Police blotter: Two carjackings, a burglary, three armed robberies

NOPD reports this week show that Uptown residents fell victim to carjackings, armed purse snatchings, armed robberies and a burglary. Carjacking: A woman, 53, was carjacked Thursday (Dec. 10) night near South Claiborne and Napoleon avenues, the New Orleans Police Department reported. Armed men surrounded her car in the 3000 block of Cadiz Street at about 8:20 p.m., police said. They forced her out and drove off.

Suspects arrested in Uptown armed robberies

The New Orleans Police Department announced the arrests of two suspects in recent Uptown armed robberies
One suspect is accused in a string of robberies, three taking place within hours of each other in shopping center parking lots. The other is a juvenile accused in a Gert Town robbery. Tony Hatcher, 33, has been booked in three Uptown parking-lot robberies and one in Mid-City. The first was an attempted robbery that took place in the afternoon of Dec. 3, in the Costco parking lot.

Viewpoint: With Romero victory on School Board, LGBT community seeks greater political power

LGBT leaders were ecstatic when Dr. J.C. Romero, an openly gay educator, won a seat on the Orleans Parish School Board last Saturday. Romero defeated two-term board member Leslie Ellison, who frequently spoke out against gay rights. LGBT community members believe they will not achieve “full citizenship” until gay candidates are elected to the Louisiana Legislature and the New Orleans City Council. Chief of staff at Einstein Charter Schools and adjunct professor at Delgado Community College, Romero is the city’s third gay-identified elected school official, following in the footsteps of two former Orleans Parish School Board presidents Thomas Robichaux and Seth Bloom. Robichaux and other LGBT attorneys provided free services on Romero’s behalf.

‘Reading Radio’ station on Magazine occupies a unique broadcasting niche

The WRBH 88.3 FM studios, a landmark on the corner of Magazine and Foucher streets, has a distinctive spot in the broadcasting world. It is the nation’s only full-time FM reading radio service and one of only three such stations in the world, according to its website. 

WRBH, also known as “Reading Radio,” turns the printed word into the spoken word so that vision-impaired people can receive the same ease of access to current information as their sighted peers. 

Two other stations share that mission: Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network, a sideband service not on the FM dial, and Vision Australia Radio Network. The latter is a network of eight radio stations whose programming and structure are similar to WRBH but do not operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Australian group recently reached out to WRBH to share information, ideas and forge a relationship. The target audience for Reading Radio includes the blind and illiterate, as well as individuals who are unable to read due to illness, spinal cord injuries, eye muscle damage, learning disabilities, lack of access to print media and loss of vision due to age.

Glowing up with the Columns: Rejuvenation is a natural progression for this storied gathering place

It wouldn’t be overreaching to say the Columns is beloved by generations of New Orleanians, as well as those visiting the city. The large front porch framed by imposing Doric-style columns has been a favorite for cocktails and watching the scene unfold along St. Charles Avenue. Charming and old world, it is a place where first dates, proposals, break-ups and the accompanying drowning of sorrows, sharing of secrets, love-at-first-sight, weddings, debutante soirees and celebratory fetes happen on a daily basis. If walls could talk, the Columns’ walls could fill three volumes, easily.

Sponsored: Learn all about successions with The Links, Inc.

The Crescent City (LA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated presents the first in a series of chapter-hosted webinars. The first webinar, What You Need To Know About Successions, takes place via Zoom this Wednesday, December 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Our presenter will be retired Judge Carolyn W. Gill-Jefferson, former Chief Judge for the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. Media pro Camille Whitworth will moderate the webinar. We encourage you to join us for information that will include understanding the importance of successions:

What is a succession? What is an estate?

Police blotter: Vehicles stolen across Uptown neighbhooods

The New Orleans Police Department reported a string of carjackings and armed robberies involving vehicles as well as a shooting in Uptown neighborhoods during the past week. Two of the crime victims — both women in their 70s — tried to thwart their attackers. One was a 75-year-old woman who was carjacked Sunday (Dec. 6) on Magazine Street. She was getting into her vehicle in the 3200 block of Magazine, in the Garden District, at about 2:30 p.m. when a man walked up to her, pointed a gun and demanded her vehicle.

Silver Lining: Urban Roots branches out as Uptowners find relief in gardening

This is the second Silver Lining, an Uptown Messenger series on locally owned small businesses that are thriving during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like other New Orleans businesses considered essential, the Urban Roots Garden Center did not have to close down during the COVID-19 lockdown. It was considered to provide essential services because they sell edibles and fruiting plants. Also, like other businesses in Uptown Messenger’s “Silver Linings” series, this one does not rely on the tourist trade or out-of-town visitors. At the beginning of the pandemic, Urban Roots offered a new service: curbside pick-up.