Halloween Safety Tips
October 31, 2011 • No comments
Favorable fall weather could make for a big trick-or-treating turnout tonight. Use these tips from the Centers of Disease Control to ensure your Halloween is a safe one: -Make sure swords, knives and other Halloween costume props are made of soft, flexible materials, such as foam. -Trick-or-treat in groups. Children should be accompanied by an adult. -Put reflective tape on costumes and bags to increase visibility for drivers. -Inspect all treats to ensure they have not been tampered with before your child eats them. Avoid eating homemade treats given out by people you do not know. -Carry a flashlight. -Use crosswalks and sidewalks. -Do not walk near flame-lit pumpkins and luminaries. -Ensure costumes fit properly to prevent the risk of tripping or other injury. -If you are
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Watch Works for Neighbors
October 26, 2011 • No comments
Neighborhood Watch isn’t just for families, or just for those living alone. It’s a program for people in community, a program about knowledge, understanding and power. Being a Neighborhood Watch captain has been a confidence-booster for Judy Schmidt of Bellevue. It’s given her an opportunity to get to know her neighbors, to learn more about law enforcement and become more safety-conscious. “It’s really enhanced my awareness,” she said. “Because of the way today’s society is, you just don’t know who you’re dealing with. I might still not be street smart, but I’m learning.” For Papillion Community Service Director Curtis Rainge, who has been a block captain since 1994, Neighborhood Watch is about families. “It was amazing,” he said. “We had one or
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Wingler New Face for Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
October 25, 2011 • No comments
Neighborhood watch programs gained a new contact with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office this summer. Deputy Jay Wingler, who is in his 10th year at the sheriff’s department, began overseeing the community services division in July. “It’s probably the most unique position in the department,” Wingler said. He is now responsible for a range of programs, including DARE, McGruff House, Project Safe School, National Night Out, Project Lifesaver, the law enforcement explorer program and the county’s neighborhood watch programs, among others. Wingler’s experience working with youth and assisting with crime prevention while in the military will be one of his greatest assets, said Lt. Wayne Hudson, administrative lieutenant for the sheriff’s office. “His
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Neighborhood Watch Creates Fellowship in Lake Cunningham Hills
October 25, 2011 • 3 comments
Reactivating a neighborhood watch program was the key to sparking interest in the neighborhood association for one northwest Omaha subdivision. The Lake Cunningham Hills Neighborhood Association, which borders Lake Cunningham just north of Interstate 680 and west of 72nd Street, has been revitalized since one longtime resident, Luanne Lundergard, pushed to restart the neighborhood watch program. Lundergard, who serves as the neighborhood watch coordinator for Lake Cunningham Hills, moved into the neighborhood in 1993. The neighborhood association first began in 1996, and some time later, Lundergard said, the neighborhood watch program was organized. But in 2005 the neighborhood association and neighborhood watch program went dormant after a lack of interest, Lundergard read more »
Donations of Socks, Underclothing Needed for Hope for Heroes
October 24, 2011 • No comments
Service sorority Epsilon Sigma Alpha and Hy-Vee are teaming up to provide new underclothes to benefit those in need at the VA Medical Center. Packages of new socks, underwear, boxers and undershirts for both men and women will be collected from Nov. 4-11. Donation boxes will be on display near customer service centers and restaurant areas at select Hy-Vee locations in Omaha. Any adult size is needed. Epsilon Sigma Alpha is a service sorority that raises funds and donates time and talent for many non-profit agencies. Learn more about the organization at esaintl.com.
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Food Day at Aksarben Village
October 22, 2011 • No comments
Food Day, modeled after Earth Day, will be observed in Omaha on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Aksarben Village. This nationwide celebration focuses on the need for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way. As part of the Omaha celebration, the Aksarben Farmers Market will extend its season by one week and local farmers and producers will be joined by healthy eating and sustainable agriculture groups offering information booths, cooking demonstrations and nutrition-related games for children. Admission will be free and free parking will be available in the Aksarben Village parking garage on 64th Street. For more information please visit www.foodday.org or call 402.345.5401 with questions.
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Honda Thefts on the Rise in Omaha
October 21, 2011 • No comments
Omaha Police are urging Honda owners to take extra precautions to protect their vehicles after a spike in Honda thefts over the last two months. More than 90 Hondas have been stolen, according to the WOWT news website, and the thefts have occurred throughout Omaha. A surveillance tape showed one suspect stealing a Honda in 26 seconds. A police official told the Omaha World-Herald that 1992 to 1998 model Honda Civics and Accords are being stolen because the anti-theft device is easily overcome. To prevent your car from being the target of theft, consider these steps from Consumer Reports: -Do not keep valuables in your car. -Never leave your car unattended while it is running. -Do not leave any keys in the car. -Keep your car windows closed when it is not in use. For more
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Editor’s Pick: Secure Your ID Shredding Event
October 17, 2011 • No comments
It's time to clean out those filing cabinets and desk drawers. Methodist Health System, in conjunction with the Better Business Bureau, NP Dodge and Shred-It, will host a document shredding day on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 8 a.m. to noon in the Methodist Health System parking lot, 8601 W. Dodge Road. Residents and small business owners are encouraged to protect their identities by shredding and disposing of sensitive documents. Up to three boxes or bags of documents will be accepted per individual or business. Papers should be removed from binders. The documents will be taken, shredded, and properly thrown away. According to the Nebraska Attorney General's Office, documents that should be shredded include: -Debit and charge card receipts -Credit offers -Old bills -Insurance
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Yoga Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Monday
October 16, 2011 • No comments
Urban Active Fitness, a health club at 14651 Sprague St., will host a PINK Lit Restorative Yoga Fundraiser at 7:20 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17. Participants will receive a pink votive to light during the class in addition to a t-shirt, bracelet and a balloon to be tied in the fitness club. The suggested minimum donation is $25. All proceeds will be donated to breast cancer research. For more information, call (402) 201-2933. read more »
Millard Bond Issue Hearings to Begin Tuesday
October 15, 2011 • No comments
Millard Public Schools will hold two public hearings regarding its $140.8 million bond issue next week. The first hearing will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Millard South High School, 149th and Q streets. The second will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, at Millard North High School, 144th and Pacific streets. The $140.8 million bond issue includes funding for new technology, security, energy-efficiency projects, renovations and additions to schools throughout the district. It would cost the owner of a $100,000 home an extra $15 per year. Voting will take place exclusively by mail-in ballot, which will be delivered to Millard residents at the end of October. The ballots must be returned to the Douglas County Election Commission by Nov. 15. For more read more »