Police investigating Christmas homicide

The New Orleans Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a man dead in Central City on Christmas morning.

On Tuesday, Dec. 25, at 8:42 a.m., Sixth District officers responded to a call of an aggravated battery by shooting in the 2500 block of Clara Street. Upon arrival, officers found an adult male victim outside with multiple gunshot wounds to the back and stomach.

Man shot to death in Central City

The NOPD is investigating a homicide that claimed a man’s life Sunday night in Central City.

Sixth District officers responded to a call of an aggravated battery by shooting at 9:07 p.m. in the 2100 block of Willow Street, near Josephine Street.

Upon arrival, officers discovered an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Crime report: Armed robberies, domestic battery

Armed robberies in Gert Town

The NOPD has arrested Byron Lackings, 42, in connection with two armed robberies that occurred on Dec. 13 in Gert Town.

The robberies were reported in close proximity of time and location to each other, one at about 3:15 a.m. in the 8000 block of Olive Street and another at about 9 a.m. at a business in the 3200 block of South Carrollton Avenue.

City adjusts trash-pickup days for the holidays

There will be no curbside trash collection on Tuesday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day), or Tuesday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day). Curbside trash collection will resume on the next regularly scheduled collection day.

If you have Tuesday and Friday garbage pickup, your trash will be picked up Friday as scheduled.

For areas with Tuesday recycling collection, Metro Disposal and Richard’s Disposal will conduct special collection days after Christmas (for all that cardboard and wrapping paper).

Trombone Shorty returns to his alma mater to host “Toys From Troy” for local children

Photos by Zach Brien, MidCityMessenger.com

Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, internationally-renowned trombonist and Warren Easton graduate, returned to his alma mater on Friday, Dec. 21 bearing gifts. Andrews hosted his second annual “Toys From Troy” toy giveaway. The second annual event also featured pictures with Santa and a performance by students at the Trombone Shorty Academy.

Danae Columbus: Mayor will need more partners to solve city’s funding dilemma

Like many New Orleanians I appreciate Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s willingness to leave no stone unturned to fund many of the city’s critical infrastructure problems that former Mayor Landrieu didn’t adequately address. Obviously, it will take money for numerous sources to fill the gap.

Strong mayors have lots of tools at their disposal – including the media – to get their desires heard. But smart leaders know a little honey can go a long way. Keep your friends close and your perceived enemies closer. As a former grassroots organizer, Cantrell must realize that building support through numerous partnerships and artfully negotiated compromises is probably the best method to achieve long-term goals. Change is never quick or easy. So far, Mayor Cantrell is making her point but not making much progress.

Architect unveils plan to redevelop Carrollton Courthouse into senior living facility

By Jesse Baum, jesse.blacktree@gmail.com

A neighborhood meeting in the evening on Monday, Dec. 17, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church introduced Uptown residents to the plans for the Carrollton Courthouse.

The property, bounded by Maple Street, Short Street, Hampson Street and Carrollton Avenue, is slated to become an assisted-living and memory-care residence, with 100 units total. The property was listed as one of  the nation’s 11 “most endangered places” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2015.

Mayor and officials from NORD, Audubon, City Park tout plan to reallocate millage

Voters will decide in May whether the city will move forward with an ordinance to reallocate taxpayer revenue for park spaces. The ordinance does not include any tax increase for residents; it will rebalance revenue to help improve city services while bringing revenue to parks.

The proposal would adjust the millage rates for Audubon Commission, the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission and Parks and Parkways in part to allow City Park to finally receive dedicated funding.

The oversight for the city’s park and recreation assets would also be unified under the cooperative plan.