business

With Chipotle on the way, should Magazine Street limit the influx of chain stores?

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The imminent arrival of fast-growing Chipotle chain burrito restaurant on Magazine Street — plunging directly into competition with beloved local Latin restaurants — has local residents beginning to explore legislation that might limit the influx of national brands on the uniquely Uptown New Orleans thoroughfare. “No one comes to New Orleans to see Veterans Avenue,” said Coliseum Square Association member Frank Cole. “I don’t want to see an Arby’s on Magazine Street.” Julie Simpson, president of the Coliseum Square Association, told association members Monday night that she had recently participated in a meeting with the StayLocal nonprofit and representatives of other neighborhood groups, such as the Garden District Association. The topic, Simpson said, was the possibility of some sort of land-use regulation specifically for Magazine Street that would limit the growth of chain businesses.

city government

District A candidates discuss crime, AirBnB, green space, Sewerage & Water Board and more (full videos)

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Carrollton residents packed the cafeteria of St. Mary’s Dominican High School last week for a debate between the six candidates for District A on the New Orleans City Council, but if you didn’t make it, here’s your chance to watch full videos of each section of the forum. In Part 1 (above), the candidates discuss issues related to the criminal justice, including their views of the New Orleans Police Department consent decree and the size of the Orleans Parish jail. * * *

In Part 2 (below), the candidates discuss the whether the City Council should tighten the laws it made last year governing AirBnB short-term rentals and how to help long-time residents with rising property taxes. * * *

In Part 3, the candidates share their views on the Sewerage and Water Board, how to promote a “Living With Water” strategy, and how to protect green space in the city.

public safety

Elderly couple injured in house fire on Soraparu Street

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An elderly couple were both injured when a fire broke out Monday afternoon in the bedroom of their home on Soraparu Street, New Orleans Fire Department officials said. The fire was reported shortly before 5 p.m. in the 700 block of Soraparu Street, and firefighters brought it under control within 20 minutes, according to a New Orleans Fire Department report. For details, see the report below:

On Monday, September 18, 2017 at 4:49 pm, the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) received a 911 call stating a house was on fire at 720/722 Saraparu Street. Firefighters arrived at 4:52 pm to find fire coming from the front door and window of a single story, wood-framed shotgun double. An 87 year old male and 77 year old female lived alone at the residence and when firefighters arrived on the scene, the elderly couple was sitting on the front porch.

city government

Mayoral candidates to debate housing issues, short-term rentals, historic preservation

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The three highest-polling mayoral candidates — Michael Bagneris, LaToya Cantrell and Desiree Charbonnet — will debate housing and preservation issues such as short-term rentals and zoning law in a forum Tuesday evening at Loyola University. The forum will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, in Nunemaker Auditorium on floor 3 of Monroe Hall, Loyola University, 6363 St. Charles Ave. Free parking will be available at the West Road Parking Deck.

crime

Woman robbed at gunpoint outside St. Charles Avenue home; man beaten with bicycle lock in O.C. Haley robbery

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A man was beaten with a bicycle lock in a robbery Friday morning on O.C. Haley Boulevard, and woman’s purse was taken from her after a struggle with a gunman outside her St. Charles Avenue home that evening, New Orleans police said. Around 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 15, a man in his 60s was at home in the 1800 block of O.C. Haley Boulevard when an acquaintance showed up, according to the initial NOPD report. “The victim advised the subject he didn’t have any money,” the report states.

city government

Gov. John Bel Edwards endorses Jay Banks in District B race

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Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards made the unusual step of involving himself in a district-level local government election on Friday morning, announcing his support for Jay H. Banks to fill the New Orleans City Council seat being vacated by LaToya Cantrell. In his appearance at Delgado Community College in Mid-City, Edwards also noted, however, that he will not be endorsing in the mayor’s race. Read the full story and watch live video of the event at Mid-City Messenger.

city government

Carrollton neighborhood groups to quiz District A City Council candidates at forum tonight

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A coalition of neighborhood groups from around the Carrollton area and beyond will hear from candidates for the open District A seat on the New Orleans City Council at a forum tonight at St. Mary’s Dominican High School. All six candidates — Joe Giarrusso III, Tilman Hardy, Aylin Maklansky, Dan Ring, Drew Ward and Toyia Washington-Kendrick — have confirmed their attendance at the event, organizers say. The forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at St.

business

Indecisive McDonald’s customer snatches cash from register, police say

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A customer at the McDonald’s on South Carrollton placed an order Wednesday night, then changed it at the last minute and — in the minor moment of counter-service uncertainty that ensued — grabbed money out of the register and ran away with it, New Orleans police said. The man entered the McDonald’s in the 3400 block of South Carrollton around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, and placed an order at the counter, according to the initial NOPD report. “As the cashier opened the register, he changed his order, confusing the cashier,” the report states. “He then reached in the register took cash and then fled.”

schools

New Orleans College Prep leaders begin self-examination amid uncertain future for Sylvanie Williams charter

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With a state-assigned letter grade approaching that will likely determine whether New Orleans College Prep loses the charter for Sylvanie Williams Elementary, the network’s governing board embarked Wednesday night on a process to re-examine the structure of the entire organization. Sylvanie Williams Elementary was the first campus school that College Prep was assigned to operate a few years after Hurricane Katrina, and initially posted promising academic gains. After those early successes, the state awarded several more campuses to the network in the Uptown area — the former Cohen High School, Crocker elementary, and most recently a startup early-learning center at the site of the former Hoffman school. Sylvanie Williams was due for its charter to be renewed this year, but a recent slide in its School Performance Score based on test results has called into question whether New Orleans College Prep will be allowed to continue operating it. After successive ‘D’ letter grades, Sylvanie Williams was required to earn a ‘C’ to have its charter renewed, but a first look at the school’s springtime testing foretold lower grades than expected.