Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Inside plans for Benson’s new youth hub and how it’ll be funded

Happening soon: 43rd Annual Creighton University School of Medicine Walk for Wishes 5K on the Omaha Patch calendar

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Wednesday September 16th Patch AM
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Good morning to you Omaha! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Inside plans for Benson's new youth hub and how it'll be funded
  • How new council votes will change streets, schools and Center Mall
  • What Omaha's renewed SRO contracts mean for your child's school

Also on today's calendar: 43rd Annual Creighton University School of Medicine Walk for Wishes 5K and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, with a high of 69 and low of 65 degrees.
  • Thursday: Humid with a stray t-storm, temps: high: 81, low: 70.
  • Friday: Humid with rain and a t-storm, with a high of 90 and low of 67 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

📰 News we're reading

1. A new youth hub is coming to Benson to combat loneliness and give youth a 'third space' (3newsnow.com) — In Omaha's Benson neighborhood, a former car dealership is being turned into a youth hub aimed at giving teens a welcoming "third space" beyond home and school. Nonprofit The Bay Omaha plans to open the center in 2027, is raising $500,000 to furnish it, and already has $25,000 earmarked in the mayor's proposed 2027 city budget to support the project.
   

2. Omaha City Council approves settlement over Blackstone building, lowers speed limit, approves SRO contracts (3newsnow.com) — Omaha residents will see progress soon as the City Council approved a $700,000 settlement to buy the damaged Blackstone building, clearing the way for demolition and resuming streetcar construction on Farnam. Council members also renewed school resource officer agreements with four districts, lowered speed limits on parts of Leavenworth and 60th, and delayed a key vote on making Center Mall a redevelopment area.
   

3. Omaha City Council renews SRO contracts as OPS adjusts policy (wowt.com) — Omaha residents should know the City Council has unanimously renewed school resource officer contracts, keeping 35 Omaha Police SROs in 18 schools across OPS, Millard, Westside and Elkhorn this year. The decision follows controversy over low-voltage shock gloves, prompting OPS Superintendent Matthew Ray to tighten communication, review use-of-force tools, and face questions from civil liberties advocates about whether funds should shift toward counseling and restorative programs.
   

4. Residents say lightning strike sparked house fire near 41st and Cuming St. (3newsnow.com) — A house fire near 41st and Cuming Street in Omaha displaced seven residents and three pets Monday night, but everyone escaped without injuries. Fire crews are still investigating the cause, though residents believe lightning from a passing storm sparked the blaze, and the Red Cross is helping the family while they're unable to return home.
   

5. Omaha police launch first cadet program for high schoolers (wowt.com) — Omaha teens now have a new way to explore law enforcement careers through the Omaha Police Department's first-ever cadet program, running twice a month from September to May. High school students and recent grads can learn real-world policing skills, explore related careers like forensics and dispatch, and build closer connections with their own community while spots are still available.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • When it's your time, your Blessings will come.
    I have a friend, turned like family eventually, that I met six years ago while we were living at an apartment complex. She minded her business, never… (Nextdoor Stone Ridge)
  • Meet Clarice.
    She has the most beautiful blues eyes and the sweetest soul. She spent her time being the best mama to her kittens until they were ready to find… (Nextdoor Pepperwood)
  • Ho-Chunk, Inc. posted a job opening for Ale Haus Cook - Omaha in Omaha. Apply here.
  • Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for Back of House Team Member- Mornings 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: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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