Omaha Local News

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,...

Omaha, Nebraska - Omaha traditionally recognizes Labor Day with a comprehensive weekend celebration. SeptemberFest commences on Friday and concludes on Labor Day. Visitors can anticipate rides, assorted cuisines, face painting, and even MMA bouts within the designated entertainment area. Additionally, there will be a dedicated space to pay tribute to military veterans. "The military wall is actually a really cool thing. This is going to be called the Wall of the Fallen and it's going to be 3,400 square feet. It's going to contain 34 towers, each of which will feature photographs of individuals who have perished during wartime," stated Marcus Morse. As a...

Omaha, Nebraska - A resident of Omaha, Jose Hernandez Cruze, 36, has been arrested on multiple charges, including domestic assault, driving recklessly, and forgery. The Nebraska State Patrol reported that on Tuesday, around 6 a.m., Cruze was apprehended following an incident on Highway 75 near Childs Rd. A trooper had observed a Chevrolet Equinox, traveling northbound, displaying erratic driving behavior. This led to a traffic intervention. During this stop, a female passenger emerged from the vehicle and disclosed to the trooper that she was being detained involuntarily. She appeared to have sustained facial injuries. Additionally, a minor was present in the vehicle. Following...

Omaha, Nebraska - The Omaha Police Department issued a statement regarding an ongoing homicide investigation in the vicinity of 121st and Arbor Street. Early on Thursday morning, around 3:08 a.m., authorities responded to a report concerning an unresponsive individual. Upon arrival, they discovered a deceased male, estimated to be in his 40s. The investigation is currently in progress. The department encourages anyone with relevant information to reach out to the OPD Homicide Unit directly at (402) 444-5656. Individuals wishing to provide information anonymously can do so through Omaha Crime Stoppers at (402) 444-STOP, via their website at omahacrimestoppers.org, or through the P3 Tips...

Omaha, Nebraska -The Omaha Police Department apprehended a man on Tuesday following an incident at a local metropolitan hospital. Authorities said that the individual, earlier in custody, was undergoing an evaluation at CHI Health-CUMC-Bergan Mercy. Upon the conclusion of this assessment, the man endeavored to elude the attending officers. While he remained within the hospital premises throughout the incident, he was subdued using a taser and was subsequently detained. A minor injury was sustained by an officer during the altercation. On-site officers identified the individual as Cameron Craddock, who is expected to face charges for the attempted escape. Prior to this incident,...

Omaha, Nebraska - The Omaha Police Department reported an arrest following a vehicular collision with a tree. At approximately 12:12 p.m., a car crashed into a tree on the road's northern side. Following the incident, the 39-year-old male driver fled the scene on foot but was soon arrested by police officers. Authorities suspect the man was driving under the influence. Additionally, the police have linked him to a prior hit-and-run incident at the intersection of 103rd and Fort.

Omaha, Nebraska - The City of Omaha is set to substantially increase the salaries of its police officers in response to significant recruitment challenges. Mayor Jean Stothert cited "unprecedented" difficulties in attracting new officers as a motivating factor for this decision. A detailed breakdown reveals: The initial salary for incoming police officers will be approximately $71,000 annually. This represents a nearly 40% increment compared to the prevailing labor agreement. In 2024, officers holding ranks from sergeant to lieutenant to captain will see an 8% salary increase. The proposed pay structure will be subject to a public review during a city council meeting...

Omaha, Nebraska - Omaha Public Schools (OPS) remains active in its endeavor to identify a new superintendent. The district has disclosed a schedule comprising 12 community forums, slated to take place from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4. These forums aim to facilitate public input regarding the selection process. Beyond the in-person sessions, OPS will initiate an online survey from Sept. 25, inviting perspectives specifically related to the superintendent vacancy. It's pertinent to note that Matthew Ray presently holds the position of Interim Superintendent for OPS. He stepped into this role following the departure of the previous Superintendent, Dr. Cheryl Logan. Detailed information, encompassing the...