Uptown restaurateurs urge Congress to refill funds in the American Rescue Plan

Robert LeBlanc of the local restaurant operator LeBlanc + Smith, which closed its Magazine Street restaurant Cavan in September, was one of the speakers at a press conference Thursday (Nov. 4) held by the Independent Restaurant Coalition. 

The association is urging Louisianians to call on local members of Congress — especially Sen. John Kennedy, who sits on the Senate’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee — to refill the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, or RRF, part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. 

No-show defendant in 2019 rape case is a suspect in Carrollton area sexual assault

The NOPD has obtained an arrest warrant for Edward Budd, 41, in the investigation of a sexual assault that occurred on May 14 in the 1000 block of Cambronne Street.

The victim told police that Budd sexually assaulted her inside his home, adding that she did not consent to sexual activity. He is wanted on one count of third-degree rape in the case, the NOPD said.

Budd, who police say may using the alias “Eddie Ortega,” is also awaiting trial in a 2019 first-degree rape case, Sheriff’s Office records show. He faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted.

Viewpoint: Soft early-voting numbers portend low election turnout

With Covid-19 and Hurricane Ida, plus Jamie Winston’s torn ACL and Michael Thomas’ ankle injury, New Orleans voters are burned out. Although we are in the process of electing a mayor, City Council members and other municipal officials, many New Orleanians don’t even know or care about what’s on the ballot. The early polls are proof of this.  We’ve already passed the midway point in early voting for the Nov. 13 elections.

Police blotter: Two shootings, a robbery, a carjacking

Two shootings and a carjacking were reported in Central City during the holiday weekend, and a 72-year-old man was robbed near the Pontchartrain Expressway in the Lower Garden District. A 44-year-old man was shot early Monday (Nov. 1) in the 3300 block of South Saratoga Street. At about 12:45 a.m., NOPD Sixth District officers found him suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. A few hours earlier, 48-year-old woman was injured in a shooting on St.

Soup Garden is ready to blossom at a sno-ball stand on Magazine

The Soup Garden, a hot pop-up born during the pandemic, will return on Thursday (Nov. 4). The months-long pop-up will operate out of the Imperial Woodpecker sno-ball stand at 3511 Magazine St.

The Soup Garden first found success last year, while many people were looking for comfort food and quick take-out.

United We Skate event draws a crowd to Gert Town park

On Saturday (Oct. 30), United We Skate 504 hosted a costumed community skate with Together Gert Town. The event, held at Thompson Playground in Gert Town, included food, free skate rentals for children, a costume contest and a skating lesson. With kids and adults alike on skates and a DJ bumping tunes, the event is part of an ongoing series of monthly pop-up skates with free rentals to underserved communities. Judy Boudreaux of United We Skate 504 said she was pleased with the turnout.

Times-Picayune and Gambit endorse JP Morrell (sponsored)

The Times-Picayune I Advocate and Gambit both endorse JP Morrell

Today, the Times-Picayune/Advocate and Gambit both announced they are endorsing JP Morrell for New Orleans City Council at-large, Division 2, in the Nov. 13 election. Early voting starts Saturday and is available through Nov. 6, excluding Sunday. The Times-Picayune wrote in its endorsement:

Our choice, though, is attorney and former state Sen. JP Morrell, a big-picture thinker who doesn’t get lost in the weeds.