6 things you need to know on Tuesday, Dec. 30

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – First Alert 6 has the headlines you need to know to get your Tuesday started.

Suspect in northwest Omaha Christmas night murder to appear in court

The woman booked in connection to a homicide in northwest Omaha on Christmas is expected in court Tuesday.

Maryuris Velasquez-Mendoza, 41, was booked into Douglas County Corrections after turning herself in. First Alert 6 is told she will face several charges — including second-degree murder.

Officers were sent to the area of 107th Plaza and Fort Street for at about 11:16 p.m. last Thursday.

Police said they found Angel Gonzalez-Sanchez, 36, suffering from cutting injuries. He was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

According to reports, Velasquez-Mendoza told officers she was acting in self-defense in the incident.

Neighbors react to explosion near Murdock that killed one

Neighbors are reacting after a woman was found dead after an explosion at a home near Murdock Saturday morning.

A release from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to house near Highway 1 and 322nd Street. They found an 86-year-old woman dead inside the home.

Some neighbors that live miles away say the explosion shook their homes. When First Alert 6 went to the scene Monday, we saw debris still scattered across the property.

Natasha Perkins tells us she was about 3.5 miles away when she was woken up by a blast followed by the house shaking.

“I was hoping that nobody was in the home at the time, but unfortunately, there was a woman there and we were devastated when we found out the news.” says Perkins.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation.

Man in custody after fatal Council Bluffs pedestrian crash

The Council Bluffs Police Department has a man in custody in connection to a fatal pedestrian crash last month.

Dennis Stark, 72, was arrested Monday on a charge of homicide by vehicle while operating while intoxicated, a release states.

Police say a warrant was applied for Monday and Stark was taken into custody, with no bond set. Toxicology reports showed that Stark tested at a .127 blood alcohol content at the time of the crash.

Stark also tested positive for having marijuana in his system, according to police.

47-year-old Heidi Divis was hit and killed on Nov. 6, near 8th Street and Kanesville Boulevard.

Nebraska, Iowa to receive rural health funding in Trump program

On Monday, the Trump administration shared information on funding from the five-year Rural Health Transformation Program.

A release laid out the amount of funding each state will get in the first year of the program. It is part of a $50 billion investment in rural health care as part of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.

Nebraska will get $218 million — the eighth-highest award in the country, the release reads. Iowa will get $209 million.

“President Trump’s commitment to rural economic revitalization is real, and today’s announcement is proof. On behalf of all Nebraskans, I am grateful for this partnership and support.”

“This program is an incredible opportunity to advance health care in rural Iowa. We’re grateful to the Trump Administration for this investment in our state, and we’re ready to innovate care delivery in ways that improve health, well-being, and quality of life for Iowans statewide.”

Omaha health officials report spike in respiratory illnesses

Respiratory illnesses are surging across the Omaha metro as flu and RSV cases spiked several weeks earlier than usual.

CHI Health doctors are warning residents about the importance of seeking timely medical care. Douglas County reported 490 flu cases this week, up from just 109 last week.

Doctors say last week accounted for more than half of this year’s total flu cases, and emergency rooms are seeing more children with severe respiratory symptoms.

RSV is especially dangerous for young children and the elderly, while both illnesses can quickly turn into breathing emergencies. It rose from give cases in the last week of November to 18 reported before the holidays.

For most people, flu symptoms can be treated at home with rest, fluids, and prescription antivirals.

Omaha residents travel to Council Bluffs for New Year’s fireworks

People living in Omaha who want to put on their own firework show for New Year’s Eve will have to travel to get supplies.

There are no December firework sales going on in Omaha, but Wild Willy’s in Council Bluffs has been selling fireworks for the celebrations.

In Omaha, you can set off fireworks from Dec. 28 through Dec. 30 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., and from 8 a.m. on Dec. 31 through 1 a.m. on Jan. 1.

You must also be 16 or older to possess, use, or discharge fireworks. Anyone between the ages of 12-15 can set off fireworks under adult supervision.

The Omaha Police Department reminds the public that celebratory gunfire is illegal and an also be deadly. Officers will arrest anyone caught firing a gun in city limits.

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