📰 The Papillion Post — Week of September 20, 2026

A quiet week on the council calendar (no regular meeting is scheduled), but Papillion's mayoral race just got a lot more concrete now that two finalists are set for the November ballot. Add a new daycare breaking ground on the south side, and the season turning toward pumpkins and gems on the events calendar. Here's what's new.

A new childcare center is under construction at 10130 S. 71st St., near 72nd and Cornhusker. The Learning Experience, a national daycare and early-education chain, is building its first Papillion location on the site and is already accepting registrations for kids from about six weeks through six years old. An opening is targeted for December or January. Grow Omaha · The Learning Experience — Papillion

Papillion's mayoral race is down to two names. City Council President Bob Stubbe and nonprofit executive Joe Hunter advanced out of a six-candidate field in the May 12 primary and will face off on the November 3 general election ballot to succeed Mayor David Black, who isn't seeking a fifth term after 17 years in office. Stubbe is campaigning on 18 years of Council experience (he's currently Council President) plus 20-plus years leading infrastructure as Omaha's Public Works Director. Hunter is campaigning on managing the city's growth, public safety, and infrastructure as new development continues. Hear from them directly at Hunter's campaign site and Stubbe's campaign site, or watch 3 News Now's candidate profiles. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Check your registration or find your polling place through Sarpy County's election office.

Three items from the September 1 Council meeting are still unconfirmed as of this writing. A rezoning near S. 84th St. and Schram Rd. ("Schram 84," ORD. 2098), a final vote on the city's animal care ordinance (ORD. 2095), and a preliminary plat for "Dowd's Business Park" near S. 150th St. and Shepard St. (RES. R26-0165) all remain unresolved in the public record we can access. We ran into the same access problems with the city's own records that we flagged the last two issues, so we still can't report outcomes as fact. We'll keep after it and report the results once we can confirm them.

Still waiting on Hallmark. Voting closed September 4 in Papillion's bid to be named Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Town of 2026, which would bring a Hallmark holiday movie shoot to town. A judging panel weighing community spirit, tradition, and goodwill is expected to announce its pick around Halloween. WOWT

🎃 Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch — fall pumpkin season (family-friendly)
📍 11001 S. 48th St.
🕘 Open daily through Nov. 1
Pick-your-own pumpkins, hayrides, and farm play areas for the season. The Ranch of Terror haunted hayride runs Friday–Sunday nights for older kids and adults. Bellevue Berry Farm

🪨 Nebraska Mineral and Gem Show (family-friendly)
📍 Papillion Landing Field House, 1046 W. Lincoln St.
🕘 Sat., Sept. 26, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 27, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Dealers, displays, a rock pile, gem dig bags, and kids' activities. Nebraska Mineral and Gem Club

🦋 Monarch Missions (family-friendly)
📍 Sump Memorial Library, 222 N. Jefferson St.
🕓 Wed., Sept. 23, 4:00–5:00 p.m.
A weekly drop-in nature program for kids in the Youth Department — outdoor activities, crafts, and science. Library calendar

📚 No Pressure Book Club
📍 Sump Memorial Library, 222 N. Jefferson St.
🕟 Mon., Sept. 21, 4:30–5:00 p.m.
A teen book club to talk about whatever you're reading, no assigned title required. Library calendar

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