Earth Day in Action: Douglas County Teams Connect with the Community

Douglas County was proud to take part in this year’s Earth Day Omaha celebration at Elmwood Park, where community members gathered to learn more about environmental responsibility and sustainability.

Stacy Gillman, stormwater/floodplain administrator for Douglas County Environmental Services, and Karin Caldwell, administrative assistant for Douglas County Environmental Services, hosted an interactive booth focused on preventing stormwater pollution and promoting recycling. A crowd favorite was a Plinko game that helped teach both children and adults about watersheds, pollution, stormwater and the water cycle.

“Stacy and I work well together. She enjoys educating the adults, and I enjoy educating the kids,” Caldwell said. “It’s our chance to inspire the young and the old to become environmentally conscious about the effects stormwater can have on our planet, animals and humans.”

The team also distributed bookmarks listing ways people can reduce stormwater runoff at home.

“It engages people. They are having fun playing the game, and we get to educate. How great is that!” Caldwell said.

Caldwell noted that events like Earth Day Omaha provide valuable opportunities for outreach and education.

“Earth Day provides a platform for outreach and education materials to be handed out and promotes awareness,” she said. “Games can help teach about stormwater in a fun way. It shows residents that Douglas County cares about our environment and community.”

According to Omaha Stormwater, an estimated 39 billion gallons of untreated stormwater flow into area streams each year — the equivalent of filling about 310 Memorial Stadiums. This runoff picks up pollutants such as litter, bacteria and chemicals as it moves across land and into storm drains, eventually reaching nearby rivers and streams.

Other Douglas County departments also participated in the event. The Douglas County Emergency Management Agency shared life-saving information about severe weather preparedness and the importance of having multiple ways to receive weather alerts. Douglas County Geographic Information Systems (GIS) showcased drone technology and explained how it supports projects across the County.

Together, these efforts highlight Douglas County’s commitment to environmental education, public engagement and innovative solutions that support a safer, healthier community.

Exciting Employee Perk: Discounted Tickets to Adventureland Resort!

We’re thrilled to announce a special partnership between Douglas County and Adventureland Resort in Des Moines, Iowa! As a Douglas County employee, you can save up to $30 on any day admission tickets all season long.

Exclusive Offer: Individual day admission tickets for just $37.99!

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure, including the all-new Hyperlight, an immersive water slide experience featuring vivid laser lights and dynamic sound. Whether you’re seeking thrilling rides, family fun, or a relaxing getaway, Adventureland has something for everyone.

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity! Grab your discounted tickets and make the most of the summer season.

Douglas County 911 Dispatcher Honored with Life-Saving Award

Michelle Comstock has been a dedicated dispatcher with Douglas County 911 for more than 20 years. Recently, she was honored with the CODE Save Award from the Omaha Fire Department for her critical role in helping save a life earlier this year. The CODE Save Award honors those involved in the successful resuscitation of a patient during a medical emergency, particularly a cardiac arrest. Michelle provided CPR instructions over the phone to a caller, guiding them until paramedics arrived on the scene.

Michelle says she is proud to have received the award, especially because dispatchers rarely learn the outcomes of the calls they handle. “It was an unexpected honor,” she shared. “It reminds me why I do the job, and it’s nice to know we truly make a difference.”

Douglas County 911 operators and dispatchers are often the unsung heroes of emergency response. Working behind the scenes, they are the first point of contact in a crisis, providing calm guidance, critical instructions, and coordination that can save lives. Their dedication ensures help is on the way, making them an indispensable part of the first responder team.

Douglas County’s Erin Hurley Honored with 2025 Kids First Award

Erin Hurley, Deputy Douglas County Attorney, has been named a 2025 recipient of the prestigious Kids First Award, presented by Project Harmony.

Each year, Project Harmony honors a professional or community member in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa who has made a profound and lasting impact in the field of child advocacy. The award recognizes individuals who advance victim services, prevention education, and systems change and put children’s best interests at the heart of their work.

Erin’s dedication to child advocacy, her long-term commitment to improving children's lives, and her efforts to build strong collaborations between agencies have made a remarkable difference in our community. Her leadership embodies the “Kids First” philosophy, ensuring that the safety and well-being of children remain the top priority in all she does.

Since its founding in 1996, Project Harmony has been working tirelessly to end child abuse and neglect through an innovative and highly collaborative service model.

Biometric Screening Appointments

• Available dates and locations:

  • Civic Center (Room 702): 6/5/2025, 8am - 12:30pm

  • Fitzgerald (Walnut Room): 6/12/2025, 9am - 11:30am

  • Youth Center: 6/24/2025, 8am - 11:30am

  • Health Center: 6/25/2025, 8am - 12:30pm

• Log in to your Asset Health Portal to sign up!

Student Loan Benefit - Savi

• What can Savi do for you?

  • Save you money on your monthly payments

  • Create a clear path to apply for student loan forgiveness programs

  • Provide answers to all of your student loan questions through educational webinars and customized support

  • Keep you updated on new programs and policy changes

• For more information or to sign up click here. 

Purchasing Power Platform

• Allows employees to make payments on large purchases through payroll deductions.

• Get more information and sign up here! 

Sword Thrive - Digital Physical Therapy

• Virtual Physical Therapy at no cost to you!

• Customized physical therapy sessions prepared by a Physical Therapist in the comfort of your home. 

• Sign up through the Sword Thrive website. 

Congratulations!

RETIREMENTS

• Molli Thomas - Corrections

• James Sison, Jr. - Health Department

• Steve Fogarty - Maintenance

• Richard Hanna - Purchasing

• Jason Bargstadt - Sheriff

PROMOTIONS

• Zachary Baier - Assessor/Register of Deeds

• Brittney Betts - Assessor/Register of Deeds

• Salina Gilpin - Clerk of the District Court

• Corey Johnson - Corrections

• Riley Roberts - Corrections

• Harold Larsen - Corrections

• Nicholas Pepperdine - Corrections

• Zachariah Pierce - Corrections

• Gavin Goracke - Corrections

• Jose Bernal-Mejia - Corrections

• Yves Nignan - Corrections

• Joana Mejia-Amador - Corrections

• Juan Mancinas Rangel - Corrections

• Rodney Jones - Maintenance

• Megan Cochrane - Treasurer

• Jeremy May - Treasurer

• James Baker - Sheriff