🌱 Patch AM: See what Omaha’s new “Oscar” streetcar will look like by 2028

Cheers Omaha! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• See what Omaha's new "Oscar" streetcar will look like by 2028
• How a new Old Market hotel just cleared a big city hurdle
• How Omaha's deadliest 1960 hotel fire still shapes local memory

Also on today's calendar: Community Appreciation Warehouse Sale & Free Books! Medical and First Responders. and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a belt made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Monday: Warm; a stray p.m. t-storm, with a high of 92 and low of 70 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Tuesday: Partly sunny and hot, temps: high: 96, low: 71.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny and hot, with a high of 96 and low of 75 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 'We're excited': City unveils Omaha streetcar design (ketv.com) — Omaha officials have unveiled the final design and "Oscar" nickname for the new downtown streetcar, with all six cars expected to arrive by 2027 and open to riders in 2028. After gathering input from more than 1,300 residents, the city says the sleek look and community feedback will shape a system meant to serve people who live and work in greater downtown Omaha.
   

2. Drury Plaza Hotel Moving Forward in the Old Market (omaha.com) — A new 210-room Drury Plaza Hotel at 10th and Harney is moving forward after the Omaha City Council approved Enhanced Employment Area status, allowing a special occupation tax to fund public improvements. The $54 million Old Market project, with 160 parking spaces and a public restaurant and bar, is expected to create about 65 permanent jobs and add upper-upscale amenities downtown.
   

3. Omaha's deadliest fire claimed nine lives in a hotel in 1960 (omaha.com) — Omaha's deadliest fire, the unsolved 1960 St. James Hotel arson that claimed nine lives, anchors a look back at major local blazes and community moments. The piece weaves in recent Omaha scenes, from Juneteenth celebrations and National Night Out to Creighton's new residence hall and local sports, highlighting how the city remembers tragedy while staying vibrant today.
   

4. Durham Museum highlights Omaha's railroad history with new photography exhibit (wowt.com) — A new locomotive-themed photography exhibit at the Durham Museum is now open, celebrating Omaha's pivotal role in transcontinental railroad history and Union Pacific's local presence. Partnering with the Omaha Common Senses Festival, the "One-Track Mind" show by photographer Blair Bunting runs through Oct. 4, with a special presentation from him on Sept. 17.
   

5. Nebraska Humane Society: Behavioral clues that pets are in pain (wowt.com) — From the Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha comes a reminder that subtle changes in your pet's behavior—like restlessness, hiding, or licking a painful area—can signal serious health problems. Using Kiya, a husky mix from Omaha recovering from bladder stone surgery, staff explain what local owners should watch for and why quick vet visits matter.
   

📸 Around Omaha

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Omaha

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday September 1
• Community Appreciation Warehouse Sale & Free Books! Medical and First Responders. →
  The Book Nook Bookstores Papillion, 114 N Washington St, Papillion
  5:30 pm
Wednesday September 2
• Tea Workshop: Chai VarieTEA and Indian Tradition →
  Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St, Omaha
  6:00 pm
Thursday September 3
• East of Omaha's Bike Night →
  East of Omaha, 524 Main St, Griswold
  6:00 pm
• Book(ed) at The Tea Smith featuring Bloomsbury author Ryan T. Pozzi →
  The Tea Smith, 345 N 78th St, Omaha
  6:30 pm
• Dustin Nickerson →
  Omaha Funny Bone 710 N 114th St Suite 210 Omaha, NE 68154
  7:00 pm
Friday September 4
• Benson First Friday: September 4 →
  , Omaha
  5:00 pm
• Free Book Nook Game Night: Checkers →
  The Book Nook Bookstores Papillion, 114 N Washington St, Papillion
  5:30 pm
Saturday September 5
• Monarch Tagging - FREE Drop-In Program →
  Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St, Omaha
  9:00 am

📣 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

Tuesday September 1
• Membership Breakfast →
  Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce Sarpy Chamber 1243 Golden Gate Drive Ste. 1 Papillion, NE 68046
  9:00 am
• Ribbon Cutting: GreenState Credit Union →
  Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce GreenState Credit Union 14915 Crest Road Papillion, NE 68138
  12:00 pm
• City Council Meeting →
  Papillion City Council City Hall - Council Chambers (3rd Floor) - 122 East 3rd Str
  7:00 pm
Saturday September 5
• Charlotte Independence at Union Omaha SC →
  Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion
  5:00 pm

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.

🪧 Patch Classifieds

• Dogsitter Wanted
  Dogsitter Wanted...Hello!  I'll be visiting from Palm Springs,  California to attend the Husker game on Saturday night, September 12th, and need to... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Welcome Ava to foster care!
  Ava was brought in as a stray. She was listed and 2 seconds later I emailed them and said she's coming home with me! Nhs's vets are really trying to… (Nextdoor Benson)
• UPDATE ON FOX FROM 153 AND BLONDO St.
  I just wanted to give an update on the Fox from 153rd and Blondo Street, after about a week with the help from the homeowner we were able to… (Nextdoor Robin Hill)

• Saia, Inc. posted a job opening for FT Dockworker - Omaha, NE in Omaha. Apply here.
• ProAmpac Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Assistant - Bag Machine Inspector Stacker - (Day Shift) 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: A waist of time (Thank you Kourtney Z. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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