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🌱 Why are so many Gretna students now relying on weekend food bags?
What's up Gretna! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why are so many Gretna students now relying on weekend food bags?
- How a former Gretna band director rose to lead K-State bands
- Why a Gretna-raised QB is shaking up Oklahoma State’s plans
Also on today's calendar: Homeschool Hikes: Rivers and 1 more event.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Gretna? Post it to Gretna photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 48 and low of 28 degrees.
- Wednesday: Increasing cloudiness, temps: high: 51, low: 34.
- Thursday: Very windy; colder, with a high of 37 and low of 17 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
📰 News we're reading
• Gretna school district's weekend backpack program serves more families than expected (3newsnow.com) — Families in Gretna are turning to the school district’s new Weekend Backpack Program in far greater numbers than expected, with 82 families and about 230 students now receiving food for weekends. Gretna Public Schools’ holiday assistance program is also seeing rising demand, helping 53 families with food and presents. Staff say the surge underscores deeper food insecurity in the community and are preparing extra backpacks for the holiday break. 
• New Band Director at K-State (ksal.com) — A Gretna native and former band director at Gretna High and Middle Schools, Alex Wimmer, has been named Kansas State University’s next director of bands starting June 2026. His promotion caps 13 years with K-State’s nationally recognized program and highlights the strong musical legacy tied back to Gretna schools.
• Zane Flores enters transfer portal. How it affects Oklahoma State football depth chart (oklahoman.com) — A former Gretna standout quarterback, Zane Flores, is leaving Oklahoma State after starting eight games this season and entering the transfer portal with three years of eligibility left. His departure, along with other quarterbacks, leaves OSU’s depth chart thin and could open new opportunities as he searches for his next program.
📸 Around Gretna
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
Gretna
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Homeschool Hikes
Schramm Education Center & Schramm Park State Recreation Area, 21502 NE-31, Gretna
9:00 am
Wednesday December 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Homeschool Hikes: Rivers
Schramm Education Center & Schramm Park State Recreation Area , 21502 NE-31 , Gretna
1:00 pm -
Ben Tomasello
The Willows at Gretna , 700 US-6 , Gretna
2:30 pm -
New Year New Me
Gretna Public Library , 736 South St , Gretna
12:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Tuesday December 23
Wednesday December 31
📣 Gretna 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
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Homeschool: Family Gingerbread Houses
La Vista Public Library , 9110 Giles Road , La Vista
11:00 am -
Tuesday TIPS Squad
Dayspring Bank , 4370 South 72nd Street , Ralston
1:00 pm -
Pre-Teen/Teen Craft Night
La Vista Public Library , 9110 Giles Road , La Vista
5:00 pm -
Papillion La Vista South High Titans vs Millard North Mustangs
Papillion La Vista South High School , 10799 NE-370 , Papillion
5:30 pm -
Page to Screen Book Club
La Vista Public Library , 9110 Giles Road , La Vista
6:00 pm -
City Council Meeting
Papillion City Hall , 122 E 3rd St , Papillion
7:00 pm -
Afternoon Book Club
La Vista Public Library , 9110 Giles Road , La Vista
2:00 pm -
Anime & Manga Club
La Vista Public Library , 9110 Giles Road , La Vista
4:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
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
- Reaching out to parents in Chestnut Ridge and Plum Creek that have kiddos that ride bus 28 from Gretna Elementary.
My kindergarten son rides the bus home in the afternoon and he left a green reusable holiday bag on the bus that had a black pair of snow boots in it… (Nextdoor Chestnut Ridge) - People once again please be careful of scammers.
They like to use their kids and animals to pull at your heart strings. Just the other day someone on here was talking about how times were tough and… (Nextdoor Plum Creek)
- TJX posted a job opening for Backroom Associate in Gretna. Apply here.
- Michael Kors posted a job opening for Assistant Manager, Nebraska Crossing - Gretna, NE in Gretna. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Gretna here.
🗞 Nearby News
Ashland
- Gas Explosion in San Francisco Bay Area Damaged Homes, 6 Hospitalized (insurancejournal.com)
Papillion
- Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Omaha Awards; WALNUT RIDGE Leads Best Musical! (broadwayworld.com)
- New OPPD study says coal is safe in North Omaha but experts raise doubts (omaha.com)
- NDOT Announces Grantees for December's 'Drive Sober' Campaign (ruralradio.com)
Omaha
Ok Gretna! 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: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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