08/04/21 • Nebraska vaccine data • Nationwide case trends
Ital Becomes Vital In North Omaha
Reaching a blue pillared, drive-thru-windowed building in North Omaha, 22-year-old Imani Murray unlocks the door of her own investment for North Omaha — Ital Vital Living, a Black-women-owned juice and smoothie store that opened in June.
Story by Bridget Fogarty, Report for America Corps Member. Published in The Reader.
Reed Moore’s Daily Rundown
Happy National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
All you need is a glass of milk and today’s news: Local activists rally against a potential increase in the police department’s budget, the Douglas County Health Department says everyone should wear a mask in school, and for counties with under 20,000 people, the state’s health districts can’t publicly report coronavirus statistics.
Around Omaha
- NOISE Omaha reporters live tweet the Omaha Budget Justice Rally outside Tuesday night’s public hearing on the proposed 2022 city budget, which includes a potential increase of 3.25% to the police department’s budget.
- National Night Out — which seeks to connect the community with law enforcement and first responders — comes back to Omaha.
- Last week, Reed Moore told you that, according to a 3 News Now investigation, the Omaha Police Department’s primary public police radio channels may become private. Now there’s more information. Watch the interview with Lt. Neal Bonacci here.
- Every student should wear a mask in local schools, according to the Douglas County Health Department.
- 91.5 KIOS-FM/Nebraska Public Radio: Check out this Riverside Chats interview with local activist and late-night show host Maria Corpuz.
Around Nebraska
- For counties with under 20,000 people, the state’s health districts are no longer able to publicly report COVID-19 statistics. Just 17 of the state’s 93 counties have a population of at least 20,000.
- Around the U.S.: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a new moratorium on evictions. The moratorium, which will remain in place until Oct. 3, applies to high-transmission counties. Click here for more information on the ban, including updates on how it affects Nebraskans.
- Read the statement released by UNL’s Journey For Anti-Racism and Racial Equity team, condemning University of Nebraska Regent and gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen’s opposition to critical race theory.
- The state offers hiring bonuses as high as $15,000.
In Your Local Government
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday to discuss the COVID-19 threat to children and schools, and the county’s strategy for spending American Rescue Plan funds.
Read Anton Johnson’s full roundup for The Reader here.
Reed Moore’s Things To Do
Reed Moore presents ~ Wade-In Wednesdays ~
On Wednesdays throughout the rest of the summer, Reed Moore will feature pools from Matt Casas’ A Guide to the Best Public Pools in Omaha.
Enjoy the plunge!
Hitchcock Park Swimming Pool
~ 5025 S 45th St. | (402) 444-4258
~ Tues/Thur/Sat: 1-7 p.m. | Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun: CLOSED
~ Adults: $3 | 3-17 years and Seniors: $1 | 2 and under: Free
Hitchcock Park represents a popular citywide and South Omaha attraction — some might say it even rivals our zoo. Either way, the swimming pool is one of the park’s best features, and it makes for a must visit for any serious swimmer.
The jaw-dropping part of this local spot is the 10-meter-high diving platform. If you haven’t noticed, those don’t exist much anymore. In addition to that impressive structure, you get access to two solid diving boards, 3 and 5 meters. That is a diver’s dream, with a deep end that swimmingly makes the best-in-town list.
And if your party includes small children, those cats will have plenty to do, too. The little ones get a small splash area, slide, and a zero to 5-foot pool area. It’s not too often that you can have your cake and eat it, too; no other place balances what adults and kids love so much quite this well. That’s why the Hitchcock Pool is unique.
Papio Bay Aquatic Center
~ 815 E. Halleck St. | (402) 597-2055
~ Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat: 12-8 p.m. | Tues/Thur: 12-6:30 p.m. | Sun: 12-5 p.m.
~ Adults: $5.75 | 3-16 years: $4.75 | Seniors: $3.75
Chances are you have taken note of the Reader’s Choice-awarded bike trail at West Papio and know Papio Bay as one of its more popular attractions. The giant, well-kept facility has enough family friendly features to keep the visiting experience fresh all summer long. Swimming here doesn’t get old.
For one, the pool has two diving boards, 1-meter and 3-meter high. Test your skills. For another, there are plenty of sunbathing chairs. So, you can kick back if that is more your style. Hey, there’s no shame in enjoying yourself from the sidelines.
Papio Bay is also a great place to entertain your younger children. Shout out to water slides (there are two). Plus, the main pool features a zero-depth entry, and the toddler area includes a wading pool and butterfly slide. Chances are kids will never want to leave. And you may not want to either.
The Daily Funny
(Click drawing to see full comic.)
