General News

Omaha Police are investigating a carjacking Thursday night on the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus.

The incident happened just after 7 PM Thursday. Police say the victim, 57-year-old Barbara Simcoe, was in her vehicle and had the door open. The suspect allegedly approached her vehicle, displayed a knife, and told her to get out of the car. Police say the suspect pulled Simcoe from her car and took off in the vehicle, a white 2000 Subaru Legacy Wagon.

Simcoe is an associate professor of art and art history at UNO.

A task force of city officials, law enforcement, and private citizens will study additional ways Omaha can get illegal guns off the streets.

More than 800 illegal guns were taken off Omaha’s streets last year. The city ended 2011 with 37 homicides, and has recorded eight homicides so far this year.

Last year, more than 2.4 million people visited the 12 Omaha Public Library branches.

Executive Director Gary Wasdin says the libraries continued to see every measurable aspect of use going up in 2011. 

Though people still use the libraries for books and reading, Wasdin says residents are often surprised to find out just how much more there is to find and do in the library.

April 2nd through the 6th is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa. Lucinda Robertson is Public Information Officer for the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. 

She’s encouraging all Iowans to be prepared for year-round emergencies by attention to local news and investing in a weather radio. Robertson says individuals should also make an emergency plan because a family may not be together when an emergency happens.  Finally, she says it’s important to create an emergency supply kit.

A recent survey released by the Salvation Army found 56% of Salvation Army Youth Programs are operating at or beyond their capacity.

Susan Eustice, Director of Public Relations for Salvation Army Omaha, says the survey covered more than 80 cities, including Omaha.  Results show that more than 80 percent of youth programs saw an increase in demand from children and families in the past year, due to unemployment issues and funding cuts.  Eustice says Omaha North Corps has been especially busy.