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An Italian landmark in Omaha is getting a makeover. Construction crews began their work to restore the Sons of Italy Hall near 10th and William streets Monday morning. It's a bittersweet sight to officers of the Order Sons of Italy, who say it's a reminder of what they've lost in the January 13 fire, but also a sign of progress. "It's unbelievable...

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The comforting and spicy aromas of an old-world Omaha icon will waft through the air once again this year at a renovated Sons of Italy Hall. Damaged by a two-alarm fire on Jan. 13, the hall is scheduled to reopen by Dec. 31. “It’s going to be a beautiful structure,” said Dr. Tom Pruse, president of the organization’s state lodge. “It will have g...

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To Larry Wright Jr., Chief Standing Bear’s legacy is worthy of celebration, especially as Nebraska marks its 150th anniversary of statehood. After being exiled from Nebraska, the Ponca Tribe chief and 29 others trekked hundreds of miles back to bury the body of Standing Bear’s teenage son, whose dying wish was to be laid to rest in his beloved home...

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Lombardo’s is the kind of reliable, Italian-American neighborhood restaurant that the people living nearby — around the 132nd Street and West Maple Road area — must really appreciate. It’s not a chain. It’s affordable. And it’s serving giant portions of things like saucy pastas, classic lasagna and a few surprisingly good appetizers, including a f...

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He's credited with developing the area around 25th and Marcy. Chuck Martens with Forgotten Omaha says Vincent Chiodo was a self-made man. He used his money to build better homes for Italian immigrants. Chiodo brought over Italian stone masons and used $5,000 worth of the old Douglas County Courthouse to build the Lancaster building. The white colum...

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Fat Tuesday is right around the corner, and Pasta Amore and the Italian American Heritage Society are celebrating with their annual Carnevale event. Costumes are encouraged, but not required, for the festive dinner, which takes place Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The event is $39 per diner for the public and $35 for society members — before tax and tip. A c...

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Sam Vazzano and his buddies had to promise not to talk during meetings when they asked to join the Sons of Italy in the early 1960s, but their later work starting the club’s weekly spaghetti feed still speaks volumes. In a 2002 interview, Vazzano told a World-Herald reporter that he remembered one of the “cranky old guys” wagging a finger at him a...

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WOWT 6 News has learned a community staple, the Sons of Italy Hall, may not be reopening its doors for many months. On January 13th emergency crews battled a two-alarm blaze that left extensive damage. No access to the hall has left many without their second home. The organization and the building itself have grown from generation to generation and...

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As a result of the Jan. 13 two-alarm fire at the Sons of Italy hall, board members are leaning toward razing the hall and building anew. Said Dr. Tom Pruse of Omaha, president of the state lodge: “I suspect the best option is to bulldoze and rebuild.” He had no estimate on exactly when but expressed hope it could be by the end of the year. The stat...

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From pasta to pizza, those around the panhandle hoping to eat some authentic Italian cuisine now have the opportunity. Luigi's in Scottsbluff is open to serve up food that many believe is hard to find in the area.   Owner Nick Trziu says the family-owned business started in Texas and began to move north. This is the second location that the...

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