Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How one TV anchor helped Crime Stoppers reshape safety in Omaha

Happening soon: Christmas In Taylorville on the Omaha Patch calendar

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Thursday December 18th Patch AM
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Greetings Omaha! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How one TV anchor helped Crime Stoppers reshape safety in Omaha
  • Why are some Omaha insulin prescriptions suddenly hard to fill?
  • How an Omaha class is turning students into much-needed sports officials

Also on today's calendar: Bushwackers Ugly Sweater Christmas Party and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in Omahafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Omahafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Very windy; cooler, with a high of 45 and low of 14 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Friday: Partly sunny and breezy, temps: high: 44, low: 35.
  • Saturday: Breezy in the a.m.; some sun, with a high of 42 and low of 22 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Rob McCartney's Crime Stoppers legacy at KETV (ketv.com) — Omaha residents have long relied on Crime Stoppers, which police say has helped lead to more than 4,000 arrests and thousands of cleared cases since 1995. KETV anchor Rob McCartney’s decades of on-air Crime Stoppers work built trust in the anonymous tip line, encouraging locals to share information that police credit with saving lives and taking dangerous suspects off Omaha’s streets.
   

2. Insulin in Omaha on back order as pharmacies work to keep up (wowt.com) — Omaha patients who rely on insulin are finding some brands on back order, forcing extra pharmacy trips and delays in refills. Local pharmacists say pharmacy benefit managers are driving the problem and urge residents to book appointments and fill prescriptions early while staying in close contact with their Omaha pharmacist.
   

3. Skutt Catholic students gain new perspective by learning to officiate sports games (3newsnow.com) — Students at Skutt Catholic High School in Omaha are learning firsthand how tough it is to be a sports official through a dedicated officiating class started in 2023. The course gives teens on-field experience, reshapes how they treat refs during their own games, and helps address the local shortage of youth and high school officials.
   

4. Omaha holiday programs see increased demand as more families need assistance (wowt.com) — Omaha charities like Open Door Mission’s Toy and Joy and Stephen Center’s Merry Mart are scrambling to meet sharply higher demand from families needing holiday help. Rising costs and food insecurity mean more local parents are turning to these programs for gifts, dignity, and a little Christmas relief.
   

5. Edwardsville High School graduate Dr. Kim Jackson releases 'Slave Ways' (theintelligencer.com) — An Omaha high school principal and Edwardsville native, Dr. Kim Jackson, has just released her third book, “Slave Ways: The Chains We Still Carry,” drawing on her experiences leading Northwest High School and parenting three sons. She hopes the self-published work will spark honest conversations across generations about unhelpful survival habits, secrecy, and pride, and how families can grow beyond them together.
   

📸 Around Omaha

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Omaha

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📣 Omaha Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday December 18
  • Game Night: Smash Bros Tournament
    La Vista Public Library , 9110 Giles Road , La Vista
    5:00 pm
  • Holiday Songs & Meanings
    La Vista Public Library , 9110 Giles Road , La Vista
    6:00 pm
    • Friday December 19
  • Connection Crew TIPS Group
    Outlook Enrichment , 4125 South 72nd Street , Omaha
    9:00 am
  • Business Builders
    Dayspring Bank , 5370 South 72nd Street , Ralston
    9:00 am

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

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Had a fire incident.
    What saved us was the fire blanket ( see red packaging in photo). Pulled it out threw it over fire and flames were contained in seconds. How did it… (Nextdoor Maple Village)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
    Keelee was LOST on December 15, 2025 in Omaha, NE 68111 near 38th Grand and Sorensen Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to… (Nextdoor Curtis)
  • Lineage Logistics, LLC posted a job opening for Compliance Practitioner (some travel within NE required) in Omaha. Apply here.
  • Oakview Group posted a job opening for Guest Services Event Staff|Part-time| Liberty First Credit Union Arena 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 don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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