Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why are fewer Omaha Public Schools students graduating on time?

Coming up on the Omaha Patch calendar: Christmas In Taylorville

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Tuesday December 16th Patch AM
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Good morning Omaha! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why are fewer Omaha Public Schools students graduating on time?
  • Why are Southwest Omaha seniors still waiting for a working elevator?
  • How one Omaha shop is handling stacks of unsold Raiola jerseys

Also on today's calendar: Silent Book Club: Ugly Sweater Edition and 6 more events.

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

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Omaha? Post it to Omaha photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 49 and low of 29 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 52, low: 33.
  • Thursday: Very windy; colder, with a high of 39 and low of 15 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Report shows Omaha public schools graduation rates decline (ketv.com) — Omaha Public Schools leaders are warning that four-year graduation rates have slipped to 71.5%, leaving more than 1,000 students behind schedule since 2021. A new district report shows especially low completion rates for English learners and students receiving free or reduced lunch, even as Black student graduations and overall dropout rates improve. Board members plan to study other districts’ strategies to close these gaps.
   

2. Broken elevator leaves seniors trapped in Southwest Omaha apartments (wowt.com) — Seniors at the Southwest Gables apartments near 90th and Q in southwest Omaha have been climbing stairs for months because their elevator is out of service, leaving some essentially trapped at home. A city inspector has cited the property for violating Omaha’s municipal code, and while a repair contract was signed Dec. 1, the elevator still isn’t working as the city weighs possible criminal action after Jan. 7.
   

3. Omaha fans, businesses react to Dylan Raiola transfer reports (wowt.com) — Omaha Husker fans and local shop owners are scrambling after reports that quarterback Dylan Raiola plans to leave Nebraska’s football program, with jerseys already steeply discounted at Husker Hounds. Longtime supporters describe a mix of disappointment, lingering hope he might stay, and a reminder to keep the program’s ups and downs in perspective.
   

4. Omaha apartment fire leaves 18 without home (ketv.com) — An apartment fire at The Colonial Apartments near North 97th and Maple in Omaha forced firefighters to rescue residents from a third-floor balcony and left 18 people without a home. Omaha Fire Department crews contained the blaze to the floor where it started, but damage is estimated at $78,000 and the cause remains under investigation as the Red Cross assists displaced residents.
   

5. Modular and Prefabricated Design: The New Mainstream for Health Systems (hconews.com) — A new CHI Immanuel Family Health Clinic project in Omaha is being highlighted nationally as a model for using modular, prefabricated construction to cut costs and speed up healthcare building timelines. Architects describe how involving fabricators early, shifting work off-site, and standardizing room types can address labor shortages while improving quality. The Omaha clinic’s approach could influence how future local medical facilities are built.
   

📸 Around Omaha

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Omaha

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📣 Omaha Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Tuesday December 16
  • 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
  • Raising Cane's Food Night- PTO
    Montclair Elementary School Omaha, NE 68144
    4:00 pm
  • Pre-Teen/Teen Craft Night
    La Vista Public Library , 9110 Giles Road , La Vista
    5:00 pm

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

  • Anyone on here with the name Leon?
    I ordered the letters NOEL but they shipped LEON. (Nextdoor Saddlebrook)
  • UPDATED: She’s been returned to her owner ❤️
    Sweet female dog. She was found near Bridlewood park this morning around 7:50am. I had an appointment so she is safe at my neighbors house and will… (Nextdoor Bridlewood)
  • Taco Bell posted a job opening for Shift Manager TB35285-EVANS PLAZA in Omaha. Apply here.
  • Drake-Williams Steel posted a job opening for Misc Metals Fitter/Welder 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: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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