General News

The city of Omaha could soon grow by 6,353 residents.

An open house Wednesday in Omaha gives residents in eight Sanitary Improvement Districts to be annexed a chance to ask questions and find out what services might change. The SIDs are Lakeview Heights, Pepperwood, The Colonies, Seven Pines, Walnut Lake, Standing Bear, Hillsborough Plaza, and Pegasus.

Omaha native Meghan Mercier will speak at UNO tomorrow.  Mercier will share her experiences working as a Foreign Service Officer with the US State Department. 

UNO’s Political Science Department hosts the presentation.  Dr. Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, UNO professor of political science, says Mercier’s visit is part of the Hometown Diplomats Program. 

North Omaha residents have another opportunity this year to get fresh produce from a Farmers Market.

Last year was the first Farmers Market at Charles Drew Health Center. The Market opens again Wednesday, and will be open every week from 3 to 5:30 PM at 29th and Grant streets.

The City of Omaha recently honored the Empowerment Network, the Deer Park Neighborhood Association and neighborhood advocate Jeannie Dickes with Community Excellence Awards.

Mayor Suttle says the awards recognize the hard work these recipients have done in helping to improve the quality of life in Omaha’s older neighborhoods.  He says over the past several years, the number of neighborhood associations and the projects they are taking on has grown substantially. 

Douglas County’s new fiscal year budget is once again up for discussion Tuesday.

County Commissioners will discuss the budget at their 9am meeting Tuesday. Two weeks ago, Finance Committee members grilled county department heads on their budget requests for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1.

The County Board asked all departments to present flat budgets, and justify any requests for additional funding.

County Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the 2012-13 budget later this month.