Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How new downtown street closures could affect your favorite Omaha spots
Coming up: New Years Eve Party on the Omaha Patch calendar

Good day Omaha! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How new downtown street closures could affect your favorite Omaha spots
- Which unforgettable Omaha moments defined our community in 2025?
- Why Sarpy County jail officers just issued a no-confidence vote
Also on today's calendar: New Years Eve Party and 6 more events.
Find out what's happening in Omahafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Omahafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Times of sun and clouds, with a high of 51 and low of 22 degrees.
- Thursday: Partly sunny and colder, temps: high: 35, low: 27.
- Friday: Partial sunshine, with a high of 36 and low of 24 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. RiverFront sees record visitors despite Omaha construction challenges (wowt.com) — Omaha’s RiverFront has drawn a record 2.3 million visitors this year, but nearby businesses say constant streetcar construction and street closures are cutting sales by about a third. Starting Monday, Jan. 5, Capitol Avenue and parts of 10th Street downtown will close, so plan your routes and restaurant visits accordingly.
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2. Council Bluffs police arrest man in connection to fatal Native Omaha Days shooting (omaha.com) — A year’s worth of moments in and around Omaha ranges from a Council Bluffs arrest tied to a fatal North Omaha shooting to community festivals, protests, parades, and severe weather. The photos and captions spotlight everyday residents, local leaders, and big civic events that shaped 2025 across Omaha and nearby towns.
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3. Union disagrees with Sarpy County corrections officer firing (wowt.com) — Sarpy County’s jail is facing internal turmoil after its officers’ union unanimously rejected the firing of a corrections officer and overwhelmingly declared no confidence in the jail’s top leaders. Reported from Omaha, the dispute centers on a use-of-force incident caught on video and could affect how the county’s largest jail is managed going forward.
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4. Omaha stray cats prepare for winter cold (wowt.com) — As Omaha heads into a bitter winter, local rescuers say most stray cats survive by hiding in warm spots like storm drains, under cars, and in makeshift shelters. Felius Cat Cafe recommends simple DIY shelters—often made from Omaha Steaks boxes, straw, and dry food—and urges owners to keep indoor cats warm and mostly inside during snow and deep cold.
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📸 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!
- New Years Eve Party
Smash Park La Vista , 8121 S 125th St , La Vista
10:00 am - Noon Year's Eve
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium , 3701 S 10th St , Omaha
10:00 am - NYE at The Granary
Venues at The Granary, Bushwackers at The Granary, Granary Green 7401 Main St Ralston, NE 68127
7:00 pm - NYE with Johnny Beehner!
Funny Bone Omaha , 710 N 114th St , Omaha
7:00 pm - Farnam Winter Pop-Up
Midtown Crossing, 3320 Farnam Street Suite 2101
10:00 am - The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Omaha, NE
DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Southwest , 3650 S 72nd St , Omaha
6:00 pm - The Extraordinary Card Magic of Jason Ladanye
Omaha Funny Bone 710 N 114th St Suite 210 Omaha, NE 68154
7:00 pm - Amigo's Night
Grace Abbott Elem School Omaha, NE 68118
5:00 pm - Crystal Denha
Funny Bone Omaha , 710 N 114th St , Omaha
7:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Friday January 2
Saturday January 3
Wednesday January 7
Thursday January 8
📣 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
- Noon Year's Eve Party 2026
Chirpy's Play Cafe , 2063 Creek Side Dr Suite 127 , Papillion
10:30 am - Noon Year's Eve
La Vista Community Center , 8116 Park View Blvd. , La Vista
11:00 am - Noon Year’s Eve
Ralston's Baright Public Library , 5555 S 77th St , Ralston
11:30 am - Library Closes 5 PM - New Year's Eve
La Vista Public Library , 9110 Giles Road , La Vista
5:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Omaha PatchAM possible:
- Ludemann Construction — (402) 813-9122
Your go-to partner for home improvement - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- HE IS HOME!
OUR MEEKO CAME HOME! I put enough stuff on the porch to get a fine by the HOA. His bed, some clothes, food, litter box and his favorite toy! When… (Nextdoor Hillsborough) - Update: Pet Reunited
Rocco, a cat who went missing in Omaha, NE, has been safely reunited with their family after 3 hours, 11 minutes. Message from Owner: "Rocco is a… (Nextdoor Vinton Street)
- FIRST ALERT to a cold morning in the teens that will rebound so much more than it did yesterday. Highs in the 40s are likely with much less wind too... (X: RustyLord)
- Omaha Police and the City of Omaha are warning the public about the dangers of celebratory gunfire, especially during the holidays, emphasizing that... (X: omaha_scanner)
- ServiceMaster Clean posted a job opening for Janitorial/Custodian in Omaha. Apply here.
- PrimeFlight Aviation Services posted a job opening for Mail Cargo Agent- Omaha Eppley Airport (OMA1) 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: I heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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