The Chloe opens on St. Charles Avenue, with homegrown sophistication (and tales of cat ghosts)

For those driving or walking on St. Charles Avenue, watching the transformation of a large Queen Anne style home near Napoleon Avenue has been the talk of the town. And like many buildings, it has stories to tell. On Oct. 28, The Chloe, a boutique hotel with a restaurant and bar, officially opened its doors, becoming the latest resident in this once-upon-a-time sleeping beauty at 4125 St.

St. Catherine’s Day Hat Parade canceled for 2020

The annual St. Catherine’s Day Hat Parade, held in the Garden District on the Sunday before Thanksgiving for the past decade, has been postponed due to concerns about the spreading COVID-19 virus. This year the walking parade and celebration would have been on Sunday, Nov. 22. In past years, the hat-wearing participants meet in the pocket park at St.

Viewpoint: Who would succeed Cedric Richmond if he leaves Congress for the White House?

For months now rumors have been building that U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond will join President-elect Joe Biden’s new administration in an executive capacity. Though Biden has yet to make a formal announcement, many candidates are already lining up for what will surely be a fierce competition to replace Richmond in Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District.   

Since last week’s election, a new poll has been conducted by John Anzalone, Biden’s pollster, that looked at five candidates already considered to be the prime contenders – former Mayor Mitch Landrieu, City Councilwoman at-large Helena Moreno, state Sen. Troy Carter, state Sen. Cleo Fields and state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson. Any of these candidates would be considered serious players in a district stretches from Orleans Parish through Jefferson and up the River Parishes ending in Baton Rouge. Not surprisingly, former Mayor Mitch Landrieu, now a CNN contributor, ranked first in the poll with 25%. Landrieu served four terms as a state legislator as well as two terms each as mayor and lieutenant governor.

Viewpoint: Support public safety officers threatened with furloughs

People are getting desperate. Led by an increase in homicides and aggravated assaults, the crime wave sweeping across New Orleans and America can be blamed in large part on COVID-19 and the economic turmoil it has caused. A recent Council on Criminal Justice analysis of homicide rates in 27 U.S. cities found that the sheer number of crimes increased sharply during the summer months.  Overall domestic violence and carjackings are also skyrocketing together with drug and gang violence.  

Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s almost singular focus on reducing the virus in Orleans Parish has successfully limited hospitalizations and deaths, especially as the virus’ latest wave is wreaking havoc nationally. We applaud her for those efforts. Yet its accompanying financial devastation is driving up crime in New Orleans as desperate individuals resort to reckless acts to put a few dollars in their pockets.  

Along with a very real concern about how to pay the bills during New Orleans’ stalled economic recovery are factors such as an increase in gun sales, mental health issues such as depression, boredom and a lack of interaction with others. 

New Orleans is a poor city where the Police Department has perpetually been understaffed and underpaid by regional and national standards.

Man killed, woman injured in Gert Town shooting

The New Orleans Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred Wednesday (Nov. 11) evening  in Gert Town. At about 7:30 p.m., NOPD Second District officers responded to a report of an aggravated battery by shooting in the 4700 block of Thalia Street. They found two victims — a male and a female — lying on the ground and suffering from gunshot wounds. The man was declared deceased at the scene.

Yo Joe: A Realtor’s Q&A with New Orleans interior designer Maureen Stevens

I’m Joe Gerrity, local businessman, investor and Real Estate Broker. For my Yo Joe! column, I’ll be answering your real estate questions and providing market information special to New Orleans. Part of being in real estate and offering superior, across-the-board services comes with making connections in the housing industry – for us, that includes everything from construction workers to interior designers. Today, we met with our new friend, Maureen Stevens, owner of Maureen Stevens Design.

Two people killed in quadruple shooting in Hollygrove

The New Orleans Police Department is investigating a mid-day double homicide in Hollygrove. Second District officers were on a routine patrol at about 1:15 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 6) when they heard gunfire. As they were attempting to determine the location of the gunshots, they were flagged down by a citizen who directed them to the 8600 block of Belfast Street. At Belfast near Leonidas Street, the officers found four victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

Viewpoint: Women of color and progressives ruled the day in Orleans Parish races

From Keva Landrum to Chanel Payne, women of color and younger progressive-minded voters were the big winners in New Orleans’ election earlier this week.  Women of color were candidates in 21 of the 25 local races on the ballot and won outright or earned a runoff slot in almost every one. 

Progressives qualified for many of the School Board and judicial seats. It’s not just the candidates who were the victors but the men and women behind the scenes who poured their sweat and hard-earned money into the contests. A much-needed new generation of elected officials and consultants will continue to emerge. In the race for district attorney, former Judge Keva Landrum benefited from strong fundraising and her ability to stay on message despite attacks by outside interests. She also has to thank her besties, state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson and Mayor LaToya Cantrell, for their push.