Woman convicted of murder as a teen will be released on parole

After spending her entire adult life behind bars, Michele Benjamin learned Monday that she will be able to go free, the Loyola University Law Clinic has announced.

Benjamin, 41, was a teenager when she was sentenced to life without parole in 1996 for the murder of a German tourist in New Orleans.

The Loyola law clinic began filing appeals in her case not long after life sentences for juveniles were ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012. That ruling, in Miller v. Alabama, was made retroactive by the Louisiana Supreme Court in 2016, paving the way for Benjamin’s release on parole.

Danae Columbus: Sen. Bajoie contributed to New Orleans’ growth during 36 years of service

Diana Bajoie smiled broadly when the Downtown Development District’s Kurt Weigle touted $500 million dollars of construction permits issued in 2018. First as the area’s State Representative and later as State Senator, Bajoie delivered billions in capital outlay funds for the Morial Convention Center, LSU Health Sciences Center, the Port of New Orleans and many other organizations which laid the foundation for the New Orleans economy that citizens enjoy today. Working closely with numerous governors and legislative leaders, it was Bajoie’s task to gather support across party and geographic lines.

Uptown Weekend: French Film Festival, ‘Vagina Monologues’

During the last weekend before parades take over Uptown streets, there’s still plenty to do without leaving the neighborhood. To name a few: You can take in a French movie at the Prytania or a play at the Ashe Cultural Arts Center.

French Film Festival

The 22nd New Orleans French Film Festival, one of the longest running foreign language festivals in the country, showcases contemporary and classic francophone Cinema for audiences of about 4,000 at the Prytania Theatre, 5339 Prytania St., the oldest single-screen movie house operating in Louisiana.

NOPD seeking to locate runaway patient

from New Orleans Police Department

The NOPD is seeking assisting with locating an adult male who has been reported as a runaway patient from a local hospital.

Caleb Guy, 21, who was committed to a hospital where he was undergoing psychiatric treatment, was reported to have escaped the facility and his current whereabouts are unknown.

Urban South talks success, untapping two new brews

By Jesse Baum for Uptown Messenger

From its inception less than three years ago, Urban South Brewery has grown to be the third-largest brewer in Louisiana, ubiquitous in bars across the city. Last year, they brewed enough beer to fill 3.6 million cans, though some was of course sold in kegs or in their taproom on Tchoupitoulas Street.

After creating dozens of different craft beers over the years, Urban South is releasing two more brews this Friday — two types of “pastry stouts.”

Two sought for questioning in Lower Garden District shooting death

The NOPD is seeking assistance in locating Jamal Mitchell, 26, and Hassan Carline, 23, in connection to a homicide on Tchoupitoulas Street in November.

The above pictured subjects are not currently suspects in the shooting death of 23-year-old Glenn Curtis. However, detectives would like to to interview them and swab their cheeks for DNA.

Café Reconcile recruiting new students

Café Reconcile is recruiting new students for its 2019 classes. While Café Reconcile’s Class 1 is already underway, applications to participate in future classes, including Class 2 which begins March 18, are currently being accepted both online and in person. Young adults ages 16-24 years old can apply.

Café Reconcile is an eight-week hospitality training and job placement program that provides paid stipends, life skills classes, visits to industry partners, interview training and more.

Five Lusher seniors named Posse scholars

Five Lusher Charter School seniors have been named Posse Foundation scholars: Kierra McDowell, Illinois Wesleyan University; Bryce Langford, University of Notre Dame; Kaysie Ratliff, University of Notre Dame; Jordan Fields, Illinois Wesleyan University; and Lucia Garcia, Case Western Reserve. Posse scholars receive full-tuition scholarships.