Several recent developments in key stories we’ve been following beginning with the home of former Omaha City Councilman Vinny Palermo.

As he sits in jail, awaiting federal sentencing on fraud and kickback charges Palermo has also been waiting for his South Omaha home to sell, a key part of his ongoing divorce.

As we first reported, this unique 13th Street house, includes a “brand new pool.”

And one of Palermo’s kickbacks is tied to the pool.

According to prosecutors, a contractor who does work for the city, poured concrete for Palermo’s “pool deck” with Palermo receiving a “substantial discount” and paying the contractor “in cash to conceal” the deal.

The Palermo home was the scene of an FBI raid last December, which led to Palermo’s indictment and the Council’s unanimous vote to send Palermo packing.

According to Zillo and the real estate agent, the home was initially listed at $650,000, after a few weeks on the market it sold for less: $550,000.

Meanwhile one of the state’s biggest infrastructure projects, a $300 million dollar or more downtown streetcar continues moving forward.

But we are hearing some concerns. One involves talk that the 16 open-air streetcar stations should be heated. That suggestion is under review. The streetcar is still at least 3 years away.

In Omaha