Omaha Local News

Omaha, Nebraska - The FBI has identified a money-mule fraud scheme both in Nebraska and across the country. Special Agent Eugene Kowel defines a money mule as, "someone who wittingly or unwittingly transfers money on behalf of or under the direction of another individual." The modus operandi involves criminals, primarily from overseas locations, recruiting teenagers and young adults via social media and online gaming platforms. Todd DiCaprio, Supervisory Special Agent with the Omaha FBI's Crimes against Children and Human Trafficking Squad, voiced concerns over the scheme: "We're increasing the risk, especially for our young people, to unwittingly be exposed to child...

Omaha, Nebraska - An Omaha man has been sentenced to a decade in prison in connection with methamphetamine-related charges. On August 17, Cash Cosgriff, a 33-year-old from Omaha, received a sentence from a federal court in Omaha due to his involvement in a methamphetamine distribution scheme. Acting U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr confirmed that Mr. Cosgriff is set to serve a sentence of 120 months in prison, followed by a five-year supervised release. It should be noted that the federal system does not permit parole. Court records indicate that in May 2021, a Special Agent from the Drug Enforcement Administration, operating undercover, communicated...

Omaha, Nebraska - The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) is taking measures to enhance safety on state highways. Technical teams are deploying a high-friction surface treatment on sections of Interstate 80, designed to augment traction between vehicles and the roadway. "This specialized treatment consists of an epoxy, akin to commercial products, onto which we affix a particular aggregate," informed district construction engineer Barbara Gerbino-Bevins. This procedure is intended to mitigate the risk of vehicles skidding, particularly on damp surfaces. Once applied, the road surface manifests a slightly darker hue, and vehicular tires may produce a distinctive sound. The ongoing initiative targets the curve where...

Omaha, Nebraska - Omaha's Riverfront is set to reopen to the public. Commencing this Friday, visitors are invited to explore the renovated Lewis and Clark Landing and Riverfront regions, reminiscent of the inauguration of the Gene Leahy Mall. The city has scheduled multiple events in the downtown area in honor of the reopening. A fireworks display is slated for 9 p.m. on Friday. The following day, Saturday, attendees can enjoy a family movie night with a screening of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" in the park. Throughout the weekend, visitors can avail themselves of offerings from food trucks and attend live performances. Additionally, the newly...

Omaha, Nebraska - Omaha City Council President Pete Festersen has indicated an intention to further increase property tax relief in the upcoming year. Mayor Jean Stothert has put forth a budget proposal indicating a 2.1% increment. She asserts that the city's requirements for an enlarged police budget constrict the extent of relief that can be extended. Festersen's proposed amendment seeks to allocate an additional sum, approximating $1 million, towards property tax relief, constituting a rise of around 20%. Commenting on this, Festersen stated, “Property valuations have increased substantially this year for most homeowners. I think it’s important we work to maximize...

Omaha, Nebraska - The Omaha Police Department (OPD) organized a firearms and fireworks amnesty initiative over the weekend at two primary drop-off locations for this purpose: Seymour Smith Park and Omaha Fire Station 43. As part of this effort, the department collected 60 handguns, 101 long guns, and 35 pellet/BB guns. Additionally, various firearm components and accessories were collected. The event also saw the surrender of over 1,500 pounds of ammunition, more than 500 pounds of fireworks, and multiple containers filled with blackpowder. https://www.facebook.com/OmahaPoliceDepartment/posts/687501553408020?ref=embed_post

Omaha, Nebraska - The Omaha Public School District has presented families of students with Special Education needs with a challenging decision for the school year: they must either transfer to an alternate school or waive their entitlement to special education services. The impetus behind this is a stark shortage of specialized teachers within the district. In response to this issue, Lauren Micek Vargas, backed by her nonprofit organization, Education Rights Council, is extending guidance to Omaha's special education families. Vargas stated, “We have coordinated and cooperated with the school district to ensure that these children are placed in suitable environments and receive...

Omaha, Nebraska - The Omaha City Council, under the leadership of President Pete Festersen, disclosed the names of the applicants vying for the District 4 Council seat. A total of 12 individuals have put forth their applications for this vacant position. The candidates are as follows: Andrew Adams Rebecca Barrientos-Patlan Terri Blackburn Samuel Canova Garry Gernandt Ron Hug Margo Juarez Mark Martinez Anita Rojas Ben Salazar Erik Servellon Joseph Velasquez The council will review these applicants and subsequently select those who will be invited for interviews. These discussions are scheduled to take place during a special City Council assembly on September 7,...

Omaha, Nebraska - The Sarpy County Correctional Center's grand opening event, initially set for public attendance, has been postponed due to an unfortunate incident involving the death of an inmate the previous week. The joint decision to cancel the Aug. 18 unveiling of the center was reached by the Sarpy County Board of Commissioners in conjunction with the Sarpy County Department of Corrections. Although the scheduled public tours on Aug. 19 have been canceled, the department confirms the continuation of the planned operational transfer to the new facility. The reason for the event's cancellation revolves around the recent inmate fatality, as outlined...

Omaha, Nebraska - The Omaha Clinic is collaborating with The Street Dog Coalition once more in a laudable endeavor to offer complimentary veterinary services for the pets of individuals facing homelessness or those at risk. This session will be held on Sunday, Aug 20, between 10am and 11am at the Timberlake Outreach Center, situated at 2107 E Locust St, Omaha, NE. The Street Dog Coalition, together with Omaha SDC, organizes this event on every third Sunday monthly, emphasizing essential vaccinations and consultations for minor health issues. Both canine and feline companions are eligible for these services, emphasizing comprehensive care irrespective of...

Omaha, Nebraska - The Omaha Police Department is currently conducting an investigation into a shooting incident that resulted in injuries to one individual. Based on the official statement, officers were dispatched to D Street in the vicinity of South 42nd Street at approximately 3:40 p.m. on Sunday. Upon their arrival, authorities identified a single victim, Mr. Angel Mata, 20 years of age. He was subsequently transported to a medical facility in a critical state by paramedics from the Omaha Fire Department. Furthermore, Mr. Manuel Ponce, aged 23, was located at the incident site. He was taken to the Omaha Police Department Central Headquarters...

Omaha, Nebraska - Two separate accidents occurred this morning in Omaha resulting in significant traffic disruptions. The initial accident took place around 7:30 a.m. in the westbound lanes between the 50th and 60th Street exits. First responders on the scene identified that approximately six vehicles were involved in the collision. Footage from the Nebraska Department of Transportation camera revealed that a dump truck and a large box truck were caught in the mishap. This caused the box truck to change course in the wrong direction, and other vehicles were subsequently affected as well. Shortly after the first crash, a second accident was...

Omaha, Nebraska - An individual involved in the death of a 46-year-old man at Benson Park appeared in Omaha court yesterday. Lavell Cutler faces multiple charges, among them second-degree murder and evidence tampering. During the court session, a bond of $2 million was set for Cutler. Furthermore, he opted not to proceed with a preliminary hearing, leading to the progression of the case to the district court. Phillip Kuhn, the victim, was discovered in Benson Park early in the morning on August 2. Preliminary findings suggest he suffered gunshot wounds. Subsequent police investigations connected Kuhn's last known whereabouts to Benson Towers. Surveillance footage...

Omaha, Nebraska - On September 3rd, Nebraska will implement a new legislation permitting concealed weapon carry without a requisite permit. This change mandates significant modifications to Omaha's city code, necessitating the removal of nearly 24 sections. These sections, which were integral to combating criminal activity, include the city's firearm registration directive. The city council is presently consulting with legal experts to explore potential legislative measures to safeguard public safety. City council president Pete Festersen commented, "In our pursuit of enhancing public safety, we are considering alternate strategies to aptly manage these concerns and diminish criminal activities." Mr. Festersen has directed the city's legal...

Omaha, Nebraska - Metro Transit continues to prioritize the accessibility of transportation for K-12 students with its "K-12 Rides Free" initiative. This commendable program ensures that students, spanning from kindergarten to 12th grade, can avail of complimentary rides on any Metro Transit bus, ORBT, or MOBY, unrestricted by time or destination. Launched in May 2021, the initiative has successfully facilitated transportation for approximately 600,000 students in its two-year tenure. Metro CEO, Lauren Cencic, commented on the program's significance: “Students in the metro area have shown us how important it is to have options when it comes to connecting them to the opportunities, people,...

Omaha, Nebraska - In the early hours of Friday morning in Omaha, a vehicular accident resulted in an individual being trapped against a wall, as confirmed by Omaha's Fire Department. Local authorities arrived near the intersection of 82nd and Howard Streets at approximately 1:45 a.m., where the incident took place. The injured party was immediately transported by paramedics to a nearby medical facility due to the severity of their injuries. At this time, further details regarding the accident have not been disclosed to the public. Once we learn more information about this accident, we will update this article. Check back for more details.