement in a wire fraud case and has been incarcerated since April, awaiting his sentencing in November. The candidates for this council seat are Rebecca Barrientos-Patlan, Garry Gernandt, Eric Servellon, Ron...

Omaha, Nebraska - Amid rising financial pressures for countless Americans, many are seeking aid from debt consolidation and credit repair companies. However, not all experiences have been positive. A recent report from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) highlights the concerns surrounding deceptive practices by some of these entities. Judy Dollison of the BBB notes that while many companies promise swift and comprehensive solutions, they sometimes employ forceful strategies to push clients into premature payments of upfront fees. She stated, "BBB has had more than 12,000 complaints and negative reviews combined about credit and debit assistance companies. So, that just shows you that...

Omaha, Nebraska - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) reported a tragic incident that took place north of Valley on Sunday morning. Authorities were summoned to the intersection of 252nd Street and Rainwood Road shortly after 10 a.m. Upon their arrival, along with members of the Valley Fire Department, they discovered a bicyclist who had been hit by a vehicle. Despite medics' best efforts to save the individual, he succumbed to his injuries on the spot. The victim was later identified as Dr. Matthew Latacha, a 47-year-old Omaha resident. Dr. Latacha was not just an ordinary citizen; he was a renowned...

Omaha, Nebraska - The Omaha Police Department (OPD) recently concluded an investigation into an incident resulting in the shooting of 27-year-old Matthew X. Johnson. Reports suggest Mr. Johnson, potentially undergoing a mental health episode, confronted both a civilian and attending officers with a firearm. Prior to the escalation, authorities discovered Mr. Johnson's vehicle oddly stationed on a median, accompanied by assertions of his possible intention to endanger an officer. Despite initial efforts to deescalate the situation, the encounter intensified as he brandished his weapon. Subsequent to the confrontation, emergency medical professionals promptly transported Mr. Johnson to CUMC-Bergan Mercy Medical Center. Regrettably, due...

Omaha, Nebraska - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is conducting an investigation into an incident that resulted in the death of one woman and the injury of another. Responding to a report on Friday, officers were dispatched to a residence located at the intersection of 77th St. and Wyoming St. Upon arrival, authorities discovered two women: a 70-year-old who was deceased and a 98-year-old who was subsequently transported to a local hospital for medical attention. While there were no immediate indications of criminal activity at the scene, officials did detect a heightened concentration of carbon monoxide within the premises.

Omaha, Nebraska - Gas prices in Omaha are approaching a significant threshold, with several gas stations edging closer to the $4.00 per gallon rate. Recent days have seen a noticeable escalation in prices. Numerous stations are now registering a price of "$3.89" for regular gasoline. Data from Triple A indicates that the metro's average cost for regular gasoline stands at "$3.78" per gallon. This marks a significant increase, as only a week prior, the price was "$3.42", reflecting a 36-cent surge within a mere week. To provide further perspective, just last month, the price was recorded at "$3.61". Interestingly, when comparing the current...

Omaha, Nebraska - The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has elaborated on its decision to suspend the license of an Omaha-based daycare, Kidz of the Future, revealing concerns that extend beyond a recent tragic incident involving a toddler. The issued emergency order indicates the absence of any documentation verifying that the van driver, associated with the daycare, underwent the requisite training or a criminal background check. Moreover, the individual was not officially listed as an employee of the establishment. Subsequently, the driver has been legally charged with child abuse by neglect leading to death. He provided a statement to the...

Omaha, Nebraska - On Thursday afternoon, emergency teams responded to an incident at a Scooter’s Coffee drive-thru in north Omaha where a vehicle had collided with the establishment. Upon arrival, first responders identified that a part of the building had given way, revealing a vehicle ensnared within the wreckage. The preliminary assessment by authorities disclosed that while a customer was stationed in the drive-thru in one vehicle, a box truck maneuvering in the adjacent parking area became entangled with the building's awning. This resulted in the awning descending onto the vehicle situated in the drive-thru. Rescue teams successfully extricated the individual from the...

Omaha, Nebraska - Last month, the expanding retail entity Rally House marked the opening of its latest store in Omaha, Nebraska, according to reports. Situated at 12240 L Street in Omaha, this new addition to the Rally House family finds itself in proximity to recognized establishments such as Jason's Deli, Cycle Gear, and the Verizon outlet. As per a recent official communique, Rally House is positioned among the foremost sports and merchandise retail chains in the country. Their inventory boasts an extensive range of esteemed apparel and footwear brands, including the likes of Nike and Adidas. For residents or professionals within Omaha,...