Danae Columbus: Qualifying is next week for First City Court, state and parish committees

Though it might seem like our political season just ended, Louisiana’s campaigns are cranking up again next week with qualifying Jan. 8-10 for a vacant judgeship at First City Court and for dozens of seats on the Orleans Parish Democratic and Republican Parish Executive Committees and State Central Committees.

The First City Court vacancy is due to the recent untimely passing of Senior Judge Angelique Reed, 59, the first African-American to be elected to that court. Reed served with distinction for 21 years.

Attorney Robbins Graham, 61, a graduate of Southern University Law Center, told Uptown Messenger he was “seriously interested in qualifying.”  The Louisiana State Bar Association lists Graham as an attorney for the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. A practicing attorney for more than 30 years, Graham attends the Beacon Light Baptist Church in Gentilly.

NOPD releases photos of multiple vehicle burglaries on Uptown streets

The New Orleans Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in the identification and location of suspects in Uptown vehicle burglaries.

The vehicle break-ins occurred on Dec. 15 in the 2100 block of Dante Street, Dec. 20 in the 900 block of Nashville Street, Dec. 23 in the 3000 block of Octavia Street and Dec. 29 in the 500 block of Walnut Street.

Going out for New Year’s Eve? Be careful, city warns. Sticking around? Be careful, fire officials warn. And have a Happy New Year!

If your New Year’s Eve celebrations involve the French Quarter or the Central Business District, expect large crowds heavy traffic related to Wednesday’s Allstate Sugar Bowl as well as New Year’s events, city officials warn.

“As always, please take care in large crowds and report suspicious activity to public safety officials,” a Mayor’s Office press release states.

Tech company Levelset hopes to impact local economy

by Christian Willbern, Uptown Messenger

Levelset, based in the Lower Garden District, is an example of the fast-growing tech industry in New Orleans.

Since 2006, New Orleans has seen “more than 45 high-tech startup or subsidiaries,” which resulted in “the creation of more than 20,000 jobs,” according to U.S. News.

Levelset provides a cloud-based payment and management platform for the construction industry, in an effort to cut through the slow pay cycles, burdensome paperwork and costly disputes in a what has been a relatively low-tech industry.