Omaha Daily Local News Briefing

Omaha, NE — February 17, 2026 — Here’s a quick look at notable developments around the city over the past couple of days.

South Omaha house fire leaves six people without a home

Firefighters were called to a home near 49th and Harrison on Sunday afternoon after flames and heavy smoke were reported. Crews arrived to find a challenging scene inside the cluttered residence, with fire spreading through the first floor and into the attic.

Six people and at least one dog escaped without injury, but the damage left the first floor unlivable. The American Red Cross has stepped in to help the displaced residents with temporary housing and basic needs, while the Nebraska Humane Society was contacted about a missing cat believed to have been inside.

Investigators are still working to determine what sparked the blaze, which left the structure considered uninhabitable.

Separate West Omaha fire also displaces family

In a similar incident, another Omaha family was displaced when fire tore through a home, spreading across the first floor and into the crawl space and attic. All occupants, including children, managed to get out safely, and one child who initially remained inside reached a neighbor’s house and was evaluated at the scene.

Firefighters faced heavy smoke and difficult interior conditions while knocking down the flames. A drone was used to locate hot spots in the attic before crews opened up the roof to fully extinguish the fire. The home was later ruled uninhabitable, and Red Cross workers are assisting two adults, four teenagers, and their pets.

DUI crash at I-680 and West Maple seriously injures driver

An early-morning crash near the Interstate 680 north off-ramp and West Maple Road left a 39-year-old driver with serious injuries. Police say a Jeep heading east on West Maple allegedly ran a red light and struck a Lexus that was turning westbound.

The injured Lexus driver was transported to a local hospital by Omaha Fire Department medics. Officers arrested the 31-year-old Jeep driver on suspicion of driving under the influence causing serious injury and other traffic-related offenses. The crash added to congestion in the busy interchange area as investigators documented the scene.

Aksarben Curling Club pushes for a dedicated facility

Off the roads and out of the fire zones, one of Omaha’s more niche sports is seeing a surge. The Aksarben Curling Club reports its membership has roughly doubled over the past five years, straining the shared ice time it currently relies on at local arenas.

Club leaders are now advocating for a dedicated curling facility in the metro, pointing to full leagues, frequent “learn to curl” events, and a packed winter schedule as evidence of demand. Supporters say a permanent home could open the door to more tournaments, youth programs, and adaptive curling opportunities, while also drawing visitors to the city during the colder months.

For now, league play and public introduction sessions continue at existing rinks as the club works on long-term plans and potential partnerships.

Sources

• https://www.wowt.com/2026/02/15/six-displaced-result-fire-south-omaha-home-ofd-says/
• https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-house-fire-displaces-family/70371136
• https://localaccidentreports.com/omaha-ne-dui-crash-leaves-man-injured-at-i-680-maple-rd/
• https://www.3newsnow.com/central-omaha/omahas-curling-club-seeks-dedicated-facility-as-membership-doubles-in-five-years
• https://curlaksarben.com/index.php/club-events/event-registrations

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