Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Which Omaha parks could see upgrades in next year’s city budget?

Happening soon: Greeting Card DIY Studio on the Omaha Patch calendar

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Wednesday August 26th Patch AM
Wednesday August 26th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi there, Omaha! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which Omaha parks could see upgrades in next year's city budget?
  • What's really behind the growing sinkhole problems in Omaha's Blackstone area?
  • How Omaha's Little Italy is reinventing itself without losing tradition

Also on today's calendar: Greeting Card DIY Studio and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the wall say to the other wall. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and less humid, with a high of 88 and low of 60 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 86, low: 63.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 87 and low of 68 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Omaha councilmembers spotlight potential parks projects before Tuesday vote (ketv.com) — Omaha City Council members are lining up specific park and pond improvements they want funded in the 2027 city budget, on top of a roughly 20% parks budget increase proposed by Mayor John Ewing Jr. From Memorial Park landscaping to Dreamland and Kountze Park upgrades and a Rambleridge Pond study, residents can weigh in before the council's budget vote Tuesday.
   

2. Four additional voids were found in Omaha neighborhood before foundation collapse (thereader.com) — City officials are still investigating why multiple voids formed along Farnam Street in Omaha's Blackstone neighborhood before a June foundation collapse swallowed part of a vacant building and sidewalk. Engineers had already found four smaller voids while working on the new streetcar line and discovered mysterious underground water, though MUD reports no main break. The city plans to use streetcar funds to repair or demolish the damaged property.
   

3. Omaha's Little Italy sees resurgence amid 100 years of tradition (thereader.com) — Omaha's historic Little Italy neighborhood is seeing a revival, with more Italian families returning and renewed energy around the century‑old Santa Lucia Festival just south of downtown. Longtime residents describe how traditions, from St. Frances Cabrini Church to Santa Lucia Hall, still anchor the community as new condos and apartments rise. The next Santa Lucia Festival is scheduled for June 3 in Little Italy.
   

4. Omaha Westside community speaks out against use of electric shock gloves (thereader.com) — Parents and alumni in the Westside Community Schools district are pushing back against Omaha Police-issued electric shock gloves for school resource officers, questioning safety and spending priorities. At a Monday board meeting, speakers urged the district to stop using the G.L.O.V.E. devices, while leaders said they're consulting Omaha police about officer training and equipment used in Omaha-area schools.
   

5. Plenty of pumpkin — and now 'chaider' — appearing on Omaha coffee shop menus (omaha.com) — Pumpkin spice season is arriving early at Omaha coffee shops, with local spots and national chains rolling out fall menus featuring pumpkin drinks, apple-and-chai "chaider," and other seasonal flavors. The piece lists specific Omaha locations, launch dates, and what kinds of fall drinks you can expect in the coming weeks across the metro.
   

📸 Around Omaha

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Omaha

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Omaha Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday August 26
  • Wake Up Wednesday at West Gate Bank
    Greater Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce West Gate Bank 1004 Cornhusker Road Bellevue NE 68123
    8:00 am
  • Planning Commission →
    Papillion City Council City Hall Council Chambers (3rd Floor) - 122 East 3rd Stree
    7:00 pm
  • Jason Boland & The Stragglers →
    Buck's Bar and Grill, 27849 W Center Rd, Waterloo
    8:00 pm
    • Thursday August 27
  • HS Breakfast Menu - Muffin & Egg
    Fort Calhoun Community Schs Fort Calhoun High School High School Commons
    7:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • This is Simba.
    He's been around for 4 years. He's an outdoor cat. I got him neutered and vaccinated. 3 months ago he disappeared and assumed he died. He showed up… (Nextdoor Huntington Park)
  • Missing semi-feral cat lived on my deck for 4 years.
    She has never left for a full day. Gone for 3 days. 60th and Grand area Update: she returned after her 72 hour adventure! (Nextdoor Larimore Ave)
  • Hersha Hospitality Management, LP posted a job opening for Room Attendant - Housekeeper in Omaha. Apply here.
  • Sodexo, Inc. posted a job opening for Patient Area Housekeeper - Part Time - Nebraska Medicine in Omaha. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Omaha here.

Ok Omaha! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Meet me at the corner. (Thank you Earlene M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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